Grilling a chicken over a beer can has become increasingly popular, thanks to the invention of ingenious upright roasters. This method allows even those with minimal barbecuing skills to create a visually appealing and delicious chicken with minimal effort.

In this article, we’ll explore how the beer can roaster works and provide you with three exotic beer can chicken recipes that will impress your guests at your next barbecue.

How the Beer Can Roaster Works 

The stainless steel base of the upright roaster holds sauces or marinades while also catching the chicken’s juices. Its stainless steel supports keep the chicken in an upright position, ensuring that it does not stew in its own juices. You can use an actual beer can or substitute it with a glass container suitable for oven use.

The Basic Beer Can Chicken Recipe

Cooking a whole chicken on the grill with a can of beer inside creates a versatile, fun, and delicious meal that will become the center of attention at any barbecue or cookout. The beer adds taste and moisture to the meat, preventing it from drying out, while the skin becomes delightfully crispy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds in weight
  • 1 can beer (12 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons spice rub for chicken
  • Optional: garlic, onion, spices, or other additions to add to the beer

Directions:

  1. Preheat the grill for cooking indirectly on medium heat.
  2. Remove the bag of giblets from the inside of the chicken, if there is one. Rinse the chicken, inside and out, with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
  3. Drink or pour out half of the beer in the can. Using a can opener, remove the entire top of the can. Add the onion, garlic, spices, herbs, or other additions if using. Set aside.
  4. Rub the outside of the chicken with the oil, followed by the spice rub. Using your hands, massage the oil and rub it into the skin of the chicken to coat it completely. Holding the chicken upright, place the bird over the beer can, inserting the can into the cavity of the chicken.
  5. Place the chicken and beer can directly on the grill, using the legs to anchor it all in place. Grill the chicken over medium, indirect heat until cooked through and juices run clear; about one and a half hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of about 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Remove chicken and beer can from the grill. Allow standing, covered in foil, for 10 minutes before serving. Remove the chicken from the can before slicing, but be careful – the can and its contents will be very hot.

Makes about 4 servings.

Exotic Beer Can Chicken Recipes

Now that you know the basic beer-can chicken recipe, let’s dive into three exotic variations that will take your barbecue to the next level.

  1. Jamaican Jerk Beer Can Chicken

This BBQ recipe results in a crisp, spicy taste that pairs perfectly with Jamaican flavors. The ingredients can be used as a rub, but marinating the chicken enhances the flavor. Handle the jerk seasoning carefully, as it contains hot peppers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken, 2-4 pounds
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp. Jamaican jerk spices
  • 2 Tbsp. Sherry or sherry pepper sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 4-5 garlic cloves
  • 1 can Red Stripe Jamaican Beer

Directions:

  1. Mix 2 Tbsp. Jerk seasoning with lime juice and sherry.
  2. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight
  3. Follow the directions for the Original Beer Can Chicken as above, omitting step 4.

Jamaican Jerk Menu

Serve Jamaican Jerk Red Stripe Chicken with black-eyed peas and rice and coleslaw salad.

  1. French Beer Can Chicken (Poulet Provencal) BBQ Rub

French Herbs de Provence can be purchased pre-blended and may include thyme, rosemary, savory, and basil. This recipe creates a classic French roast chicken flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken, 2-4 pounds
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp. French herbs de Provence
  • 4-5 garlic cloves
  • 1 can Kronenbourg or other French Beer

Directions:

Follow the directions for the Original Beer Can Chicken as above.

Provencal Menu

Serve French chicken with a side of oven-baked fries, tarragon green beans, and crusty bread.

  1. Beer Can BBQ Chicken Moroccan Style Rub

It may be challenging to find Moroccan beer, so choose any favorite brew for this recipe. These spices are used in traditional Moroccan cooking and create a deliciously fragrant and tasty bird.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken, 2-4 pounds
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 4-5 garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 beer of choice

Directions:

  1. Mix spices, lemon juice, and olive oil into a paste.
  2. Rub the paste over the outside of the chicken.
  3. Follow the directions for the original beer can chicken as above.

Moroccan Chicken Menu

Serve Moroccan Chicken with apricot couscous and tomato and cucumber salad.

Conclusion

With these three easy and exotic beer-can chicken recipes, you’ll be able to impress your guests and elevate your barbecue experience. Don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with your own international beer can chicken recipes by experimenting with authentic flavors and pairing your creation with appropriate side dishes. Enjoy your next cookout with these delicious and fun recipes!

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