Turkey adice needed - planning for lunch

kbutler84

Fir those of you that eat your turkey day meal at lunch, what is your plan of attack for cooking the turkey on the egg? I was thinking of getting up around 3-3:30am and getting the turkey on by 4am and then off by noon and ready to eat by 1. But that doesn't leave much room for error time wise. Now I'm thinking maybe get it on around 11-12 the night before and take it off around 8-9am. But not sure how I should keep it warm without drying it out. What does everyone else do?

BigGreenBamaGriller

I have cooked a turkey and put in a pre-warmed cooler and it kept for about 2 hours without any problem. Not sure about 4-5 hours

Zmokin

I would not cook it overnight and then keep it warm for hours.  I like to pull my turkey from the heat and serve it in about an hour.  I'm using my oven and a roasting bag, so I'll leave it in the bag until I'm ready to remove the stuffing and carve it up.  I'll suck the juices out though to start making the gravy shortly after the bird comes out of the oven.  Once the bird is out of the oven, the green bean casserole goes in.  I find turkey and chicken are at their moistest when they come out, the longer it sits, the drier the meat gets.

berndcrisp

8hours to cook a turkey? Must be one of those 45 pounders. Hope you have an XXL.

theyolksonyou

I cooked a 13 lb bird in 3 hr and change. I think you're over thinking.

Duckhook18

I did an 18lb bird on the egg last year and we eat around noon. I cook at 350 with some apple wood, drip pan with veggies under the bird to make gravy. It only took 3.5 hours (12 minutes per pound) to be perfect. Don't know why you would cook a turkey for 8 hours...there is no fat to render so it seems like it would dry it out. Anyway...good luck.

kbutler84

I was going off the mad max recipe that calls for 8 hours at 325 for a 20lb turkey

PNWFoodie

Spatchcock it, sleep in, and still be on time for lunch.

Zmokin

kbutler84 said:

I was going off the mad max recipe that calls for 8 hours at 325 for a 20lb turkey

Idon't know what mad max is, but 8 hours seems awfully long.

Most guidelines put a 20 pounder at 6 hours if stuffed, 5 hours if un-stuffed.

Mickey

I spatchcock 12/13lb birds all the time (direct/raised) and we are talking 75/85 mins at 400. I have done a lot of these. Where are you getting your times?