When you think of roasting a turkey you may consider heading out to the meat department of your local grocery store. But roasting a wild turkey provides a special alternative main dish for holiday parties or family meals. Preparing a wild turkey is similar to a domestic farm-raised turkey but a wild turkey is leaner which can result in dry meat. As a result, cooking a wild turkey starts with a brine solution and ends with the meat cooked to a precise internal temperature in the hot oven or grill.
Step 1
Prepare the brine solution. Mix water, salt and black pepper in a bucket and place the turkey in the brine mixture. Make sure the entire turkey is submerged and place in the refrigerator for eight to 12 hours.
Step 2
Preheat the oven or grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3
Remove the wild turkey from the brine solution, rinse with cold water and dry with paper towels. Stuff the apples, onions and celery into the cavity and place in large roasting dish.
Step 4
Roast the wild turkey breast side up for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees and flip the turkey to breast side down. Cook for another 1 1/2 hours.
Step 5
Cook the wild turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees. A wild turkey typically requires about 12 to 20 minutes per pound, depending on the cooking temperature.
Step 6
Remove the wild turkey from the oven or grill and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before carving.
Tips and Warnings
- For the non-hunter, contact your state wildlife conservation organization about obtaining a wild turkey for roasting. You can also contact a local turkey hunter for an extra wild turkey.
- Wild turkey meat is leaner than domestic turkey and can become dry if cooked too long. Carefully watch the cooking and internal temperature for precise cooking.
Things You'll Need
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 1/4 cups kosher salt
- 1 cup black pepper
- 5-gallon bucket
- Wild turkey
- Refrigerator
- Grill or oven
- Running water
- Paper towels
- 2 apples, cut into pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- Baking dish
- Meat thermometer
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