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Grilled Southwest Turkey

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Grilled Southwest Turkey Breast is the perfect solution when you do not have double ovens or when cooking for a smaller group of people and do not want a refrigerator full of leftovers. I created a southwest inspired compound butter that creates a flavorful, crispy, golden-brown skin. The skin is my favorite part, how about you?

Grilled Southwest Turkey with all the fixings | COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Note- You do not need to use southwest seasoning, you can use whatever you like. Check out my Herb Roasted Turkey for a more traditional flavored turkey.

Free guide opt-in with image of turkeys.

This recipe was created using a gas grill, but a charcoal grill will work as well.

How to make Grilled Southwest Turkey Breast:

Make sure you defrost your turkey in the refrigerator several days in advance…like a minimum of 3 days people!! Next, mix the softened butter with the Southwest Seasoning {or seasoning of your choice} together in a small bowl.

Grilled Southwest Turkey butter COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

As you can see, I overdid the softening. Don’t worry, it’s all good. 🙂

Carefully slide your hand between the skin and the flesh of your turkey to create a pocket.

Herb Roasted Turkey skin cookingwithcurls.com

Grab a handful of butter and rub in under the skin, being careful not to rip the skin with your nails.

Herb Roasted Turkey skin cookingwithcurls.com

Rub the remaining butter on the outside of turkey and massage into the skin.

Grilled Southwest Turkey slather COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Fill the cavity with chopped onions and smashed garlic cloves.

Grilled Southwest Turkey onions COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Place directly on the grill, or in a roasting pan.

Grilled Southwest Turkey grill COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Bake/grill at 350 degrees until the button pops up or a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the breast, approximately 15 minutes per pound.

Baste turkey every 20 minutes to help keep it from drying out.

Grilled Southwest Turkey is the perfect solution to not having enough oven space on Thanksgiving! COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

If you are cooking a whole turkey, you will need to use a deeper roasting pan!

Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 20 to 25 minutes before carving.

Grilled Southwest Turkey all sliced up and ready to serve | COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Recipes to serve with turkey

Grilled Southwest Turkey topped with Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce | COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

I am not normally a fan of turkey, but this Grilled Southwest Turkey is the bomb!! With or without the barbecue sauce, it is moist and delicious every time.

Recipe Notes & Tips

  • For Paleo or Whole 30, use clarified butter or coconut oil…and a cage-free turkey with no added sugar.
  • I have never cooked a stuffed turkey on the grill. I’m sure it would work, I just don’t know how much longer it will take to cook. Make sure you use a meat thermometer.
  • A 16 to 18 pound bird will take approximately 4 to 4.5 hours to cook. My 9 pound turkey breast took 2 hours.
  • I have a 3 burner gas grill, and needed to only have one burner turned on to the lowest setting in order to get the temperature to stay between 350 and 400. Each grill works differently, so keep an eye on it if you are unsure.
  • To avoid flare ups, it is better to cook your turkey in a roasting pan….a disposable pan works great.

If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!

Enjoy!!

Grilled Southwest Turkey with all the fixings | COPYRIGHT © 2017 COOKING WITH CURLS

Grilled Southwest Turkey

Grilled Southwest Turkey Breast is the perfect solution when you do not have double ovens or when cooking for a smaller group of people and do not want a refrigerator full of leftovers.
5 from 2 votes
Print Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled turkey breast, turkey on the grill, grilled turkey recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 620kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Equipment

  • Barbeuce Grill

Ingredients

  • 9 pound turkey
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon southwest seasoning
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 3 whole cloves garlic, smashed

Instructions

  • Blot the turkey breast dry with a paper towel and trim off any excess skin or fat.
  • Place the turkey breast on a rimmed baking sheet and let sit out at room temperature for 1 hour.
  • Mix the softened butter with the Southwest Seasoning {or seasoning of your choice} in a small bowl.
  • Carefully slide your hand between the skin and the flesh of your turkey to create a pocket.
  • Grab a handful of butter and rub in under the skin, being careful not to rip the skin with your nails.
  • Rub the remaining butter on the outside of turkey and massage into the skin. Fill the cavity with chopped onions and smashed garlic cloves.
  • Place directly on the grill with a pan to collect the grease below, or in a roasting pan. Bake/grill at 350 degrees until the button pops up or a meat thermometer reaches 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the breast, approximately 15 minutes per pound. Baste turkey every 20 minutes to help keep it from drying out.
  • Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 20 to 25 minutes before carving.
  • Serve with Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy, Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing, and Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce.

Notes

  • For Paleo or Whole 30, use clarified butter or coconut oil…and a cage-free turkey with no added sugar.
  • I have never cooked a stuffed turkey on the grill. I’m sure it would work, I just don’t know how much longer it will take to cook. Make sure you use a meat thermometer.
  • A 16 to 18 pound bird will take approximately 4 to 4.5 hours to cook. My 9 pound turkey breast took 2 hours.
  • I have a 3 burner gas grill, and needed to only have one burner turned on to the lowest setting in order to get the temperature to stay between 350 and 400. Each grill works differently, so keep an eye on it if you are unsure.
  • To avoid flare ups, it is better to cook your turkey in a roasting pan….a disposable pan works great.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 79g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 291mg | Sodium: 408mg | Potassium: 832mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 571IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3mg

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2 Comments

  1. I love turkey and sometimes wonder why we only have it a few times a year. This recipe sounds fabulous. Thank you for sharing at The Pin Junkie link party.

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