I didn’t grow up with much of a Christmas tradition. We were poor, and often far from family. If Grandma and Grandpa were in town, or at least close, we would see them. Sometimes aunts and uncles, even cousins.
So I wasn’t the best at establishing traditions for my kids either. In fact, although I like order and some would even say ritual, I don’t do much traditionally. I’m a hybrid author: I’ve self-published and published with small presses. And I’ve written everything from short stories to novels, humor to fantasy, and even a little erotic romance.
Yes, erotic romance. Even though it does have thriller elements. It’s called One Night in Boise, and its available here, from Tirgearr Publishing.
The only tradition I keep nearly every holiday, mainly because a holiday is my best excuse, is grill a turkey. It is so much more moist and better than cooking it any other way, at least that I have found. How, you ask?
You turn your grill into a humid oven. You’ll need a charcoal grill (okay, I guess I am traditional) or a gas grill with two sides, so you can turn one off. You’ll need a pan you don’t mind putting in the bottom of the grill, and getting a bit messed up. I use one of the disposable foil ones, after ruining two of my wife’s baking pans over the years, (another story).
Build a fire, or light the burner, on one side, put the pan filled with water on the other. The turkey goes over the water. This is called indirect grilling (it’s not truly “smoking” the turkey). As the water evaporates, it keeps everything in the “oven” moist.
I like turkey to be super moist. The first step is injecting it with something. Melted butter and rosemary is one recipe: or as simple as melted butter and soy sauce (about a 1 to 1) mixture. The soy sauce gives it a smoky flavor. Reserve whatever you don’t inject for basting.
You’ll want to baste every hour. If you are using charcoal, this is when you restoke the fire, make sure the coals are still hot.
Depending on the size of your turkey, it will take about three hours or so. Check with a meat thermometer near the breast bone and thigh bones.
That’s it. I stuff mine as well, but you don’t have to. In fact, you can do almost anything to make this your own. But I promise the turkey will be one of the best you’ve ever had.
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Have a Happy Holiday!! 
The turkey looks lovely! I guess the soy sauce wouldn’t burn because of the indirect heat…cool tip!
That’s true. I have a number of grilling recipes that use soy sauce. If applied correctly, at the right time, it adds excellent flavor.
Wow, I have never thought about grilling a turkey. Now I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing that holiday tradition!
I would live to BBQ/Grill outdoors but living in Northern Scotland kinda makes it difficult this time of year! Looks delish!
I grill even at Christmas in Idaho, and I often have to clear the grill of snow first. It does add to the adventure.
Hungry now! The giant chook looks great!
One of the best ways to cook a bird.
I’m not really good at cooking turkey. Well, not really a good cook overall, haha. But I’ll definitely try this out! Thanks!
my dh would probably love to try this
Ive never made a turkey like that. Yours look delicious!! We have a neighbor, we go to there house every year for Thanksgiving and he deep fries and smoothers his turkey in bbq. Its so good! We usually just through ours in the oven. I think this year, were gonna try your way! Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays!
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My husband would love to try this, as he usually brines the bird and roasts it. I have forbidden him to try deep frying it outside (he would likely set the trees on fire).
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