Cooking A Bbq Turkey In The Oven: A Tasty Twist

Grilling a turkey is a great way to free up space in the oven and ensure a juicy, tender bird with a deliciously crispy skin. This method is perfect for cooking a BBQ turkey in the oven, and can be used with almost any size bird. The prep is minimal, and the result is a flavourful, moist turkey with irresistible crispy skin.

Prep the turkey

To prep the turkey, start by removing the neck, giblets, and any excess fat. Rinse the bird inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. You can also pat down the inside and outside of the turkey with kosher salt and black pepper.

Next, prepare the herb butter by melting butter and adding fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage. You can also add a quartered lemon for extra flavor. Brush this herb butter all over the turkey.

Then, stuff the turkey with aromatics like onions, lemons, garlic, and fresh herbs. You can also fill the pan with chicken stock or water to catch the drippings.

Finally, place the turkey breast-side up in a roasting pan. Tuck the wing tips underneath the turkey and tie the legs together loosely with kitchen twine.

Make herb butter

Making herb butter is an important step in the process of cooking a BBQ turkey in the oven. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

To make herb butter, you will need butter (ideally unsalted) and fresh herbs of your choice, such as thyme, rosemary, or sage. You can also add other ingredients like garlic or lemon to infuse extra flavour into the butter. Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add in your desired herbs and any other ingredients. Feel free to chop up the herbs if you want a more intense flavour.

Give the herbs time to infuse into the butter. This should only take a few minutes. You can also prepare the herb butter ahead of time and let it sit so that the flavours meld together. Once you're happy with the flavour, remove the herb butter from the heat and let it cool. You now have delicious herb butter that is ready to be used on your BBQ turkey!

Before applying the herb butter to your turkey, make sure you have patted the turkey dry with paper towels. This will help the butter adhere better to the surface of the bird. Generously brush the herb butter all over the turkey, making sure to cover both the outside and inside of the cavity. Don't be afraid to use your hands to rub the butter under the skin and directly onto the meat.

The herb butter will not only add flavour to your BBQ turkey but also help create crispy, golden skin. Be sure to baste the turkey with the herb butter throughout the cooking process for maximum flavour and moisture. Enjoy your delicious, herb-infused BBQ turkey!

Season the turkey

Seasoning your turkey is an important step in the cooking process. If you've brined your turkey, you can skip this step, but if you've taken your turkey straight out of its packaging, you'll want to rub it generously all over, including inside the cavity, with salt and pepper. Try to get some of the seasoning under the skin and directly onto the meat.

You can also add some extra flavour by placing herbs and citrus fruits inside the turkey. Fresh rosemary, sage, and thyme are all good options, and you can also use lemons, oranges, or clementines. You can also brush the turkey with butter, which will make the skin crispier and the meat juicier.

If you want to add even more flavour, you can make a herb butter by melting butter and adding a few sprigs of fresh herbs to infuse it. Brush this all over the turkey.

Prep for roasting

Before you start roasting, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your turkey. First, make sure you have all the ingredients and tools you need. This includes a whole turkey, butter or oil, seasonings, and a roasting pan. You can also gather any aromatics or garnishes you want to use, such as onions, lemons, garlic, or herbs.

Take the turkey out of the refrigerator 30 minutes to an hour before roasting. This will give the turkey time to come up to room temperature and ensure that it cooks more evenly. Remove any packaging, plastic, pop-up thermometers, and giblets from the turkey. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels, both inside and outside.

If you are using a dry rub or seasonings, now is the time to apply them. Generously season the turkey all over, including inside the cavity. Get some of the seasoning under the skin and directly onto the meat. You can also stuff the cavity with aromatics like onions, lemons, garlic, or herbs. This will add flavour to the turkey as it roasts.

Place the turkey on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan. Tuck the wing tips underneath the bird and pour some broth or water into the roasting pan to prevent the drippings from burning. If you are using a disposable aluminium pan, you can fill it halfway with broth or stock.

Roast the turkey

Now that your turkey is prepped and ready to go, it's time to roast it to perfection. Here's a detailed guide on how to roast your BBQ turkey in the oven:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to a temperature suitable for roasting, typically around 350-450°F. This initial high temperature will help ensure crispy skin and jumpstart the cooking process.

Step 2: Prepare the Roasting Pan

Before placing the turkey in the oven, prepare your roasting pan. Line the pan with a shallow disposable aluminum or foil pan to catch the drippings. You can fill the pan with chicken or turkey stock, or simply use water to prevent the drippings from burning.

Step 3: Place the Turkey in the Oven

Position the turkey breast-side up in the center of the cooking grate or roasting pan. If using a roasting rack, ensure it is placed in the pan before adding the turkey. Place the turkey in the preheated oven and immediately turn the temperature down to around 350°F.

Step 4: Baste the Turkey

Basting the turkey with butter, pan juices, or a combination of both will help keep the meat moist and flavourful. Every 30-45 minutes, remove the turkey from the oven, close the oven door, and baste it all over with your chosen basting liquid. If you run out of basting liquid, you can use the pan drippings.

Step 5: Monitor the Temperature

To ensure your turkey is cooked properly, it's important to monitor its temperature throughout the roasting process. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest parts of the breast and thigh, ensuring it does not touch the bone. Aim for a minimum internal temperature of 165-180°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

Step 6: Shield the Breast (Optional)

If the breast meat is cooking too quickly or the skin is getting too dark, you can cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil. This will help prevent overcooking and allow the rest of the turkey to continue roasting.

Step 7: Remove the Turkey from the Oven

Once the turkey has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven. Lift one end of the turkey to allow the juices to drip into the roasting pan—these juices are perfect for making gravy. Carefully transfer the turkey to a clean cutting board.

Step 8: Rest the Turkey

Resting the turkey is crucial to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, flavourful bird. Tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving. This resting period will also give you time to make gravy using the delicious pan drippings.

Frequently asked questions