Smoked Turkey on a Charcoal Grill
You don't need a smoker to get the great flavor and juicy meat of a Smoked Turkey. We'll show you how to make a smoked turkey on a charcoal grill!
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Grilled turkey?
Oh yeah. We're going there.
Although not a traditional way to cook turkey by any means, particularly here in Wisconsin, where we already have a light blanket of snow, a smoked turkey is a fantastic last hurrah for the grill.
Actually, I have heard that the cold and/or snow makes perfect conditions for smoking since the cooler temperatures keep the grill (or smoker) from getting too hot.
A low and slow smoke is just what you need to create a bird that is moist and tender, with a heavenly smoky scent and flavor.
How to smoke a turkey on a charcoal grill
Smoking a turkey on a charcoal grill isn't much more difficult than using your charcoal grill as a smoker in any other application.
First, you will need to set up your grill for indirect cooking. For smoking a turkey on a grill, we like to arrange the coals in a circle around the exterior of the grill, leaving a space in the center without coals where we can put a pan to catch any juices that drip from the bird. The bird will go over this pan.
The tricky part about smoking a turkey is that the bird is typically quite large. You will need to be prepared to tend to your charcoal grill for 5-6 hours to make sure the temperature inside the grill stays around 200F. This will keep your bird smoking and cooking at a good rate.
If your temperature drops or climbs, don't worry, we have some tips to help troubleshoot some common issues below.
Troubleshooting smoked turkey on a charcoal grill
Smoking, particularly on a charcoal grill, can be tricky. And when you add cooler outdoor temperatures, there is even more to think about.
But, that shouldn't deter you from trying to smoke your turkey this year, because there are some easy fixes if everything doesn't proceed as perfectly as you would like.
It's too cold to use my grill as a smoker
If it is cold outside, you will want to check on your grill more often, to make sure there are ample coals and it is staying at the correct temperature (around 170-200F).
We'd also recommend allowing an extra hour of cooking time if it is cold, just in case the heat in your grill does dip below 150F. That way you give yourself the time to let it cook really, really slow if needed.
A leave-in thermometer is a great way to monitor both the temperature of your coals and turkey. ThermoWorks makes a wonderful tool for this in their Smoke Remote. With two channels, you can have a probe measuring both at the same time. And it has a wireless receiver, so you don't have to stay by your grill/smoker to check the temps!
What to do if your grill smoked turkey is done too early
If the turkey hits the temperature (165F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh) sooner than anticipated, don't worry.
A turkey should rest for at least 20 minutes before carving, for the juices to settle. But, a 12-pound bird can handle up to an hour of resting, if necessary.
Just tent it with aluminum foil and keep it away from any drafts.
If it is done WAY too early, cover it with aluminum foil and place it in a 200F oven. Place a pan of water on the rack below the turkey. This will keep it warm and moist until you are ready to eat.
What to do if your charcoal grill smoked turkey isn't done yet
If you find yourself an hour or so from dinner and the temperatures aren't anywhere near 165F, take the bird off of the grill and finish it in the oven at 325F, as if you were roasting the turkey.
Tent it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent it from over-browning, and cook it until the internal temperature registers that magic 165F.
The smoke flavor will be infused in the bird from the time it spent on the grill, so you will still reap the delicious, smoky benefits.
I don't know about you, but we can't think of a better way to 'end' the grilling season.
Grill Smoked Turkey
Ingredients
For the Rub
- 2 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 bay leaf, crumbled
- 1 habanero pepper, minced (optional)
For the Turkey
- 12 lb turkey, fully thawed and cleaned of giblets
- 4 cups smoking chips, soaked
- 1 - 2 c chicken broth
Instructions
- Clean your grill grates and set up your grill for indirect heating, with a drip pan directly in the center of the bottom grate and your coals arranged around the pan. Place an oven thermometer in the grill and preheat the grill to 200F.
- Mix the rub together in a small bowl. Rub under the skin and inside the cavity of the bird. (For instructions on how to get under the skin, see our post on Roasting a Turkey.)
- Place a handful of smoking chips over the warm coals and place the bird on the top grill grate, above the drip pan. Cover the grill.
- Smoke for 5-6 hours. Pour ½ c of chicken broth into the cavity every 2 hours, as needed if the bird looks dry. Add new coals and chips every half hour and check to be sure your temperature is holding around 200F.
- The bird is done when the internal temperature of a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh and breast registers 165F. (The leg bone should feel loose inside of the leg meat and the juices where you punctured the bird to take the temperature should run clear.)
- Let the bird rest on the counter, loosely covered with foil, for 20 minutes before carving, to allow the juices to settle.
Sarah founded Curious in 2010 as a way to save her recipe creations and share culinary experiences. Her love for cultural cuisines was instilled early by her French Canadian Grandmother. Her experience in the kitchen and in recipe development comes from over 10 years working in professional kitchens. She has traveled extensively and enjoys bringing the flavors of her travels back to create easy-to-make recipes.
Turned out to be a hit with the entire family. The woodchips made all the difference. It did take longer (for me) to cook than the recipe said, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed the extra time outside.
We're so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
I think I am going to try this tomorrow. Maybe without the wood chips. I'm surprised no wet rub is needed. Can't wait!
Hi Matthew. Much of the smoke flavor will come from the wood chips. Without them you will get some smoke flavor from the charcoal, but you will effectively have slow grilled turkey. Likely delicious in its own right, just a bit different. We do a dry rub under the skin, which really adds to the flavor. We hope you enjoy it!