Cooking turkey on a grill may seem intimidating, but with some simple tips and techniques, you can make exceptionally juicy and flavorful turkey on your Weber grill. At Weber, we are obsessed with grilling the perfect turkey, and we want to share our expertise so you can wow your family this holiday season.

Why Grill Your Turkey?

Grilling turkey has several advantages over roasting it in the oven

• You get crispy skin infused with delicious smoky flavor from the grill, Oven turkey skin often ends up soggy,

• Grilling over indirect heatCooks turkey gently and evenly, keeping the meat incredibly moist and juicy.

• It frees up your oven for all those tasty side dishes. No need to worry about fitting everything in the oven.

• Kids love gathering around the grill to watch the action. Grilling turkey makes for a fun, memorable family experience.

Grilling Turkey Basics

Grilling turkey requires a little special preparation but following these basic steps will ensure perfect results:

1. Choose the Right Turkey

• For a whole turkey, allow 1.5 pounds per person. A 12-15 lb turkey feeds 8-10 people.

• Smaller turkeys are easier to handle on the grill. Consider a turkey breast instead of a whole bird.

• Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge 1-2 days before grilling. Do not thaw at room temperature.

2. Prep Your Turkey

• Remove giblets and neck from the cavity. Rinse turkey under cold water and pat dry.

• Rub skin all over with olive oil or butter. This helps crisp the skin.

• Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Stuff with aromatics like onions, apples, and fresh herbs.

• Truss the turkey with kitchen string to hold its shape on the grill. Tuck wings under.

3. Set Up Your Grill for Indirect Heat

• Indirect heat means the turkey sits adjacent to, not directly over, the heat source. This allows the turkey to cook slowly and evenly.

• For gas grills, turn off one burner and place turkey on the opposite side. For charcoal, bank coals on either side of grill, leaving space in the middle.

• Place a drip pan filled with water, wine, or broth under the turkey to catch drippings for gravy.

4. Maintain steady grill temperature between 325-375°F.

• For gas grills, adjust burner heat as needed. For charcoal grills, add a handful of coals every hour to maintain heat.

• Keep the lid closed as much as possible to contain heat. Don’t peek!

5. Use a meat thermometer to determine doneness.

• Turkey is safely cooked when the thigh meat reaches 165°F and the breast reaches 155°F.

• Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving to allow juices to reabsorb.

Tips for Moist, Juicy Turkey

Here are some of our top tricks at Weber for ridiculously moist grilled turkey:

• Brine the turkey in a saltwater solution for 8-12 hours before grilling. This infuses the meat with flavor and moisture.

• Rub butter under the skin as well as over it. The fat bastes the meat while grilling.

• Grill a turkey breast instead of a whole bird. Quicker cooking means less chance of drying out.

• Cook turkeys 10-15 lbs or less. Larger birds are harder to grill evenly.

• Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness instead of cooking by time. Prevent overcooking.

• Let turkey rest before carving. Juices redistribute for moist meat during resting.

• Carve turkey and serve immediately after resting. Don’t let it sit or the meat will dry out.

Handling the Grill Like a Pro

Grilling turkey requires some grill master skills. Follow these pro tips:

• Invest in a good digital meat thermometer. Instant read thermometers ensure ideal doneness.

• Use natural hardwood chips or chunks for flavorful smoke – we love hickory and cherry. Avoid soaking chips for maximum smoke.

• Place turkey on a V-rack so heat circulates all around. Use a disposable foil pan underneath to catch drippings.

• For charcoal grills, use a chimney starter to ignite coals quickly and easily. No need for lighter fluid.

• Protect hands with good grilling gloves. Use long, sturdy tongs and spatulas for handling turkey on the grill.

• Clean grill thoroughly before and after use. Remove grease and debris that could cause flare ups.

The Weber Advantage

While you can grill turkey on any grill, Weber grills make it practically foolproof. Here’s why:

• Patented Weber flavorizer bars vaporize drippings for automatic basting. Turkey stays incredibly moist.

• Sturdy steel construction retains heat extremely well for consistent temperature control.

• Weber kettle grills easily configure for indirect, low and slow cooking with precise temperature regulation.

• Weber gas grills like the Genesis or Summit models have multiple burners and a built-in lid thermometer, perfect for indirect grilling.

• Weber’s online GrillGuide provides customized grilling time estimates based on weight, model, and temperature. Fail-safe turkey every time.

At the end of the day, Weber grills simply make it easier to grill an incredible turkey. You have the right tools and technology to nail it perfectly, every time.

Time to Grill the Perfect Turkey!

As you can see, grilling turkey is easy when you follow our tips on prep, thermometer use, maintaining grill temperature, and using your Weber properly. The payoff is deliciously juicy, smoky turkey that your family will rave about.

This holiday season, skip the oven and show off your grilling skills with a mouthwatering turkey cooked to perfection on your Weber. Impress your family with juicy, flavorful meat and spectacularly crispy skin. Grilled turkey is a feast to remember. Have fun cooking on the Weber and enjoy the grilling life!