To stuff or not to stuff

raypeel

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Sep 14, 2007

160

10

Enid OK

• Oct 11, 2007

• #1

Cleaned out the freezer to make room for this weeks meat specials so I'm going to smoke my first turkey Sunday. I will definatly brine the bird, but I've seen posts not to stuff or do stuff. What are some views and if you would stuff what do you use.

Thanks,

 

payson

Meat Mopper

Nov 17, 2006

261

10

Columbia SC

• Oct 11, 2007

• #2

I never stuff a turkey because the threat of food poisoning raises quite a bit. The bird might very well be done but the stuffing might have juices in it that have not been heated to a safe level. Just my opinion, I know plenty of people do stuff them with no ill-effects though.

 

raypeel

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Sep 14, 2007

160

10

Enid OK

• Oct 11, 2007

• #3

This is a good point Pason. I didn't think about that.

 

gypsyseagod

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

May 5, 2007

3,888

15

standing over the pit- kentucky

• Oct 11, 2007

• #4

same here- i wouldn't stuff a bird for smoking,only for traditional oven cooking(whatever that is now- i forgot).

 

deejaydebi

Legendary Pitmaster

Nov 18, 2006

7,996

25

Connecticut

• Oct 11, 2007

• #5

You can always catch some of the drippings and pour them into your stuffing that's what I do to get the nice smoky stuffing flavor.

 

kueh

Meat Mopper

Nov 7, 2006

230

11

Red Deer, Alberta

• Oct 11, 2007

• #6

I'd put the stuffing in a large pan and put in on a shelf under the turkey to catch all the goodness. I'd have a thermometer in the stuffing so it can be pulled before it overcooks. Probably then put it in a broiler just to crisp up the surface of the stuffing.

But if your smoker doesn't have to room, just catch the drippings and use them. Put some water in the pan so the drippings don't dry up and burn and add a bit of water whenever you peek in to baste/spritz. You could even through some garlic and onion in the water for extra flavour.

In fact, I'll do that this weekend.. with chicken though.

 

raypeel

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Sep 14, 2007

160

10

Enid OK

• Oct 11, 2007

• #7

That does sound good Kueh. It will go that route.