Thanksgiving Turkey

[Paul B]

We were out in Montauk this week and there was wild turkeys running all over the place. But they frown on that if you go catching them for dinner.

 

[sureal00]

I am doing a cut up turkey.Primarily the drum sticks wings and breasts with jerk seasoning and smoking on grill.The rest of left over is going into a stock for a turkey gravy

 

[Josh King]

I love smoked turkey, the dark meat is the best!

 

[mpjmeyer]

The brine recipe mostly consists of salt and water along with a couple extras and must soak for at least 24 hours. 2 main keys for the perfect smoked turkey are after brining process, make sure you rinse turkey off before you season it or the turkey will be too salty. And this next step is crucial!..after the turkey comes out of the smoker, make sure you let it sit COVERED for at least 30 mins, preferably in a foil pan. This step is very important if you are looking for the perfect moist smoked turkey.

 

[Mike_J]

Anyone having their Thanksgiving meal catered? We ordered our entire meal one year through Whole Foods and it was amazeballs :) No dirty dishes ;)

 

[helen ann]

Anyone having their Thanksgiving meal catered? We ordered our entire meal one year through Whole Foods and it was amazeballs :) No dirty dishes ;)

Never ... but I have heard good things about WF Thanksgiving Catering!

 

[Mike_J]

Anyone having their Thanksgiving meal catered? We ordered our entire meal one year through Whole Foods and it was amazeballs :) No dirty dishes ;)

This year I'm having my Thanksgiving meal catered by @helen ann :p

 

[helen ann]

This year I'm having my Thanksgiving meal catered by @helen ann :p

Maybe ... Just Maybe!!! ;):p

 

[Chrisfish]

The brine recipe mostly consists of salt and water along with a couple extras and must soak for at least 24 hours. 2 main keys for the perfect smoked turkey are after brining process, make sure you rinse turkey off before you season it or the turkey will be too salty. And this next step is crucial!..after the turkey comes out of the smoker, make sure you let it sit COVERED for at least 30 mins, preferably in a foil pan. This step is very important if you are looking for the perfect moist smoked turkey.

Great advice, thanks:D

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Same ol same ol here.
The New Bronsfeld works is own Magic. Brine w spice,applewood.

 

[Stunna]

As some of us or many of us:D will be cooking a turkey this Thursday ( or maybe before) I thought it would be fun to see how everyone cooks theirs.
We will be serving 3 different types , traditional (in the oven with salt pepper, a little melted butter on top) brined 2 days before and then fried and a smoked turkey, all done on Thursday :eek: yep we are up early that day :D

Looking forward to see how you all prepare and cook yours. And Happy Thanksgiving!!!:)

Are you not brining the turkey you are smoking?

 

[Rick.45cal]

Wonder where @Brew12 snd @Rick.45cal are I know they can make some awesome chili how about cooking some turkeys;)

Funny you mention turkeys! I worked in a deli meat manufacturing plant for several years for a local grocery store chain. One of the things that we used to do this time of year was defrost, then inject (with a giant pneumatic injection machine) 24 tons of turkeys every day. Then they would get pushed through a "horn" into a plastic net, then hung on a "tree" (giant rolling rack that fit 72 turkeys) then they were pushed into enormous smoke houses where 32 "trees" would fit into. We also processed whole hams for smoking at the same time. There were 8 of us that processed several million pounds of turkeys and hams every year. (That job sucked!!!).

Long story short, we have prime rib for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at my house!

 

[Rick.45cal]

There are all kinds of good tricks for turkeys

If you are using your oven you can roast the turkey in a brown paper grocery bag opening it at the end to finish in the oven, helps keep it juicy and it turns out nice and the skin turns out cooked nearly perfectly.

I personally like smoking them the best, toss it on the smoker and forget about it for 12 hours and it's amazing. Brine does improve that process significantly, especially if you are dry smoking it.

If you've ever wondered how the advertising companies get their turkeys to look so perfect for tv shots and photographs, well you can do it too! All you have to do is baste your turkey liberally with dishwashing soap before baking. I personally haven't done this, but I have seen a food photographer do it. Definitely not a turkey you want to eat or serve to family, well... maybe in laws. :eek: (I am kidding) But that depends on your family situation and how "thankful" you are. :D

I hope everyone's turkeys come out perfectly and non-soapy!

 

[Paul B]

I would imagine if you soaked the turkey in dish washing soap, it would be easier and time saving to do the dishes later. :rolleyes:

 

[Gomery12]

Brine and roast. Thinking about doing it in the pit barrel cooker this year. Chicken always turns out great. So why not a larger bird!

 

[jsker]

Of course, can he shuck oysters and clean crabs?



I make the stuffed calamari, I am Sicilian and no Livorno. It is my secret recipe. :rolleyes:
Whats Thanksgiving without stuffed calamari over linguini. My life is surrounded by seafood. But I also love turkey. I just wish it had gills. :eek:

Looking good.

 

[Chrisfish]

Are you not brining the turkey you are smoking?

No brining, that will be the fried turkey.

 

[Chrisfish]

Funny you mention turkeys! I worked in a deli meat manufacturing plant for several years for a local grocery store chain. One of the things that we used to do this time of year was defrost, then inject (with a giant pneumatic injection machine) 24 tons of turkeys every day. Then they would get pushed through a "horn" into a plastic net, then hung on a "tree" (giant rolling rack that fit 72 turkeys) then they were pushed into enormous smoke houses where 32 "trees" would fit into. We also processed whole hams for smoking at the same time. There were 8 of us that processed several million pounds of turkeys and hams every year. (That job sucked!!!).

Long story short, we have prime rib for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at my house!

Ok I might be going back to yal's chili or @jsker 's chili dogs and fries;)

 

[jsker]

Ok I might be going back to yal's chili or @jsker 's chili dogs and fries;)

Loaded tater tots, better with bacon. What trouble have you forsaken me while I was away @Chrisfish :rolleyes::D

 

[Chrisfish]

Loaded tater tots, better with bacon. What trouble have you forsaken me while I was away @Chrisfish :rolleyes::D

BBQ Rub :p