Grilled whole turkey on a red plate, sitting on a wood table.

Grilled Molasses BBQ Turkey

Name: Grilled Molasses BBQ Turkey Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Yield: 12 Servings
Cuisine: Poultry
Ingredients: 1 12-14 lb Whole Turkey, thawed if frozen; 2 tbsp Canola Oil; 1 cup Finely Chopped Onion; 3 cloves Garlic, minced; 1 Jalapeño Pepper, finely chopped; 2 tbsp Ancho Chile Powder; 1 tsp Ground Red Pepper; 1 can Tomato Purée (29 oz); 1/2 cup Water; 1/4 cup Ketchup; 3 tbsp Molasses; 2 tbsp Dark Brown Sugar; 2 tbsp Honey; 2 tbsp Dijon Mustard; 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar; 1 tbsp Chipotle Purée (a small can of chipotle in adobo, place it in an blender, purée); 1/4 tsp Salt; Additional Items:; Non-stick cooking spray; Large Saucepan; Paper Towels; Drip Pan; Meat Thermometer; Barbecue Brush

Courtesy of National Turkey Federation

Makes: 12 servings
Prep Time: 30 - 50 minutes
Cook Time: 2 - 3-1/2 hours

Ingredients:

Whole Turkey, thawed if frozen
Canola Oil
Finely Chopped Onion
Garlic, minced
Jalapeño Pepper, finely chopped
Ancho Chile Powder
Ground Red Pepper
Tomato Purée
Water
Ketchup
Molasses
Dark Brown Sugar
Honey
Dijon Mustard
Red Wine Vinegar
Chipotle Purée (a small can of chipotle in adobo, place it in an blender, purée)
Salt

Additional Items:

• Non-stick Cooking Spray
• Large Saucepan
• Paper Towels
• Drip Pan
• Meat Thermometer
• Barbecue Brush

Directions:

On the grill side burner, in large saucepan on medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until tender.
Stir in garlic and jalapeño pepper. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
Add ancho chile powder and red pepper. Cook 1 minute.
Stir in tomato purée, water, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, honey, mustard, vinegar, chipotle purée and salt; mix well.
Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 25 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is reduced by half.
Cool sauce. Remove 1 cup for using to brush onto turkey as it cooks.
Cover and refrigerate remaining barbecue sauce to serve with the cooked turkey.
Spray cold grates of outdoor grill with cooking spray. Prepare grill for medium indirect heat.
Remove neck and giblets from body and neck cavities of turkey; discard or refrigerate for another use.
Drain juices from turkey; pat turkey dry with paper towels.
Turn wings back to hold down neck skin.
Spray turkey with cooking spray.
Place turkey, breast side up, on grill grate over drip pan. Cover grill with lid.
Grill 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 hours, or until meat thermometer inserted deep in thigh reaches 165℉.
During the last 30 minutes of the grilling time, brushing generously with the 1 cup barbecue sauce.
Let turkey stand 15 minutes before carving.
Serve with the reserved barbecue sauce.