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Not Running => Food => Topic started by: OldBaldHippie on November 15, 2012, 12:24:05 AM

Title: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: OldBaldHippie on November 15, 2012, 12:24:05 AM
I've been reading in BBQ forums that some people prefer injecting a turkey before smoking it...anybody done that?
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: radial on November 15, 2012, 12:54:54 AM
I'm afraid of needles :e).  But I can testify that brining works pretty well to tenderize, plump up, and season a bird. 
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: witchypoo on November 15, 2012, 08:20:44 AM
i dry brine my turkey (no 'injecting').
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: Magic Microbe on November 15, 2012, 11:05:18 AM
Last year a coworker took a needle and big syringe home from work in order to do this.
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: omega lambda on November 15, 2012, 02:00:08 PM
i dry brine my turkey (no 'injecting').

What is dry brining?  Salt/spice rub?

I've been brining my bird for years now and always get great results.  I also like that the act of brining requires that I have my bird thawed at least the night before, so I haven't had any more "ooops, bird is still frozen!" on Thanksgiving morning.
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: witchypoo on November 15, 2012, 02:43:52 PM
this guy gives a good explanation: http://bbq.about.com/od/turkey/a/Dry-Brining-Turkey.htm (http://bbq.about.com/od/turkey/a/Dry-Brining-Turkey.htm)

keep in mind that i butterfly and then grill turkeys - i don't roast them.  so any issues with moisture in a big ol', baking-forever-turkey aren't a consideration in the 'poo household.
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: Natasha on November 15, 2012, 06:01:36 PM
I watched a TV show that compared the two. I can't remember what it was. But the brining was deemed much better than the injection method.
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: moroccangirl on November 17, 2012, 09:11:47 PM
Alton brown spatchcocked a turkey on his show today. He put a dry rub on it and said to leave it in the fridge for 4 days. I thought he was going to grill it but he roasted it in the oven.
Title: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: OldBaldHippie on November 17, 2012, 11:25:58 PM
Well, someone else is cooking a turkey so I guess I won't get to try it this time...
Title: Re: Injecting vs brining a turkey?
Post by: diablita on November 18, 2012, 05:53:56 PM
I always use Alton Brown's (wet) brine method and it always turns out fantastic.  This year someone else is bringing a special-ordered smoked turkey and I'm not crying about not having to stick my hand in the carcass of a turkey.  :)