Yes, you can absolutely grill a turkey breast on a gas grill! Grilling turkey breasts is a great alternative to roasting a whole turkey, and gives you juicy, flavorful white meat without having to deal with the whole bird. Grilling turkey breasts is easy to do on a gas grill as long as you follow some simple steps.
Benefits of Grilling Turkey Breasts
There are several benefits to grilling turkey breasts rather than roasting a whole turkey:
- Cooks faster – Turkey breasts cook much more quickly than a whole turkey, usually in about 1-1.5 hours
- More flavor – The hot and fast heat from grilling gives turkey breasts a delicious charred flavor
- Juicier meat – The high heat helps keep turkey breasts very moist and juicy
- Lower fat – Turkey breasts are leaner than chicken or other poultry with less skin to remove
- Fewer leftovers – Turkey breasts give you just the right amount of meat without lots of leftovers
- Versatile – Grilled turkey can be used in sandwiches, salads, pasta, and more
- Healthier – Turkey is a lean, low-fat protein source that’s also high in iron and B vitamins
Grilling turkey breasts makes them an easy, tasty and healthier main course or addition to meals.
How to Grill Turkey Breasts on a Gas Grill
Grilling turkey breasts on a gas grill is simple but there are some tips to follow for best results:
Choose Boneless, Skinless Breasts
Opt for boneless, skinless turkey breasts when grilling. The bone and skin can cause uneven cooking. Go for breasts around 4-6 lbs total.
Brine the Turkey Breasts
Soaking turkey breasts in a saltwater brine before cooking helps ensure juicy, seasoned meat. Make a brine by stirring 1/2 cup salt into 4 cups water. Submerge breasts and brine 4-6 hours.
Pat the Breasts Dry
Remove turkey from brine and pat very dry with paper towels. Let it air dry for 15 minutes before placing on the grill.
Use a Meat Thermometer
Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to monitor the internal temperature. Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F.
Prepare the Grill
Heat your gas grill on high for 15 minutes with the lid closed. Use a grill brush to clean the grates. Oil the grates lightly with cooking spray or brush with oil to prevent sticking.
Direct vs. Indirect Heat
You can use either direct or indirect heat to grill turkey breasts. For direct heat, place the breasts directly over the flames. For indirect heat, turn off the burner under one side of the turkey. Cook over indirect low heat for the most even results.
Get Good Grill Marks
To get nice grill marks, place breasts perpendicular to grates rather than parallel. Close lid while grilling to keep in heat.
Cook 10-15 Minutes Per Side
Grill turkey breasts for about 10-15 minutes per side with the lid closed. Turn only once during cooking. Check temperature and continue grilling until 165°F is reached.
Let it Rest
Once turkey reaches the target temp, remove it from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat.
Slice and Serve!
After resting, slice the turkey breasts and serve! They will be hot, juicy, and full of flavor from the grill. Enjoy on sandwiches, salads, tacos, and more.
Tips for Grilling Juicy Turkey Breasts
Follow these tips for the juiciest grilled turkey breasts:
- Brine the breasts for extra moisture
- Pat dry well before grilling
- Preheat grill fully before cooking
- Use indirect low heat if possible
- Cook to just 165°F for tender meat
- Let rest before slicing to retain juices
- Slice across the grain of the meat
- Avoid overcooking or the meat will dry out
How Long Does it Take to Grill Turkey Breasts?
Grilling time can vary based on a few factors, but in general turkey breasts take about:
- Boneless, skinless breasts: 10-15 minutes per side
- Bone-in breasts: 15-20 minutes per side
- Turkey tenderloins: 8-12 minutes per side
- Larger 6+ lb breasts: 20-25 minutes per side
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on time. Take breasts off grill once internal temp hits 165°F.
What Temperature Should You Grill Turkey Breasts?
The best temperature for grilling turkey breasts on a gas grill is between 325-350°F. This medium-high heat is hot enough to sear and cook the breasts while still being low enough to avoid burning the exterior before the interior cooks through.
Aim to keep your gas grill’s temperature between 325-350°F by adjusting the burner levels as needed. Preheating your grill fully before adding turkey is also key.
