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We love having big meals with all the trimmings during the holidays. Sometimes, I like to stick to classics, like this Thanksgiving Turkey recipe. Cooking it on the grill with just a few delicious spices will give it a tasty flavor and make sure it's moist and juicy to boot.
You don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving Day to cook up a mouthwatering turkey dinner. This dish is simple to make and is a big hit at any family or friend gathering you want to have. Follow along with me as I show you exactly what to do to cook up the best bird you’ve ever tasted.
I cooked this bird on my Traeger Timberline 1300 preheated to 300 degrees F with some Royal Oak Charcoal Pellets to add a delicious smoky taste to the bird.
If you’d rather watch me make this recipe, go over to my Youtube channel and fire up the step-by-step video.
Turkeys are big, so I thawed this one in the fridge for 5 days.
I took the thawed turkey out of the fridge, placed it on a pan, dried it off, and removed the giblets and the neck out of it.
Using water and my Chicken Injection, I combined it into a shaker bottle and shook it up until it was completely mixed.
Moving in a grid pattern, I started injecting the mixture into the bird. It didn’t take all the mixture and that’s ok. I patted the excess liquid off the turkey and tucked its wings underneath it so they won’t burn.
I turned the bird over and sprayed it with Duck Fat Spray. It’s a good binder and adds some tastiness to the bird’s crust. Then, I opened up my Garlic Jalapeno rub and added a medium base layer. Remember, the heavier the coat you use, the spicier it will be. I turned the bird back over and seasoned the other side.
I placed the bird directly on the grate right in the middle of the grill. I shut the lid and let it cook for 1.5 hours.
When I looked in on how the turkey was doing, it had a nice golden-brown color that told me it was doing exactly how I wanted it to. I sprayed it with some more Duck Fat Spray to add some additional moisture and taste to it. I also added my Chef’s Alarm programmed to 160 degrees F and left the bird to cook for another hour.
Hearing the alarm go off, I went to the grill and looked in on the bird. It was hitting about 164 degrees F and was a beautiful sight. It had a crispy, golden crust and smelled out of this world. After spot checking the internal temperature on different parts of the meat, I called the turkey done.
I slid a large grilling spatula under the turkey to remove it from the heat and put it on the pan.
My turkey sat on a pan and rested for about 30 minutes before I sliced into it. This gave it a chance to cool down and for the moisture to soak into the meat real good.
I couldn’t wait to get in there and try a bit of this classic recipe. It did NOT disappoint. This turkey was flavorful, moist, and exactly like I hoped it would turn out. I can’t recommend this simple recipe enough if you want to serve your family and friends a delicious, tender turkey dinner over the holidays. Or anytime!
I typically plan on 6-8 ounces per person. This recipe works well with dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and anything else you like for special dinners.
If you end up with leftovers, and you might because turkeys are big, you can use them for up to 3 days. Simply slice the turkey up, store it in a ziplock back or airtight bowl, and stash them in the fridge. They’re great heated up, on sandwiches, or in soup and chili.
Traeger Timberline 1300 Grill
Royal Oak Charcoal Pellets
Heath Riles BBQ Mixing Shaker Bottle
Thermoworks Thermapen One
Benchmade Meatcrafter Knife
