Turkey is the centerpiece of many a Thanksgiving spread. All that crackly skin encasing juicy meat, just waiting for carving (and eating!).
But how disappointing is it to spend so much time defrosting, brining, trussing, and roasting a 20-lb bird just for the results to be dry and stringy?
Here are five ways to keep that turkey juicy so that it can be the showstopping centerpiece it was always meant to be. (And no, the answer isn’t basting.)
Grilling turkey can result in incredibly moist juicy and flavorful meat when done properly. However, it’s also easy for turkey to end up dry and tough if you don’t take the right precautions. With the peak grilling season coming up, it’s important to learn how to keep your turkey from drying out when cooking it on the grill.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover the top strategies and tips to ensure your grilled turkey turns out perfectly moist every time.
Why Turkey Dries Out on the Grill
Before jumping into solutions, it helps to understand why turkey tends to dry out during grilling in the first place. Here are the main reasons
-
Lack of Fat: Turkey has less intramuscular fat compared to meats like beef and pork. This natural fat helps keep moisture locked in.
-
White vs. Dark Meat: The breasts dry out faster than the thighs and legs. The thick white breast meat takes longer to cook than the darker leg and thigh meat.
-
High, Direct Heat: The high heat from grilling cooks the outer layer rapidly, resulting in moisture loss.
-
Overcooking: It’s easy to overcook turkey, especially the breast meat, which dries it out quickly.
Follow the tips below to overcome these hurdles
Tips to Prepare Turkey Before Grilling
Proper preparation is key for grilling tender, juicy turkey every time. Here are some tips:
-
Brine the Turkey: Soaking the turkey in a saltwater brine solution hydrates the meat and seasons it throughout. Brine for 12-24 hours in the fridge.
-
Inject Marinade: Using an injector tool to inject marinade deep into the turkey adds extra moisture and flavor.
-
Loosen the Skin: Separate the skin from the meat and rub butter or oil underneath to keep the meat juicy while crisping the skin.
-
Pat Dry: Make sure to pat the turkey dry before seasoning and grilling for better browning.
-
Truss It: Tie the legs together with twine so they cook evenly. Tuck the wings under too.
Master the Grilling Process
Your grilling technique is crucial for perfect turkey. Follow these guidelines:
-
Use Indirect Heat: Cook the turkey over indirect heat at a lower temperature (325-375°F) rather than direct heat to prevent burning.
-
Employ the Two-Zone Fire: Set up a two-zone fire with direct heat on one side and indirect on the other. Sear the turkey over direct heat first, then finish cooking over indirect heat.
-
Rotate: Rotate the turkey every 30 minutes or so for even cooking.
-
Monitor the Temperature: Insert a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast, not touching the bone. Cook to 165°F.
-
Baste Frequently: Baste the turkey every 20-30 minutes with melted butter, olive oil, broth or barbecue sauce to keep the skin from drying out.
-
Tent with Foil: If the skin starts browning too quickly or looks like it might burn, loosely tent foil over the turkey.
Grilled Turkey Roasting Times
Here are general roasting times for whole turkeys on the grill. Always rely on a meat thermometer for doneness, not just time.
- 8-12 lb turkey: 2-2.5 hours
- 12-16 lb turkey: 2.5-3.5 hours
- 16-20 lb turkey: 3.5-4 hours
- 20-24 lb turkey: 4-4.5 hours
Let It Rest
Never slice into the turkey right off the grill! Letting it rest is imperative. The USDA recommends resting for at least 3 minutes before carving. Allow 10-15 minutes for better moisture retention and juicier meat.
Tent the turkey with foil while it rests to keep it warm. The juices will redistribute through the meat. Remember to make the gravy after resting.
How to Serve Juicy Leftover Grilled Turkey
Leftover grilled turkey makes amazing sandwiches, casseroles, soups, salads and more. Here are some of my favorite juicy ways to use up leftovers:
-
Turkey BLTs with avocado and chipotle mayo. The bacon and creamy avocado prevent dryness.
-
Turkey salad with grapes, pecans, celery and mayo. The mayo adds moisture.
-
Turkey tetrazzini with turkey baked into a creamy mushroom pasta bake.
