Traeger Beer Can Chicken delivers tender, juicy meat with a crisp, golden skin every time. The trick is cooking hot and relatively fast so the beer inside steams the cavity while the grill roasts the exterior. The beer can props the bird upright so gravity helps keep the juices inside the meat rather than on your cutting board.
Traeger Beer Can Chicken
Summer grilling season is perfect for this classic preparation. Beer can chicken is simple, impressive, and ideal for backyard gatherings: a single, well-cooked bird feeds a family and still looks great arriving at the table.
Plan on about an hour to an hour and a half of cook time using indirect heat on your Traeger or other pellet grill. The skin becomes crisp and flavorful while the interior stays moist thanks to steam and steady heat.
This recipe is great for entertaining—cook two birds for a crowd—and leftovers are delicious cold, making it a convenient choice for picnics or packed lunches.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- No special equipment — just a can and a whole chicken.
- Consistently juicy — the beer steams the cavity as the grill roasts the outside.
- Quick prep — season, seat the bird on the can, and cook.
- Feeds a crowd — one bird easily serves a few people.
- Simple cleanup — minimal pans and racks to wash.
Recipe Shopping List
Below are the basic items you’ll need. For exact amounts and a printable recipe card, see the recipe card further down.
- Whole chicken — choose a plump bird with intact skin; no rinsing required.
- Dry chicken rub — use your preferred blend or a store-bought chicken rub.
- Beer — a standard 12-ounce can; light lagers or pilsners work well but use what you like.
- Butter and garlic (optional) — for added richness under the skin.
How To Make This Recipe
This overview gives you the key steps. Follow the full instructions in the recipe card below while you cook.
- Preheat the grill: Start on the smoke setting for a few minutes with the lid open, then set to high and close the lid. Preheat to about 450°F (230°C), roughly 10–15 minutes.
- Prep the chicken: Pat the bird dry and season liberally with your dry rub, inside and out. Optionally, rub softened butter under the skin for extra moisture and flavor.
- Mount the can: Pour or drink about half the can of beer, leaving the rest in the can. Slide the can into the chicken cavity and use the legs to balance the bird upright.
- Grill: Stand the chicken on the grill and cook until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (74°C). Expect about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes depending on size and grill temperature.
- Rest and serve: Remove carefully, let the bird rest 10–15 minutes, then carve and serve.
Recipe FAQ
Rinsing raw poultry is no longer recommended. It can spread bacteria through splashing. Cooking the chicken to the proper internal temperature (165°F) eliminates pathogens. If you rinse, be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the sink area, tools, and your hands.
Use a good meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). That temperature is the safe target for chicken.
Remove any neck or giblet packets, pat the chicken dry, rub with oil and seasoning inside and out, and set it upright on a half-full beer can. Some cooks add fresh herbs into the can for extra aroma; thyme and rosemary are popular choices.
It’s optional. A purpose-built stand can make the bird more stable, but you can balance the chicken on the can without special equipment if you’re careful.
More Easy Traeger Chicken Recipes
Serve This With
This beer can chicken pairs well with classic BBQ sides. Try potato salad, coleslaw, grilled corn, smashed potatoes, or a crisp broccoli salad for a balanced plate.
- Broccoli salad — great prepared a day ahead.
- Loaded baked potato salad — hearty and crowd-pleasing.
- Grilled prosciutto-wrapped asparagus — elegant and simple.
- Smashed potatoes — creamy inside, crispy outside.
- Grilled corn on the cob — a summer staple.
- Coleslaw — bright and tangy to cut through the richness.
Beer Can Chicken
A simple, flavorful beer can chicken that’s perfect for a backyard BBQ. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and minimal fuss.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 6 pounds)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons roasted chicken rub or your favorite rub
- 1 can of beer (use about half in the can)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place it on a sheet pan.
- Melt the butter and mix in garlic paste if desired. Optionally inject the garlic butter into the chicken or rub softened butter under the skin where possible.
- Season the chicken thoroughly with rub and salt, inside and out.
- Open a can of beer and pour out roughly half; reserve the remainder if you wish to add it to a drip pan. Add a small pinch of rub to the beer if you like.
- Carefully slide the chicken over the half-full beer can so it stands upright. Place on a baking sheet or directly on the grill grate.
- Preheat your smoker or Traeger to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken on the grill and cook about 60–80 minutes, or until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken and let it rest 10–15 minutes before carving. Serve warm.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Yield: 8 • Serving Size: 1
Calories: 901 • Total Fat: 57g • Saturated Fat: 21g • Unsaturated Fat: 36g • Cholesterol: 351mg • Sodium: 351mg • Carbohydrates: 2g • Sugar: 0g • Protein: 82g
Nutrition data is an estimate. For medical or dietary needs, consult a trusted source.