Tips For Grilling or Smoking a Turkey!

by Chef Jason from 5280 Culinary

Leave the oven for those delicious side dishes and dessert.  This year, use your grill to create the all star entree that will make your dinner table the must be place this season.

Tips For Grilling or Smoking a Turkey!

TURKEY ON YOUR GRILL OR IN YOUR SMOKER

  • We suggest covering your turkey during roasting to keep moisture in, then uncover during the last hour of roasting to cook the skin and give it that golden finish. Rest the bird UNCOVERED.
  • To bacon wrap or not to bacon wrap? Always a great flavor, but be careful with brines as the added. salt from the bacon may cause a saltier than desired turkey.
  • Turkey Breast ONLY COOKING – 350 Degrees for 20 minutes, turn down to 275 until done.
    • 4 – 6 Pounds            2 Hours
    • 6 – 8 Pounds            3 Hours
  • Allow the turkey to rest for about 15 minutes prior to carving to allow the juices to settle.
  • Approx Traeger Cooking times per pound: 15 mins per pound, set at 325 degrees
  • Approx Big Green Egg Cooking times per pound: 15 mins per pound, set at 325 degrees INDIRECT
  • Approx Weber Grill Cooking times per pound 18 mins per pound, set at 350 degrees INDIRECT
  • Save those pan drippings, they make the best gravy.

 

TURKEY COOKING PERFECTION

The National Turkey Federation also offers these safety recommendations:

  1. Do not roast the turkey in a oven temperature lower than 325° F. Poultry should be roasted at Minimum 325° F. or higher to avoid potential food safety problems.
  2. 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.
  3. Do use a meat thermometer (available at most grocery stores and kitchen shops) to determine the correct degree of doneness. Turkey is done when meat in the thigh reaches 180°F or (meat in the breast in finished at 170°F).

That said, here is an approximate turkey roasting timetable

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

 

 

For more recipes, go to Tips.acehardware.com

Published: 3/8/2020