-
Turkey noodle soup with carrots, onions and celery. The broth keeps it moist.
-
Turkey tacos with sautéed peppers and onions with Mexican crema.
Mastering how to keep turkey moist on the grill does take some technique. Apply these tips for brining, preparing, seasoning, grilling and resting properly. With the right process, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly tender, succulent and flavorful grilled turkey ready to wow any crowd.
Sign up for The Thanksgiving Success Series
Be Thanksgiving-ready with the help of the Test Kitchen experts.Email addressAmericas Test Kitchen will not sell, rent, or disclose your email address to third parties unless otherwise notified. Your email address is required to identify you for free access to content on the site. You will also receive free newsletters and notification of Americas Test Kitchen specials.
Ditch the Plastic Pop-Up Timer; Use an Instant-Read Thermometer Instead
Do you see the little plastic thermometer that comes in the turkey you purchased? Pull it out and throw it away. It’s designed to pop out when the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 178 degrees F. By then, your meat will be practically cardboard.
Choose instead to temp the turkey with an instant-read thermometer. You’ll get an accurate read in seconds. Here’s how to do it.
- Remove the turkey from the oven (safety first, people).
- Insert the thermometer into both sides of the breast meat, taking care not to hit the bone (this can result in an inaccurate temperature reading). You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Repeat with the thickest part of the thigh meat. You’re looking for an internal temperature between 170-175 degrees F.
How to keep turkey moist
FAQ
Does grilling a turkey dry it out?
Indirect heat is best for roasting a whole turkey or any cuts that still have the bones inside – like, bone-in turkey breast. That’s because indirect heat cooks meat slowly and evenly, preventing the bird from drying out. Grilling over direct heat for two to three hours may burn or over-char your turkey.
How to prevent a turkey from getting dry?
Gimmicks aside, the best way to avoid a dry turkey is the most tried and true: brine it.
How do you cook a turkey so it doesn’t dry out?
Elevate the Legs. You may have noticed the 10-degree temperature difference between a ready-to-eat turkey thigh and breast. Keep your breast from drying out before the dark meat is done by elevating or trussing the legs. Exposing the legs to more heat allows them to cook at the same rate as the breast meat.
How do you keep meat from drying out on the grill?
Whether you choose to use a brush, mop, or spritz bottle, adding moisture at regular intervals during cooking helps prevent the meat from drying out.
How do you keep a Turkey from drying out and going cold?
Covering your entire turkey is one of the most effective ways to keep it from drying out and going cold. You can use the following steps to complete this process. Cook the bird until it is golden brown and the internal temperature of its dark meat is 180°F (82°C), and white meat is 170°F (77°C).
How do you dry out a cooked turkey?
Don’t baste your turkey. Basting your turkey can actually dry it out. Instead, use a cooking spray or a flavorful liquid to baste the turkey during the last 30 minutes of cooking. 9. Don’t open the oven door too often. Opening the oven door too often can let out heat, which can dry out your turkey. 10. Use a meat thermometer.
How do you keep a Turkey moist in a roasting pan?
Adding a liquid to the roasting pan will help to keep the turkey moist. You can use broth, wine, or even water. * Cover the turkey. Covering the turkey will help to lock in moisture. Be sure to remove the cover for the last 30 minutes of cooking so that the skin can brown. * Don’t baste the turkey. Basting the turkey will actually dry it out.
How to avoid dry Turkey?
there are a number of ways to avoid dry turkey. By brining, injecting, or marinating the turkey before cooking, you can help to keep it moist and flavorful. Additionally, cooking the turkey to the correct internal temperature and resting it before carving will help to ensure that it is cooked evenly and juicy.
How do you cook a turkey breast without drying out?
Keep your breast from drying out before the dark meat is done by elevating or trussing the legs. Exposing the legs to more heat allows them to cook at the same rate as the breast meat. Combined with a good rub or brine, you’ll have a supermoist turkey everyone can enjoy. 5. Let the Turkey Rest
Should you cover a Turkey when grilling?
Because the turkey is already hot coming out over or off the grill, covering it will essentially enclose it in another makeshift oven until you’re ready to serve it. When covered, this can cause your turkey to reach a higher temperature than initially intended and easily dry out.