I don’t have an oven -we are on vacation- how do I bbq a turkey? Any suggestions on sides?

Zanzinger
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8 Comments

spiffypaws November 20, 2017
Cook's Illustrated exhaustively analyzed how to do this a few years ago. If you do a trial membership (free!) you can download the instructions.
 
Nancy November 20, 2017
Maybe make this an opportunity to have a unique local thanksgiving...start with some local seafood, game or poultry...
For sides, in addition to the suggested grilled vegetables, you could roast vegetables in foil at the side of your grill...singly or mixed.
Forget stuffing this year...get good bread to sop up the juices from your main and sides.
Raw salads, green & otherwise.
Forget the sweet potato (mit or mit out marshmallow), forget the pumpkin pie.
Let desser be fruits macerated in your favorite liquor/liqueur, then piled on top of sliced cake (bought, high quality...from that same store or provisioner where you bought the turkey/venison/duck).
 
MMH November 20, 2017
If you don't have access to all that comes with a kitchen, you might be better off purchasing the pieces of the turkey that you like best - breast, thighs, legs. Then, you don't have to worry about knives etc. Those would probably be easier to grill than a whole bird.
I would also suggest you decide which sides you love most and visit the deli section of a grocery store. Most of those things are available, prepared and fresh this time of year.
 
matt November 20, 2017
Use grilling planks. Set your planks on the grill and top with the seasoned turkey, close the grill's lid and cook until done. This method gives the turkey a great fresh smoky flavor, I would recommend Hickory.
 
SMSF November 20, 2017
If you have a gas grill, you can use it just like an oven to roast a turkey if you'd rather not grill it. Keep that grill lid closed as much as possible. I use a sheet of heavy-duty foil right under the roasting pan to protect it from possibly getting scratched or marked up by the grill grate (don't cover the whole grate). Or since you're on vacation, you might opt for one of those heavy-duty disposable roasting pans. Good luck!
 
cratecooking November 20, 2017
If a BBQ or grill is the only cooking appliance you have I would definitely suggest some grilled vegetables served with an herb vinaigrette. Are you able to boil any water? You could then make a grain salad or at least get a batch of mashed potatoes!
 
Lindsay-Jean H. November 20, 2017
Here are some grilled chicken recipes that you might consider using for your turkey: https://food52.com/recipes/29847-chicken-alla-diavola, https://food52.com/recipes/4995-chicken-al-mattone-with-thyme-pesto, https://food52.com/recipes/29178-kevin-gillespie-s-barbecue-chicken-with-alabama-white-barbecue-sauce. And I would lobby for spatchcocking your bird: https://food52.com/blog/10971-how-to-spatchcock-a-chicken-step-by-step
 
cratecooking November 20, 2017
You could grill turkey breasts. They would cook very similar to chicken breasts, taking a little bit longer on the grill. Also, here's a recipe for a whole turkey on a gas grill! https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/grilled-whole-turkey-232957
 
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