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[dk117]

I'll get us started because I'm getting antsy.  Mother-in-law is hosting, I'm on the hook for turkey.

45 lbs turkey legs into the brine yesterday.   Nice brine I found at Costco, retails around $18 a jar (Walmart and Amazon), got for $7 or so. 
a cup of brown sugar and a half bottle of liquid smoke in each. 


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[Th3Batman86]

Just legs, I like your style. Let us know how the brine comes through, I have always been on the fence about brines as common understanding is that nothing but salt actually penetrates the meat.

[dk117]

but wait there's more!   Three 9 lb turkey breasts (never sure what to call these, white meat only full carcass).  Same brine.

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I've had great success with brines, only once went too far on the salt, hopefully won't happen this time!

[Bar-B-Lew]

I've brined a few times, and never tasted much of a flavor from the brine. It did help keep the meat moist.

BTW, your method looks great.  Can't wait to see some finished picks.  That's a lot of turkey.  Probably enough for 50+ people.

[Bentley]

I know for a fact this is the 1st product I have ever seen that uses..."exhausted vanilla beans"...

[dk117]

I've brined a few times, and never tasted much of a flavor from the brine. It did help keep the meat moist.

BTW, your method looks great.  Can't wait to see some finished picks.  That's a lot of turkey.  Probably enough for 50+ people.

I did a test run on this brine two months ago.  Sister-in-law said it was my best turkey yet.  We'll see tomorrow.   We had expected 28 people, I think we're down to 22.   (Bomb Cyclone event in Northern Cali/Southern Oregon keeping some folks home.) 

I've gone way overboard on the turkey, but on purpose.   Like many Americans, my family has ... well have and have nots.  With a ham, and sides and dessert, I easily have double what folks will consume tomorrow.   This has evolved to a tradition over the years.   We make care packages (I'm not talking about destitute family members here, just people I care about who would use an extra 5 lbs of turkey in their fridge/freezer) for my brother, grandmother, uncle, cousin and anyone else who cares to receive one.    My lawyer brother in law is usually the first in line for left over turkey legs. 

So yeah, I've overdone it, but I enjoy the process and the cook, and frankly turkey is cheap and it will get eaten ... just not all of it tomorrow.

Good luck Pelletfans, please share your Thanksgiving adventures.

[Kristin Meredith]

A very generous heart and spirit DK, one we could all emulate.

[yorkdude]

A very generous heart and spirit DK, one we could all emulate.

Well said and Great job DK.

[pmillen]

A very generous heart and spirit DK, one we could all emulate.

I was about to type a similar thought, but it wouldn't have been as elegantly phrased.  So I'll just add

+1

[dk117]

turkey turned out pretty good, a tad salty and had some char issues.   Few meal pics, but got one picture before wrapping up the legs.

all the legs went home in Tupperware or mini coolers.  Only two of the three breasts got carved up, my bro took the third one home.   

Typical, no carved/serving pictures, just too much going on at the in-laws-house.   I hope everyone had as successful a thanksgiving!

Never had the Gator full prior to this.
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[Ross77]

Looks good.  Costco also has a beef rub by Rodelle that is pretty tasty.

[jdmessner]

BTW, your method looks great.  Can't wait to see some finished picks.  That's a lot of turkey.  Probably enough for 50+ people.

I've gone way overboard on the turkey, but on purpose.   Like many Americans, my family has ... well have and have nots.  With a ham, and sides and dessert, I easily have double what folks will consume tomorrow.   This has evolved to a tradition over the years.   We make care packages (I'm not talking about destitute family members here, just people I care about who would use an extra 5 lbs of turkey in their fridge/freezer) for my brother, grandmother, uncle, cousin and anyone else who cares to receive one.    My lawyer brother in law is usually the first in line for left over turkey legs. 

So yeah, I've overdone it, but I enjoy the process and the cook, and frankly turkey is cheap and it will get eaten ... just not all of it tomorrow.

Good luck Pelletfans, please share your Thanksgiving adventures.

My Thanksgiving adventure was a lot different this year. However, you were correct when you said being able to share is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving (that part didn't change)!

Last year I think I cooked a total of nine turkeys, most of them for other people. This year I didn't cook any, but did have the opportunity to give some away. A small shop in town ordered turkeys for their employees. Many of them said they didn't need them and would like to see them go to people in the community who could use them. The shop called and asked if I could hand them out. It was quite a challenge, but I did find a  place for 12 of them. I was surprised at the generosity of the shop and humbled by the gratitude from most of the people who received them. Some of those folks have been through some really difficult situations recently. I never cease to be amazed at the impact a simple gesture can make.

My son is working and going to school in Chicago. He was on call over Thanksgiving, which meant that he didn't have a lot to do, but he had to physically be there. Since he was by himself, I decided to spend the day with him. It was just the two of us. He made a big batch of black bean soup that we ate off of all day. It started out as soup, but as it cooks down it thickens up; so it can be used for burritos or nachos, dip, etc. We spent the day hanging out and watching football. Other than the Lions game, not a bad day at all (however if nothing else the Lions have been consistent, rebuilding since 1957)!

[Bentley]

It was a loss, but it was a "good" football game!