Tired of having the same turkey again this year on Thanksgiving? Try cooking your Thanksgiving turkey on a Big Green Egg grill!
The Big Green Egg ceramic cooker is the ultimate way to make the juiciest, most flavorful turkey you’ve ever tasted! With even, moist heat and easy temperature control, the Green Egg allows you to infuse your turkey with delicious smoky flavor.
Cooking turkey on the Green Egg may seem intimidating for first-timers but follow this simple step-by-step guide for foolproof results.
Why Cook Turkey on the Big Green Egg?
The Green Egg brings many advantages to cooking turkey:
- Infuses unbeatable smoky flavor when using wood chips or chunks
- Cooks turkey incredibly moist thanks to even, indirect heat
- Lets you cook an entire meal at once using direct and indirect heat
- Frees up your oven for sides like stuffing and pie
- Provides turkey with a beautifully browned, crisp skin
With the Green Egg’s versatility and precise temperature control, you’ll never go back to cooking turkey in the oven again!
Tips for Turkey Success on the Green Egg
Follow these pro tips and tricks for the best Green Egg turkey every time:
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Dry brine the turkey overnight before cooking to fully season it and keep it super juicy. Simply coat all over with kosher salt.
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Let the turkey come to room temperature before cooking for more even roasting. Take it out of the fridge 1-2 hours before.
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Use a meat injector to infuse flavorful butter, broth, and herbs deep into the meat. This amps up moisture and flavor tremendously.
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Add wood chips or chunks to the charcoal, like hickory, pecan, or apple, for incredible smoky flavor.
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Roast the turkey indirect with the convEGGtor for even cooking. Place turkey on a vertical roaster above a drip pan.
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Use a probe thermometer to monitor temperature. Cook to 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thighs.
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Let turkey rest 30 minutes before carving. The juices redistribute and it will carve cleanly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Smoked Turkey Perfection
Follow these simple steps:
1. Dry Brine the Turkey
- Pat the turkey completely dry. Rub kosher salt all over and refrigerate uncovered 6-24 hours.
2. Bring to Room Temp
- Take turkey out of the fridge 1-2 hours before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.
3. Inject Turkey
- Inject butter, chicken broth, herbs, and Cajun seasoning deep into the breast, thighs, and legs using an injector.
4. Prepare the Grill
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Set up the Green Egg for indirect cooking at 325°F with the convEGGtor.
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Add hickory, apple, or pecan wood for flavor.
5. Roast the Turkey
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Place turkey vertically on a roasting rack set inside a drip pan.
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Roast for 15 minutes per pound until 165°F in the breast and 175°F in thighs.
6. Rest, Carve and Serve
- Allow turkey to rest 30 minutes before carving. Slice and serve immediately.
Handy Time and Temperature Guidelines
Follow these temperature and time guidelines for perfect doneness:
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8-12 lb turkey: Cook for 2.5 – 3 hours at 325°F
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12-15 lb turkey: Cook for 3 – 3.5 hours at 325°F
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15-18 lb turkey: Cook for 3.5 – 4 hours at 325°F
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Turkey breast: Cook for 1.5 – 2 hours at 325°F
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Cook to 165°F in the breast, 175°F in thighs
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Let rest 30 minutes before carving
Make Delicious Gravy from Drippings
Don’t discard those flavorful turkey drippings! Follow this easy method for incredible gravy:
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Pour drippings into a fat separator and let sit 5 minutes so fat can rise to the top.
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Pour defatted drippings into a saucepan. Add flour and whisk until smooth.
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Slowly whisk in chicken broth until desired gravy thickness is reached.
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Season gravy with sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Get Creative with Green Egg Turkey Dishes
The Green Egg opens up limitless possibilities for preparing turkey beyond just roasting a whole bird. Get creative with these ideas:
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Make beer can turkey – cook turkey upright around an open beer can
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Grill turkey legs or turkey breast using direct heat
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Infuse flavors like citrus, herbs, and chili rub under the skin
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Smoke just turkey wings or drumsticks for appetizers
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Roast a turkey breast roast for smaller holiday meals
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Cook stuffed turkey tenderloins wrapped in bacon
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Make turkey jerky from sliced turkey breasts
Enjoy the Juiciest Turkey You’ve Ever Tasted!
