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General Discussion => LEARNING TO TURKEY HUNT => Topic started by: Skeeter1 on May 22, 2023, 02:44:07 PM

Title: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Skeeter1 on May 22, 2023, 02:44:07 PM
Finally got my first turkey ( Jake ) after 3 years of trying. I cooked the breasts and they were very tender and delicious.  In talking with other turkey hunters they said, " its good you got a Jake because the Tom's breast are some what tough". Thought maybe someone here could say if this is true. I marinated mine over night and slow cooked on the grill.
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Lone Star Eastern on May 22, 2023, 03:18:00 PM
I cooked my first turkey last year, and it was amazing. Not tough at all and it was an old tom at that.

I brined it over night, and then smoked it the next day, TX style. It was terrific, but I didn’t think to take the tenderloin off sooner. They were fine, but being a smaller piece of meat, they didn’t need as long in the smoker. If you have those too, keep that in mind.

I’ll be doing the same process on my first jake this coming weekend, and I’m interested to see if it’s more tender. I kept the legs too, so it’ll be a first for me to turn those into turkey salad sandwiches via pressure cooker.

PM if your interested in the brine and/or smoking recipe.


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Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Paulmyr on May 22, 2023, 06:48:18 PM
Quote from: Skeeter1 on May 22, 2023, 02:44:07 PM
Finally got my first turkey ( Jake ) after 3 years of trying. I cooked the breasts and they were very tender and delicious.  In talking with other turkey hunters they said, " its good you got a Jake because the Tom's breast are some what tough". Thought maybe someone here could say if this is true. I marinated mine over night and slow cooked on the grill.

Tell the other turkey hunters to learn how to cook!!!
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Lcmacd 58 on May 22, 2023, 09:05:07 PM
Several ways to eliminate the toughness....soak 1 in buttermilk is my go to but there are several
I fry turkey nuggets every year for xmas.... no complaints so far
I feed about 35 people
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: 3bailey3 on May 22, 2023, 09:07:11 PM
killed a pile, never had a tuff one!
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Zobo on May 22, 2023, 09:42:47 PM
Don’t overcook breast meat.
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: 3bailey3 on May 23, 2023, 10:15:24 PM
not tuff.
(https://i.imgur.com/hbp4UC0.jpg)
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: 3bailey3 on May 23, 2023, 10:17:42 PM
grilled and not tuff..
(https://i.imgur.com/WrR2kND.jpg)
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Lcmacd 58 on May 24, 2023, 07:00:01 AM
Hey 3dailey3..... will you share the recipe for your grilled turkey.... I've been wanting to try some
I fry mine
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Skeeter1 on May 24, 2023, 04:42:42 PM
Great info ...  Thank you all
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Happy on May 24, 2023, 05:50:58 PM
Sounds like somebody is forgetting to take the tarsal glands off of their legs.
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: 3bailey3 on May 24, 2023, 07:57:40 PM
Lc marinate overnight in Italian dressing and worcestershire, then put cream chesse, a jalapeno and wrap in bacon, and don't over cook them.
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: TrackeySauresRex on May 29, 2023, 09:32:58 PM
I’m a fan of the Buttermilk as well. Dredged in seasoned southern flower and fried in strips.
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: eddie234 on May 30, 2023, 12:23:44 PM
I love to grill mine. Cut them in to bit size chunks and soak them in zesty Italian dressing overnight. Wrap them in half a strip of bacon, held together by either a tooth pick or spaghetti noodle and grill.


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Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: Paulmyr on May 30, 2023, 05:21:45 PM
Quote from: eddie234 on May 30, 2023, 12:23:44 PM
I love to grill mine. Cut them in to bit size chunks and soak them in zesty Italian dressing overnight. Wrap them in half a strip of bacon, held together by either a tooth pick or spaghetti noodle and grill.


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 :jackson:
Title: Re: Cooking turkey breasts
Post by: mcw3734 on June 04, 2023, 10:36:11 AM
For context of my response, know that I don't cook hardly at all. I more assemble food/meals then do real cooking.

My experience is that wild turkey breast meat IS tough, if you don't do anything with it. I'm sure you're picking up a common theme from folks here: "What are you talking about? It's not tough.... after I marinated it overnight".  Which is what I eventually learned to do.

Once I thaw mine in the fridge, I let it soak 12+ hours in a simple saltwater brine. Then I soak it in a marinate of some kind (italian salad dressing works) for 24 hours. Then I cook it in the oven and take care not to overcook it. Once it hits 165 degrees, it's done.

Doing it this way, it comes out fairly tender, juicy, and tasty.

Again... my experience.