Can You Smoke a Turkey on a Grill? The Complete Guide

This smoked turkey recipe is the perfect turkey to serve on Thanksgiving or other special occasions. The turkey is delicious and tender, and the whole bird tastes like it came from an upscale restaurant. I can guarantee this smoked turkey will take your holiday meal to the next level!

Nothing beats a home-cooked turkey on Thanksgiving, and this smoked turkey recipe will help you get the best smoked turkey ever! Don’t feel intimidated by this recipe. Smoking a turkey can be just as easy as cooking it in your kitchen.

You can make a smoked turkey at home, no matter what kind of grill you’ve got on your deck. In fact, our first-ever smoked turkey was done on our old gas grill, and to date, is one of the most amazing smoked turkeys I’ve ever had (you never forget your first!).

Nowadays, I prefer to use my Camp Chef SmokePro pellet smoker because it maintains the smoke and temperatures for me so I don’t have to do as much babysitting. But you can make this smoked turkey on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or any type of smoker you have. The most important thing is to use a grill where you can create indirect heat, maintain consistent temperatures, and add in the element of wood smoke.

The post below is loaded with lots of information to help you get the best smoked turkey around. Please take the time to read through the entire post before you smoke your first bird. Following all the recommendations below will help you avoid any pitfalls on the big day.

Smoking a turkey on a grill may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy and results in incredibly moist, flavorful meat. With some preparation and the right techniques, you can make a show-stopping smoked turkey using just your trusty grill.

Why Smoke a Turkey on a Grill?

There are several benefits to smoking a turkey on a grill rather than roasting it in the oven

Deeply infused smoky flavor – The smoke permeates the meat, taking the flavor to new heights.
Guaranteed moisture – Slow-cooking over indirect heat keeps the turkey incredibly juicy.
Foolproof crispy skin – The hot grill environment crisps up the skin perfectly
Impressive presentation – Bringing a whole smoked turkey to the table makes a statement
Unique taste – Smoked turkey tastes different than oven roasted. Your guests will be wowed.

So if you’re looking to take your turkey game up a level this year, smoking it on the grill is definitely the way to go.

What You’ll Need

Smoking a turkey on a gas or charcoal grill is easy as long as you have the right equipment:

Gas or charcoal grill with a lid
Wood chips – Mesquite, hickory, cherry, apple or pecan
Disposable aluminum pan
Poultry shears
Instant read thermometer
Heat-resistant gloves
Carving knife
Cutting board

Prepping the Turkey

Proper prep ensures the turkey cooks evenly and absorbs maximum smoke flavor:

Defrost fully – Give yourself 1-2 days to thaw the turkey in the fridge. Never defrost at room temp.
Brine overnight – Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine ensures juicy, well-seasoned meat.
Remove giblets – Check inside both body cavities and remove giblets, neck.
Pat dry – Blot the turkey with paper towels before seasoning.
Loosen skin – Gently loosen the skin from the breast meat with your fingers.
Season under skin – Rub herb butter under the skin directly on the meat.
Season outside – Coat the skin liberally with dry rub.
Truss legs – Tie legs together with kitchen string to hold shape.

Setting Up the Grill

You’ll need to configure your grill for indirect cooking by only using one burner if using gas or piling charcoal on one side of the grill.

Place a disposable aluminum pan filled with water on the unlit side to catch drippings.

Soak your wood chips in water for 30 minutes then drain. For turkey, we recommend apple, cherry, pecan, or a fruitwood like peach.

Place soaked chips directly on the hot burner or charcoal. Close the lid immediately so smoke can build.

Maintaining Temperature

Ideal smoking temperature for turkey is between 225-275°F. This low and slow cooking results in tender, juicy meat.

On a gas grill, use only the outer burner on low/medium-low heat.

For charcoal, mound coals on one side and keep top and bottom vents half open.

Add a handful of fresh chips every 30-60 minutes to maintain smoke.

Use an oven thermometer near the turkey to monitor temperature.

Estimated Grill Times

Smoking times can vary based on the size of your turkey. Plan for approximately:

10-12 lbs: 3-4 hours
12-15 lbs: 4-5 hours
16-20 lbs: 5-6 hours

Turkeys over 20 pounds are not recommended for smoking whole for food safety. Stick to smaller birds.

