smoking a wild turkey

[bassrat]

rec. a wild turkey from a friend, want to smoke it in the gas smoker, do you have to brine it, can you inject it like when you deep fat fry one?
this is a great fourm, so much knowledge
thanks!!!!!!!!!
rat

 

[cajunsmoker]

Wild turkey is 100% different than tame turkey. No white meat, all dark meat even the breast. I have always cooked mine in the oven. If I was going to smoke it I would brine it.

 

[larry maddock]

yo rat dude,
no matter how i cooked it ...
i would brine and cure with mortons sugar cure.
its so easy
its so good.

 

[bob-bqn]

I always hear others talking about drinking theirs.

Wild birds tend to have more dark meat and less fat than domestic ones because they get a LOT more exercise. Exercise is what makes the meat dark and since most domestic animals spend little or no time flying we're accustom to see white meat in the breast. I read an article on it once but can't recall the scientific aspects of it.

Since it is leaner, I've heard of folks using butter or bacon as a fat suppliment to keep the meat moist while cooking.

 

[Dutch]

You can always drape sliced bacon over the breast and "pin" in it in place with some toothpicks. I'd use a fattier bacon and use the leaner stuff for breakfast.