Turkey is a tricky bird to cook, especially if you don't want to end up with an exploded mess like the Griswold family in "Griswold's Christmas Vacation." Grilling your turkey is healthier than deep-frying the bird and provides more flavor than traditional baking. As long as your turkey fits under your grill lid with about an inch of clearance, the grill is a viable option for cooking your Thanksgiving bird, but do not expect your turkey to cook quickly. Just like when baking your turkey, grilling the bird takes patience.
Step 1
Pile charcoal briquets in the bottom of your grill and pour lighter fluid over the top. Light the charcoal by throwing a match onto the coals.
Step 2
Allow the coals to burn until the fire subsides to white hot briquets. Place an appliance thermometer inside your grill.
Step 3
Fill a disposable, aluminum pan halfway full with water and set inside your grill underneath where you will place your turkey. The water will to add moist heat to the grill.
Step 4
Push the hot coals around the aluminum pan so they are evenly spread. Use a grill poker to move the briquets safely.
Step 5
Prepare your turkey while the grill warms. Pull the giblets and neck from inside the turkey and pat the bird dry with paper towels.
Step 6
Fold the wings up to hold the excess neck skin and tuck the legs back in if you had to move them to remove the innards. Brush vegetable oil across the skin of the turkey.
Step 7
Place the turkey, breast-side up, on the grill grate over the water-filled pan. Place the lid on your grill.
Step 8
Add about 15 new charcoal briquets every hour to keep the cooking temperature of the grill between 225 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 9
Cook the bird for 15 to 18 minutes per pound. Stick a digital meat thermometer in the innermost thigh of the bird and read the temperature. Once it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the bird from your grill.
Tips and Warnings
- Inject liquid seasonings into your turkey for extra flavor before cooking the bird. Many flavorings can be purchased with an injector. If using a gas grill with only one burner, place the turkey above the pan of water. For gas grills with two or more burners, place the turkey away from the flame by turning one of the burners off and cook as you would on a charcoal grill.
- Do not stuff the turkey before grilling. It is too difficult to ensure the stuffing reaches a safe temperature throughout.
Things You'll Need
- Charcoal briquets
- Lighter fluid
- Matches
- Appliance thermometer
- Disposable aluminum pan
- Grill poker
- Turkey
- Paper towels
- Vegetable oil
- Seasoning brush
- Digital thermometer
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