Ingredients
Grill & Cooking Supplies
How to Grill Turkey on a Gas Grill
Step 1 Preparing the Grill
Make sure your grill is prepared for cooking a turkey.
- Make sure you have an extra propane tank. You don’t want to run out of gas mid-cook.
- Set up the grill for indirect cooking.
- Remove 1/3 or ½ of the grill grates and place a smoker box on one end of the grill.
- Use the end burners – the center burner will be turned off.
- Preheat the grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure that the grill maintains this temperature for 10 minutes after it is reached. You may have to turn the knobs down to maintain the temperature.
Step 2 Preparing the Turkey
Prepare your turkey for grilling with a few steps.
- Brine the Turkey overnight, following the instructions on the brine.
- Place the roasting rack inside a disposable aluminum roasting pan so juices can be collected for making gravy later.
- Let the excess brine drain off the turkey.
- Place the turkey into the roasting rack.
Step 3 Grilling the Turkey
Begin cooking your turkey on the grill.
- Once the grill is preheated, place the turkey, roasting rack, and drip pan in the center of the grill for indirect cooking.
- Make sure to maintain a 350-degree temperature throughout the cook.
- For the 14-pound turkey in this video, it will take approximately 3-3.5 hours of cooking.
- For Weber® gas grills, a rough guide is18 mins per pound approx., set at 325-350 degrees INDIRECT HEAT.
Step 4 Check the Turkey and Add Seasoning
Check the turkey 2 hours into the cook for seasoning.
- Use your thermometer to check the temperature. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the breast meat. Temperatures should be around 120 degrees.
- Slather Bacon Up or a similar binder on top of the turkey breast.
- Sprinkle with Meat Church rub.
Step 5 Add Wood Chips
Check the turkey again at 2.5 hours to add wood chips for smoking.
- Internal turkey temp around 150-160 degrees.
- At this time, turn the burner off on the far side of the grill. Turn UP the burner under the smoker box and add the post oak chips to the smoker box.
- Check the bird again in 15 minutes. Temp should be around 160 degrees.
Step 6 Finishing the Turkey
Keep cooking the turkey, checking every 15 minutes until the thickest part of the breast measures 165 degrees, and the thigh reaches 180 degrees. The turkey is done.
- After cooking, rest the turkey, loosely covered with foil, for 15-30 minutes before carving.
- If you can push your thumb into the turkey and it leaves an impression, you know you have a beautifully cooked, moist turkey.
Safely Cooking Turkey
- Do not roast the turkey in an oven temperature lower than 325° F. Poultry should be roasted at a Minimum of 325° F. or higher to avoid potential food safety problems.
- Do not roast the turkey in a brown paper grocery bag. Present-day grocery bags may be made of recycled materials and are not considered safe for food preparation.
- Do use a meat thermometer (available at most grocery stores and kitchen shops) to determine the correct degree of doneness. Turkey is done when the meat in the thigh reaches 180°F or (meat in the breast is finished at 170°F).
Unstuffed Turkey |
Stuffed Turkey |
| 8 to 12 pounds — 2 3/4 to 3 hours
12 to 14 pounds — 3 to 3 3/4 hours 14 to 18 pounds — 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours 18 to 20 pounds — 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours 20 to 24 pounds — 4 1/2 to 5 hours |
8 to 12 pounds — 3 to 3 1/2 hours
12 to 14 pounds — 3 1/2 to 4 hours 14 to 18 pounds — 4 to 4 1/4 hours 18 to 20 pounds — 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours 20 to 24 pounds — 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours |
Grilled Turkey Tips
Key Takeaways
- Brine your turkey and let it drain before cooking
- Grill the turkey on a rack over a disposable roasting tray
- Halfway through cooking, add a binder and a rub for flavor
- The turkey is done when the thickest part of the breast measures 165 degrees, and the thigh reaches 180 degrees
- Let the turkey rest after you cook it
- Save the drippings in a roasting pan for gravy
- Cooking times vary based on the type of grill and the size of the turkey
