Let's talk Turkey

Well look at "Mr. Endurance" over here.

 

It's like you don't trust me...

 

What does Iowa stand for again....

 

Idiots Out Wbatchcockin Aturkey

 

I used to do the deep fried turkey. Last couple years I've gone back to the traditional oven roasted turkey. Cook it hours/temp. per weight instructions. Haven't had a bad one yet. Turkey as well as chicken is very forgiving. Rub it down with oil. Salt, pepper, thyme and sage. I save the giblets to make stock for the dressing, which is my mom's recipe. The tough part is that my daughter is a vegetarian now so I do a veggie lasagna for her as well as a couple extra vegetable sides to keep her happy. I make sure to get all my stuff a week early as the grocery store turns into a mad house. Couple years back I had a lady steal my cart. I caught her and we got into a screaming match in the store. The manager still laughs at me about it.

 

I do a low and slow cook in the smoker also - best way to do it to get a juicy bird .
I keep the temp around 200 for most of the cook up to about 140 in the thickest part of the breast and thigh, and then turn the temp up to 350 or 400 to crisp the skin. I rub it with butter and during the cook I spray it with apple juice every 1/2 hour or so.



Also, everyone always want to brag about how big their bird was , but here is the secret; turkey dries out because of the long cook time. The bigger the bird, the longer the cook. So, instead of a 40lb turkey, get 2 20lb turkeys. (or whatever total size you need) Quicker cook = juicier bird, younger turkey = softer meat. 4 legs instead of 2. 4 wings instead of 2. etc..... Win-Win all the way.



I have always used an electric smoker. This year I have a pellet smoker so I am really looking forward to it.

 

Well aren't you all a bunch of laughs today! Hopefully y'all come up with something more substantial to add to the discussion

 

I like cooking mine in a bag, comes out SUPER juicy.

 

My first smoker turkey 3 years ago.

 

I can add my appetite

 

Nothing wrong with that! haha

 

In all fairness it’s talking turkey not talking about the best way to cook one! So our contributions stand!

 

Gooble! Gooble!

 

Regarding the spatchcock method; I have never done a turkey that way, but I regularly do a spatchcock chicken (also called a "flatty"). As mentioned in the OP, quicker, more even cook time renders a juicier bird.

Dry Rub:



Sauced:

 

I’ll bring a side dish from Costco! Let’s do this!

 

Go Hokies!



Welcoming the presidential pardoned turkeys



Getchu some!

 

I am gonna need your adress.

 

Nope no more turkey for me! This sentence scarred me for life! I shall now imagine a condom being pulled off from this day forth! FML!

 

We Can all meet @StayinStock 's house.