The Turkey Thread

[Nueces River Rat 5528]

I ran in to Wal Mart on Monday and the big freezer section was full of turkeys .   I was like WTH are we having an early Thanksgiving or something?   Or are the Turkey farms getting rid of inventory because of this Corona thing?    

[luke duke 6379]

Spatchcock, dry brine, and smoke!
 

This

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

Rare Breed is my favorite, but I drink 101 more often. 

[kevwun 15594]

I am looking for a brining container with a lid that a turkey will fit in that I can keep in a fridge.  Anyone have one like that?  Will a turkey fit in one of the Rubbermaid 22 qt square containers?  Probably won't be brining one above 15 lbs.

Edited November 2, 2020 by kevwun

[AustinMT 952]

16 minutes ago, kevwun said:

I am looking for a brining container with a lid that a turkey will fit in that I can keep in a fridge.  Anyone have one like that?  Will a turkey fit in one of the Rubbermaid 22 qt square containers?  Probably won't be brining one above 15 lbs.

Why not just use one of the large brining bags?

[kevwun 15594]

Because I'd have to put that in a container anyway in case it leaks.  Might as well just cut out the bag.  I'm going to be brining 2 turkeys, so being able to keep the turkey vertical will take up less room in the fridge.

[kevwun 15594]

Found this one.  Has an adjustable locking lid so you can keep things submerged.  I think it will also work for brining pastrami briskets and curing olives.  Our tree started producing this year and I'm going to need a larger container like this in a few years.  Olives float at first, so the lid will be perfect for them.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/the-briner

[Texas St. Armadillos 1373]

I've always used the brining bag and then put that into a cooler.

[kevwun 15594]

I'm probably going to brine for 2 days, so if I can keep them in the fridge, I won't have to worry about adding ice to them.

[Jerry Callo 8658]

That briner looks good - although I'd have to clear out the fridge and remove shelves to use it..  I've used bags in the past, but I always worry about leaking and cross contamination.

[utee94 15742]

I use the brining bag and set it in a deep baking dish in case it leaks.  Takes up way less room than a whole cooler.  And that's important, since that turkey typically goes into my beer fridge and I want as much beer in there as possible.

 

[kevwun 15594]

I'm going to have to take out the bottom shelf in my beer fridge to get the briners to fit, but it's only for a couple of days.

[Landomatic 3813]

On 11/2/2020 at 10:20 AM, kevwun said:

I am looking for a brining container with a lid that a turkey will fit in that I can keep in a fridge.  Anyone have one like that?  Will a turkey fit in one of the Rubbermaid 22 qt square containers?  Probably won't be brining one above 15 lbs.

I used a Home Depot 5 gal bucket with lid when I did it.  Worked just fine.

[Baboontyme 2807]

👀🦃

Picking my birds up on the 20th. Can't wait!

[PantsTent 2002]

Team dry brine. No buckets, no water...

 

[HouTex 1847]

I’m now team fry. A friend cooked one for me this past spring in his electric fryer when he was cooking a few for a family get together. 18-20 pounders come out perfectly and it was just the basic frozen turkey from HEB with Tony Chachere’s Cajun Butter injected marinade. One of the best turkeys I have ever had. I just bought the same fryer to do it myself.

[utee94 15742]

I haven't had air-fried turkey.

We do one BBQ turkey, and one deep-fried, for Tday every year.  I love them both so refuse to give up either one.

 

 

[CooterBrown 17874]

I haven't had air-fried turkey.
We do one BBQ turkey, and one deep-fried, for Tday every year.  I love them both so refuse to give up either one.
 
 

I have the Big Easy air fryer. I’ll never bother with deep frying again. It’s 95% the same and really easy.

[Jerry Callo 8658]

2 hours ago, PantsTent said:

Team dry brine. No buckets, no water...

 

I dry brined and roasted one and wet brined and smoked another last year.  Wet brined and smoked was by far the best.  I'm not sure if the difference was the brining method or the cooking method, though.  I ended up wet brining and smoking two more birds on Saturday following Thanksgiving.  I might try reversing the brining and cooking methods this year in an attempt to determine whether the brining or the smoke makes the biggest difference.  

