Charcoal Grilled Turkey Breast: Juicy and Delicious

Charcoal Grilled Turkey Breast: A Summertime Classic

There’s nothing quite like the smell of a charcoal grill on a summer day. And when you’re grilling up a juicy, flavorful turkey breast, the aromas are even more intoxicating. Whether you’re grilling for a crowd or just a few people, charcoal grilled turkey breast is sure to be a hit.

In this article, we’ll show you how to grill a turkey breast on a charcoal grill so that it comes out perfectly cooked, juicy, and flavorful. We’ll also provide some tips on choosing the right turkey breast, marinating it, and grilling it to perfection. So fire up your grill and let’s get started!

Ingredients	Instructions	Tips
1 boneless, skinless turkey breast (about 4 pounds) 1 cup barbecue sauce 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper	Preheat your grill to medium heat. Rub the turkey breast with the olive oil and season with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place the turkey breast on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Brush the turkey breast with the barbecue sauce and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the sauce is heated through. Let the turkey breast rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.	To make sure the turkey breast is cooked through, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and make sure it reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can check if the turkey breast is cooked through by cutting into it with a sharp knife. The meat should be white and opaque throughout. If you’re grilling the turkey breast for a long time, baste it with the barbecue sauce every few minutes to keep it moist.

Choosing the Right Turkey Breast

When it comes to choosing the right turkey breast for grilling, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

First, consider the size of your grill. If you have a small grill, you’ll need to choose a smaller turkey breast. Conversely, if you have a large grill, you can choose a larger turkey breast.

Second, think about how you want to cook your turkey breast. If you want to smoke your turkey breast, you’ll need to choose a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast. If you want to grill your turkey breast directly over the heat, you can choose a boneless, skinless turkey breast.

Third, consider the flavor you want. If you want a more flavorful turkey breast, you can choose a turkey breast that has been brined or marinated. If you want a more mild turkey breast, you can choose a turkey breast that has not been brined or marinated.

Once you have considered these factors, you can start shopping for the perfect turkey breast for grilling. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best turkey breast:

* Look for a turkey breast that is plump and juicy.
* Avoid turkey breasts that are too thin or too thick.
* Choose a turkey breast that has a white or light pink color.
* Make sure the turkey breast is free of any blemishes or discoloration.

Once you have chosen the perfect turkey breast, you can start preparing it for grilling.

Preparing the Turkey Breast

Before you can grill your turkey breast, you need to prepare it. Here are a few steps to help you prepare your turkey breast for grilling:

1. Rinse the turkey breast under cold water.
2. Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
3. Trim any excess fat from the turkey breast.
4. If you are using a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast, score the skin in a diamond pattern.
5. Marinate the turkey breast in your favorite marinade, if desired.
6. Allow the turkey breast to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

Once your turkey breast is prepared, you can start grilling it.

Grilling the Turkey Breast

Grilling a turkey breast is a relatively simple process. Here are a few steps to help you grill your turkey breast perfectly:

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. Oil the grill grates.
3. Place the turkey breast on the grill grates.
4. Grill the turkey breast for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Baste the turkey breast with your favorite barbecue sauce, if desired.
6. Grill the turkey breast for an additional 2-4 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Remove the turkey breast from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Grilling a turkey breast is a great way to cook a delicious and flavorful meal. By following these steps, you can be sure to grill the perfect turkey breast every time.

Conclusion

Grilling a turkey breast is a great way to cook a delicious and flavorful meal. By following these steps, you can be sure to grill the perfect turkey breast every time.

Grilling the Turkey Breast

Once you have prepared your turkey breast, it is time to grill it. Here are the steps involved:

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat. If you are using a charcoal grill, build a fire and let it burn for about 30 minutes until the coals are covered with ash. If you are using a gas grill, preheat the grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Brush the turkey breast with olive oil or melted butter. This will help to keep the meat moist while it cooks.
3. Place the turkey breast on the grill, skin side down. If you are using a charcoal grill, place the turkey breast over the indirect heat. If you are using a gas grill, place the turkey breast on the middle rack.
4. Close the grill lid and cook the turkey breast for about 30 minutes per pound. The internal temperature of the turkey breast should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit when it is done.
5. Baste the turkey breast with your favorite barbecue sauce every 15 minutes or so. This will help to add flavor to the meat.
6. When the turkey breast is done, remove it from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Here are some tips for grilling a turkey breast:

* Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit when it is done.
* Baste the turkey breast with your favorite barbecue sauce every 15 minutes or so. This will help to add flavor to the meat.
* Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help to keep the meat moist.

Caring for the Leftover Turkey Breast

Once you have grilled your turkey breast, you will need to store the leftovers. Here are some tips for caring for leftover turkey breast:

* Store the leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* The leftover turkey breast will last for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
* To reheat the leftover turkey breast, you can either microwave it or bake it in the oven.
* When reheating the leftover turkey breast, make sure to heat it until it is steaming hot. This will help to kill any bacteria that may be present.

Here are some ideas for using leftover turkey breast:

* Make a turkey sandwich with your favorite bread, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
* Add leftover turkey breast to a salad.
* Make a turkey pot pie.
* Make a turkey chili.
* Use leftover turkey breast in a casserole.

Q: What is the best way to prepare a charcoal grill for grilling turkey breast?
A: To prepare a charcoal grill for grilling turkey breast, you will need:

* A charcoal grill
* Charcoal briquettes
* A chimney starter
* A grill brush
* Cooking spray
* A meat thermometer

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. Place the charcoal briquettes in the chimney starter and light them on fire.
3. Once the charcoal briquettes are fully lit, pour them into the charcoal grill.
4. Use the grill brush to spread the charcoal briquettes out evenly.
5. Spray the grill grates with cooking spray.
6. Place the turkey breast on the grill grates.
7. Close the grill lid and cook the turkey breast for 15 minutes per pound.
8. Use the meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. The turkey breast is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q: How long does it take to grill a turkey breast?
A: The cooking time for a turkey breast will vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and the temperature of the grill. A general rule of thumb is to cook the turkey breast for 15 minutes per pound. For example, a 5-pound turkey breast will take about 75 minutes to cook.

Q: What temperature should I cook a turkey breast to?
A: The USDA recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the turkey is cooked through and safe to eat.

Q: What are some tips for grilling turkey breast?
A: Here are some tips for grilling turkey breast:

* Marinate the turkey breast in a flavorful marinade before grilling. This will help to keep the turkey breast moist and flavorful.
* Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey breast. The turkey breast is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Baste the turkey breast with melted butter or olive oil while it is grilling. This will help to keep the turkey breast moist and flavorful.
* Let the turkey breast rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey breast, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy dish.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when grilling turkey breast?
A: Here are some common mistakes people make when grilling turkey breast:

* Not marinating the turkey breast before grilling. This can result in a dry and flavorless turkey breast.
* Overcooking the turkey breast. The USDA recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Overcooking the turkey breast can result in a dry and tough turkey breast.
* Not basting the turkey breast while it is grilling. Basting the turkey breast with melted butter or olive oil will help to keep the turkey breast moist and flavorful.
* Not letting the turkey breast rest before slicing and serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the turkey breast, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy dish.

charcoal grilling turkey breast is a delicious and easy way to cook a healthy and flavorful meal. By following the tips in this article, you can create a perfectly cooked turkey breast that is sure to impress your guests. So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy some mouth-watering turkey!