Smoking the perfect whole turkey on a pellet grill is easy if you follow my instructions: cook it at the right temperature (325°F), pick the right pellets (apple, pecan, and hickory are my favorites), and remove it when the breast reads 160°F internal temperature. Smoked turkey is one of my favorite things to cook on […]
My fiery smoked turkey rub is an aromatic blend of 10 ingredients including brown sugar, smoked paprika, kosher salt, chili powder, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper. As a restaurant prep cook, smoked turkey was a favorite menu item because it was juicy and packed full of flavor. However, the props […]
Turkey jerky is another way to enjoy tender and flavorful turkey cuts. This piece of turkey provides an excellent, high-protein snack for your family and guests. Moreover, turkey jerky is a delicious alternative to pork or beef jerky. I first learned how to make turkey jerky in cooking school. Over the years, I've refined the […]
Simplicity and flexibility are the bases of the best seasoning recipes. My savory turkey injection checks both boxes and more. It is an aromatic mix of Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chicken broth, and some basic seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and of course salt. Through the years, I have tried dozens […]
Right off the bat, turkey producers are required to indicate whether their product is pre-brined or not on the packaging. This involves indicating the ingredients used to brine the turkey. It could appear as 'contains salt' or 'added sodium up to X%'. Other words to look out for include 'enhanced', 'treated', and 'pre-brined'. At our […]
The short answer to the question, 'Can you cook a partially frozen turkey?', is yes. Partially frozen turkey will take roughly 25% longer than a fully defrosted turkey while frozen turkey will take roughly 50% longer to cook. By adjusting for the extra cooking time required, it can safely be cooked in the oven or […]
A turkey is generally done at 165 degrees. A turkey cooked to 180 degrees is also done, but the meat may be overcooked. Turkey contains white and dark meat that can be done at 165- or 180 degrees cooking. I learned the ideal temperature to cook turkey in cooking school, and I’ve managed to cook […]
As a lover of all things smoked, and an experienced pitmaster with formal culinary training, believe me when I say the best wood for smoking turkey is hickory. Having tried and tested various kinds of wood, I have found that the rich, smoky flavor and subtle nuttiness of hickory perfectly complement the taste of turkey. […]
This is a bit of a tricky question to answer. While you can let turkey sit out on the counter before cooking, you shouldn't leave it out for longer than two hours. And, on a warm day, the turkey shouldn't be left out for more than an hour. When I was working as a chef, […]
Turkey bacon is my favorite type of bacon because it is a tasty and healthy substitute for pork bacon. In my years of buying this flavorful meat strip, I’ve found that it stays good in the fridge for about a week. It took a few trials and errors, but I’ve reached a point where I […]