collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys  (Read 6306 times)

Offline scotrobe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: Woodinville
Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« on: September 08, 2018, 03:05:47 PM »
Wondering what you all do. Do you age your wild turkeys? I’m new to this (only been hunting 2 years) and so far I haven’t been doing so. The birds I’ve been cooking have all been tough and I’m wondering if it’s because I’m not aging them.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 49015
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2018, 03:07:40 PM »
My gut says they're tough because they're wild turkeys. They're all muscle because they use their muscles, unlike the butterballs.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+24)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 16716
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2018, 03:14:23 PM »
I don't know of any way to make wild turkey not tough.........   or anywhere near tender.

Even jakes are tough and stringy, in my experience.

They sure aren't anything like Butterballs......   But they are fun to hunt.

we've taken to making turkey jerky, as it's the best use we can come up with for them.
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline scotrobe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: Woodinville
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2018, 03:29:08 PM »
Thanks. I keep reading posts online (e.g., Rinella, Haugen and others) saying, when cooked right, wild turkey breast meat is tender. I saw another post in this forum where someone marinated in soy and brown sugar then smoked it and it came out tender. So, it seems possible. I just haven’t been able to do it. Maybe I just suck as a cook. :-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 49015
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2018, 03:36:52 PM »
Deep fry it maybe?
Moisture is the key I'd say.
@merkaba93  ?

:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline scotrobe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: Woodinville
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2018, 03:47:50 PM »
Deep fry it maybe?
Moisture is the key I'd say.
@merkaba93  ?
Not a bad idea. I’ll try it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline merkaba93

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 374
  • Location: Washougal
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2018, 03:48:32 PM »
Lots of people age upland birds and wild turkey. But for me it's not worth the effort.

But I'd brine the bird first...here is my recipe for turkey. I'm not saying it's healthy.

Dissolve 12 oz kosher salt and 12 oz brown sugar in 2 quarts water over med heat. Add 4 quarts cold water to a large food bin or gatorade cooler and add salt/sugar water. Add 2 onions, 1 bulb garlic, 2 sprigs rosemary, 5 sprigs thyme and about 10 black pepper corns. Add 2 lbs ice. Place turkey in cooler and brine for 5-6 hrs. Remove and let skin dry for at least 30 min. Then melt 1/2 lb of unsalted butter and add 1 tbs crushed garlic and inject into turkey meat. Create your own dry rub and rub the bird (do not use salt in this spice rub after brining the bird will be salty enough). Cook turkey for 3.5 min per pound in fryer at about 325.
Be Better than Cream of Mushroom Soup

Offline bradslam

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 514
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2018, 03:52:13 PM »
I don't bother trying to roast the birds like you would a store-bought turkey.  I use the meat for enchiladas, stir fry, etc.

Offline scotrobe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: Woodinville
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #8 on: September 08, 2018, 03:57:38 PM »
Lots of people age upland birds and wild turkey. But for me it's not worth the effort.

But I'd brine the bird first...here is my recipe for turkey. I'm not saying it's healthy.

Dissolve 12 oz kosher salt and 12 oz brown sugar in 2 quarts water over med heat. Add 4 quarts cold water to a large food bin or gatorade cooler and add salt/sugar water. Add 2 onions, 1 bulb garlic, 2 sprigs rosemary, 5 sprigs thyme and about 10 black pepper corns. Add 2 lbs ice. Place turkey in cooler and brine for 5-6 hrs. Remove and let skin dry for at least 30 min. Then melt 1/2 lb of unsalted butter and add 1 tbs crushed garlic and inject into turkey meat. Create your own dry rub and rub the bird (do not use salt in this spice rub after brining the bird will be salty enough). Cook turkey for 3.5 min per pound in fryer at about 325.

Thanks! I don’t care if it’s healthy, btw, as long as it tastes good. :-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline scotrobe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: Woodinville
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #9 on: September 08, 2018, 03:58:32 PM »
I don't bother trying to roast the birds like you would a store-bought turkey.  I use the meat for enchiladas, stir fry, etc.

I tried stir fry. It was dry and tough. I think I cooked it too long, though


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline Cab

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2017
  • Posts: 791
  • Location: Vancouver
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2018, 02:58:59 PM »
I've shot Toms and Jakes and there was no difference to me. make sure you brine your bird and other then the breast meat slow and low is a good way to go cooking wise.

Offline CedarPants

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 2341
  • Location: Pend Oreille County
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2018, 03:03:26 PM »
Stuff it full of sliced apples and onions, wrap it with thick sliced bacon, and smoke it at a low temp for several hours (or bake in the oven if you don't have a smoker).  Even the dark leg meat will come out tender and tasty.

You can also combine with pork fat and make any number of different kinds of sausage.

Offline mburrows

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2007
  • Posts: 1528
  • Location: Montana
  • Go Cougs!
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2018, 03:03:48 PM »
I tenderize mine big time, dip them in egg, then bread crumbs and fry them up in olive oil and finish them with seasoning of your choice and it tastes great.

Online Jonathan_S

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 8964
  • Location: Medical Lake
  • Volleyfire Brigade, Cryder apologist
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2018, 03:06:37 PM »
Equal parts sugar and salt in water for a couple days.  Then I slice into steaks, tenderize and pan fry usually unbreaded.  Tastes good and barely chewy at all
Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with too many facts.

Offline scotrobe

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Apr 2017
  • Posts: 60
  • Location: Woodinville
Re: Is it necessary to age wild turkeys
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2018, 09:43:15 PM »
These are all awesome suggestions. Thanks!

This past weekend, I threw 4 turkey legs and thighs in the grinder along with bacon and made some of the best tasting burgers I’ve ever had. Better than most beef burgers, IMO. I’ll try some of the ideas for cooking the breast meat.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

CVA optima V2 LR tapped hole for front sight by Remdawg
[Today at 05:34:44 AM]


Let’s see your best Washington buck by HntnFsh
[Today at 05:33:38 AM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal