Perfectly Grilled Whole Turkey with Fruit and Herb Infusion
Experience the ultimate holiday feast with this exquisitely grilled whole turkey, infused with a flavorful marinade of apple and cranberry juices combined with garlic, carrots, and onions. Ensure exceptional taste and juicy tender meat with a finish of perfectly browned skin, making it an unforgettable centerpiece for your gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
soy sauce
1/2 cup
minced fresh garlic cloves
2 tablespoons (minced)
onions
3 (peeled and sliced)
brown sugar
1/2 cup
white vinegar
1/2 cup
carrots
4 (peeled and sliced)
whole turkey
15 lb
apple juice
3 cups
cranberry juice
3 cups
garlic powder
as needed
Season-All salt
as needed
onion powder
as needed
butter
5 slices (sliced)
apple
1 (quartered)
Instructions
1
Preheat your grill to 500°F.
2
Rinse the 15 lb turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Ensure that the turkey is thoroughly dry to promote even browning.
3
Place the turkey into a large aluminum pan.
4
Gently separate the skin from the breast and insert about 5 slices of butter evenly beneath the skin.
5
Clean out the inside of the turkey. Stuff the cavity with 4 peeled and sliced carrots, 3 peeled and sliced onions, 1 quartered apple, and 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
6
In a mixing bowl, combine 3 cups cranberry juice, 3 cups apple juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic. Stir the mixture well to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
7
Generously season the outside skin of the turkey with a liberal coating of Season-All salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
8
Pour as much of the marinade as possible into the cavity of the turkey. Allow it to overflow and create a 2-inch depth of liquid around the turkey in the pan.
9
Throughout the cooking process, maintain this liquid level by adding more marinade or a small amount of water as needed.
10
Cover the turkey completely with foil, ensuring it is sealed to retain steam and moisture.
11
Place the turkey on the lowest rack of the grill. Make sure the grill lid closes completely.
12
Cook the turkey at the initial 500°F for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium or medium-high to keep the marinade at a slow boil.
13
Baste the turkey regularly to keep the skin moist and prevent drying.
14
Plan for approximately 15-20 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey.
15
One hour before the estimated completion time, carefully loosen the foil around the turkey, allowing the skin to brown while still trapping steam.
16
Monitor the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Remove the turkey from the grill once it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
17
Extract the carrots, onions, apples, and garlic from the cavity before letting the turkey rest.
18
Allow the turkey to rest and cool for at least 15 minutes before carving and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Perfectly Grilled Whole Turkey with Fruit and Herb Infusion?
It is a holiday centerpiece turkey infused with a marinade of apple and cranberry juices, garlic, carrots, and onions, grilled for a juicy finish and perfectly browned skin.
What size turkey does this recipe require?
The recipe specifies a 15 lb whole turkey.
How should I prepare the turkey before grilling?
Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels to promote even browning.
Where should the butter be placed?
Gently separate the skin from the breast and insert about 5 slices of butter evenly beneath the skin.
What vegetables are stuffed inside the turkey?
The cavity should be stuffed with 4 peeled and sliced carrots and 3 peeled and sliced onions.
Is fruit used in the stuffing?
Yes, one quartered apple is added to the cavity along with the vegetables and garlic.
What are the ingredients for the fruit marinade?
The marinade consists of 3 cups cranberry juice, 3 cups apple juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
How do I season the outside of the turkey?
Apply a liberal coating of Season-All salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to the outside skin.
How much marinade should be in the pan?
Pour the marinade into the cavity and allow it to overflow to create a 2-inch depth of liquid around the turkey in the pan.
What should I do if the liquid level in the pan drops?
Maintain the 2-inch liquid level by adding more marinade or a small amount of water as needed throughout the cooking process.
Should the turkey be covered while on the grill?
Yes, cover the turkey completely with foil and ensure it is sealed to retain steam and moisture.
What is the initial grill temperature?
The grill should be preheated to 500°F.
How long do I cook the turkey at the high 500°F temperature?
Cook the turkey at 500°F for the first 30 minutes.
When do I reduce the heat on the grill?
After the initial 30 minutes, reduce the heat to medium or medium-high.
What is the goal of the medium heat setting?
The heat should be adjusted to keep the marinade at a slow boil.
Where on the grill should the turkey pan be placed?
Place the turkey on the lowest rack of the grill and ensure the lid closes completely.
Is basting necessary for this recipe?
Yes, baste the turkey regularly to keep the skin moist and prevent it from drying out.
How much cooking time should I plan for?
Plan for approximately 15-20 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey.
How do I get the turkey skin to brown?
One hour before the estimated completion time, loosen the foil around the turkey to allow the skin to brown while still trapping steam.
What is the safe internal temperature for the turkey?
Remove the turkey from the grill once it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
What do I do with the cavity stuffing after cooking?
Extract the carrots, onions, apples, and garlic from the cavity before the turkey rests.
How long should the turkey rest before serving?
Allow the turkey to rest and cool for at least 15 minutes before carving.
Can I use fresh garlic for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic for the stuffing and 1 tablespoon for the marinade.
What kind of pan is recommended for grilling?
A large aluminum pan is recommended to hold the turkey and the liquid marinade.
Does the soy sauce make the turkey salty?
The 1/2 cup of soy sauce provides a savory depth and saltiness that balances the sweet fruit juices.
What role does the vinegar play in the marinade?
White vinegar adds acidity to the marinade, helping to tenderize the meat and balance the sugar.
Is the turkey skin seasoned separately?
Yes, the skin is seasoned with Season-All salt, garlic powder, and onion powder after the butter is placed beneath it.
Why is it important to seal the foil?
Sealing the foil is crucial to retain steam and moisture, which ensures the turkey remains juicy.
How do I monitor the turkey's progress?
Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature throughout the final stages of cooking.
What are the primary flavor notes of this dish?
The dish features a blend of sweet cranberry and apple, savory garlic and onion, and salty soy sauce.