How did you cook your bird?

[Phrancis]

I'd be interested to know how you all cooked the big bird today, if you tried something new or stuck with tried-and-true recipes for the turkey?

Myself I cooked one in the smoker for the first time. 12# bird, vertical smoker, natural/charcoal fuel (i.e. no propane/electric heat). Smoked with persimmon wood from the property. Lit natural fire then put some charcoal briquettes and a chunk of wood on top. Smoked for about 7 hours at 200*, then finished in the oven until internal temp was above 175*.

The skin was tough as leather, but after you pulled it off the meat was tender, juicy and had a memorable smoky flavor. Note: I brined the turkey overnight in apple cider, water, salt and brown sugar mix. Coated with brown mustard before smoking (waste of time, couldn't eat skin).

I might make a turken with this method for xmas or new years.

[jpsmith1cm]

This year, we stuck with a traditional oven roasted turkey.

One recipe that we tried a few years back was a sweet-tea brined turkey.

Brew up a strong tea, put some seasonings to it and drop the bird in for a couple days.

[Phrancis]

jp that sounds really good! I might have to try that. What type of rub and/or stuffing goes well with that?

[NY2GA01]

I deep fried mine.. , that is the best stuff ever.

You can cook a 20 lb bird in an hour or less..

[jpsmith1cm]

jp that sounds really good! I might have to try that. What type of rub and/or stuffing goes well with that?

I don't think that we rubbed or stuffed the bird. Maybe stuffed it with an apple or an orange...

[2sac]

Was at my sisters. My bro inlaw smoked one and deep fried the other. Normaly the deep fried is the one I go for. He used an indoor fryer this year rather than an outdoor one. The white meat was dry and the dark meat undercooked. Smoked one turned out perfect.

[crazzycajun]

Phrancis raise your temp to about 300-325 ish to crispen skin poultry doesn't need low and slow if your bird gets done early wrap and let it rest check out smoking meat .com

[Old Soul]

Deep fried in peanut oil only way to go!