How to Smoke and Grill Turkey

Smoking or grilling a turkey on your Char-Griller is an easy way to level up your holiday meal or weekend cookout. You'll get that perfect combo of smoky flavor and juicy, tender meat that'll wow your family and friends. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, grilling a turkey is simpler than you'd think, especially with Char-Griller's versatility and precision.

Grilling vs. Smoking Which Method is Right for Your Turkey?

When it comes to cooking the perfect turkey, two standout options are smoking and grilling, each offering its own unique benefits. Smoking a turkey is ideal for those who crave deep, rich flavors and a tender, moist texture. While smoking takes significantly longer than grilling - sometimes up to four times longer - the slow, low heat infuses the bird with a distinctive smoky flavor that's hard to beat. For the best results, it's recommended to brine your turkey before smoking to ensure it stays juicy throughout the process. This step helps prevent the meat, especially the breast, from drying out during the long cook.

Grilling, on the other hand, offers a quicker cooking process while still providing bold flavors and crispy skin. Grilling your turkey allows you to achieve that beautiful, golden exterior with a slightly charred flavor that comes from cooking over direct heat. It's a great option for those who want the smoky essence of a barbecue without the time commitment of smoking. The faster cooking time and crispy, grilled skin make it a convenient yet flavorful alternative to smoking, especially when you're short on time but still want to impress.

Both smoking and grilling yield delicious results, but your choice will depend on the flavor and texture you're aiming for, as well as how much time you have to dedicate to cooking.

Learn more about How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

Smoking a Turkey with Your Grill

Smoking a turkey with your Char-Griller Smokin' Pro is the ultimate way to achieve a juicy, flavorful bird with a delicious smoky finish. Here's a high-level guide to help you master the process:

Step 1: Safely Defrost the Turkey

Start by ensuring your turkey is safely thawed. The best way to do this is by placing it in the refrigerator, still in its packaging, for 24 hours per 5 pounds of weight. If you're short on time, you can submerge the turkey in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Estimate about 30-45 minutes per pound for this method.

Step 2: To Brine or Not to Brine?

Brining adds moisture and flavor, making your turkey even more tender. If you choose to brine, soak the turkey in a mixture of salt, water, and your favorite seasonings overnight. If you prefer to skip the brine, that's fine too—just ensure your turkey is fully defrosted and ready for prep.

Step 3: Prepping for the Smoker

Once the turkey is thawed (and brined, if applicable), rinse it thoroughly with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels inside and out. A dry surface will help the skin crisp up nicely during smoking. You can also rub the turkey with a blend of your favorite seasonings at this stage.

Step 4: Preheat Your Smoker

Get your smoker preheated to 225°F. You can use your Char-Griller Smokin' Pro, an AKORN, or another indirect method. Set up your smoker with your preferred wood chips, such as hickory or applewood, for added flavor. The Smokin' Pro's offset design allows for indirect heat, giving you a perfect, even cook without direct exposure to flames.

Step 5: Smoking the Turkey

Place a drip pan filled with water beneath the turkey to keep the meat moist. Plan for about 30 minutes of cook time per pound of turkey, keeping the smoker at a steady temperature between 225°F and 250°F. Baste the turkey every hour with its own juices to enhance flavor and moisture.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Once your turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it's ready to come off the smoker. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Need more tips on smoking with your grill? Check out Your Guide to Smoking Turkey for all the details!

Top Turkey Tips for a Perfect Holiday Feast

Cooking the perfect turkey can feel daunting, but with the right tips and techniques, you'll be carving up a masterpiece in no time. From choosing the right size bird to properly seasoning and maintaining the perfect grill temperature, every step plays a role in creating a flavorful and juicy turkey. Don't forget to let your turkey rest before carving to lock in all those delicious juices! For more expert advice and insider secrets, be sure to check out Top 10 Thanksgiving Turkey Tips - your go-to guide for mastering turkey this holiday season.

Grilling Your Turkey

When it comes to cooking the perfect turkey, grilling is another fantastic option that combines the speed of roasting with the rich flavors of smoking. Grilling a turkey offers a great balance between crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy meat, while also adding a subtle smoky flavor from the grill. The high, direct heat from the grill helps the skin crisp up beautifully, creating that signature crunch with every bite.

Grilling is faster than smoking and provides a more intense flavor than traditional roasting. It's perfect for those who want a bold, charred exterior with the moisture of a slow-cooked turkey. Using a two-zone setup on your grill—where one side has direct heat and the other indirect heat—allows you to cook the turkey evenly while still achieving that crispy, grilled skin. Whether you're using hickory, applewood, or mesquite, grilling your turkey delivers a delicious combination of savory, smoky flavors in a fraction of the time required for smoking.

Grilled turkey is ideal for those who want to capture the best of both worlds: the speed and convenience of roasting, paired with the unique flavors of cooking over an open flame.