Smoked Turkey on the Grill

Smoked turkey on the grill
Dezene Huber / Getty Images
  • 4 hrs 30 mins
  • Prep: 30 mins,
  • Cook: 4 hrs
  • Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Ratings (33)

By Derrick Riches

Updated 11/04/17

Interested in making a smoked turkey but you don't have a smoker? Use your grill to slow-roast this tasty bird and it will be tender and delicious.

What You'll Need

  • 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds or 5.5 to 7.5 kg)
  • 2 quarts (1.9 liters) apple juice
  • 1 pound (450 g) brown sugar
  • 1 cup (240 mL) kosher salt
  • 3 oranges (quartered)
  • 4 ounces (115 g) fresh ginger (thinly sliced)
  • 15 whole cloves
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 6 large cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 ball cooking string (for trussing turkey)
  • 1 roasting rack
  • 1 heavy-gauge foil pan
  • 1 package hickory chips

How to Make It

  1. Combine apple juice, brown sugar and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and continue heating until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Skim off any foam that forms on the top and let cool.
  2. In a large (5 gallon or larger) stockpot or similar container, combine apple juice mixture, 3 quarts of water, oranges, ginger, cloves, bay leaves and garlic.
  3. Wash turkey. Remove any fatty deposit you might find and everything from the body cavity. Place turkey in brine mixture and refrigerate for 24 hours. Make sure that the turkey remains completely submerged.
  1. Place hickory chips in water and prepare grill ​for indirect grilling on a medium heat. Remove turkey from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Tie legs together with string and lightly brush turkey with vegetable oil.
  2. Preheat your grill to about 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place turkey on roasting rack inside a foil pan. Place on grill away from direct heat.
  3. After 30 to 40 minutes, you will need to wrap the wings in foil to keep them from burning. Brush with vegetable oil periodically. If the breasts start to get too brown, cover with foil. The smoked turkey is done when the internal temperature reaches about 175 degrees F (80 degrees C) in the thigh or about 165 F (75 C) in the breast. You should expect it to take about 12 to 14 minutes per pound.
  4. When done, remove from grill and let rest for about 15 minutes before you start carving.