Charcoal-Grilled Turkey Tips with Spicy Dry Rub
Juicy turkey tips marinated in a spicy dry rub and grilled over charcoal for a flavorful and tender bite, inspired by Chicago’s unique turkey tip barbecue. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs turkey breast tips, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs turkey breast tips
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to form a spicy marinade.
- Step 2: Add 3 lbs turkey breast tips to the bowl, tossing well to coat all pieces evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Step 3: Prepare a charcoal grill and heat until medium-high, about 400°F. Oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Grill the turkey tips for 4-5 minutes per side until well charred on the outside and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F, turning once.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite barbecue sides.