[BearSchlong 8076]

Aw shit.  Greenberg Turkey place burned.  This'll be the first time in 20 years my SIL's dad doesn't send one to every family member.

https://www.gobblegobble.com/

Urgent Notice

On the evening of November 6th, we experienced a catastrophic fire at our shipping facility. Both our inventory and our ability to ship this season have been destroyed. We are thankful this occurred after hours and no one was injured! Unfortunately we will not have any turkeys to be shipped or picked up this Thanksgiving or Christmas Season.

We are working around the clock on refunding all orders that were scheduled to deliver after November 6th, and are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please know we have already begun the process of rebuilding and will be back stronger than ever in 2021. If you would like to stay updated, please fill out your contact information below.

We are grateful to have the best customers in the world, and are proud to have been a part of your holiday tradition for so many years. Please invite us back to your table next year!

Thank you,

Sam Greenberg

Edited November 11, 2020 by BearSchlong

[RollLeft 5039]

3 minutes ago, BearSchlong said:

Aw shit.  Greenberg Turkey place burned.  This'll be the first time in 20 years my SIL's dad doesn't send one to every family member.

https://www.gobblegobble.com/

Urgent Notice

On the evening of November 6th, we experienced a catastrophic fire at our shipping facility. Both our inventory and our ability to ship this season have been destroyed. We are thankful this occurred after hours and no one was injured! Unfortunately we will not have any turkeys to be shipped or picked up this Thanksgiving or Christmas Season.

We are working around the clock on refunding all orders that were scheduled to deliver after November 6th, and are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please know we have already begun the process of rebuilding and will be back stronger than ever in 2021. If you would like to stay updated, please fill out your contact information below.

We are grateful to have the best customers in the world, and are proud to have been a part of your holiday tradition for so many years. Please invite us back to your table next year!

Thank you,

Sam Greenberg

wow

[Deej 76507]

7 hours ago, BearSchlong said:

Aw shit.  Greenberg Turkey place burned.  This'll be the first time in 20 years my SIL's dad doesn't send one to every family member.

https://www.gobblegobble.com/

Urgent Notice

On the evening of November 6th, we experienced a catastrophic fire at our shipping facility. Both our inventory and our ability to ship this season have been destroyed. We are thankful this occurred after hours and no one was injured! Unfortunately we will not have any turkeys to be shipped or picked up this Thanksgiving or Christmas Season.

We are working around the clock on refunding all orders that were scheduled to deliver after November 6th, and are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Please know we have already begun the process of rebuilding and will be back stronger than ever in 2021. If you would like to stay updated, please fill out your contact information below.

We are grateful to have the best customers in the world, and are proud to have been a part of your holiday tradition for so many years. Please invite us back to your table next year!

Thank you,

Sam Greenberg

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19073]

I’m spatchcocking my turkey this year and using a buttermilk brine. It may just be the dogs and I, but we will eat good for a while.

Sucks about Greenberg.

[Baboontyme 2807]

After last year I'm a full convert on the wet brine. I just wasn't using enough salt in the past. 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups per gallon. Last year I brined for 48 hours and then let it sit 2 days in the fridge to dry. I plan on putting the bird and the breastesses in a week from today about this time, pulling and patting dry on Tuesday for fridge rest. Cooking on Thursday this year. Giddy up. 

[After irth 1243]

2 hours ago, Baboontyme said:

After last year I'm a full convert on the wet brine. I just wasn't using enough salt in the past. 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups per gallon. Last year I brined for 48 hours and then let it sit 2 days in the fridge to dry. I plan on putting the bird and the breastesses in a week from today about this time, pulling and patting dry on Tuesday for fridge rest. Cooking on Thursday this year. Giddy up. 

I’m on board with the extended air-drying time, but I’ve been using 1c of normal iodized table salt per gallon in a 12-hour brine for years and it’s perfect. 
 

Other than baking, that’s the only time the table salt gets used. 

[kevwun 15594]

If I wet brine for 2 days, do I still need to season lightly with salt before throwing the turkeys on the pit?  I am going to pepper them, but not sure if they need a light sprinkling of kosher salt also.

