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. You can use a fresh or frozen turkey breast with or without bones, skin on or off. Just season it to your liking.
Turkey breast, with or without bones; oil, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, or butter; brine and rub; other seasonings, such as fresh thyme, basil, rosemary, or other herbs; pepper;
Fire up the backyard BBQ grill for this easy recipe. You don’t need an oven. Just get the turkey ready, set the grill to the right temperature, put it on the grill, and come back 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 a juicy, flavorful turkey breast may seem daunting, but with the right techniques, you can have a beautiful golden brown turkey breast on the table in about an hour. Learning how long to grill a turkey breast is the key to tender, moist meat.
How Long Does it Take to Grill a Turkey Breast?
The grilling time for boneless turkey breasts is generally 30-40 minutes. For bone-in turkey breasts, plan for 60-90 minutes of grilling time depending on size. Use these general guidelines:
- 1-2 lb turkey breast: 30-40 minutes
- 3-4 lb turkey breast: 50-60 minutes
- 5-6 lb turkey breast: 60-90 minutes
Turkey breasts over 6 pounds may take up to 2 hours to fully cook Always use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness instead of relying solely on grilling times
Factors That Affect Grilling Time
Several factors impact how long it takes to grill a turkey breast to perfection:
Bone-in vs Boneless – Bone-in breasts take longer since the bone insulates the meat. Remove bones for quicker cooking.
Thickness – Thicker cuts require more time to bring the center up to temp Slice in half for faster grilling
Brining – Soaking in a saltwater brine adds moisture but can extend cooking time.
Temperature – Grill at 350-400°F for optimal timing. Higher heat cooks faster but may dry out the meat.
Indirect vs Direct Heat – Indirect heat with a drip pan prevents burning while direct heat speeds up cooking.
Basting – Basting adds flavor and moisture but opening the grill lid repeatedly increases cook time.
Size of Breast – Larger breasts need more time to cook through without drying out. Cook for 20-25 minutes per pound.
How to Tell When Turkey Breast is Done
A meat thermometer is by far the most accurate way to determine doneness. Turkey is safe to eat and will be juicy at 165°F. If undercooked, it can cause foodborne illness.
Signs your grilled turkey breast is fully cooked:
- Internal temp of 165°F when thermometer is inserted into the thickest part
- Clear juices run from the meat when pierced with a fork
- Meat has turned opaque and is no longer pink
- Skin is browned and crispy
The breast may need up to 10 minutes of resting time after grilling for the juices to redistribute. The internal temperature can rise about 10°F during this time.
Grilling Tips for Moist, Juicy Turkey
- Let the turkey stand at room temp for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Rinse and thoroughly pat dry before seasoning.
- Loosen the skin and rub herb butter or oil underneath to keep meat moist.
- Grill over indirect heat with a drip pan to prevent burning.
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. Do not rely on cook times alone.
- Let turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
With the right techniques, you can have juicy, flavorful grilled turkey breast on the table in about an hour or less. Mastering the art of how long to grill turkey breast results in tender, mouthwatering meat the entire family will love.
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How to brine a turkey breast
It dries out the turkey breast a lot when it’s grilled, so if you have time, try brining it before you grill it. Almost all frozen turkey breasts, like Butterball, are injected, adding moisture and flavor.
Turkey brine made of 2 quarts of water and about ¼ cup of Morton Kosher or table salt If using Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, you need about ½ cup. Then you can add ¼ cup of brown sugar (which is what is suggested) or two to three crushed garlic cloves (depending on what else you are 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 should turkey breasts be on the grill?
How long to cook boneless turkey breast on Weber grill?
How long does it take to grill breasts?
Do you flip a turkey when grilling?
How long do you cook a turkey breast on a grill?
Grill the turkey breast over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165ºF in the thickest part of the breast (not touching the bone), about 1½ hours. Remove from the grill and let rest for 15 minutes (the internal temperature will rise a few degrees during this time).
How do you cook a turkey breast on a BBQ?
Place turkey breast on one side of grill and turn off the heat/burner under the turkey. Grill with lid closed. Adjust temperature of BBQ to achieve 350-375F (176.7-190C). After 30 minutes, turn breast 180 degrees to allow other side of turkey to be closer to the heat (for even cooking).
Can you cook a turkey breast on a gas grill?
If you’re using a gas grill, you’ll need to light the grill and let it heat up for about 15 minutes. Once the grill is hot, you can place the turkey breast on the grill. If you’re using a charcoal grill, you’ll need to build a fire and let it burn for about 30 minutes. Once the coals are covered in ash, you can place the turkey breast on the grill.
How do you cook a turkey breast on a Weber grill?
Clean the grill grates: Ensure that your grill grates are clean and free from any residue. This will prevent your turkey breast from sticking to the grates. Preheat the grill: Turn on your Weber gas grill and preheat it to medium heat (around 350°F/175°C). Preheating ensures even cooking and helps to seal in the juices.
How do you cook a turkey breast on an igrill?
Soak apple or cherry wood chips in water for about 30 minutes, then sprinkle the drained wood chips on the charcoal. Once the wood is smoking and the temperature is set with your iGrill, place your turkey breast upright on the grill over the indirect zone, it should be able to stand up on its own but you can use a roast holder if you need.
What temperature should a turkey breast be preheated before grilling?
It’s important to preheat the grill to the correct temperature before cooking the turkey breast. The ideal temperature for grilling a turkey breast is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. To preheat the grill, turn all of the burners to high and let them heat for 10-15 minutes.