BBQ Turkey

Total Time Prep: 70 min. Grill: 2 hours + standing
Yield 24 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce)
Test Kitchen Approved
I don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

Ingredients

  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 4 teaspoons pepper, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic in 1/4 cup oil until tender. Stir in the ketchup, water, syrup, vinegar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon pepper and ginger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Set aside 1-1/2 cups for serving.
  2. Remove giblets from turkey (discard or save for another use). Lightly oil the grill rack. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining oil over skin of turkey. Sprinkle salt and remaining pepper over turkey and inside cavity.
  3. Place turkey over drip pan, breast side up; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 1 hour. Brush with some of the sauce mixture. Grill until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer, basting frequently with remaining sauce. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with reserved sauce.

Nutrition Facts

5 ounces cooked turkey with 1 tablespoon sauce: 355 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 36g protein.

I don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana
Recipe Creator

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