20 lb. Turkey for Church Thanksgiving Dinner (w/ Gravy) -- the first of 3 this season!

[adiochiro3]

'Tis the season!  Had our church TG dinner tonight.  The turkey was demolished!  I started with butter, salt & pepper.

Then into the Weber kettle for some indirect heat/smoking attention.  I used ash wood.  I always start breast side down to let the juices run toward the breast meat, then "flip the bird" when there is about one hour left for the smoke.

Here it is right before the flip.  Temps in the Weber held perfectly at 250* all through the smoke.  I made a custom grate years ago to fit down between the coal bins and into the drip pan (liquid love for the gravy!!!).  I took it out when it hit 180* internal temp.

Here it is resting and waiting to be carved for the congregation.  All I can say is there were NO LEFTOVERS!  And I could really go for a turkey sandwich right now!!!

The only good news is that my wife will turn the carcass into her most excellent, phenomenal turkey soup within the next few days!  Can't wait, honey!  I'll post that culinary awesomeness when the time comes.

 

[mballi3011]

Very nice there Doc I like the bird and I bet it tasted really awesome too.

 

[werdwolf]

 I am working also this thanksgiving and weekend, but after seeing this, my wife will just have to buy a frozen one or two for later!  Nicely done 

 

[bassman]

Good looking bird!  Maybe a sandwich made with sourdough bread?

 

[rbranstner]

Great looking bird. I've got 9 of them waiting to go into the smoker today. Hopefully mine turn out like yours. Have you brought smoked food for the congregation before? I bet you were the talk of the church with your smoked bird. haha

 

[rw willy]

Very nice.  Glad the crowd enjoyed.  Love the bondage truss on the wings.  Does that even out the cooking temps on the back area?

 

[rdknb]

that turkey looks very good

 

[adiochiro3]

Good looking bird!  Maybe a sandwich made with sourdough bread?

No, but we just finished a breakfast of sourdough waffles -- thanks to you getting me started!!!

 

[adiochiro3]

Great looking bird. I've got 9 of them waiting to go into the smoker today. Hopefully mine turn out like yours. Have you brought smoked food for the congregation before? I bet you were the talk of the church with your smoked bird. haha

9??!!!  I bow to the master turkey smoker.  Yes, that bird was the belle of the ball last night!
 

 

[adiochiro3]

Very nice.  Glad the crowd enjoyed.  Love the bondage truss on the wings.  Does that even out the cooking temps on the back area?

keeps the wings from getting burned and they provide a nice stand for the bird when I flip it at the end.  These were tied too close together -- a little space between is optimal.

 

[Bearcarver]

Aw Man !!!!

That color is awesome!

Even has grill marks!

I think if I made that, it would be at least semi-skinless a couple minutes after removing it from the smoker!

Can't help myself!

Thanks for the Great View,

Bear

 

[par383]

Looks great.  I'm going to be smoking a turkey for the first time (2nd time ever smoking too).  My turkey is 20 lbs too.  I see you smoked at 250*....can you tell me how long it took?

 

[eman]

Hey doc ,

 Nice looking turkey.

 What was your internal temp when ya started and how long did it take to get the bird out of the danger zone??

 

[scarbelly]

Great looking bird - I am with Keith - give me a couple slices and some sourdough

 

[meateater]

All these turkeys are making me jones, nice job! 

 Come on thursday...

 

[deannc]

That is a great looking bird!  That's the one downside when it's so good, there's no leftovers for a sammie which is my favorite...a little mayo, salt & pepper, ok never mind...lol 

 

[Bearcarver]

That is a great looking bird!  That's the one downside when it's so good, there's no leftovers for a sammie which is my favorite...a little mayo, salt & pepper, ok never mind...lol 

Hey Dean !!!!!

Don't ever stop in the middle of a sammie!

.......and lettuce & tomato !

Bear

 

[mneeley490]

LOL! I was researching turkey gravy and came across this. I've never before seen a turkey trussed up quite like this one. It looks like a hostage!

 

[JckDanls 07]

WOWWWWW... Look at the list of all the great names that have graced us with their knowledge...

RIP Y'all ... Have me a buffet when I get there...