How to Grill a Turkey

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Grilling a turkey is simple and delicious.
It just makes sense to grill a turkey.
Your oven and kitchen are already busy multitasking every other dish and side you are making for your feast, so take that turkey outdoors and throw it on the grill.
It doesn't matter whether you have a gas or charcoal grill, you can grill a turkey on either one.
And it is not difficult at all.
The next several steps will show you how to grill a turkey with success.
Here are the steps for Grilled Turkey Success
  1. A turkey must be grilled using indirect heat.
    Indirect cooking basically means that you will not be grilling your turkey directly over the heat source; rather you will place the turkey to the side of heat source or the heat source will be surrounding the turkey.
  2. Prepare the charcoal grill by opening the vents, removing the top grate and placing a drip pan in the center of the bottom grate.
    You'll want to build your heat source around this drip pan or built it up on the two longest sides of the pan.
    For your initial heat you'll need approximately 30 charcoal briquettes.
  3. After the coals have formed a grayish ash on them, place the top grate on the grill.
    And brush the grate with a bit of canola or olive oil to help prevent sticking.
  4. If a gas grill is being used to grill your turkey, prepare a side for indirect grilling.
    Consult your owner's manual on how to adjust the heat to one side.
    Place the drip pan underneath the grate below where the turkey will be grilled.
    The gas grill will need to be preheated prior to placing your turkey on the grill.
  5. If you were so inclined you could have already seasoned, injected, or brined the turkey prior to placing on the grill.
    If you choose not to season or baste the turkey, brush it with bit of oil prior to placing it on the grill.
    Place your fresh or already thawed turkey on the grate breast side up directly over the drip pan.
  6. Cover your grill.
    Grilling the turkey will take some time and the heat will need to be kept up.
    If you are using a charcoal grill every hour you'll want to add additional coals to each side.
    Try to cook the turkey at approximately 350°F over medium heat whether using a charcoal or gas grill.
  7. Grill the turkey to a breast temperature of 170°F and a thigh temperature of 180°F.
    Cooking times will vary depending upon grill types and levels of heat.
    But on average is should take from 2 - 3 hours for a 10 to 18 pound turkey.
    Check internal temperatures often to ensure it is cooking at a steady rate.
  8. Once the turkey is finished grilling, take it off the grill and let it rest for approximately 15 minutes prior to carving.
    Carve up your turkey and enjoy!
Additional points * Do not stuff a turkey you plan on grilling.
It will take too long for the stuffing to cook.
* Ovoid opening the grills cover to reduce heat loss.
* You may also place your turkey directly into an additional pan for basting.
* Rotate the turkey if one side looks to be cooking quicker than the other.
* Check internal temperatures often to make sure the turkey is cooking at an even steady pace.
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