For a change from the traditional roasted thanksgiving turkey, salt-and-pepper grilled turkey is a healthy and unique way to prepare turkey for your Thanksgiving feast. Preparing the dish is very easy, but like cooking any turkey takes several hours to cook. To learn more about this delicious take on the classic cooked bird, read on to learn how to make salt-and-pepper grilled turkey.
Introduction
Cooking salt-and-pepper grilled turkey provides a healthy and tasty treat for your Thanksgiving guests. Additionally, as it is grilled outside, your kitchen stays cool and comfortable. To make the perfect salt-and-pepper grilled turkey, you will need to gather your ingredients, prepare the bird then grill.
Turkey Grilling Tips
This backyard chef shows how to safely grill a full turkey using charcoal. Notice how he uses a large shovel to carefully move around the coals, as they are on fire and very hot. Additionally, he aligns the top cooking rack to allow additional coals to be added though the open spots on each side, rather than removing the bird.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Step 2: Prepare Salt-and-Pepper Grilled Turkey
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey, reserving for giblet gravy if desired.
- Rinse the bird and pat dry. Insert a meat thermometer to the thickest part of the thigh.
- Combine the salt, pepper and olive oil in a medium bowl and stir until a paste forms.
- Spread the paste over the inside and outside of the bird, then secure the legs in place.
- Place about 50 coals in your grill and ignite, allowing them to heat until just gray.
- Replace the bottom grill rack and place a disposable aluminum roasting pan on the center of the lower rack.
- Surround the aluminum foil roasting pan with additional coals and replace the top grilling rack.
- Place the turkey on the top grilling rack, cover and allow to cook.
- Every 45 minutes, add an additional 8-10 coals to maintain the proper cooking temperature.
- Cook for roughly five hours, more or less depending on the size of the bird, until the meat thermometer registers over 165 degrees F.
- Carefully remove the bird and place on a serving dish. Cover with foil and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
- Save the turkey drippings for gravy if desired or discard.
- Carve, serve and enjoy!
Step 3: Salt-and-Pepper Grilled Turkey Tips and Tricks
- Feel free to add your favorite stuffing to the bird before grilling.
- For additional flavor, add spices to the paste like poultry seasoning, garlic or sage.
- Be sure to keep adding coals as the bird cooks to maintain a proper cooking temperature.
- A gas grill can be used in place of charcoal on medium-high heat, however the charcoal will provide a smokier flavor.
- Be sure the turkey is completely cooked to prevent food-borne illness.