[Jerry Callo 8658]

38 minutes ago, kevwun said:

If I wet brine for 2 days, do I still need to season lightly with salt before throwing the turkeys on the pit?  I am going to pepper them, but not sure if they need a light sprinkling of kosher salt also.

If you are brining with salt, then you don't need to salt the bird before cooking.  

[Texas St. Armadillos 1373]

My aunt is doing the turkey this year (roasted).

I'm gonna slide in with a smoked pork loin and steal the thunder.

[Landomatic 3813]

I think my current grill is too small for a spatchcock and wife doesn’t want me tying up the oven all day, so she can work on sides and whatnot.  Is a fryer my best bet?  Never done one before.  What all do I need?  Hoping I can order something on Amazon and get it here in the next few days.

[Hornbeliever 705]

Had early thanksgiving with one side of family.  Bought a turkey from Ragin Cajun in houston.  Was really surprised at how good it was.   Do it if you don't love making the turkey

[kevwun 15594]

8 minutes ago, Landomatic said:

I think my current grill is too small for a spatchcock and wife doesn’t want me tying up the oven all day, so she can work on sides and whatnot.  Is a fryer my best bet?  Never done one before.  What all do I need?  Hoping I can order something on Amazon and get it here in the next few days.

I think I'd buy a bigger grill rather than getting the burner and pot you need for frying.  You will spend close to the same amount by the time you add in the oil.  The large weber grills grills should be big enough for a turkey or you could get a barrel pit.  You'll use the grill a lot more than you will the frying rig.

Edited November 16, 2020 by kevwun

[CooterBrown 17874]

Gonna inject and air fry this year.

2 cups of ghee

2-3 Tbsp Slap Ya Mama cajun seasoning

Juice of 1 lemon

Simmer all that shit until combined. Cool. Inject the bird. Rest in fridge overnight. Air fry.

 

[billfromlaketravis 11352]

15 minutes ago, Hornbeliever said:

Had early thanksgiving with one side of family.  Bought a turkey from Ragin Cajun in houston.  Was really surprised at how good it was.   Do it if you don't love making the turkey

Ragin' Cajun makes a great fried bird. Good stuffing and gravy as well. 

It can easily feed 10+. It's a lot of food, I wouldn't suggest it for a small, intimate gathering. 

I'll probably get a fried Turk - Duck - En for Christmas. 

[HouTex 1847]

I think my current grill is too small for a spatchcock and wife doesn’t want me tying up the oven all day, so she can work on sides and whatnot.  Is a fryer my best bet?  Never done one before.  What all do I need?  Hoping I can order something on Amazon and get it here in the next few days.

I just bought the Masterbuilt XL from Academy. Delivered in two business days. $90. A friend fried one for me last Spring and it was fantastic. It can handle a 20 lb. turkey. Cooks in about 70 min.

[Landomatic 3813]

53 minutes ago, kevwun said:

I think I'd buy a bigger grill rather than getting the burner and pot you need for frying.  You will spend close to the same amount by the time you add in the oil.  The large weber grills grills should be big enough for a turkey or you could get a barrel pit.  You'll use the grill a lot more than you will the frying rig.

We're in the middle of getting our pool (and therefore outdoor kitchen) built so I'm not quite ready of that level of commitment yet.  Otherwise, you're probably right. 

[Landomatic 3813]

21 minutes ago, HouTex said:

I just bought the Masterbuilt XL from Academy. Delivered in two business days. $90. A friend fried one for me last Spring and it was fantastic. It can handle a 20 lb. turkey. Cooks in about 70 min.

Yeah, this is kind of what I was thinking.  What do you use for the oil?  Also, any good injection recipes? 

[HouTex 1847]

Yeah, this is kind of what I was thinking.  What do you use for the oil?  Also, any good injection recipes? 

Peanut oil is recommended. It takes 2.75 gallons. I used Tony Chachere’s cajun butter for the injection. It was very good.

[Landomatic 3813]

2 hours ago, HouTex said:

I just bought the Masterbuilt XL from Academy. Delivered in two business days. $90. A friend fried one for me last Spring and it was fantastic. It can handle a 20 lb. turkey. Cooks in about 70 min.

