Mastering the Big Easy: How Long to Cook a Turkey for Perfect Results

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I’ve roasted a ton of turkeys in my Char-Broil Big Easy. It’s why I originally bought the oil-less fryer. I loved it so much the first time that I bought two more, keeping one at my parents house for a fantastic holiday turkey. This time I set out to keep the process as absolutely simple as possible. No brines. No fancy rubs. Just a 16 pound turkey, a little oil, and some seasoning and 10 minutes per pound.

As a proud owner of the Char-Broil Big Easy oil-less turkey fryer, you know that this versatile appliance can churn out some incredibly juicy and flavorful birds But to get the ideal texture and doneness, you need to know exactly how long to cook your turkey in the Big Easy

With some simple tips and timing guidelines, you’ll be on your way to turkey perfection using this game-changing outdoor cooker Let’s dive in!

Benefits of Cooking Turkey in the Big Easy

Before we get into cook times, let’s quickly cover the advantages of using your Big Easy for turkey versus oven roasting:

Moist and tender meat infused with smoky flavor
Crispy, golden brown skin with no messy oil frying
Cooks in a fraction of the time thanks to infrared heat
Frees up your oven for sides and desserts
Lets you cook outdoors without babysitting the grill

The Big Easy delivers juicy results in record time, freeing up your oven while infusing irresistible smoky flavor.

Factors That Affect Cook Time

While the Big Easy takes the guesswork out of cooking turkey, the exact time needed will vary based on:

Weight of the turkey
Whether it is stuffed
Temperature outside
Wind conditions while cooking

The heavier the bird and the colder the weather, the longer the cook time. Stuffing the cavity adds time too.

How to Tell When Turkey is Done

It’s crucial to accurately assess doneness to avoid undercooked poultry:

Breast temperature of 165°F
Thigh/leg temp of 175°F
Clear juices when pierced
Meat pulling away from the bone

Use a meat thermometer in multiple spots to be sure. The thighs and legs require a higher temperature than the breast.

Big Easy Turkey Cook Times

Here are general guidelines for how long to cook an unstuffed turkey in the Big Easy:

10-12 lb turkey: approximately 1 hour 15 mins
12-14 lb turkey: approximately 1 hour 30 mins
14-16 lb turkey: approximately 1 hour 45 mins
16-18 lb turkey: approximately 2 hours
18-20 lb turkey: approximately 2 hours 15 mins

For stuffed turkeys, add 15 minutes per pound. Monitor temperature and appearance closely near the end of the estimated cook time and remove immediately once done.

Handy Turkey Cooking Tips

Thaw frozen turkey completely in the fridge
Pat the skin dry before cooking
Rub skin with oil or butter and season all over
Use a roast turkey rack for easy maneuvering
Tent with foil if skin browns too quickly
Let rest 20 minutes before carving

With these timing guidelines, your Big Easy turkey will turn out perfect. The infrared heat helps it cook faster than a traditional oven with deliciously crispy skin and outrageously juicy meat.

how long to cook turkey in a big easy

Easy Every Single Time

There’s really nothing easier than cooking poultry on the Big Easy. It really is as easy as fire it up, put it in, walk away and come back later. Unless the weather conditions are really adverse, you can count on 10 minutes per pound for a turkey.

I cooked a nice big 16 pound turkey in exactly 160 minutes. That’s in 30 degree weather with a very light breeze. I kept the lid off the Big Easy until the last 30 minutes to then add a little color.

I started with a pre-brined turkey. You can certainly get a natural, un-brined turkey and go thru that process, and I have. But for this cook it was about easy, and easy means getting a turkey that’s already in a solution that brined the bird for me. You can also inject your turkey for even more flavor, like my Cajun-injected bird on the Big Easy. Or try my buttermilk-marinated turkey.

You can use the basket that comes with your Big Easy, but I admit it’s a bit challenging getting a big bird in/out of it. If you’re going to do any amount of cooking on the Big Easy (and you should) I recommend that you at least get the hinged basket like you see in the picture above. It really makes getting the turkey in or out very simple indeed. See my thoughts on the accessories for the Big Easy here.

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

how long to cook turkey in a big easy

How to Cook Turkey in the Big Easy Fryer

FAQ

How long does it take to cook turkey in Big Easy?

Generally, you can expect it to take approximately 10 minutes per pound. Cook times are included as a general guideline. Meat doneness is ALWAYS determined by the meat’s internal temperature, not time elapsed. For larger birds and cuts of meat, use a meat thermometer.

How long does it take to cook a 15 pound turkey in an oilless fryer?

Frying a turkey this way was quick and efficient. Roasting turkey in the oven takes about 13 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F, while the instructions for the fryer estimated about 10 minutes per pound.

Should I brine the turkey for Big Easy?

Brining your Big Easy-bound bird ensures it will be as moist as it is delicious.

Is it better to cook a large turkey at 325 or 350?

We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. We’ve done the math for you — check out the chart below to determine both turkey cook times and estimated servings (with leftovers!).