Breast up or down :o)

[kmadson]

help needing a quick reply as to the best way to cook my last turkey. It was a little over 20 lbs. so I had it cut in half. Is it better to cook it breast side down or should I cook it cut side down? Let me know what you think as I will be needing to put it in in about 20 to 30 min. :o) Thanks for your help

 

[ron50]

I usually do breasts so it doesn't make a difference but I know some people smoke whole tukeys breast down so the fat from the dark meat bastes the breast.

I think either way you will be fine.

 

[flash]

I would do breast up if it is a cut in half bird.

 

[flash]

Normal if it was a whole bird I would do breast down as breast meat cooks faster than dark meat. In this case, not being a whole bird, i would go breast up.

 

[zapper]

How ya cookin' it?



I have actually done whole birds upside down (breast down in the oven) because about 10 years ago or so there was a rumor going 'round that it might help to make the breast more moist. Tuff call on if it works or not, I mean that I have not done a side by side test to see the results, but I would venture to say that it does help and I do about half of my birds breast down. I am not a big white meat fan though, gimmie a leg any day!



I might suggest that however you cook it, that the cut should be sealed with atleast a coat of butter or oil and maybe foil or bacon to maybe control the drying.

 

[kmadson]

Thanks Zapper, already put the oil on cut side but may do the foil thing half way through also :o)

 

[kmadson]

Hummm, so when you cook the breast down the temps. would maybe come out a little closer instead of the breast darn near done and those yummy leggs are a holden back? :o) It seems when breast is up it is near being ready much sooner than the legs. They need to make dark meat turkeys I'm not a breast person anyway LOL Kmadson

 

[kmadson]

I think I will do half and half won't know till I try it on one. Thanks again Kmadson :o)