Advise on Turkey Cook Plans

MFL · 11-24-2020, 10:02 PM

Purchased a 20lb turkey and planned on spatchcocking. In the process I decided to 1/4" out so now I have 2 leg quarters & 2 Breasts. I have them in the fridge dry brining with Harvest Brine.
I am figuring approximate times for the leg quarters to be around 4 hours and the breasts around 3 hours at 250 degree on my Stumps Baby. Do these times sound about right? I would like the Breast to be 160 & the leg 1/4 to be 180 when pulled. Should I cook at higher temp?
Just concerned they won't be ready when our planned dinner time hits. Is there a good way to hold turkey without drying it out?
Any advise would be appreciated.

EEBTTF · 11-24-2020, 10:45 PM

No harm in cranking up the temp to 300 and then check temp. As far as holding the turkey - you can always wrap in foil and put in a cooler. It's not like beef or pork - but it will hold for a good while.

I like to cook Poultry at 275-300.

friedenfels · 11-25-2020, 10:33 AM

If you want crispy skin, up your temps to 300-325. Start off with your skin as dry as possible, coat with a layer of fat - oil, butter, or I use duck fat. Baste every 45 minutes with melted butter.

MFL · 11-25-2020, 12:50 PM

Thanks guys. I will cook around 300 and shorten my time estimate to 3 1/2 hours for leg quarters & 2 1/2 for breasts. I will give myself a 1/2 hour window and put in my cooler if I'm early.
Wife gets very pissed when the meat isn't ready, sure wish I had a method of holding meat for extended periods.

11-24-2020, 10:02 PM	#1
MFL Got Wood. Join Date: 06-24-20 Location: Essexville, MI Name/Nickname : Pat	Advise on Turkey Cook Plans Purchased a 20lb turkey and planned on spatchcocking. In the process I decided to 1/4" out so now I have 2 leg quarters & 2 Breasts. I have them in the fridge dry brining with Harvest Brine. I am figuring approximate times for the leg quarters to be around 4 hours and the breasts around 3 hours at 250 degree on my Stumps Baby. Do these times sound about right? I would like the Breast to be 160 & the leg 1/4 to be 180 when pulled. Should I cook at higher temp? Just concerned they won't be ready when our planned dinner time hits. Is there a good way to hold turkey without drying it out? Any advise would be appreciated.

11-24-2020, 10:45 PM	#2
EEBTTF Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 10-16-20 Location: Georgia Name/Nickname : John	No harm in cranking up the temp to 300 and then check temp. As far as holding the turkey - you can always wrap in foil and put in a cooler. It's not like beef or pork - but it will hold for a good while. I like to cook Poultry at 275-300. __________________ Deep South GC28 Assassin 28 Multiple Stump's Smokers BGE Xl BGE L

11-25-2020, 10:33 AM	#3
friedenfels Found some matches. Join Date: 10-06-20 Location: Palmyra, VA Name/Nickname : Oz	If you want crispy skin, up your temps to 300-325. Start off with your skin as dry as possible, coat with a layer of fat - oil, butter, or I use duck fat. Baste every 45 minutes with melted butter.

11-25-2020, 12:50 PM	#4
MFL Got Wood. Join Date: 06-24-20 Location: Essexville, MI Name/Nickname : Pat	Thanks guys. I will cook around 300 and shorten my time estimate to 3 1/2 hours for leg quarters & 2 1/2 for breasts. I will give myself a 1/2 hour window and put in my cooler if I'm early. Wife gets very pissed when the meat isn't ready, sure wish I had a method of holding meat for extended periods.