Barbecued Turkey Recipe

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I don't remember where my sister found this recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

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Barbecued Turkey Recipe

Prep: 70 min. Grill: 2 hours + standing

Yield: 12 Servings

70 120 190

Ingredients

2 large onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 teaspoons pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
1 tablespoon salt

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic in 1/4 cup oil until tender. Stir in the ketchup, water, syrup, vinegar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon pepper and ginger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Set aside 1-1/2 cups for serving.
Remove giblets from turkey (discard or save for another use). Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining oil over skin of turkey. Sprinkle salt and remaining pepper over turkey and inside cavity.
Place turkey over drip pan; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 1 hour. Brush with some of the sauce mixture. Grill 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180°, basting frequently with remaining sauce. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with reserved sauce. Yield: 12 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce).

Nutritional Facts 8 ounces cooked turkey with 2 tablespoons sauce equals 709 calories, 32 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 245 mg cholesterol, 1,451 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 73 g protein.

Originally published as Barbecued Turkey in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2012, p122