Thanksgiving Turkey, on my Weber, of course!

We really had a beautiful day today! It was supposed to be cloudy and drizzling but it was in the 50's and partly sunny.

 

 

 
Dessert was pumpkin & pecan pies and red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
 

 

 
Hope everyone had a great day!

Holy Moly that looks AWESOME!!!!

How big of a turkey was it and how long did it take you?

It was about 12 pounds and it took about 3 hours. I also used mostly cherywood chips and a handful of mesquite. I was very nervous about doing it. We were surprised at how juicy it was.

That looks fantastic! Did you add anything to the drip pan for extra moisture?

The Bird looks GREAT!! At only 3 hours I will be making one for Christmas.
I would have thought it would have taken 5 hrs to cook.

HDtravlr1


That looks fantastic! Did you add anything to the drip pan for extra moisture?

Yes, I put water in the drip pan.

Tony White


The Bird looks GREAT!! At only 3 hours I will be making one for Christmas.
I would have thought it would have taken 5 hrs to cook.

That's why I stuck to a smaller bird. Honostly, I didn't know how long it would take. I love my remote thermometer and reccomend getting one, if you don't already have one. We had all the sides done ahead of time, scalloped corn, sausage stuffing, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and green beans. What I liked mostly was not having to bake the desserts the night before. Let us know how your Christmas bird turns out.

agnesrob, that looks wonderful...as do the desserts I'm all about those red velvet cupcakes. What recipes do you use for them and the frosting?

What temp do you have the thermo go off at? 160?

I set the thermo to go off at 170. Took it off and let stand about 15 minutes.
The cupcakes were a new thing for me at Thanksgiving but I can see them becoming a new tradition for our family.

RED VELVET CAKE
 
2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c oil
1 c buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cocoa
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vinegar
1-2oz bottle red food coloring (or 2-1oz bottle)
Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350F for about 20 to 25 minute. Makes 18 cupcakes
Icing:
About 2 cups confectioner's sugar (sifted)
½  stick butter, softened
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 ½  tsp vanilla
 
 Combine butter, cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Add confectioner’s sugar until you get the taste and texture you want. It may take more or less sugar.
 

Awesome! Thanks for that. Just curious....where's the recipe from?

agnesrob, I forgot to ask you what type of rub was used.

EatingTheRoad


Awesome! Thanks for that. Just curious....where's the recipe from?

They are both combinations of recipes I found in different places on the web. I rarely follow a recipe exactly.

Tony White


agnesrob, I forgot to ask you what type of rub was used.

No rub. Just olive oil, S&P. I did stuff the cavity with fresh herbs from my garden, onion, celery & carrots. That beautiful color is from the wood smoke.

Great looking bird...been a while since I did one on the Weber.. maybe next year.

It does look perfect. How open were the top and bottom vents and did you have to add more wood during the cooking.

Beautiful agnesrob. That cherry wood does a great job on poultry, I like to mix it with some apple as well.

agnesrob, That is one perfect turkey.  This is something I am going to have to try.
 
Were you able to go 3 hours on one fill of charcoal?

markolenski


It does look perfect. How open were the top and bottom vents and did you have to add more wood during the cooking.

Top and bottom vents open. Added a hanful of woodchips every half hour.

John A


Beautiful agnesrob. That cherry wood does a great job on poultry, I like to mix it with some apple as well.

John, I had actually planned on apple as well. I guess I used it up and didn't realize. I will definately get more.

joerogo


agnesrob, That is one perfect turkey.  This is something I am going to have to try.
 
Were you able to go 3 hours on one fill of charcoal?

Yes, I was. I was prepared to maybe start some more coals but saw that the temp seemed steady enough so I waited it out.

joerogo


Were you able to go 3 hours on one fill of charcoal?

Joe, you must not be too familiar with Weber products...
 
Agnes, that's one terrific turkey!  I agree that cherry adds great color to poultry skin.
 
Brad

Brad_Olson

joerogo


Were you able to go 3 hours on one fill of charcoal?

Joe, you must not be too familiar with Weber products...
 
Agnes, that's one terrific turkey!  I agree that cherry adds great color to poultry skin.
 
Brad

 
Speaking of turkeys

Your pictures should be used as the poster turkey for perfectly cooked birds.

As a die-hard Weber man all I have to say is.....Beautiful!