Thanksgiving Grilling Tips for a Perfect Holiday Meal

Grilling on Thanksgiving lets you serve a meal full of rich, smoky flavors while keeping your kitchen oven-free. With the proper techniques, grilling your Thanksgiving turkey and sides becomes an enjoyable process guaranteed to satisfy your guests. At American Made Grills, our goal is to help make your holiday grilling smooth, flavorful, and stress-free. Here's how to tackle Thanksgiving grilling like a pro.

Prepping Your Turkey for the Grill

Properly setting up your turkey is one of the best ways to ensure a delicious result. Simple prep steps like trussing, spatchcocking, and brining can make all the difference.

• Trussing for Even Cooking: Tying the turkey's legs and wings close to the body keeps everything compact, allowing for even cooking across the whole bird. This technique prevents thinner parts from drying out before the thicker areas cook through. Use butcher's twine to tie the legs together and tuck the wings beneath the body for a more manageable, evenly-cooked turkey.

• Spatchcocking for Faster Grilling: For a quicker cook, try spatchcocking. This involves removing the backbone and flattening the bird, which shortens the cooking time and creates a uniformly crispy skin. Lay the spatchcocked turkey flat on the grill, skin side up, and monitor closely for even browning.

• Brining for Extra Flavor and Moisture: A brine infuses the turkey with flavor while adding moisture to prevent dryness. Combine water, salt, and spices of your choice, and let the turkey sit in this mixture for at least 12 hours. For a richer flavor, try adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme or a few tablespoons of apple cider.

Grill Techniques for a Perfect Turkey

A few fundamental grill techniques can transform your turkey from good to great. These methods help maintain the correct cooking temperature, achieve that crisp skin, and infuse the meat with mouth-watering smoky flavors.

Direct and Indirect Heat Zones

Using both direct and indirect heat creates the perfect setup for grilling a whole turkey. Start with indirect heat—place your coals or burners on one side of the grill, leaving the other side cooler. Place the turkey on the cooler side and let it cook slowly, absorbing flavors without burning. For the final 20 minutes, move the turkey to direct heat to crisp up the skin for a golden, flavorful finish.

Rotisserie for Even Cooking

Using a rotisserie attachment can be one of the most effective ways to cook your turkey evenly. The constant rotation bastes the turkey in its own juices, creating a tender and juicy result. Make sure the turkey is tied securely, with weight evenly distributed for smooth rotation. This method works exceptionally well to achieve a thoroughly even cook and a juicy interior.

Smoking with Wood Chips

Add wood chips for a rich, smoky flavor that's perfect for Thanksgiving. Soak applewood or hickory chips in water for about 30 minutes, then add them to a smoker box or the fuel trays of the hybrid grill series. For a lighter taste, smoke the turkey for the first hour only. If you want a deeper smoky flavor, keep adding chips throughout the cooking time, but monitor the flavor closely to prevent overpowering the natural taste of the meat.

Boosting Flavor: Rubs, Seasonings, and Basting

Flavoring your turkey with the right seasonings transforms it from good to great. Here's how to get the best results with rubs, basting, and a bit of butter.

• Crafting a Dry Rub: A simple blend of spices can elevate the flavor of your turkey. Combine kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Thanksgiving staples like sage and thyme for a balanced, flavorful rub. Massage the rub all over the turkey about an hour before cooking to let the flavors absorb.

• Herb Butter Basting: For an extra layer of flavor, try basting the turkey with melted herb butter. Combine melted butter with chopped herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme, then brush it over the turkey every 30 minutes during grilling. This keeps the skin moist while adding a deliciously rich flavor and aroma.

• Timing Your Seasonings and Basting: Apply the rub early for maximum absorption, then baste at regular intervals. This layering of flavors adds depth without overwhelming the turkey's natural taste. Timing each step ensures that the seasonings complement each other and keep the turkey juicy.

Tips for Grilling Thanksgiving Sides

Don't stop at the turkey—grilling your side dishes brings a fresh, vibrant flavor to the meal. These tips make preparing veggies and other sides on the grill easy.

• Prepping Vegetables for the Grill: Grilling intensifies the natural sweetness of vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill until lightly charred and tender. The slightly smoky, caramelized flavors will add something special to your holiday table.

• Using Grill Baskets and Foil Packs: Grill baskets and foil packs are ideal for smaller sides and help keep everything contained. For easy handling, place green beans, chopped squash, or even stuffing in grill baskets. Wrap potatoes or root vegetables in foil packs, which cook evenly and don't need frequent flipping.

• Timing the Sides with the Turkey: Plan your grill space wisely by starting the turkey first, then adding sides as the bird nears its final hour. Vegetables and other sides generally need about 20-30 minutes on the grill, so they'll be ready to serve at the same time as the turkey.

Avoiding Common Thanksgiving Grilling Mistakes

To ensure a smooth grilling experience, a few common mistakes can easily be avoided. These tips help keep the turkey juicy, monitor grill temperature, and manage grill space.

Use a Meat Thermometer

To ensure a perfectly cooked turkey, use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, ensuring it reads 165°F before serving. This keeps the turkey safe to eat without overcooking or drying out. It's a small step that makes a big difference.

Preventing Dryness and Overcooking

One of the easiest ways to avoid dryness is to carefully control the grill's heat. Keep the temperature moderate and avoid lifting the grill lid too often, as frequent opening lets out heat and increases cooking time. Regular basting also helps lock in moisture, making for a tender, juicy turkey.

Managing Grill Space for Efficient Cooking

With a large Thanksgiving meal, managing grill space can be a challenge. Create a designated indirect heat zone for the turkey, then use the remaining grill areas for smaller items like veggies and sides. Upper racks or multi-level grills provide extra room if needed, helping everything cook evenly without overcrowding.

Final Tips for a Relaxed Thanksgiving Grilling Experience

With a bit of preparation, Thanksgiving grilling can be a relaxed and enjoyable experience. A few final steps can make a big difference in creating a smooth, stress-free day.

• Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time: Prepare rubs, marinades, and brines a day ahead to allow flavors to develop and save time on Thanksgiving morning. Gather all your grilling tools—tongs, thermometer, grill baskets—so you're ready when it's time to fire up the grill.

• Serve and Carve with Ease: Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes after it's done to allow the juices to redistribute. Then, carve with a sharp knife for tender, juicy slices. Use warmed platters for the sides to keep everything hot and fresh.

• Simple Cleanup for Quick Post-Meal Care: Scrape the grill grates while still warm to make cleanup easier. Wipe down surfaces and properly store leftovers to keep your grill in great shape for future use.

Grilling on Thanksgiving creates a meal full of memorable flavors and gives you the freedom to focus on what matters: spending time with your family. Prep your outdoor kitchen and enjoy a new twist on your holiday feast this year with these Thanksgiving grilling tips from American Made Grills.