# How to cook a turkey on your gas grill

- Link: https://hearthsidepatio.com/bbq-grilling/how-to-cook-a-turkey-on-your-gas-grill/
- Published: 2019-11-26T23:24:28-05:00
- Author: hearthsideri

When it comes to cooking a turkey on your gas grill, there are three basic steps
you’ll follow:

1.Prep the turkey
2. Prep the grill3. Time it right!

The following tips from Kevin Kolman, Weber’s Head Grill Master and leading BBQ 
expert in the country, will practically guarantee your success. So grab a cold one,
and let’s go!

### PREPARING THE TURKEY

 * [Pick out a great turkey](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/burning-questions/how-to-pick-a-turkey-for-your-thanksgiving-dinner/weber-30308.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)!
 * [Make sure the turkey fits!](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/burning-questions/what-size-turkey-will-fit-in-my-grill/weber-30312.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)
 * [Brining](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/tips-techniques/to-brine-or-not-to-brine/weber-30684.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)
   is a great way to add weight and moisture!
 * Add [flavor](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/tips-techniques/top-10-ways-to-add-flavor-to-your-turkey/weber-30304.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)!
 * [Truss](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/tips-techniques/how-to-truss-and-spit-poultry-for-the-rotisserie/weber-30479.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)
 * Cover the top of the turkey with a [cheesecloth](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/tips-techniques/how-to-use-a-cheesecloth-on-your-turkey/weber-30264.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving).
   You will leave this on for the first 2-3 hours.

 

### PREPARING THE GRILL

 * When using a gas grill you will want to use wood chips. We like to use 2 handfuls
   of [cherry](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/cooking/smoking-woods-and-planks/17140.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)
   and 1 handful of [hickory](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/cooking/smoking-woods-and-planks/17143.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving).
   Soak the wood chips in water or beer before you use them for anywhere from 30
   minutes to 2 hours. You can put the wood chips in a [smoker box](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/cooking/smoking-woods-and-planks/7576.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)
   or in a built in smoker box if your grill has one.
 * Put a [drip pan](https://www.weber.com/US/en/accessories/care/drip-pans/6416.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving)
   on the flavorizer bars with 2-3 liters of water under where the turkey will go.
   If you plan on using the drippings in a gravy then only use 1 liter of water.
 * Set-up the grill for [indirect heat](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/behind-the-grill/how-to-grill-indirect-on-your-gas-grill/weber-47750.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving),
   meaning that the turkey will not be directly over a lit burner. Preheat your 
   grill for 10-15 minutes before adding your turkey.  Get our temperature and pound
   guide [here](https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/burning-questions/how-many-minutes-per-pound-will-my-turkey-take/weber-30306.html?utm_source=How%20to%20Cook%20A%20Turkey%20On%20Your%20Gas%20Grill&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Blog%20-%20Thanksgiving).
 * If it is going to be cold where you live, then the turkey will take few extra
   minutes per pound to cook.  

 

### TIME

 * Check the temperature of the turkey halfway through the cook, three quarters 
   of the way and then when you think it is done to make sure that you are on the
   right track to hit 165. This will help you monitor the turkey and make sure it
   is not over cooked!
 * The more you open the lid, the longer it will take to cook so be patient, relax
   and go watch some more football.

 

### WHEN IS IT DONE?

 * Keep in the mind that the turkey could cook a little quicker than you expect 
   so be sure to have checked it halfway, three quarters of the way and then when
   you think it is done.
 * Check the temperature of the turkey on the innermost part of the thigh and the
   thickest part of the breast to make sure that it is fully cooked at 165 degrees
   before removing it.
 * This step is important! Let it rest for 20-30% of the total cooking time. You
   can loosely cover the turkey with a piece of aluminum foil while it is resting
   or you can just leave it uncovered.