Is It Done?

Test the thickest part of the thigh and breast for doneness. Turkey is safely cooked to 165°F as measured by an instant read thermometer.

The thighs and wings will be up to 175-180°F when fully cooked. If over 185°F, the breast meat may dry out.

Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.

Carving the Turkey

Use poultry shears to cut the legs and wings from the body. Then slice the breast meat from the bone before dividing into serving pieces.

Be sure to save any juices from the resting period to make a flavorful turkey gravy or sauce.

Smoked Turkey Safety Tips

Proper food safety is crucial when handling raw poultry:

Cook within 1-2 days of purchasing fresh turkey
Never defrost turkey at room temperature or in warm water
Use separate cutting boards/utensils for raw turkey prep
Wash hands, utensils in hot soapy water after touching raw turkey
Cook turkey to minimum internal temperature of 165°F
Refrigerate all leftovers within 2 hours

Extra Smoked Turkey Recipe Ideas

Cajun deep fried turkey – Inject Cajun butter marinade then deep fry the turkey
Beer can turkey – Crack open a can of beer and insert into the cavity while smoking
Brined turkey – Soak turkey overnight in a saltwater brine for added moisture
Spiced rubbed turkey – For more flavor, coat turkey with a spice rub before smoking
Apple cider turkey – Add apple cider to the smoker pan for flavorful steam
Cherry smoked turkey – Use cherry wood chips for a sweet, mildly tart flavor

So go ahead and fire up that grill! With these tips, you’ll be serving an incredible smoked turkey this year that your guests will rave about.

can you smoke a turkey on the grill

Stuffing a Smoked Turkey

I DO NOT recommend stuffing a turkey with dressing before smoking. By the time the inside of the stuffing reaches a safe temperature, the meat of the bird is typically overcooked. You can add apples, onions, herbs, or citrus to the interior of your turkey for additional flavor, just don’t pack it in there tightly so the air can still circulate, and be sure to discard whatever is inside the bird after you’re done smoking.

If you plan on making stuffing alongside your turkey, try out my Smoked Sausage Stuffing recipe. It’s cooked in a cast iron skillet and is simply delicious!

Fuel & Wood Chips

Ensure you have plenty of propane, gas, pellets, or wood prior to smoking the turkey. You do not want to run out while you are in the middle of the smoking process.

I recommend using apple, cherry, or hickory wood chips for smoking a turkey. These woods produce a light flavor that won’t overwhelm the turkey while still giving it a great BBQ smokiness.

An instant-read meat thermometer or remote meat thermometer is going to be your best friend while cooking this smoked turkey. Temperature is key when smoking a turkey, so make sure you have a good thermometer on hand to monitor the temperature of the various parts of the turkey while it is cooking.

This smoked turkey recipe can be cooked on whatever smoker you prefer. It’ll taste great cooked on a pellet grill, offset smoker, or even an electric smoker. Use whatever is your favorite (or even whatever you have available to you)! A pellet smoker is a great, easy grill to use, and an offset will give you awesome flavor.

Charcoal Smoked Turkey Whole Tips For Beginners

FAQ

Can you smoke a turkey on a Weber gas grill?

Preparing The Gas Grill You can put the wood chips in a smoker box or in a built in smoker box if your grill has one. Put a drip pan on the flavorizer bars with 2-3 liters of water under where the turkey will go. If you plan on using the drippings in a gravy then only use 1 liter of water.

Is it safe to grill a turkey?

Yes. Outdoor cooking of a big bird is becoming a popular cooking method. During grilling, a turkey cooks by indirect heat in an outdoor covered gas or charcoal grill and a pan of water is placed beneath the grilling surface to catch the fat and juices that drip from the turkey as it cooks.

How to smoke a 20 lb turkey on a pellet grill?

Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Place the pan with the pellet grill turkey on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke for 2 1/2-3 hours. Increase the grill temperature to 350℉ and continue cooking until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F, 3 1/2-4 hours more.

Can I smoke my turkey directly on the rack?

Place turkey directly onto bottom rack of smoker. Smoke for 3.5-4 hours or until internal temp reaches 165F.