How to Grill a Thanksgiving Turkey

Grilling a turkey for Thanksgiving is gaining popularity among grill masters and families who love spending quality time in the Great Outdoors. Grilling a Thanksgiving turkey is also ideal for families who lack oven space for the big cooking holiday. According to The Spice Hunter, gas grilling can reduce the cooking time and adds a distinct flavor to the turkey. Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how to grill a Thanksgiving Turkey:

Here’s what you will need –

  • Small to Medium-sized Turkey
  • Brine: This will prevent the bird from drying out or burning. We recommend a wine or honey brine with your seasoning of choice.
  • Cal Flame 5 Burner Convection Gas Grill with rotisserie. Set the grill between 300 and 350 degrees F, with a target temperature of 325 degrees F. Remove grates prior to grilling.
  • Meat thermometer
  • Extra fuel
  • Time: Be sure to give yourself as much time as you would a standard oven.
  1. Prepare the turkey by removing everything from the inside of the bird and thoroughly rinsing the bird in cold water. Pat dry. Since the bird will be placed on a rotisserie, there is no need to tie the bird.
  2. Brine the bird as desired. Do not stuff the bird. You will need to prepare the stuffing separately.
  3. Place the bird on the rotisserie and begin grilling. Monitor the grilling process to prevent the skin from burning and make sure the heat is getting into the bird.
  4. Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the bird. Make sure your gas grill’s thermometer is at its target temperature of 325 degrees F.
  5. When grilling, estimate 15 to 18 minutes per pound. Place aluminum turkey tray in place of drip tray in grill to catch drippings from the turkey and to prevent flare-ups.
  6. After two (2) hours of grilling, check internal temperature of bird. Target temperature of bird is 165 degrees F. Be sure to test different parts of the bird, but be patient as the internal temperature should only increase by 10 degrees every 15 to 20 minutes.
  7. After turkey is fully cooked, remove bird from grill. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before carving your bird. This will keep the juices in the turkey meat.
  8. Serve and enjoy!

For more information on Cal Flame products, please visit: http://www.calflamebbq.com/