Grill Temp Guide for Turkey Breasts:
- High heat: 400-450°F. Best for searing quickly.
- Medium-High: 325-350°F. Ideal for cooking through without burning.
- Medium: 300°F. Will require more cooking time.
- Low: 250°F. For slow, indirect cooking if breasts are very thick.
How to Tell When Turkey Breasts Are Done
Checking the internal temperature is the most reliable way to tell when turkey breasts are fully cooked:
- Use an instant read meat thermometer to check temperature in thickest area of breast.
- Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- If undercooked, continue grilling until 165°F is reached.
- Overcooked turkey will measure over 170°F and be dry/tough.
Visual signs turkey is done:
- Meat has turned white throughout
- Clear juices run from breasts when pierced
- Meat feels firm to the touch, not squishy
Let turkey rest 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
How to Keep Turkey Breasts Moist
The high heat of grilling can lead to dried out poultry. Follow these tips to keep turkey breasts extra moist:
- Brine turkey breasts before grilling
- Cook using indirect heat, not direct
- Avoid flare ups from fatty drippings
- Rotate breasts if there are hot spots on grill
- Grill to just 165°F internally
- Let turkey rest before slicing into it
- Slice across the grain of the meat
- Serve grilled turkey immediately, or refrigerate leftovers
How to Add Flavor
Brining turkey breasts before grilling will help seasoned the meat. You can also add flavor in these ways:
Spice Rubs
Coat turkey breasts with dry spice rubs before grilling. Try chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, and salt.
Marinades
Soak turkey in flavorful liquid marinades like lemon juice, garlic, herbs, vinegar, oil, yogurt, wine or teriyaki sauce before grilling.
Basting Sauces
Brush turkey with basting sauces during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling to add flavor. BBQ sauce, hoisin sauce, mustard, or emulsified herbs/oil work great.
Wood Chips
Soak wood chips like hickory, apple, cherry or mesquite in water before adding to a smoker box on your gas grill for smoky flavor.
Herb Butter
Top grilled turkey breasts with compound herb butters infused with rosemary, garlic, chives, etc right when they come off the grill.
Grilled Turkey Breast Recipes
Grilled turkey breasts shine in all kinds of recipes. Here are some great options:
Grilled Turkey Sandwiches
Slice grilled turkey breasts and pile onto bread or rolls with toppings like melted cheese, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and mayo.
Turkey Spinach Salad
Chop grilled turkey and add to a spinach salad with berries, feta, nuts, balsamic dressing.
BBQ Turkey Tacos
Chop or shred turkey breasts and use in tacos with shredded cabbage, salsa, avocado and lime juice.
Turkey Stir Fry
Slice grilled turkey and stir fry with veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, snap peas and teriyaki sauce.
Turkey Pizza
Top baked pizza crusts with turkey, veggies, cheese and sauce for a fun twist on pizza night.
Common Grilled Turkey Questions
Can you grill frozen turkey breasts?
It’s not recommended to grill fully frozen turkey breasts. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator before grilling for food safety and even cooking.
Should you brine turkey before grilling?
Yes, brining turkey breasts before grilling helps ensure extra juicy and seasoned meat. Soak 4-6 hours in saltwater brine.
What wood is best for grilling turkey?
Good wood chips for grilling turkey include hickory, oak, apple, pecan, cherry, maple and mesquite. Avoid strong woods like mesquite.
Can you grill turkey on a charcoal grill?
Yes, turkey breasts can absolutely be grilled on a charcoal grill. Use indirect heat and monitor temperature closely.
Is grilled turkey healthy?
Grilled turkey is very healthy! As a lean protein, it’s low in fat and calories while still providing nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
Conclusion
Grilling boneless, skinless turkey breasts on a gas grill results in tender, juicy meat with great flavor. Allow an hour to an hour and a half cooking time to grill 4-6 lb turkey breasts. To ensure moist meat, brine the breasts first and grill over indirect heat at 325-350°F until 165°F is reached internally. Slice and serve your grilled turkey in sandwiches, salads, tacos, and more for a tasty, healthier meal.