What size turkey do I need?
I typically purchase a 12 to 13-pound bird because I can prepare it in 3 hours or less. This size turkey will feed eight people. I prepare a second 12-pound bird if I need to feed more people. No one ever complains about having too many leftovers.
Although 20-pound birds appear impressive, they are difficult to prepare and only give you two wings and two legs. You’ll have more dark meat to share with two 12-pound birds.
Of course, you can purchase a fresh turkey, but if you wait a week or two, purchasing a frozen turkey is also acceptable.
When purchasing a frozen turkey, it’s crucial to properly defrost it. It’s important to maintain it in the food-safe range throughout the entire defrosting process (under 39F degrees).
On Monday morning, transfer a 12-pound turkey from the freezer to the refrigerator. By Thursday, it’ll be ready to smoke.
In case the juices leak, make sure to defrost the turkey on a sheet pan with a rim.
Each turkey is filled with a bag of internal organs, including the heart and gizzards. Remove this from the cavity. These can be diced and cooked with your stuffing, or you can simply toss them.
Additionally, you ought to be able to reach into the cavity and locate the neck. This is actually quite tasty when smoked with the bird, or you can boil it to make turkey broth for gravy.
We want to add lots of flavor. Feel free to substitute your preferred herb and spice mixture or try my traditional turkey rub in place of the apple cider sea salt rub that gives the bird a gorgeous golden color and sweet and salty skin in this recipe.
When you master the technique, I’m sure you’ll experiment with a variety of entertaining pairings.
Be sure to rub the bird inside and out. If you have time, you can rub it and let it sit on the counter while you prepare your grill instead of letting it rest in the refrigerator overnight for a dry brine.
You can leave your turkey in a wet turkey brine overnight for even more juiciness.
People frequently criticize turkey for being dry, especially the breast meat. Making a full meal of sides and desserts while also keeping an eye on the bird is a lot of work. So let something else take care of that for you.
The Weber iGrill and Thermoworks Smoke are thermometers that allow you to monitor the temps from your phone. You stick the thermometer probe into the breast of the bird.
Click “start grilling” on the iGrill app, then pick whole turkey. With the Thermoworks Smoke just set the alarm to 165F.
While you’re watching the game, the app will notify you on your phone when your bird reaches that magic temperature.
Light It Up In a Charcoal Chimney
A charcoal chimney is an excellent device for starting the fire. I place mine on the grill grate when lighting it. It gets better airflow through the bottom that way.
The charcoal could be lit just before you begin assembling the grill to save time, and I don’t have to bend over to pick it up.
Whole Turkey Or a Breast? Decisions, Decisions!
A whole roasted turkey gracing the table certainly looks impressive. For lots of us, Thanksgiving just isnt Thanksgiving without it.
There are many benefits to having a large gobbler or hen. Theres plenty of it to eat and lots of variety. Given that there are only two drumsticks, claiming one might necessitate some deft negotiation.
A fun “epic battle” involving the wishbone occurs at some point during the feast. Then there is the bony, cleaned carcass that can be simmered in a pot to make delectable soup stock for the really ambitious (or thrifty).
Turkey breasts have their advantages too. Due to their size, they are simpler to handle and cook faster than a whole bird. A grilled breast would be ideal if you prefer white meat to dark meat because it is entirely made of white meat.
And if the thought of having ten pounds of cooked turkey flesh in your possession scares you, stick to grilling a turkey breast instead.
FAQ
How long does it take to grill a turkey breast on the grill?
Cook over high heat for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until thoroughly cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove from grill. Let stand 20 minutes. Transfer turkey to platter or carving board to slice.
How long does it take to cook a turkey on a Weber grill?
The size of the bird and the grill’s temperature will determine how long it takes to smoke a turkey. Cooking at 225F degrees will only take 30 minutes per pound of food. It takes about 15 minutes per pound to cook the bird at 300-350 F, which is my preferred temperature. What is this?.
What is the best way to cook a turkey breast in BBQ?
To grill the turkey breast, preheat your grill to high, then reduce the heat to medium or low. The turkey should be added and roasted for about 20 minutes, 10 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
How long does it take to grill a turkey breast per pound?
Arrange turkey breast side up, in center of cooking grate. Place lid on grill. Cook for 11 to 13 minutes per pound, or until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh but not touching bone reads 180 degrees.
