Texas Grilled Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter
Introduction
Fire up your Arteflame grill and treat yourself to a true taste of Texas with this Grilled Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter. This recipe delivers tender, juicy turkey infused with rich garlic butter and seared to perfection using a high-heat center grate for a steakhouse finish. Paired with the unique reverse-searing technique on the flat top cooktop, you're on your way to making one of the most flavorful grilled turkey dishes ever.
Ingredients
- 1 boneless skin-on turkey breast (about 2 to 3 pounds)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- Vegetable oil (for lighting the grill)
Instructions
Step 1: Get the Arteflame Grill Ready
- Pour vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them in the center of the Arteflame grill.
- Stack firewood over the oiled napkins and light the paper.
- Allow the grill to heat up for about 20 minutes until the center grate reaches 1,000°F.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter
- In a bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Set aside some garlic butter for basting while grilling.
Step 3: Season the Turkey Breast
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- Apply the garlic butter mixture all over the turkey breast, including under the skin.
Step 4: Sear the Turkey on the Center Grill Grate
- Place the turkey breast skin-side down on the center grate and sear for 2-3 minutes until a golden crust forms.
- Flip and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Reverse Sear on the Flat Cooktop
- Move the seared turkey breast to the outer griddle zone of the cooktop.
- Baste with reserved garlic butter every 8-10 minutes.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 150°F. (It will reach 165°F while resting.)
Step 6: Rest and Serve
- Remove the turkey from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice against the grain and serve with your favorite sides.
Tips
- Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. Remove the turkey when it’s 15°F below the target temp—carryover cooking will finish the job.
- Keep the firewood stacked evenly to create consistent heat zones.
- Melt extra garlic butter for drizzling when serving.
- Use fresh herbs whenever possible for enhanced flavor.
- Grill your side dishes alongside the turkey on the flat top for maximum flavor.
Variations
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Texas BBQ Rub Turkey: Replace garlic butter with a bold Texas-style BBQ rub for a smoky twist.
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Spicy Cajun Turkey: Mix cayenne, paprika, and Cajun seasoning into the butter for a spicy southern kick.
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Lemon Herb Infused Turkey: Add lemon zest and juice to the butter mixture for a bright, citrusy contrast.
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Maple Garlic Glazed Turkey: Mix maple syrup in with the garlic butter for a hint of sweetness and a gorgeous glaze.
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Bacon-Wrapped Garlic Turkey: Wrap thin slices of bacon around the turkey breast before searing for smoky richness.
Conclusion
This Texas-style grilled turkey breast recipe is all about bold flavor and tender texture, thanks to the power of the Arteflame grill’s high heat searing and versatile cooking zones. Melting garlic butter over the turkey as it slowly finishes on the flat top griddle adds rich, buttery flavor in every bite—without burning. Enjoy a delicious, juicy main course right off the grill with virtually no cleanup and maximum flavor.
Best pairings
- Grilled asparagus with sea salt and lemon (on the flat top)
- Sweet potato wedges charred on the Arteflame
- Classic coleslaw with Texas-style vinegar dressing
- Fresh grilled peaches or pineapple rings for a sweet finish
- Texas-brewed lager or a chilled glass of dry white wine