The Easiest Turkeys I've Ever Cooked

Have you ever had one of those moments where you suddenly realize you've over promised yourself? That was me yesterday. With a million things to do it hit me that I had volunteered to cook not one, but two turkeys for a church dinner. Normally this isn't a big deal, but have I mentioned recently that I don't have a oven?

When I signed up for this task I had been planning on heading to a friends home to prepare the birds. Said friend has recently had a baby and I have a few sniffles, so that option was out. I have a smoker, but no desire to clean it out just to get it dirty again. What did that leave me with? The grill.

I was scared, a little nervous, what happened if I screwed it up? Would it be too dry? All the recipes online said to leave them uncovered and oddly that seemed to go against everything I'd ever been taught.

I kept a fire at 350 degrees (even though I had to prop the grill lid open with a brick to accomplish it), placed each bird in a pan, stuffed their guts with lemons, oiled the outside, rubbed on a few spices and closed the lid. 3 and a half hours later, I had two done turkeys and aside from the brushing on of some butter near the end, I didn't touch them.

The entire experience was hassle free and if I would have had an oven, it would have been totally free for baked goods, desserts or reheating of previously prepared items. Score! Sadly when I took them off the grill the sun had set and my house has horrible lighting, but rest assured, the end result looks like any other Thanksgiving turkey with a brown and slightly crispy skin, infused with lemon and herb goodness!

Have you ever grilled a turkey before? What were your results?

(Image: Sarah Rae Trover)

Comments (12)

2 years ago, I smoked and roasted a turkey on my Big Green Egg (ceramic charcoal grill/smoker). It was so beautiful and delicious that I showed the photo like a proud parent. And I loved that it totally freed up the oven for baking some great desserts.

So what kind of grill did you use?

2 grilled turkeys: one perfect, last year's not so much (but I blame the digital thermometer, not the grill method).

jess13 - You can accomplish this on any grill... gas or charcoal, but mine is a Charbroil Red (as in make, not color).

We need a pic of the finished product!

My husband has grilled turkeys before -- a fairly regular occurrence in Southern California. But, his favorite and most hands-off way to cook a turkey is a paper bag. He oils the bird, rubs herbs into it, then staples it into a plain paper bag from the grocery store. He places it in a roasting pan, then cooks the bird in the oven. Once he's about 30 minutes out, he cuts the top of the bag open and lets the skin "get a tan." It's easy and delicious every time!

What's in that rub you put on there-- looks tasty!

My dad cooks our turkey on the grill every year. We use your same method, but with creole seasoning. It's the juiciest, tastiest turkey and the best thing is that you have the oven free to bake more pies!

My grandpa always made the turkey on his little round charcoal grill. And it always turned out lovely.

This is super tempting! But I'm too scared to try it for the first time with 10 people coming over!

curbappeal: The rub was a mixture of thyme, onion powder, Oklahoma Joe's (local BBQ place) barbecue rub, salt and pepper.

visualizestacy: I'm not really one to get timid before cooking anything. I'm always of the opinion that if it sucks I can laugh it off and whip something else up in a jiffy. That said, I was petrified before I did this. I won't lie. It seems silly now since it was so ridiculously easy.

Cheese cloth. Thats our family's trick to a great juicy grilled turkey. Make a marinade from chicken or turkey broth, can cranberry sauce, fresh herbs. Use a baster and then soak the cheese cloths in the marinade and trade out as they dry out.