The Big Green Egg is hands-down the best way to cook a turkey with unparalleled moisture, flavorful smoke, and gorgeously browned skin. Follow this guide and you’ll have the greatest holiday turkey of your life. Happy Green Egg turkey cooking!
What is a Big Green Egg?
The Big Green Egg is an outdoor ceramic grill based on the ancient kamado, a traditional Japanese cooking device fueled by charcoal. It produces perfectly grilled steaks, flavorful smoked meats, and even delicious baked goods. But if you currently own a Big Green Egg, then you already know that it is, indeed, the ultimate cooking experience.
When cooking with the Big Green Egg there are four basics to know: filling, lighting, burping, and temperature control.
- Filling: When filling your grill, the company recommends using lump charcoal, because it heats quickly and burns cleanly. Aqua Pools carries Big Green Egg’s 100% organic lump charcoal, which contains American oak and hickory hardwood.
- Lighting: Unlike most grills, the Big Green Egg doesn’t require lighter fluid. You can instead use a natural charcoal starter or an electric starter. Check out your options here.
- Burping: If oxygen enters the Egg too quickly it can cause a backdraft or flare-up. Slowly open the dome about an inch to prevent the heat from burning your hand. After pausing, it is safe to open it all the way.
- Temperature control: The Egg offers easy temperature control with a simple adjustment of the vents.
*Tip: Close all openings on your Big Green Egg when you are finished, and you will be able to reuse any remaining charcoal.
How to Cook a Perfect Turkey in a Big Green Egg | Thanksgiving Dinner in the Big Green Egg
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey on the Green Egg?
Cook for 12 minutes per pound until the turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F/74°C throughout the bird. Reserve the drippings from the drip pan to make gravy.
Will 20 lb turkey fit on large Big Green Egg?
The Large EGG can cook:
One 20-pound turkey.
Should you roast a turkey at 325 or 350?
It’s better to cook a turkey at 350°F after preheating the oven to 450°F. This makes the skin crispier and ensures the turkey will get cooked evenly.Nov 3, 2023
How long to cook a 14 lb turkey in a turkey bag?
- 8-12 lb turkey: 1 1/2 to 2 hours;
- 12 to 16 lb turkey: 2 to 2 1/2 hours;
- 16-20 lb turkey: 2 1/2 to 3 hours;
- 20-24 lb turkey: 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
How do you cook a Turkey in a big green egg?
For the turkey: Prepare your Big Green Egg for indirect cooking at 350° to 375°. Place a drip pan with the 6 cups of water, giblets and neck in between the convEGGtor and the cooking grate. Remove the turkey from the wrapper. Remove all giblets, the neck and anything else in the cavity of the bird.
What is the best way to cook eggs?
The best way to prepare eggs are shorter and lower-heat cooking methods, as they cause less cholesterol oxidation and help retain most of the egg’s nutrients. For this reason, poached and boiled (either hard or soft) eggs may be the healthiest to eat. Also, these cooking methods, don’t add any unnecessary calories, like oil.
What is the best Turkey to cook on a green egg?
The best turkeys for cooking on the Green Egg are young, fresh turkeys. Young turkeys are more tender and juicy than older turkeys. When choosing a turkey, look for one that is plump and has a smooth, yellow skin. The turkey should also smell fresh.
What temperature should a Turkey be cooked on a green egg?
The safe internal temperature for turkey is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re having any trouble cooking turkey on the Green Egg, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a qualified griller or cook. Cooking turkey on the Green Egg is a great way to enjoy a delicious and festive meal.
How long do you cook a turkey breast in a green egg?
Preheat the Green Egg to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub the turkey with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. Place the turkey breast-side up on the cooking grate. Cook the turkey for 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big should a green egg be for a Turkey?
The general rule of thumb is to use a Green Egg that is at least twice the size of your turkey. For example, if you are cooking a 10-pound turkey, you will need a Green Egg that is at least 20 inches in diameter. If you are cooking a larger turkey, you may need to use a larger Green Egg or cook the turkey in two batches.