Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey

By Ken Churches, Taste of Home

My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor.

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. + marinating Grill: 2-1/2 hours + standing

Makes

12 servings 

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 2/3 cup lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 large oven roasting bags
• 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)

Directions

• Combine the first seven ingredients; set aside and refrigerate 1 cup for basting. Place one oven roasting bag inside the other. Place turkey inside inner bag; pour in remaining marinade. Seal bags, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat turkey. Place in a shallow roasting pan. Refrigerate overnight, turning several times.
• Remove turkey; drain and discard marinade.
• Prepare grill for indirect medium heat. Tuck wings under turkey and arrange breast side down on grill rack. Grill, covered, for 1 hour.
• If using a charcoal grill, add 10 briquettes to coals; turn the turkey. Baste with reserved marinade. Cook, covered, for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, adding 10 briquettes to maintain heat and brushing with marinade every 30 minutes until thermometer inserted in thigh reads 170°. Remove turkey from grill; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving.
• Conventional roasting method: Follow steps for marinating turkey overnight. Preheat oven to 325°. Place turkey on a rack in a large roaster. Bake, uncovered, 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in a thigh reads 170°. Baste frequently with reserved marinade. When turkey begins to brown, cover lightly with a tent of aluminum foil. Remove turkey from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 20 minutes before carving. If desired, skim fat and thicken pan drippings for gravy; serve with turkey. 

 

 

Test Kitchen Tips

• If roasting, save the pan drippings to make the best-ever gravy.
• Try to resist the urge to peek inside the oven while the turkey’s roasting. Opening the door cools the oven, adding extra cooking time.
• Opting to grill? Don't forget to clean your grill thoroughly before you begin. Built-up crud can give your turkey an off-flavor and is the number one culprit of causing food to stick.

 

Nutrition Facts 

9 ounces cooked turkey (calculated without gravy): 407 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 171mg cholesterol, 383mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 67g protein.