Alright...just ordered this ^

27 minutes ago, HouTex said:

Peanut oil is recommended. It takes 2.75 gallons. I used Tony Chachere’s cajun butter for the injection. It was very good.

And this ^ and this ^

Thanks for the help

[Anastasis 23375]

On 11/11/2020 at 10:28 AM, HouTex said:

I’m now team fry. A friend cooked one for me this past spring in his electric fryer when he was cooking a few for a family get together. 18-20 pounders come out perfectly and it was just the basic frozen turkey from HEB with Tony Chachere’s Cajun Butter injected marinade. One of the best turkeys I have ever had. I just bought the same fryer to do it myself.

What fryer?

[Anastasis 23375]

Delete post, ban user. 

[utee94 15742]

Is the Masterbuilt electric?  Cool.  We have a high power propane burner that we use for boils, frys, etc.  But if I didn't already have that I'd consider the electric. 

Beyond that, agree on peanut oil and agree on the cajun butter injection, delicious and works every time.

 

[CoachTex 2615]

I will be frying the turkey this year. Going to inject. In surly's opionion should I use Zataran's creole butter, Tony Chachere's cajun butter,  or something else.  Any advice is appreciated. 

[After irth 1243]

I was thinking of boiling a 20# bird in my Gumbo pot with plenty of Liquid Smoke added in. 
 

Should I plan for 4 or 6 hours to reach desired tenderness and temp?

[DallasHorn26 585]

Never done one before, but gonna give it a go on my WSM this year. Watched Franklin's video earlier and will probably go that route. I've seen different comments about skin on vs off, but looks like in his video he left in on? 

[Landomatic 3813]

3 hours ago, DallasHorn26 said:

Never done one before, but gonna give it a go on my WSM this year. Watched Franklin's video earlier and will probably go that route. I've seen different comments about skin on vs off, but looks like in his video he left in on? 

And added like 20 lbs of butter if I remember right.  I think the ratio is 1 to 1 pounds of butter for pounds of turkey.

[Baboontyme 2807]

I've seen stuff about removing skin. I've never done it myself. I cook pretty hot and haven't really had issues with rubbery skin. As mentioned above if I wet brine, I let it sit and dry in the fridge at least 24 hours and last year I did 48. That helps the skin as well. 

[dcbc 14388]

23 hours ago, DallasHorn26 said:

Never done one before, but gonna give it a go on my WSM this year. Watched Franklin's video earlier and will probably go that route. I've seen different comments about skin on vs off, but looks like in his video he left in on? 

I do ours in the WSM and have followed the Franklin video method.  Really easy on the WSM.  Charcoal, wood, empty water pan.  Run all lower vents and top vent wide open.  Bird on the top rack (it's a bit hotter than the lower rack).  Put it in a foil pan when the breast hits about 150 F, or so.  Slather with butter, and cover with foil until the breast temp hits 160.  I leave the skin on and it has been just right. 

Edited November 19, 2020 by dcbc

[DallasHorn26 585]

Just now, dcbc said:

I do ours in the WSM and have followed the Franklin video method.  Really easy on the WSM.  Charcoal, wood, empty water pan.  Run all lower vents and top vent wide open.  Put it in a foil pan when the breast hits about 150 F, or so.  Slather with butter, and cover with foil until the breast temp hits 160.  I leave the skin on and it has been just right. 

That's my plan and will probably just hit it with salt and pepper, considered doing the Tony's injection, but will probably keep it simple this go round and just do the 24 hour brine.

[dcbc 14388]

5 hours ago, DallasHorn26 said:

That's my plan and will probably just hit it with salt and pepper, considered doing the Tony's injection, but will probably keep it simple this go round and just do the 24 hour brine.

This is the part where I confess to just buying the grocery store turkey with the less than X% solution, rubbing it with olive oil and rub, and tossing it on the smoker.  I've had really good results and it's less work.  I've brined a bird before and, while it was good, I wasn't convinced it was worth it.  Maybe I'll do another some time, but I have a 20 lb Honeysuckle White that's going to start defrosting tomorrow.  I'll give brining a try again sometime, but I'm not going to mess with my process before the big game.

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

Decided to order a turkey from Truth BBQ this year.