Easy Grilled Turkey Recipe (2024)

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Your Thanksgiving plans are about to change forever! I know mine did! My Juicy Grilled Turkey Recipe is the juiciest turkey I have ever made and has the crispiest skin ever. It’s the easiest turkey I have ever made and it saves oven space for all the sides!

We love turkey at my house, not just for the holidays but at any time of year. I’ll always love my Thanksgiving Turkey in the oven, and Boneless Turkey Breast for a smaller crowd. But, dishes like this and my Instant Pot Turkey are life-changing.

Turkey on the Grill

This is how this recipe came about… Last year my oven broke the week of Thanksgiving. To say I panicked is an understatement. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention… for the first time ever, I decided to try grilling a turkey.

I am here to tell you that it was the juiciest turkey I have ever made! My family loved it! I realized that not only was it incredibly easy to grill a turkey, but I also saved space in the oven. This is one of our most memorable holiday recipes.

I couldn’t wait to share this recipe with all of you! You too can enjoy the best Thanksgiving turkey by following my guide on how to grill turkey!

This was the first time I ever grilled a turkey and I was a bit apprehensive. It was the best turkey I have ever made. My family doesn’t want me to cook it any other way.

Manny

Grilling a Turkey is so Easy

1. It took less than 3 hours to make this deliciously juicy turkey!
2. The prep time on this turkey is minimal! Literally, rub the turkey and dab it with butter, and you are done.
3. No need to brine this turkey or tie the legs!
4. It has so much flavor. The combination of the rub and the grill is out of this world!
5. The crispy skin is next level! So delicious and crispy.
6. And best of all… it frees your oven to make all those delicious side dishes!

BBQ Turkey Ingredients

• chicken broth
• butter
• onion
• rosemary sea salt rub
• citrus of your choiceI used lemons and clementines, cut into wedges
• fresh chopped parsleyoptional, for garnish
• fresh rosemary, sage, and thymeare optional, for garnish and stuffing
• whole turkey

How to Grill a Turkey

1. Lift up the grate of your grill and place a shallow disposable aluminum pan (approximately 1″ in height) or drip pan on top of the grill bars.
2. Fill the pan with turkey or chicken stock about halfway up.
3. Place the grate back on the grill.
4. Preheat the grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Once preheated turn off the middle burner and turn the side burners to low.
6. Place the turkey, turkey breast side up, over the aluminum pan on the grates.
7. The drippings from the turkey and the rub make the most amazing turkey au jus. You can serve it as is or make the gravy out of it using a roux.
8. When the turkey is done, turn off the grill remove the turkey from the grill, and place it on a serving platter.
9. Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes.
10. When the grates are cool, remove the grates and retrieve the turkey au jus. If you don’t want to wait until the grates are cool, you can use heavy-duty grilling gloves to remove the grates.

Serve this delicacy with some orange cranberry sauce and creamy mashed potatoes and you are all set.

Grill Turkey Tips

This recipe is so easy – the rub replaces the brining. You will never brine a turkey again once you make this easy version.

• After seasoning, dab your turkey all over with melted butter. This will give you the crispest skin and make the juiciest turkey.
• We used the indirect grilling method which works great on large pieces of meat. Place the turkey in the middle of the grill and only light the two side burners.
• Make sure to place an aluminum foil pan under the turkey. The drippings along with the turkey or chicken broth make the most amazing gravy.
• Using a dry rub and dabbing butter on top will guarantee the crispiest skin.
• For tips on thawing turkey in time for Thanksgiving, take a look at my guide on How to Thaw Turkey!

Turkey Temperature

I always recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure you cook your turkey to the right temperature. Always insert it in both the breast and the thigh area. It should be inserted close to, but not touching, the thigh bone.

The perfect temperature will read 180°F in the thigh and170°F in the breast. Follow my turkey temperature chart for step-by-step instructions.

Best Turkey Seasoning

Knowing how to season turkey is key to cooking the best bird every year.

1. Coat your bird with the homemade Rosemary Salt Seasoning. Trust me, this seasoning is amazing!
2. Using your hands, pat down the seasoning and rub it into the skin and meat of the bird.
3. Then brush the melted butter all over the bird. You will need to brush it gently in order for the rub not to come off. Trust me, this will ensure the crispest skin.
4. I like to stuff the turkey with lemons, oranges, and extra rosemary to infuse the flavor.

You can also use my Turkey Rub Seasoning. I love the flavors of this rub! It’s my favorite for Boneless Turkey Roast and is delicious on the grill, too.

You can use any seasoning of your choice, but these are my favorite two.

Grilled Turkey FAQs

Leftover Turkey Recipes

• Turkey Tetrazzini
• Turkey Sliders
• Egg Roll in a Bowl replace the ground turkey with shredded turkey
• Turkey Carcass Soup
• Turkey Stock

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

• Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
• Cajun Turkey
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast
• Sous Vide Turkey Breast
• Deep Fried Turkey
• Spatchco*ck Turkey
• Smoked Turkey Recipe

📋 Recipe