How to BBQ a Turkey
Prep the Turkey
Thaw the turkey completely, usually 24hrs per 5lbs of bird. Remove and discard the giblets and neck from the body cavity and dry the turkey, inside and out. If you are planning on putting any aromatics in the cavity, or using any type of spice rub, now is the time to do that.
Twist back the wings one at a time so that they are folded over the neck - this will hold the neck skin in place. Tuck the legs underneath, if they aren't already and using a pastry brush, lightly brush the entire turkey with vegetable oil, to keep the skin from drying out and to hold in the juices.
Prep the Grill
Charcoal
Place briquettes along the left and right sides of your grill, light them using your preferred method and let them heat until they look white and ashy. Do not put charcoal briquettes in the center of your grill, since the turkey will be cooking for several hours, you want to use indirect heat. You will most likely need to replenish your supply of briquettes periodically during cooking. Open the vents on your grill and leave them open through the duration of the turkey-cooking.
Gas
Turn the burners on one side of your grill to high, and let them burn for about ten minutes. Next, reduce the heat until the grill thermometer registers 350 degrees or so. Again, you want to use just one set of burners to avoid burning the bottom of the turkey while the top remains uncooked. Halfway through the cooking time, you'll want to turn your turkey around so that the other side receives an equal amount of heat.
You're ready to Cook!
To add a subtle smokey flavor to your turkey, try scattering apple or hickory chips around the briquettes or burners on your grill or, think about using mesquite briquettes.
Carefully place your turkey on the grill, breast side up. Make sure that there is space on all sides and above the turkey so heat can circulate freely. Also, this is important...make sure that the grill cover has room to close!
Most turkeys will cook in three hours or less, in order for the meat to be safely eaten, cook turkey until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 165 degrees before it's removed from the grill.