How to cook turkey?

anaggie · Oct 26, 08, 7:50 pm

I know how to cook it in an oven the traditional way. This year I am trying something different.

I will buy 2 small turkey breasts --- maybe 2-3 lbs each and then do it two ways:

Smoked in the smoker with apple wood brickets.
Deep fried in Peanut oil with a cajun rub on top.

How is the best way to go about this? what is the recommended cooking time for this way?

Any suggestions/tips would be very helpful.

beckoa · Oct 27, 08, 2:04 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaggie

I know how to cook it in an oven the traditional way. This year I am trying something different.

I will buy 2 small turkey breasts --- maybe 2-3 lbs each and then do it two ways:

Smoked in the smoker with apple wood brickets.
Deep fried in Peanut oil with a cajun rub on top.

How is the best way to go about this? what is the recommended cooking time for this way?

Any suggestions/tips would be very helpful.

Not certain on how this works with just the 'breast' of a turkey... but have had fun at least watching turkeys deep fried for years... but beware of the peanut oil- very flammable as our deck has discovered

Do inject your turkey well with marinade prior to the deep fry... helps preserve & infuse flavor... garlic is always nice!

Upon completion... a doubled paper bag is a good place to let it rest, allowing it to stay warm and let some excess oil flow off-

Enjoy!

SaigonCyclo · Oct 27, 08, 3:17 am

We always BBQ our turkey using a Weber Kettle (indirect method). Delicious!!

swag · Oct 27, 08, 9:59 am

I just posted a review of my new favorite turkey cooking method:
Oil-less Infrared Turkey Fryer ?

anaggie · Oct 27, 08, 12:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by swag

I just posted a review of my new favorite turkey cooking method:
Oil-less Infrared Turkey Fryer ?

According to my wife, no more NEW COOKING equipment. Stick to what I have.

So, I do have the deep fryer and it will be set on concrete in my backyard. I am going to try some cornish hens this weekend to get used to it.

jfe · Oct 27, 08, 8:34 pm

My wife said the same thing, and then I bought a turkey frier, best turkey ever.

tkey75 · Oct 27, 08, 9:28 pm

Careful with the rub if deep frying. A lot of things I'd imagine in a cajun rub (anything chili pepper related) will burn loooong before the turkey is done and it will be unpleasant.

powerplantop · Oct 28, 08, 9:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkey75

Careful with the rub if deep frying. A lot of things I'd imagine in a cajun rub (anything chili pepper related) will burn loooong before the turkey is done and it will be unpleasant.

We always rub our turkeys with cajun spices. We do two or three birds in the same oil and they turn out great. But after that the oil is done.

YVR Cockroach · Oct 28, 08, 9:57 am

I've been doing high heat roasting for medium-sized turkeys. Unstuffed and untrussed, a 15 lb turkey cooked at 450F will be done in 1 1/2-2 hours.

Showbizguru · Oct 28, 08, 11:30 am

The best way to cook turkey ?
In my house very simple.It goes like this.
Showbizguru cracks open another beer while shouting to Mrs Showbizguru " Hi honey,I've bought turkey - what time's dinner? "

dd992emo · Oct 28, 08, 2:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaggie

According to my wife, no more NEW COOKING equipment. Stick to what I have.

So, I do have the deep fryer and it will be set on concrete in my backyard. I am going to try some cornish hens this weekend to get used to it.

If it was me (and it's not), I would put the deep fryer on either gravel, grass or dirt. The splatter will stain concrete.

I inject with cajun spices, get the oil to 350 degrees and fry the turkey about 4 or 4 1/2 minutes per pound.

Let it stand on paper shopping bags for about 20 minutes.

anaggie · Oct 28, 08, 5:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd992emo

If it was me (and it's not), I would put the deep fryer on either gravel, grass or dirt. The splatter will stain concrete.

I inject with cajun spices, get the oil to 350 degrees and fry the turkey about 4 or 4 1/2 minutes per pound.

Let it stand on paper shopping bags for about 20 minutes.

Grass it is...mine will be brown by then .. so no big deal !!

anaggie · Oct 28, 08, 5:18 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfe

My wife said the same thing, and then I bought a turkey frier, best turkey ever.

but this is after I bought a turkey fryer, fire pit, full outdoor kitchen with smoker !!!

beckoa · Oct 28, 08, 8:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaggie

but this is after I bought a turkey fryer, fire pit, full outdoor kitchen with smoker !!!

...Christmas present for someone special

When's your BBQ do?

icurhere2 · Oct 31, 08, 8:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaggie

I will buy 2 small turkey breasts --- maybe 2-3 lbs each and then do it two ways:

Smoked in the smoker with apple wood brickets.
Deep fried in Peanut oil with a cajun rub on top.

I might try the smoker with a nice marinade / rub - just had phenomenal dry-rub pork loin out of the smoker at low-temp.