After the turkey is down

[93civEJ1]

Ok, so I have yet to get my first turkey, but hoping to change that this season. I dont plan to really do the whole mounting thing etc, but maybe beard / tail....with that said, I like to eat what I take.

What is the best process? I will be hunting close to home, but in the case I get one, what do I need to do after getting one? Is there a certain way to dress it? I see videos where some people just rip out the breasts...others pluck feathers and leave skin etc.

I would love to maybe make some fried nuggest out of them, or heck maybe even smoke or deep fry one.

What process do I need to do, and does anyone have any simple instructions for the different methods of prepping that anyone can do it? If so, please point me to them.

Thanks!!!!

[stinkpickle]

You have lots of options, but the quickest and easiest is to skin it and cut off all the meat you want to keep.  It only takes a few minutes, and you don't have to mess with gutting or plucking.  Of course, if you want to keep it whole, that's a different story...

[93civEJ1]

do you get more meat one way or the other??

[stinkpickle]

do you get more meat one way or the other??

It depends on how well you cut it.  You can cut it up before you cook it or afterwards.  I prefer before, because it's a lot easier to store. 

[Ericbrooks]

Save yourself a lot of time a disappointment and just take the breast. The rest isn't that great.


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[g8rvet]

I skin them and breast them out.  If I liked soup (I don't) I would save some more meat for soup-I have saved some for folks. 

CUE:  Some "oldschool" hunter telling us we are wasting the giblets.   

[rbreedi1]

Most people just cut the breasts out.. The rest of the meat is pretty tough but good if you want to slow cook and pull the meat and make some BBQ sandwhiches!

[J.D. Shellnut]

When I first started turkey hunting I had a hard time throwing the legs away. But now I just cut the breast out. Unless somebody ask for the legs. It just wasn't worth it to save them to me, and the ones I saved ruined in the freezer.

[93civEJ1]

i love turkey legs and eat them many times at thanksgiving or at fairs etc. Is the meat different from the wild turkey vs the turkey legs I eat from a fair or thanksgiving??

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

If you are not mounting the whole bird hang him up by his feet. Take your time and skin him out. There is a lot of meat to be had. Especially if you like turkey burger. Give the turkey the respect he deserves.

[rbreedi1]

i love turkey legs and eat them many times at thanksgiving or at fairs etc. Is the meat different from the wild turkey vs the turkey legs I eat from a fair or thanksgiving??

yes, night and day!

[Ericbrooks]

If you are expecting wild turkey to taste like domestic turkey, you are in for a letdown.


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[dublelung]

I hang from the feet and get the breast meat first. I also save the thighs but the legs are just too tough to deal with. Cut the breast into nuggets and deep fry. The thighs are best slow cooked or made into turkey salad sandwiches.

[tha bugman]

dont throw away the legs!  they make awesome bbq

[catman529]

Save yourself a lot of time a disappointment and just take the breast. The rest isn't that great.


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I disagree, you can make some great pulled BBQ sandwiches with the legs and thighs. The whole bird roasted or smoked is good too.


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