Beer Can Turkey

Name: Beer Can Turkey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h 27 min
Total time: 2 h 42 min
Yield: 14
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 14 lb turkey; Plowboys BBQ Yardbird Rub; 32 oz of your favorite local beer (we used Central Standard Brewing Lazer Fog Light Show IPA); 1 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 tbsp Cattleman’s Grill Butcher House Brine; 1 tbsp Reida Farm Kansas Wildflower Honey

Oct 09, 2024 • Tom Jackson

This recipe for Beer Can Turkey starts with a 14 lb turkey seasoned with Plowboys BBQ Yardbird Rub and infused with a flavorful injection made from melted unsalted butter, Cattleman’s Grill Butcher House Brine, and Kansas Wildflower Honey. The turkey is placed on top of a large can of beer (such as Central Standard Brewing Lazer Fog IPA) and cooked indirectly in a Yoder Smokers YS640s Pellet Grill at 375ºF. Another can of beer and some water are added to the pan to keep the drippings from burning. The turkey is cooked until the breasts reach an internal temperature of 155ºF, about 2 hours and 45 minutes. After resting for 20 minutes, the turkey is carved and served with the rich pan drippings for added moisture.

Beer Can Turkey

Tom Jackson

Rated 4.8 stars by 4 users

Cuisine

American

Servings

14

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

2 hours 45 minutes

Calories

341

Get ready to take your turkey game to the next level with this Beer Can Turkey recipe that combines smoky, tender meat with a burst of hoppy goodness! Picture this: a 14-pound bird perched proudly on a can of your favorite local brew, seasoned to perfection with Plowboys BBQ Yardbird Rub, and injected with buttery, honey-infused goodness. Whether you're firing up your pellet grill for a backyard feast or just looking to impress at your next gathering, this turkey is sure to be the star of the show—juicy, flavorful, and made even better with a splash of beer and a side of irresistible pan drippings!

Ingredients

14 lb turkey
Plowboys BBQ Yardbird Rub
32 oz of your favorite local beer (we used Central Standard Brewing Lazer Fog Light Show IPA)

Injection:

1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp Cattleman’s Grill Butcher House Brine
1 tbsp Reida Farm Kansas Wildflower Honey

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Directions

Preheat your Yoder Smokers YS640s Pellet grill to 375ºF, set up for indirect grilling (diffuser installed) with the top shelf removed.
Whisk the melted butter with the Cattleman’s Grill Butcher House Brine and Reida Farm Kansas Wildflower Honey.
Inject the turkey with the butter mixture, starting in the breasts, then in the legs and thighs.
Place the turkey on top of a large can of beer, then place on a foil lined sheet pan.
Season the turkey skin with Plowboys BBQ Yardbird Rub.
Add an additional can of beer to the pan, and about one cup of water to keep the drippings from burning onto the pan.
Place the pan on the right side of the grill (away from the fire box) and cook to an internal temperature of 155ºF in the breasts, about 2 hours 45 minutes.
Remove the turkey from the grill and rest for about 20 minutes before slicing. Carve the turkey, then use the pan drippings to add extra moisture to the sliced and/or shredded turkey.

Recipe Note

Other Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Beer Can Chicken

Buffalo Turkey Dip

Recipe Highlights and Insights:

Looking for more ways to use those Thanksgiving leftovers? We have a few ideas. For a comforting dish using up leftover turkey, try our Turkey and Dumplings recipe. Go all out and make your dumplings from scratch or keep it easy with premade biscuits. Turkey fried rice transforms leftovers into a satisfying, umami-heavy meal. Wanting the flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving meal in a sandwich? The Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sandwich is the perfect combination of sweet and savory.