From field to feast, we share a step-by-step guide to preparing the perfect wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner this year.
It’s November, which means it’s time to start planning the Thanksgiving Day menu. And, if you’re an avid turkey or game hunter, you might be wondering how to turn your prized turkey into a perfectly moist and delicious main dish.
To find out how we turned to an expert bow hunter and nutrition specialist.
Side note: If you’re hosting Thanksgiving on your homestead, check out these tips to make preparing, cooking and hosting a breeze!
Now onto how to prepare a wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Serving Wild Turkey is Worth Considering for Thanksgiving Dinner
Sarah Bowmar, a certified nutrition specialist and entrepreneur, has been a bow hunter since 2014. She and her husband, Josh, are the creators behind Bowmar Bowhunting, a thrilling YouTube channel that showcases their hunting trips “pushing the limits with unique, never-before-seen footage in the archery world.”
“Since I started bowhunting, my husband and I have been blessed enough to travel the world,” Bowmar reminisces. “My favorite memory will always be my first turkey hunt. I was a vegan when I met my husband — my archery bird that first season was the first meat I’d had in years.”
Preparing wild turkey is an art and science. It takes time and patience to perfect a moist, delicious bird for the Thanksgiving table.
According to Bowmar, wild turkey has a different but delightful taste and texture.
“Wild turkey tastes different because they are able to walk and move much more in the wild,” she explains. “Their leg meat is a little leaner, especially if you cook it in the crock-pot.”
Plus, did you know that eating wild turkey has particular health benefits? Yep! Check out our infographic to learn more.
Roast Whole or As Pieces
After a hunt, Bowmar recommends prepping your wild turkey immediately for best results.
“I recommend gutting and deboning your wild turkey right away in order to have the best-tasting meat,” says Bowmar.
Before freezing, decide whether you plan to roast the turkey whole or break it down into separate pieces.
Due to their large size, roasting a whole wild turkey may not be an option.
If this is the case, you can break the turkey down into individual pieces to either cook in the crock-pot (see the crock-pot section below), roast, or grill.
Cuts include:
- Breasts
- Thighs
- Legs
Note: Be sure to save the bones to make stock or gravy.
Here, we’ll walk you through how to prepare and roast a whole wild turkey or how to use a crock pot for cooking smaller pieces.
First, let’s look at how to prepare a whole wild turkey for Thanksgiving.
How to Prepare a Wild Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner
Step 1: Thaw frozen turkey meat
If your wild turkey has been stored in a freezer, pull it out and thaw in the refrigerator. Allow to fully thaw before moving onto step 2.
The amount of thawing time will vary depending on the turkey's weight. To be safe, allow about 24 hours for every 5 pounds of meat.
When the turkey’s temperature reaches 32 to 40 degrees, you can move on to the brining process.
step 2: brine turkey meat
Brining — the process of soaking a wild turkey in a salty and seasoned solution to enhance its flavor and texture — is an important step. So, don’t skip it!
This step is critical because wild turkey meat tends to be leaner than a store-bought bird.
The brining process helps create space in the turkey meat and muscle fibers for absorbing moisture, which helps keep the turkey from drying out while roasting.
Plan to brine a wild turkey 1 to 2 days before Thanksgiving Day.
Wild Turkey Brine Recipe:
Ingredients (for a 10 to 15 pound turkey):
- ~ 1 gallon water (the total amount will depend on how much you need. The rule of thumb is to use enough water to completely submerge the turkey.)
- 1 cup salt
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 apple, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons pepper
- Lemon or orange rinds
- Dried herbs to taste
How to Brine a Wild Turkey:
- Add the water, salt and sugar to a large stock pot or bowl — make sure it is big enough to fully submerge the turkey.
- Heat the water just enough to dissolve the salt and sugar.
- Let the turkey cool completely to room temperature, then put the pot or bowl of water in the refrigerator until chilled.
Note: The wet brine must be cold before adding the turkey. This keeps the meat from heating, which can cause the turkey to dry out. - Add bay leaves, apple, garlic, pepper, lemon and/or orange rinds and dried herbs to the water.
- Submerge the wild turkey completely in the wet brine. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days before roasting.
step 3: roasting a whole wild turkey for Thanksgiving
After soaking in the brine, your wild turkey is now ready to roast – a classic take on Thanksgiving’s main dish with a hint of wild and gamey flavor.
Roasted Whole Wild Turkey Recipe:
Ingredients:
- Whole Turkey (10 to 15 pounds)
- Cold water
- Melted butter or cooking oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Vegetables of choice, including:
- A few pounds of carrots, peeled and cut into small pieces or chunks
- A few onions, halved or quartered
- Celery, cut into chunks
- A few garlic cloves, quartered
- Lemon and/or orange rinds
- Seasonings and dried herbs of choice
How to Roast a Whole Wild Turkey:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Remove the turkey from the brine and rinse inside and out with cold, running water. Pat dry with paper towels.
Note: Remember, cold water is important to keep the meat from drying out before roasting. - Coat the wild turkey skin and cavity with melted butter or cooking oil of choice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the turkey carcass with vegetables, lemon and/or orange rinds, and any seasonings you prefer.
- In the roasting pan, lay parchment paper or aluminum foil (for easy clean up), and make a bed of cut vegetables, citrus rinds, seasonings and dried herbs.
- Place the turkey on top of the vegetable bed. Put in the oven to roast.
- Baste the turkey with butter, oil, or pan juices every hour.
- Once the skin begins to brown, make a tent out of aluminum foil and put on top of the turkey.
- Roast for 3 to 6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Note: The rule of thumb is to roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound. - Let cool and enjoy!
Read more on why eating wild game is great for you in our article, 9 Healthy Benefits of Eating Wild Game.
The Crock Pot Method
Another option for cooking wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is using a crock-pot. But note: this method is best suited for turkey that has been cut into smaller pieces (ie. breasts, legs, and thighs).
Bowmar prefers the crock-pot method over roasting, sharing that the meat is moist and juicy. It’s also the easiest method for preparing wild turkey for Thanksgiving. This method is like they say, “Just set it and forget it!”
“I like to cook the legs and breasts in a crock pot,” says Bowmar. “The meat is extremely tender and literally falls off the bones. All you need is water, sea salt, and turkey meat.”
Sarah Bowmar's Wild Turkey Crock Pot Method:
- In a crock pot, add thawed turkey legs, thighs and breasts.
- Cover with water.
- Add ¼ tsp sea salt.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Note: Slow-cooking a mature wild turkey is preferred as older meat tends to be tough, especially the thighs and legs.
Happy thanksgiving from rethink:rural!
We hope this article has helped to guide you on how to prepare the perfect wild turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Paired with homemade casseroles, a bowl of stuffing, and other seasonal sides, your holiday meal is sure to be truly memorable.
Happy Thanksgiving from our table to yours!
Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes for your dinner table? Check out:
- 10 Ways to Cook a Little Healthier this Thanksgiving (Without Sacrificing Tradition or Flavor)
- 7 Creative Ways to Use Pumpkin (Besides Pie and Cheesecake)
- 3 Country-Inspired Quick Breads to Make and Share
