To make a Weber Kettle turkey, add charcoal to your grill and light the briquettes, allowing the kettle to reach 350°F. Place your brined and seasoned turkey directly on the grill and baste it every 30 minutes with pan drippings as it cooks. Your turkey is done once the internal temperature reaches 165°F in both the breast and thigh, as measured with a meat thermometer.
How to Cook a Turkey on a Weber Kettle
Cooking a turkey on your Weber kettle charcoal grill only takes a little prep time, and the results are well worth it!
Prepare the outdoor grill.
Line the sides of the grill with charcoal briquettes, leaving space for the dripping pan. Light the coals and allow them to heat for 45 minutes.
Add fresh coals once the original briquettes have turned gray. Put on the upper grill grate once the coals are ready. You can also start the charcoal briquettes in a chimney starter.
Prepare the turkey.
Drizzle butter or olive oil over the turkey, and then season with Kosher salt, pepper, onion powder, dried rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic powder.
Grill the turkey.
Place the turkey on the grill and cover it with the lid. Make sure the vent is open to encourage airflow. Let the turkey cook for 15 minutes per pound.
Remove the turkey from the grill and rest.
When the thickest part of the thigh and the turkey breast have reached 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, carefully remove the turkey and let it rest covered in foil for 30 minutes on a platter. Carve the turkey and serve it with your favorite side dishes!
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BBQ Grilled Weber Kettle Turkey Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Description
This Weber kettle grilled turkey recipe creates a tender, flavorful, and moist turkey. This turkey is easy to make, featuring simple seasonings that let the turkey shine. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or anytime!
Ingredients
Equipment
- Weber Charcoal Kettle Standing BBQ, 22.5”
- Metal or aluminum disposable drip pan, preferably 9” X 12.5”
- Meat thermometer
- 1 bag of Match Light Mesquite charcoal briquets
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 whole turkey, fresh or completely defrosted
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 teaspoons black pepper, ground
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried sage
Instructions
- Clip charcoal rails into the lower level of the Webber BBQ.
- Add 25 Match light charcoal briquets to each side of the grill. Ensure they stay behind the rails and don’t fall into the middle.
- Light a few coals on each side of the grill with the utility wand lighter.
- Let the coals smoke and heat for 45 minutes with the grill lid off.
- While the coals are heating, place the turkey on a large platter and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Remove the giblets and set them aside. Tuck the turkey’s wings underneath the shoulder so that the wing tips don’t burn.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top of the turkey.
- Mix the dried seasonings together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Sprinkle the spice mix over the turkey.
- Place the drip pan in the middle of the lower rack of your BBQ between the charcoal rails and place the hinged cooking grate into place.
- Transfer the turkey onto the cooking grate and center the turkey over the drip pan.
- Place the lid on the BBQ and open the vent.
- Every hour, beginning from the time that the initial coals were added, open each side of the hinged cooking grate.
- With long grilling tongs, add 10 regular mesquite briquets to each side of the charcoal rails. Close the rails and put the lid back on with the vent open.
- Repeat steps 13 and 14 each hour during cooking. The first time you add regular charcoal briquets will be 15 minutes after you put on the turkey.
- Baste the turkey every 30 to 40 minutes. Use a bulb baster to suck up liquid from the turkey’s cavity and pour it over the top of the turkey.
- Once the turkey is thoroughly cooked and has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, use your tongs and a 2-pronged fork to remove the turkey and place it on the platter.
- Let rest for 30 minutes before carving. You can make an optional quick gravy by heating the drippings with flour and butter.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 ounces
- Calories: 200kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 67mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.8g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 93mg
What Size Turkey Will Fit in a Weber Kettle?
The 22.5” Weber kettle will fit up to a 21-pound turkey. Make sure that the turkey fits over the dripping pan so that the drippings fall into the pan. The bigger the turkey, the longer the cooking time and the more briquets used.
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Turkey on a Weber Kettle?
Unstuffed turkeys typically cook at 15 minutes per pound at a temperature of 350°F to 375°F. The exact cooking time depends on how big your bird is and the grill’s temperature. Monitor the temperature of your kettle grill during cooking for the best results.
| Weight of Turkey | Cooking Time |
| 12 pounds | 3 hours |
| 13 pounds | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| 14 pounds | 3.5 hours |
| 15 pounds | 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| 16 pounds | 4 hours |
| 17 pounds | 4 hours, 15 minutes |
| 18 pounds | 4.5 hours |
| 19 pounds | 4 hours 45 minutes |
| 20 pounds | 5 hours |
Best Temperature To Set for Weber Kettle Turkey
Your Weber Kettle temperature should be set between 350 and 375 degrees. This ensures the turkey will cook quickly enough that the dark meat (drumsticks, wings, etc.) will reach the proper temperature. It also ensures that the breast meat won’t dry out.
Target Internal Temperature for Turkey
The target internal temperature for a turkey is 165°F, according to the USDA. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Insert the meat thermometer in the thickest part of the turkey breast, the thickest part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing. If all of these have a temp of 165°F, your turkey is done.
How to Store and Reheat Grilled Turkey
To store leftover turkey, slice the meat from the bones. Place sliced turkey on a platter and cover securely with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.
You can also store leftover grilled turkey in airtight containers. Keep the turkey meat in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Grilled turkey can also be frozen in freezer bags for up to 6 months.
How to Reheat Grilled Turkey in an Oven
Place the turkey in an oven-safe dish with a lid or wrap the meat in aluminum foil. Preheat the oven to 350°F and heat the turkey until the internal temp reaches 165°F—about 30 to 60 minutes.
How to Reheat Grilled Turkey in the Microwave
Place the turkey meat on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cover your turkey meat with leftover drippings or broth if it gets dry.
Turkey Stuffing Ideas for Weber Kettle Turkey
Grilled turkey can be stuffed with a variety of foods. The more stuffing inside a turkey, the longer it will take to cook. Instead of bread stuffing, try these ideas the next time you grill a turkey:
- Apples
- Carrots
- Celery
- Fennel
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger slices
- Grapefruit slices
- Herbs—thyme, sage, parsley, rosemary
- Lemons
- Onions
- Oranges
- Shallots