Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: Tenpoint5 on April 09, 2013, 12:31:33 PM

Title: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 09, 2013, 12:31:33 PM
Hey, I got this wild turkey breast can you do anything with it in your smokers? Was how the conversation started. I ended up with a wild turkey breast in my fridge and no idear as to what to do with it. So I called in reinforcements. I sent out messages to Squirtthecat and Kynola my go to guys with all things poultry. When everything was all said and done. I got a good game plan and have put it into play. Thanks Guys for your help before I forget.

 The game plan:
1) Brine skinless breast in Kynola's Turkey pastrami brine for 2-3 days.
2) Mix up a batch of Jan's Rub and apply after the brining.
3) place a layer of cheap thin store bought Bacon over the bird to act as a skin, reseason
4) Smoke until it of 152-5ish, Foil and let cruise up to 160

The Brining part

The Breast

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/040913094156_zps1eb8dfd0.jpg)

Breast flipped over bone side up and the brine added

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/040913094542_zps358886b5.jpg)

Side view for color comparison of the brine color

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/040913094758_zpse6d21b7a.jpg)
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 09, 2013, 12:32:20 PM
Hoping to have a turkey breast of our own, here in the near future! Youth Season is open and 10.5 1/4 is eager to get her own turkey!

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/040713170510_zpsf97cbb79.jpg)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/040713170536_zpsf7636470.jpg)
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Sam3 on April 09, 2013, 01:19:12 PM
Heck yea Buddy! Never smoked a wild turkey breast myself either.

Best of luck to 10.5 1/4!!!

My season starts 4/27 in PA.  ;D
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Keymaster on April 09, 2013, 01:24:34 PM
Thats Awesome Chris, I wouldn't have a clue where to find wild turkey.
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tinnmel on April 09, 2013, 01:31:42 PM
Thats Awesome Chris, I wouldn't have a clue where to find wild turkey.

I won't say anything sarcastic, but this is too easy of a set-up.
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Hub on April 09, 2013, 01:40:10 PM
Thats Awesome Chris, I wouldn't have a clue where to find wild turkey.

I won't say anything sarcastic, but this is too easy of a set-up.

nnnnnnggggggghhhhhhh.  I won't say anything, either.  But, I really do know  :o

Hub
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 09, 2013, 01:46:23 PM
Thats Awesome Chris, I wouldn't have a clue where to find wild turkey.

I won't say anything sarcastic, but this is too easy of a set-up.

nnnnnnggggggghhhhhhh.  I won't say anything, either.  But, I really do know  :o

Hub

I'll say it. Start at the liquer store Key!
Title: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Pappymn on April 09, 2013, 02:22:10 PM
Wild turkeys seem to have exploded in population in Minnesota. Never remember seeing them much, but the last couple of years it is very common to see a bunch of then along side the road.
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: drholly on April 09, 2013, 02:42:45 PM
Good luck 10.5 1/4!

David
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Keymaster on April 09, 2013, 07:37:04 PM
Thats Awesome Chris, I wouldn't have a clue where to find wild turkey.

I won't say anything sarcastic, but this is too easy of a set-up.

nnnnnnggggggghhhhhhh.  I won't say anything, either.  But, I really do know  :o

Hub

I'll say it. Start at the liquer store Key!
Now theirs a plan, First get the liquid version then go find the solid feathery one  :D I have never seen a wild A Turkey In Oregon or Washington, Guess I need to get out more :)
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 13, 2013, 09:59:20 PM
After 3 days in the brine I pulled the breast out and seasoned with Williams The Enhancer

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/041213100822_zps5051d943.jpg)

Draped a nice Bacon Skin over the breast and lightly seasoned again

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/041213101433_zps95785507.jpg)

Then it was off into the Dragon Lady for a little smoke session at 225 once the IT was 158ยบ I pulled it out and it looked like this

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/041213135715_zps5ee17e64.jpg)

After resting in foil inside the microwave for an hour I sliced the two sides off the bone

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/041213153849_zps925d7380.jpg)

After a little Quality Control testing  here is a side view

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/tenpoint5/041213154425_zps591c1538.jpg)

I will say I will be using this process again. Very moist and flavorful Turkey
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: muebe on April 14, 2013, 07:27:00 AM
Never had wild turkey before Chris. The taste and texture are much different then the processed turkeys we are used to eating I imagine.

Looks good and moist.
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Keymaster on April 14, 2013, 09:58:16 AM
Looks kike it turned out great Chris, Nice job :)
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 14, 2013, 09:36:54 PM
I guess we have to wait until next year for 10.5 1/4 to get her bird. We struck out this week. Saw plenty of birds but only had hens for shooters. The weather was just too cold for the mating season to get into full swing around here.
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: TMB on April 14, 2013, 09:43:00 PM
Never had wild turkey before Chris. The taste and texture are much different then the processed turkeys we are used to eating I imagine.

Looks good and moist.
Muebe, I have cooked wild turkey in my TBE and the texture was almost dead on a store bought bird but the flavor was a tad different.  Not a wild gammy taste but the taste was just a little different. 

I had brind my breast meat for 24 hrs  before cooking.   Try it sometime it's worth the the try!   
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Sam3 on April 15, 2013, 07:35:36 AM
Looks real good Chris. Sorry to hear about 10. 5 1/4 luck. No worries, she'll connect soon enough.

Me, I like to cube mine, dip in beer batter and deep fry. I can pick through the meat a little better, since some of the birds were taken off of state land. I've had breasts that had a stray pellet or two in them. Ouch..
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: drholly on April 15, 2013, 10:01:16 AM
Sorry to hear about 10.5 1/4's luck. That's why they call it hunting and not harvesting... she'll get hers.

David
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: Tenpoint5 on April 15, 2013, 10:43:29 AM
Sorry to hear about 10.5 1/4's luck. That's why they call it hunting and not harvesting... she'll get hers.

David
I'm not worried she is already asking what the next youth season is and when she can go hunting again. She didn't get to pull the trigger, but it's not like she didnt see anything. Had the safety off a couple times but only hens walking into range. We even had deer standing close enough to us you could see their eyelashes. We had a bunch of fun.
Title: Re: Hey, I got this wild turkey breast.....
Post by: drholly on April 15, 2013, 11:02:44 AM
Sorry to hear about 10.5 1/4's luck. That's why they call it hunting and not harvesting... she'll get hers.

David
I'm not worried she is already asking what the next youth season is and when she can go hunting again. She didn't get to pull the trigger, but it's not like she didnt see anything. Had the safety off a couple times but only hens walking into range. We even had deer standing close enough to us you could see their eyelashes. We had a bunch of fun.

Great times for you and her. I am happy for both of you.

David