How to do a Turkey on the Grill

My oven is broken, but my gas grill is great. Do you have any advice or experience cooking a turkey on the grill? I'm thinking I will put it in a heavy pan and set the temperature just as I would in the oven. After scouring the internet, it looks possible, but I would really like any suggestions before I ask a friend to use their oven. Thanks!

Jennifer Arcure
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5 Comments

Food52-Hotline November 24, 2024
Hi Jennifer!

This is quite the predicament! But I have a solution for you!

We are going to spatchcock the bird (remove the spine and flatten) to make it easier to achieve even cooking. Look for instructions on how to do that process here: https://food52.com/recipes/19394-spatchcocked-roast-turkey

Then I'd season how you usually would season your Thanksgiving turkey. Then place on a sheet tray fitted with a rack to catch drippings.

To preheat the gas grill, If you have 3 burners, light the outer ones to medium and keep the middle off. If you only have two, light them both to medium low.

For charcoal, light a chimney full of coals and once preheated and ashy, divide the lit coals in half and place a pile on each side of the grill, leaving the middle empty.

You want to maintain a temp of 325F to 350F. Cook until the thickest part of the breast registers 165F on a thermometer, 75 to 90 minutes.

Hope this helps!

- Justin from the Hotline team
 
Nancy November 24, 2024
Yes to Justin’s method of spatchcock and then cook on the grill.
It is also possible to roast a whole turkey in a pan on a grill with a cover. If you have this sort of grill and want to do it this wet, there are recipes out there.
 
Jennifer A. November 25, 2024
Thank you! Really appreciate. I have not spatchcocked before and was thinking I could avoid, but it seems best. Thank you!!!
 
Jennifer A. November 25, 2024
Yes, it seems like it could work. Thanks!
 
Nancy November 25, 2024
Correction: want to do if this way…
 
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