Trying my first turkey

[BuildingMotive]

Thanks to all of the advice I got from everyone here I set out to smoke my first turkey last weekend. I went shopping for my turkey and list of ingredients for the brine suggested by Ron_L. As I was getting ready to start on the brine my wife asked if the turkey should be frozen. Dammit! Never even thought of that. So...one week later and a thawed bird I'm going for it again. Keeping the fingers crossed that all goes well.

 

[Ron_L]

It's the little things that get ya every time! Good luck and post pics!

 

[VitaminQ]

I rarey think far enough ahead when I want to do a turkey. I feel your pain, bro!

 

[Hiloboy]

ya, i still think about my first one. it still brings a smile to my face..it was brined and smoked just right. with the giblet bag still in the neck.. who would have known?? good luck....

 

[tjus77]

Yeah did that a few weeks ago. Wife asked if I had pulled the leg qtrs out. Told her... opps, I forgot, no problem, they will be thawed by the time pork butt is through cookin.... opps, forgot to take the butt out too. Plan B?

 

[Kung Fu BBQ]

where is this brine recipe. i looked in the recipe section. No luck.

 

[BuildingMotive]

Here is the brine recipe Ron_L posted for me in another thread:

Smokin’ Okie’s Holiday Turkey Brine:

1 gal. water
1 c. coarse kosher salt
¾ c. soy sauce
½ c. white sugar
½ c. brown sugar
½ c. honey
½ c. apple cider vinegar
4 Tbsp. black pepper
3 - 4 Tbsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. Allspice
1 oz. Morton’s Tenderquick (optional)

Measurements “How much is an Ounce?”
2 tablespoons = ounce
6 teaspoons = ounce

Heat water/salt/sugars to rolling boil. Take off burner, add other ingredients. Allow mixture to cool before placing meat into solution. Place 10 - 12 lb. turkey in non-reactive container and cover with brine. Refrigerate for 12 hours.

 

[Kevin]

where is this brine recipe. i looked in the recipe section. No luck.

Don't know about Ronnelle's brine, but this is what I start with, and most times build from this base with fruits and herbs.

Apple cider
Brown sugar
Bay leaf
Kosher salt

Oranges, Apples, Lemons, Whole onion stuffed in the cavity, garlic cloves in the same fashion. Turkey is so accepting of whatever you choose to flavor it with. Sometimes I get down and dirty with a load of cayenne and a few habaneros. Turkey time (Thanksgiving) is just around the corner and the price of birds gets insanely low. You can cook a couple every weekend just for practice. My favorite is injected with a mix (onion juice, garlic juice,butter, and seasoned with spices of my choosing). I like cooking turkeys.

 

[Kung Fu BBQ]

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thats a good idea. i believe i will next weekend. Don't wanna be turkeyed out though before the day of feasting.