Grilled Turkey Breast is perfect for a smaller Thanksgiving or a healthier year-round change of pace. Use traditional seasoning or make BBQ with the recommended brown sugar dry rub.
Easy to do with the simple instructions. Any turkey, fresh or frozen, skin-on-bone-in whole or half breast, or a boneless turkey breast, will work—season to your taste.
Turkey breast—bone-in or bonelessOil—vegetable oil, olive oil, or butterOptional brine and rub Other optional seasoning—sprigs of fresh thyme, basil, rosemary, or other fresh herbs, pepper
Fire up the backyard BBQ grill for this easy recipe. There is no need for an oven; prep the turkey, control the grill temperature, place it on the grill, and return in a few hours.
This recipe is great for any smaller gathering when you dont need a whole turkey. Its also a perfect summer change of pace or for a smaller holiday feast. Use the suggested brown sugar spice, a BBQ rub, or season like a traditional holiday bird.
Grilling turkey breast is a great way to enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey year-round. With the right technique you can achieve tender moist turkey breast off the grill. This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know to grill turkey breast like a pro.
Why Grill Turkey Breast?
There are several advantages to grilling turkey breast rather than roasting a whole turkey:
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Quicker cook time – Turkey breast cooks faster than a whole turkey You can have delicious grilled turkey breast in 1-2 hours rather than 4+ hours for a whole bird
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Less waste – Grilling just the breast portion eliminates unused wings, thighs, and back. Great for smaller households.
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Juicier meat – The high heat of grilling seals in moisture Turkey breast stays very juicy directly on the grill
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More flavors – Grilling allows you to add smoke flavors or easy marinades and rubs.
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Year-round option – Grilled turkey breast makes a nice summertime alternative to roasted holiday turkey.
Grilling is a simple way to prepare turkey breast for any occasion from casual family dinners to backyard barbecues.
How to Choose a Turkey Breast for Grilling
You can grill any turkey breast – bone-in or boneless. Here are some options:
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Bone-in split turkey breast – Sold as a half breast with backbone removed. Skin-on or skinless. Provides great flavor and juiciness.
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Whole boneless turkey breast – Butterfly for even thickness. Most supermarket turkey breasts are boneless.
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Turkey tenderloins – Small individual muscles are very lean but cook quickly. Marinate to boost moisture.
For easy grilling, choose breasts in the 2 to 5 pound range. Larger breasts may need indirect heat. Avoid non-enhanced breasts which can dry out.
Grilling Times for Turkey Breast
Turkey breasts cook much faster than a whole turkey. Grill about 15-20 minutes per pound until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- 2 pound breast – 30 to 45 minutes
- 3 to 4 pound breast – 45 to 60 minutes
- 5 to 7 pound breast – 1 to 1 1/2 hours
Turkey breast at 165° will be juicy and safe to eat. Always rely on a meat thermometer for doneness, not time.
How to Grill Turkey Breast – Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps for perfect grilled turkey breast every time.
1. Prep the Turkey Breast
For bone-in, remove backbone and open breast flat (butterfly) for even thickness. Rinse turkey breast and pat very dry with paper towels.
2. Brine (Optional)
While not required, brining makes turkey extra flavorful and moist. See brining tips below.
3. Preheat Grill
Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high (350°F to 400°F). Clean grates and coat with oil to prevent sticking.
4. Season the Breast
Coat turkey breast all over with olive oil or melted butter. Season simply with salt and pepper or add spice rubs or herbs.
5. Grill Breast
Place breast skin-side down. Grill over direct heat turning once until 165°F internal temperature. Remove immediately and tent with foil.
6. Rest and Serve
Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Be sure to reserve pan juices for gravy. Enjoy your juicy grilled turkey breast!
Grilling Tips for Moist, Tender Turkey Breast
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Butterfly bone-in breasts – Splitting breast open provides even thickness for consistent cooking.
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Brine if possible – Soaking turkey in a saltwater brine infuses flavor and moisture.
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Pat very dry – Remove all moisture on the surface to help crispy skin.
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Use flavorful rubs – Spice and herb rubs add lots of extra flavor during grilling.
