A whole broiled turkey on a plate glazed with BBQ sauce and garnished with herbs

Mouthwatering BBQ Whole Broiled Turkey

Name: Mouthwatering BBQ Whole Broiled Turkey
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h 10 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American BBQ
Ingredients: 5 kg Whole turkey (about 5 kg, fresh or fully thawed) - Look for a fresh or properly frozen turkey with no off smell or discoloration; 60 ml Olive oil - Use extra-virgin for best flavor; 2 tbsp Salt - Any standard table salt; 1 tbsp Black pepper, freshly ground - Use whole black peppercorns for freshest flavor; 1 tbsp Garlic powder - Store in a cool dry place; 1 tbsp Smoked paprika - Adds smoky flavor; 1 tbsp Onion powder - Check freshness, should be free of lumps; 120 ml BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade) - Choose your favorite style

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medium

2 hour 10 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories350kcal

Carbs10gram

Fat15gram

Protein40gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole turkey (about 5 kg, fresh or fully thawed) - Look for a fresh or properly frozen turkey with no off smell or discoloration5 kg
Olive oil - Use extra-virgin for best flavor60 ml
Salt - Any standard table salt2 tbsp
Black pepper, freshly ground - Use whole black peppercorns for freshest flavor1 tbsp
Garlic powder - Store in a cool dry place1 tbsp
Smoked paprika - Adds smoky flavor1 tbsp
Onion powder - Check freshness, should be free of lumps1 tbsp
BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade) - Choose your favorite style120 ml

This recipe guides you through broiling a whole turkey with a delicious BBQ twist. It is designed for home cooks with basic skills and equipment. The turkey comes out juicy, tender, and smoky with a beautiful BBQ glaze. Safety is emphasized, including safe internal temperatures and good food handling practices to prevent cross-contamination. The total cost of ingredients is approximately $25 (€23, £20, ₹1900). The whole dish yields about 8 servings and contains approximately 350 calories per serving. This dish is suitable for moderate diets, is of medium complexity, and requires about 30 minutes of preparation and 2 hours of cooking time.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the Turkey

1Remove the turkey from packaging and discard any giblets or neck from inside the cavity. Rinse the turkey under cold running water and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels. This dryness helps the skin crisp better when broiling. Make sure to wash hands and sanitize any surface that the raw turkey touched to avoid cross-contamination.

Season the Turkey

2In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Brush the entire turkey with olive oil, then rub the spice mix all over the skin, inside the cavity, and under the skin where possible for flavor penetration.

Preheat Broiler and Prepare Broiler Pan

3Set your oven to the broil setting and preheat for 10 minutes. Place a broiler pan or a roasting pan with a rack inside the oven to heat. This helps start crisping the skin immediately and drips fat safely away.

Broil the Turkey: Initial High Heat

4Place the turkey breast side up on the hot broiler pan rack. Broil for 10 minutes at high heat. Keep an eye to avoid burning; you want the skin to start crisping and browning.

Reduce Heat and Continue Cooking

5Reduce oven temperature to 175°C (350°F) and continue cooking the turkey for approximately 13-15 minutes per pound (about 2 hours total for 5 kg) until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the thigh and 74°C (165°F) in the breast. Use a meat thermometer for accurate reading.

Baste with BBQ Sauce

6About 30 minutes before the turkey is fully cooked, brush the turkey all over with BBQ sauce. Continue cooking the turkey uncovered to let the sauce set and caramelize.

Rest the Turkey

7Once the turkey has reached safe internal temperature, remove it from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 20-30 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and keep meat moist.

Cooking Tips

1Always use a reliable meat thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature to avoid foodborne illness.

2Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw turkey and other foods.

3If you prefer a spicier BBQ turkey, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix.

4Letting the turkey rest before carving ensures it stays juicy and easier to slice.

Equipment Needed

Broiler or oven with broil setting
Broiler pan or roasting pan with rack
Meat thermometer
Basting brush
Mixing bowl
Paper towels

Grocery Shopping List

[ ] Whole turkey, 5 kg (~$15): Choose fresh or fully thawed frozen turkey with no off smells.
[ ] Olive oil, 60 ml (~$0.50): Use extra-virgin for best flavor.
[ ] Salt, 2 tbsp (~$0.20): Any table salt works.
[ ] Black pepper, 1 tbsp (~$0.30): Freshly ground from whole peppercorns preferred.
[ ] Garlic powder, 1 tbsp (~$0.40): Check for freshness, no lumps.
[ ] Smoked paprika, 1 tbsp (~$0.50): Adds smoky flavor.
[ ] Onion powder, 1 tbsp (~$0.40): For savoury depth.
[ ] BBQ sauce, 120 ml (~$6): Pick your favorite style, or homemade.

Total approximate cost: $23.30

FAQ

How do I know when the turkey is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh and the breast. It should read at least 165°F (75°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.