Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry

Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Tell us what you like. In the recipe sub forum post your recipe. Please no comments on recipes. Only likes please. The main cooking forum is for general chat about food and cooking.
Post Reply
Pitchman1968
Cowhand
Posts: 152
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:34 am
Location: Central Massachusetts
United States of America

Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Post by Pitchman1968 » Mon Oct 30, 2023 2:43 pm

Turkey flocks are huge this fall in central Massachusetts; and I plan to take one for Thanksgiving. In the past I have taken only the breast meat off a wild turkey no matter the bird's gender or size. This year I want to bag a large Tom in excess of 20 pounds. I plan to roast the entire bird just as if it were a store-bought commercial bird. Conventional wisdom is that is a bad idea because that large of a wild Tom will be old, tough, and dry. Nevertheless, i want to try it. Does anyone have tips or recipes on how to do this?
0 x

User avatar
Sir Henry
Administrator / Owner
Posts: 12127
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:58 pm
Location: Price County Wisconsin
United States of America

Re: Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Post by Sir Henry » Mon Oct 30, 2023 4:55 pm

Put a blanket of bacon over the breast meat. It seals in the natural juices and adds to it.
0 x
Hi, my name is Gene and I'm a Henryholic from Wisconsin.

Range Reporter: Henry Repeater

User avatar
JEBar
Town Marshal / Deputy Admin
Posts: 19354
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:58 pm
Location: central NC
United States of America

Re: Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Post by JEBar » Mon Oct 30, 2023 9:09 pm

I'd recommend injecting it with a liquid like "I Can't Believe Its Not Butter" spray, as noted, covering with bacon, and slow cooking at a low temp
0 x

Ozarkwoodswalker
Cowboy
Posts: 1096
Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:24 pm
Location: Missouri
United States of America

Re: Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Post by Ozarkwoodswalker » Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:14 am

Please let us know how the experiment turns out. Inquiring minds want to know.
0 x

User avatar
daytime dave
Administrator / Owner
Posts: 4833
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:27 pm
Location: Upstate NY
United States of America

Re: Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Post by daytime dave » Tue Oct 31, 2023 11:38 am

I applaud you. I hope it turns out great. That's a traditional Thanksgiving I'd say.
0 x
Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
Eaglescout, NRA Life Endowment member, BCCI Life Member

Travlin
Cowboy
Posts: 1391
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:06 am

Re: Roasting large, wild Tom turkeys

Post by Travlin » Tue Oct 31, 2023 11:09 pm

That sounds very tempting. I don't know about turkeys in your neck of the woods, but the one I shot on the wing in Florida many years ago was very moist and tender. Even my dad who was not a fan of eating wild game said it was very good.
0 x

Post Reply