Author Topic: Which wood to use for turkey?  (Read 5743 times)

Brewsmoker

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Which wood to use for turkey?
« on: November 17, 2015, 12:38:33 PM »
I'm a newbie, just got my #2 a couple of weeks ago.  I have smoked baby backs (came out with good flavor, but a little tough; smoked at 225 for 4.5 hours) and reheated a cooked ham (turned out great).  Now to my question:  I'm a competitive guy and my wife is doing a 13lb. bird in the oven and I'm doing a 13lb. bird in the SI2.  Of course I want wifey's to be delicious, but I want mine to be deliciouser!  We will brine it overnight as well. 

So, is it mesquite, hickory, something else?  Appreciate any and all comments.
Bruce in Springfield, IL
Panama Canal Zone grown and raised

Grampy

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2015, 01:02:57 PM »
Bruce, I prefer pecan or hickory with pork and poultry. That is just my personal favorites. I would stay away from mesquite for chicken or turkey. Mesquite smoke is pretty harsh. However, mesquite does taste great with beef.
Jimmy from Arkadelphia, AR
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swthorpe

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2015, 01:32:29 PM »
I agree with Grampy that mesquite may be too strong for poultry.  My go-to wood for all poultry is cherry ... nice, sweet taste.   I will be doing a couple 7# turkey breasts for T-Day in the SI2 with cherry, and then a traditional turkey (16#) in the oven, which includes the stuffing.   Planning a dry run this weekend with one turkey breast in the smoker.
Steve from Delaware
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jcboxlot

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2015, 03:45:27 PM »
Cherry
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DivotMaker

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2015, 10:38:31 PM »
Bruce, go with cherry or maple - great on poultry!  Also, I suggest stuffing your bird with mire poix - equal parts chopped celery, onion and carrots (and maybe apple, or lemon slices).  This takes the meat flavor over the top!  Smoke at 250, until breast meat is 165.  Perfect bird, every time!  Of course, that's combined with your brining it first.
Tony from NW Arkansas
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smokeasaurus

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2015, 10:49:05 PM »
Cherry or Maple or Apple......Alder is real nice as well..............
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NDKoze

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2015, 10:56:22 PM »
Cherry for me. In addition to the mellow sweet smoke flavor, it will give your bird a nice dark color that looks great for presentation.
Gregg - Fargo, ND
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DivotMaker

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2015, 11:03:19 PM »
Cherry for me. In addition to the mellow sweet smoke flavor, it will give your bird a nice dark color that looks great for presentation.

Great point, Gregg!  Cherry makes the best deep mahogany color!
Tony from NW Arkansas
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Brewsmoker

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2015, 07:16:17 AM »
Thank you all so much for the guidance!  Happy Thanksgiving!!
Bruce in Springfield, IL
Panama Canal Zone grown and raised

Brewsmoker

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2015, 08:50:26 AM »
Bruce, go with cherry or maple - great on poultry!  Also, I suggest stuffing your bird with mire poix - equal parts chopped celery, onion and carrots (and maybe apple, or lemon slices).  This takes the meat flavor over the top!  Smoke at 250, until breast meat is 165.  Perfect bird, every time!  Of course, that's combined with your brining it first.
Tony-Thank you very much for a moist and super flavorful bird!  I followed your recipe and did add a little apple to the mire poix.  Used 3 oz. of cherry-very mild and delicious.  Smoked per your instructions and brined with your standard brine as well.  We all couldn't believe how moist the meat was!  I am thankful for this forum and the knowledge base!!  My wife and kids laugh at me while I'm quoting things from the forum, but I have the last laugh when the meat hits the table ;)
Bruce in Springfield, IL
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es1025

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2015, 10:25:44 AM »
Cherry or Apple for me.
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DivotMaker

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2015, 07:10:44 PM »
Bruce, go with cherry or maple - great on poultry!  Also, I suggest stuffing your bird with mire poix - equal parts chopped celery, onion and carrots (and maybe apple, or lemon slices).  This takes the meat flavor over the top!  Smoke at 250, until breast meat is 165.  Perfect bird, every time!  Of course, that's combined with your brining it first.
Tony-Thank you very much for a moist and super flavorful bird!  I followed your recipe and did add a little apple to the mire poix.  Used 3 oz. of cherry-very mild and delicious.  Smoked per your instructions and brined with your standard brine as well.  We all couldn't believe how moist the meat was!  I am thankful for this forum and the knowledge base!!  My wife and kids laugh at me while I'm quoting things from the forum, but I have the last laugh when the meat hits the table ;)

Thanks for the very kind compliment, Bruce!  So glad everyone liked it! :D   I often add apple to the mix, too.  I also chop up a lemon, sometimes, and add it.  You can be as creative as you want with the mire poix; no rules, except to use aromatic fruits and veggies.
Tony from NW Arkansas
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smokeasaurus

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2015, 09:34:57 PM »
As usual I am a day late and a dollar short  :o     Alder is really an unsung hero when people think of smoking wood. It is real mellow and nice. Try it on a whole chicken to try it out.

Alder.......it aint just for salmon anymore..... ;)
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Brewsmoker

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #13 on: December 01, 2015, 09:57:35 AM »
As usual I am a day late and a dollar short  :o     Alder is really an unsung hero when people think of smoking wood. It is real mellow and nice. Try it on a whole chicken to try it out.

Alder.......it aint just for salmon anymore..... ;)
Scott, I will give alder a try.  Thanks for the tip!
Bruce in Springfield, IL
Panama Canal Zone grown and raised

H3

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Re: Which wood to use for turkey?
« Reply #14 on: December 01, 2015, 02:21:42 PM »
I vote for Cherry. I just did a turkey breast and it was great.
Howard from Panama City Beach