How Do You Cook YOUR Turkey?

By Nora

{Photo from foodnetwork.com}

Okay guys, we are approaching very dangerous territory as I know that there are many, many ways one can cook a turkey, and so many people have VERY strong opinions on just how it should be done. It's amazing, really, all of the methods that can be utlized to create the most succulent, flavorful bird.  Some folks swear by brining the turkey a day before in order to get maximum juiciness and taste. Then there are some people (close friends of mine included), that ONLY deep fry their turkey and swear that once you eat a deep fried turkey you'll never eat it any other way again. This method both terrifies and intrigues me, if i'm being honest. I've been a fan of the traditional roasting method for as long as i've been cooking turkey, but i've varied what I do to it. I've spread rosemary butter under the skin AND over the skin, i've stuffed it with citrus fruits, onions, apples, garlic, bay leaves, you name it. I've draped a cheesecloth soaked in melted butter over it (Martha's method), and i've basted it with cider every 15 minutes (exhausting). For the last few years i've also been cooking just the turkey breast (because no one in my family is a dark meat fan), so that's saved on tons of leftovers. And while every year it turns out tasty, but i've never had the turkey that's completely blown me away---the one that lives in infamy through every subsequent Thanksgiving.

This year, however, we may try something different. This summer we became the proud owners of a Weber Smoker, and my husband is determined to smoke everything and anything possible.  So, of course, the turkey is on the list.  I'm worried though that it will taste VERY smoky, and i'm not sure that's how I want my Thanksgiving turkey to taste. Has anyone out there smoked a turkey before? If so, can you tell me whether it's worth it?

Also, i'd love to hear how you Food Lushers do YOUR turkeys!  Do you go the traditional roasting route, or do you have another favorite cooking method?  Do you cook the stuffing separately, or in the bird? Tell me all your turkey secrets!!!

Comments

[Darcey]

Years ago, when we did the huge family feast with my dad's family, we always had two turkeys -- a traditional one, and a smoked one. While the traditional one tended to go faster on the day-of, the smoked one always got better reviews when it came to leftovers. A smoked turkey sandwich with cranberry and cream cheese? HEAVEN.

This year, I will be testing out Serious Eat's "Spatchcock" method, since we're going a more casual dinner (just friends), and I need some extra oven space.

Spatchcock: http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/11/how-to-spatchcock-cook-turkey-thanksgiving-fast-easy-way-spatchcocked.html?ref=pop_serious_eats

[Kate]

We roasted our turkey last year, due to my husband also getting a smoker and insisting on smoking everything with legs. It was delicious, I do think it had a better flavor than our normal roasted turkey, but beware: it made EVERYTHING smell like roasted turkey. The house, our clothes, everything. We also made the mistake (DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE), of smoking it the night before, and putting it in the fridge for a few hours. Everything in the fridge tasted like smoked turkey too, including the pies I had painstakingly made. It was the great turkey disaster of 2011. Delicious turkey though.

[Jesabes]

It doesn't taste too smokey! It's delicious. My husband loves to use his smoker. He's pretty good at keeping the smokiness quarantined, too, so our house/clothes/other food were fine. Just don't put it directly in the fridge - if he smokes things in advance he just keeps them in a big 'ol cooler with tons of ice (we have a cooler only used for this purpose). After 3-4 hours when it's fully cooled, we put it in the fridge and have had no problem with other food tasting smokey.

[nicole]

I've never smoked a turkey, but I think everyone should consider my mother in law's method of draping the turkey with bacon before roasting it. To die for and no need to baste!

[Nora]

You are all so awesome. Thank you for the smoker advice, and Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jess M.]

My husband has always wanted a smoker. I hope you'll let us know how the smoked turkey comes out- it sounds really good!

[JB]

I'll never forget the year my aunt served a smoked turkey….not bad but in my opinion it's just not as good as a traditional roasted turkey. We have a smoker too but don't use it on Thanksgiving!