How big a turkey for

timekpr1 · October 2012

15 people? I have been tasked with cooking this years Thanksgiving turkey. Never having cooked a turkey, I have no idea how big of one I need to feed 15 people. I was actually considering two smaller turkeys vs. one large. Is there an average cooking time for turkey? How big a turkey(or turkeys) can I cook on my large BGE at one time? With so many people my wife will not let me go exotic with spices or rubs. Just a plain old lightly spiced turkey on the grill. I am going to sneak some apple wood in there though. I plan a test run on a smaller turkey in the near future. Thanks for the advice.

Little Steven · October 2012

Biggest I've done is 24 pounds on a large. Don't think you could go a lot bigger.

Mickey · October 2012

Spatchcock 13 lbs direct raised at 400 about 90 min. Just do 2.

travisstrick · October 2012

Darn you, Mickey! :ar!

fishlessman · October 2012

i always do a traditional stuffed bird in the oven and a lightly smoked one per the madmax directions with some twists in the egg. when you do the practice bird freeze any leftover gravey for tday

henapple · October 2012

I've always fried one and smoked a in my off set. I'm going to spatchcock one and hickory smoke a breast in the egg this year. Would love to have enough drippings for the gravy...we'll see.

XLBalco · October 2012

doing one in the egg and one in the deep fryer sounds like an idea for this year

i have used my deep fryer once - always sounds like a great idea until it is time to buy the oil and set it up. ireally want to do a crawfish boil with it.

henapple · October 2012

The best part is the skin. But the last 2 years everyone likes the smoked breast better. We do a boil with shrimp added. Wife doesn't like mudbugs.

henapple · October 2012

Sorry...got off subject. My fried 12 lb and smoked 8 breast are plenty for around that number. My wife also does a small ham.

timekpr1 · October 2012

Thanks for all the input. I think I will do 2 turkeys. 2 more drumsticks for people to fight over. Question now is direct vs indirect? I have a Woo2. Raised direct vs. indirect. I saw Mickey's suggestion and may give that one a try on my 1st test turkey. I better buy some good scissors. I am curious as to how others are Egging their turkeys though.

DonWW · October 2012

XLBalco said:

doing one in the egg and one in the deep fryer sounds like an idea for this year

+1. We have done this the past few years. While I hate to recommend a method other than BGE, fried turkey is off the hook delicious. Injected with a nice cajun marinade.

Z_Eggineer · October 2012

I wish I could host like a "guys" Thanksgiving, where we have smoked holiday ham and eggs for breakfast and Turkey legs, beer, etc during day and watch football and play drinking games

henapple · October 2012

I'm there...

Z_Eggineer · October 2012

me too!

Amazingribs.com has some good tips. depends on what other meats are there and how long the shindig will last

Mickey · October 2012

timekpr1 said:

Thanks for all the input. I think I will do 2 turkeys. 2 more drumsticks for people to fight over. Question now is direct vs indirect? I have a Woo2. Raised direct vs. indirect. I saw Mickey's suggestion and may give that one a try on my 1st test turkey. I better buy some good scissors. I am curious as to how others are Egging their turkeys though.

I always buy extra legs to cook beside the bird.

scaryangel · October 2012

I took Mickey's suggestion last week And cooked my turkey direct around 375 - 400 degrees. It was 13 pounds and cooked to 160 degrees in 1 hour 45 min. Also i spatchcocked it. Turned out very moist.

Z_Eggineer · October 2012

@ Mickey, good idea on extra legs. Always good to have extra in hand so you don't have to split them.

Where do you get your legs?

Howdy, Stranger!

Forums

How big a turkey for

Comments