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Grill skin-side down first – Starting skin-side down crisps up the skin nicely.
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Turn once only – Just one flip prevents drying out. Resist urge to keep flipping.
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- Grill to 165°F* – Cook to a safe temperature, not time. Use a meat thermometer.
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Let rest before slicing – Carryover cooking continues to raise temp. Resting allows juices to redistribute.
How to Brine Turkey Breast
While brining is optional, it helps ensure a super moist and flavorful grilled turkey breast. Here is an easy basic brine:
- 1 gallon water
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cloves crushed garlic (optional)
- 2 bay leaves (optional)
Combine all brine ingredients in a container large enough to submerge breast. Add turkey, cover, refrigerate 6-12 hours. Rinse turkey, pat very dry before grilling.
How to Add Smoke Flavor
For extra smoke flavor, use wood chips, chunks or pellets in a smoker box or foil pouch. Soak chips in water 30 minutes first for more smoke. Place wood over burner to infuse turkey with rich smoke as it grills. Apple, cherry, pecan, and hickory woods work well with poultry.
Serving Suggestions
Slice grilled turkey breast and serve in a number of delicious ways:
- Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce
- Turkey salad with grapes and pecans
- Tacos or fajitas with peppers and onions
- Top salads or make into wraps
- Freeze for later – great leftover addition
Don’t forget to make gravy from the tasty pan drippings. Enjoy grilled turkey breast all year long!
How to brine a turkey breast
Grilling is very drying, so if your turkey breast is not injected or previously brined, try to brine if you have time. Almost all frozen turkey breasts, like Butterball, are injected, adding moisture and flavor.
A standard turkey brine of 2 quarts of water and about ¼ cup of table or Morton Kosher salt. If using Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, you need about ½ cup. Then add options of ¼ cup of brown sugar (suggested) and 2-3 crushed garlic cloves (depending on your other seasoning).
You can use the brine to introduce other favors that you want. Add some apple cider, perhaps a quartered orange. Go wild. But the most important thing is the salt-to-fluid ratio stays approximately the same. It is not an exact science, so keep it close. See How to Brine a Turkey—A Basic Brine with Enhancements for more discussion.
A quick salt note. 1 teaspoon table salt = 1 ¼ teaspoon Morton kosher salt = 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Refrigerate for 3-6 hours. Be sure to rinse off any brine and pat dry carefully. Also, do not use salt in the rub if you brine.
Suggested Brown Sugar BBQ Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- ½ teaspoon of oregano
- ½ teaspoon of cumin.
Serve the BBQ version with Memphis BBQ Sauce or your favorite BBQ sauce.
How To Grill A Turkey Breast – Ace Hardware
FAQ
How long does it take to grill a turkey breast?
Cook until an instant read thermometer registers 160°F in the thickest part of the breast, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Can you put a turkey on a gas grill?
Can I Cook My Turkey on a Gas Grill? Absolutely! I prefer a charcoal grill for the flavors that come from lump charcoal and wood. But, if you have a gas grill you can still get some great flavors by using a smoke tube.
Do you cover turkey with foil when grilling?
Place turkey, breast-side down, into the roasting pan and scoop seasoning mixture over top. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place onto the grill. Grill until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 3 to 4 hours.
Can boneless turkey breast be grilled?
Boneless turkey breast can be grilled on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or even in an oven. It can be grilled whole or sliced into strips or chunks. It can be marinated or seasoned with a variety of different flavors. Grilled boneless turkey breast is a great addition to any summer barbecue or cookout.
How long do you cook a turkey breast on a grill?
Cover the grill and cook the turkey breast halves, adding more water to the pan as needed, until they are a rich golden brown and cooked through, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast halves, away from the bone; it should register 165°F.
How do you cook a turkey breast on a BBQ?
Tenderized breast meat rolled up with seasoned ground turkey, sliced into portions and wrapped in a beautiful strip of pork bacon. Perfect for the barbecue. Ingredients: Turkey breast, ground turkey, bacon, salt, onion flakes, pepper, parsley BBQ: Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes per side.