The Ultimate Thanksgiving Feast

Unveiling the Secret to Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey Tradition

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, share stories, and savor the flavors of the season. With the Big Green Egg, preparing a Thanksgiving turkey becomes more than just cooking—it becomes a cherished tradition. The EGG’s unique ceramic design and carefully controlled airflow lock in moisture, ensuring your turkey stays tender and full of flavor from the first slice to the last bite.

As the holiday approaches and the scent of wood smoke fills the crisp autumn air, there’s something special about cooking around live fire. Whether you’re roasting, smoking, or trying your hand at a spatchcocked bird, the Big Green Egg makes it easy to create a meal that brings everyone to the table. This Thanksgiving, gather with loved ones, savor the warmth of the season, and let the Big Green Egg be part of the tradition. Try these recipes to add a new flavor to your celebration and make memories around the fire.

Entire Thanksgiving Meal on the EGG

Play Video about Butter-Injected Turkey

Learn How to Spatchcock a Turkey

Play Video about Spatchcock Turkey

Smoked Turkey on the Big Green Egg

Play Video about Smoked Turkey

Our recipes are festive, yet simple, and with an EGG, outdoor cooking requires so little effort that you’ll be free to relax with family and friends. As for that turkey, you can cook a whole bird, spatchcock it or roast a breast. You can brine it or inject it, and then smoke or roast it. Check out all of these festive, yet simple, turkey recipe options … and free up room in your oven for other foods.

Brine

This brined turkey has a subtle smoky flavor and is incredibly moist and succulent.

Recipe

Inject

Two delicious recipes — Injected Cajun Creole Butter and Lemon Pepper & Herb.

Recipe

Roast

A turkey roasted on the EGG is a simple, yet elegant centerpiece for your holiday meal.

Recipe

The Big Green Egg Experience: Bringing Families Together Around Live-Fire

Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food; it’s about the shared moments and cherished memories with loved ones. The Big Green Egg adds a unique dimension to this experience, turning cooking into a family affair. Gather around the Egg as you prepare the turkey together, marveling at the aromatic scents wafting through the air. It’s not just a meal; it’s a bonding experience that brings families closer and creates lasting traditions.

Your Turkey Cheat Sheet

BIG GREEN EGG COOKING TEMP

325°F/163°C
INDIRECT

FINAL TURKEY INTERNAL TEMP

165°F/74°C
BASED ON USDA APPROVED TEMPERATURES

TURKEY TIMELINE

*COOKING TIME BASED ON A 18LB TURKEY

COOKING DAY

NOON

Start dreaming about the best turkey ever!

1 PM

Light the Big Green Egg! Bring the temperature up to 325°F/163°C.

2 PM

Open the dome and add the pecan smoking chips to coals. (Leave time to debate with friends whether to soak or not to soak!) Add the convEGGtor to the EGG, legs up, then add the cooking grid.
Spread the seasoning generously over the outside of the turkey. Load the turkey onto a Vertical Turkey Roaster or into a Roasting Rack, then place into a drip pan.
Add the onion and celery to the drip pan.
Fill the pan with chicken broth, wine, or water.
Place the drip pan, with the turkey, on the cooking grid. Close the EGG and start practicing your “Best Chef Ever” acceptance speech.

3 PM

Your neighbor smells what you’re cooking and asks to come over for dinner.

4 PM

Check the internal temperature of the turkey for doneness. (USDA guidelines recommend an internal temp of 165°F/74°C. Remember that the turkey’s internal temp will continue to rise a few degrees after it’s removed from the EGG.)

5 PM

When your turkey has reached the ideal internal temperature, remove the bird from the EGG, tent with aluminum foil and let it rest a few minutes so that the juices settle.

5:30 PM

Take photos to post to Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram before carving and serving the turkey. Remember to tag @BigGeenEgg and #BigGreenEgg on social media so we can see your turkey pics!