When you’re planning a large gathering, one of your first steps is to find out how much food you’ll need to provide. Bone-in whole poultry can be especially tricky. In addition to the natural shrinkage that will occur, a lot of the carcass will be inedible. How many people does a 20-pound turkey feed on …
As all good pitmasters know, the total cooking time depends on a number of factors. The weight of the meat, the reliability of the smoker, even the outside temperature—all of these can affect the length of the smoke. However, selecting the right smoker temperature can help you predict the amount of time your turkey might …
Once you’ve mastered the basics—smoked pork ribs, beef brisket, and the like—why not experiment with smoking a whole turkey? Although it’s important to cook the bird to a safe temperature, the process isn’t difficult—and the results are delicious. Here’s our complete guide to mesquite smoked turkey, including a couple of variations that you might enjoy. …
Every large cut of meat cooks at its own pace, and whole turkeys are no different. If your turkey is done cooking hours before you plan to serve it, is there anything you can do to save it? And how can you help to prevent this occurrence in the future? Turkey Done Too Early When …
Whether you’re in the market for a whole turkey or the breast portion alone, you’re bound to come across the Butterball label. This is one of the best-known products out there, even if you’ve never purchased it before. Is Butterball turkey breast processed before being packaged for sale? And what does that mean exactly? Let’s …
It takes a long time for a whole turkey to defrost, even if you plan ahead. And if it’s still frozen in a few places, that can extend your cooking time. Here’s how to tell if a turkey is thawed before you put it on the smoker. How To Tell if a Turkey is Thawed …
How long does it take to thaw a turkey breast, and what’s the safest way to do it? Our ultimate guide to defrosting turkey breast will provide you with the answers you need. As long as you know how much the turkey weighs, thawing it should be a breeze. How Long To Thaw a 6 …
It’s always a good idea to plan ahead when you have to thaw a large cut of meat—for example, a whole turkey. The key is to avoid going overboard in your preparations. Can you keep a thawed turkey in the fridge for a week, or is it better to cook it off sooner? Our guide …
Is it safe to refreeze meat without cooking it first? We used to think the answer was no. As it turns out, the practice isn’t inherently dangerous—but there are a few safety practices that you should be aware of. Here’s our ultimate guide to refreezing turkey. Can You Refreeze a Thawed Turkey? Yes, you can …
Because of its lean texture, poultry definitely stands to benefit from brining. However, some turkeys are already treated with salt solution before you even bring them home from the supermarket. Can you brine a turkey that has 8% solution, or will that make the meat taste too salty? Are there any other issues you might …