The Greatest Grilled Turkey

Learn how to grill a turkey for Thanksgiving with this easy recipe. Although not very traditional, cooking turkey on the grill is the best way to ensure tender and juicy meat and crispy skin every time. With minimal prep time and extra space in the oven for all your holiday sides, this grilled turkey recipe is one to try!

If you've never made grilled turkey for Thanksgiving, this is your year! Trust us: Once you try grilling, you'll never go back to roasting.

Why Grill a Turkey?

The better question is: "Why wouldn't you grill a turkey?" Not only does this method result in wonderfully crispy skin and a smoky flavor that you can't get from roasting alone, it frees up oven space on the big day — so you'll have plenty of room to cook as many side dishes as you want.

These are the ingredients you'll need to make the best grilled turkey of your life:

• Turkey: This recipe calls for a 12-pound whole turkey. If your bird is larger or smaller, you'll have to adjust the grilling time.
  · Oil: Vegetable oil seals in moisture, while giving the seasonings something to stick to.
  · Seasonings: This grilled turkey is flavored with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

1. Prepare the turkey: Remove and discard the giblets. Turn the wings back to hold neck skin in place, then return the legs to a tucked position
   Season the turkey: Brush the turkey with oil, then season the inside and outside with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
   3. Grill the turkey: Place the turkey, breast-side up, on a metal grate inside a large roasting pan. Place the pan over indirect heat on the preheated grill and grill until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F

This recipe should result in a perfectly cooked 12-pound turkey in about two to three hours. You'll need to adjust the roasting time for larger or smaller birds.

Of course, you'll need to take the turkey's internal temperature before serving. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 180 degrees F.

  1 (12 pound) whole turkey

  1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or more to taste

  Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Recipe by Bob Cody

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

2 hrs

Additional Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 30 mins

Servings:

8