Name: BBQ-Brined Grilled Turkey Under a Brick for Thanksgiving
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 3 hours plus brining time
Yield: 10–12 servings, plus leftovers
Ingredients: Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt (see below); 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 tablespoon dried thyme; 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 (12-14 pound) turkey (not kosher); Vegetable oil (for brushing); Heatproof gloves; 4 standard bricks (about 5 pounds each) or 1 large cinder block (about 25 pounds)

Top view of spatchcocked grilled turkey on a serving platter.

Grilled Turkey Under a BrickPhoto by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton

We love spatchcocking (or butterflying) a chicken and grilling it under a brick—the flattened, weighted bird cooks more evenly than a whole chicken and more of the skin is exposed to the direct heat of the flames. A spatchcocked turkey is an equally great move for the holidays. This recipe combines our love of the grill with the quick cooking method for a grilled turkey that'll outshine any holiday roasts you've made in the past.

A 24- to 72-hour dry brine inspired by barbecue flavors gives this bird a ton of flavor, while the bricks (or cinder block!) help press the bird onto the grill for even heat exposure. The result: a quickly yet perfectly cooked, juicy bird with the crispiest, most golden-brown skin imaginable. Even better—this technique frees up your oven for all those casseroles and pies. Don't forget to serve the turkey with your favorite gravy.

Cooks' Note

Avoid brining a kosher turkey, which has already been salted. If you don't have bricks or a cinderblock, place a heat-safe rimmed baking sheet on top of the turkey (skin side down) and place a heavy, heatproof object on top.

Recipe information

Total Time
3 hours plus brining time
Yield
10–12 servings, plus leftovers

Ingredients

Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt (see below)

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 (12-14 pound) turkey (not kosher)

Vegetable oil (for brushing)

Special Equipment

Heatproof gloves; 4 standard bricks (about 5 pounds each) or 1 large cinder block (about 25 pounds)

Preparation

Step 1
Determine how much salt you need for your bird: Figure about 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal kosher salt per pound of turkey, or 2/3 tsp. Morton kosher salt per pound of turkey. For example, for a 12-pound turkey, use 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt, or 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. Morton kosher salt.
Step 2
Whisk salt, mustard powder, paprika, thyme, pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, and onion powder in a small bowl.
Step 3
Place turkey, breast side down, on a large cutting board. Cut along each side of backbone with kitchen shears—this will take some force (you can ask your butcher to do this). Discard backbone or reserve for another use (like stock for gravy).
Step 4
With turkey skin side down, use a knife to score long oblong bone in center of breast all the way down. Turn turkey skin side up, then firmly press down with both hands on breastbone until you hear a cracking sound. The bone should be cracked completely in half; if not, use your knife to cut the bone the rest of the way in half.
Step 5
Pat turkey very dry with paper towels. Rub spice mixture all over skin and flesh sides. Splay open, skin side up, on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Tuck wing tips under breasts. Chill, uncovered, at least 1 day, preferably 2, and up to 3. If you’d rather cover the bird, loosely cover with plastic wrap, then uncover for the final 4–6 hours of chilling. Do not rinse turkey after brining. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour before cooking.
Step 6
Prepare a grill for medium heat (if your grill has a thermometer, it should register about 350°F). Wrap bricks or cinder block in foil.
Step 7
Oil grates well and transfer turkey, skin side down, onto grill. Wearing heatproof gloves, arrange bricks on top of turkey, with 3 across breast and 1 across drumsticks, or place cinder block in the center. Cover grill and cook, checking every 5 minutes, until skin side is deep golden brown and crispy, 10–15 minutes total.
Step 8
Wearing heatproof gloves, carefully remove bricks or cinder block and flip bird over, skin side up. Cover grill and continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F (take temperature in a few places including thickest part of thigh and breast), 65–80 minutes more, replenishing coals if needed. Transfer turkey to cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest at least 30 minutes before carving.
Do Ahead
Step 9
Turkey can be seasoned with dry brine ideally 2 days but up to 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.