Karin Van Valkenberg’s
Grilled Thanksgiving Turkey
Costco’s Pat Volchok smelled the luscious aroma of a turkey
cooking in her neighbor’s yard last Thanksgiving and begged
for the recipe. Graciously responding to the request, this
Seattle member wrote, “I’ve been cooking turkeys this way
for a long time. It’s so easy that I now do it all year round.”
1 cup rock salt
2 cups brown sugar
14- to 16-pound turkey, trussed
1. Prepare brine of rock salt, brown sugar and at least 2
quarts of water. Place bird in a deep bucket or pot. Add brine
and more water if needed to cover the turkey completely.
Cover and let soak in the refrigerator for 2 days.
2. Heat lots of coals in a barbecue kettle. When hot, move
the coals to evenly distribute around the perimeter. Make an
aluminum pan from foil and place in the cleared-out center.
This is called the indirect heat method.
3. Place the turkey (discard the brine) breast side down in
the pan and cover the kettle. You can add alder chips that
have been soaked in water to the coals every so often for a
smoked taste. Turn the turkey after it has browned. Karin
notes, “Usually, a 14- to 16-pound turkey takes 2-plus hours
to cook.” Makes 10-12 servings.
FOSTER FARMS TURKEY TALK
PREPARATION:
• Remove wrapper from turkey. Remove hock lock from
legs; pull neck and giblets from cavities. Rinse turkey inside
and out with cold water. Pat dry.
• Stuff cavities lightly with stuffing, if desired. Stuffing
expands as it cooks.
• Skewer cavity openings to secure stuffing. Tie legs together
or return to hock lock; twist wing tips under the back.
ROASTING:
• The turkey is cooked when the meat thermometer reads
180°F to 185°F at the thigh, or 170°F to 175°F at the
breast, and the center of the stuffing reaches at least 165°F.
Drumstick should twist easily in socket, and juices should
run clear, with no traces of pink when pierced with a fork.
• For easy slicing, let turkey stand 20 minutes after removing
from oven.
Costco Member
Karin Van Valkenberg
Costco Fresh Turkeys Gobbled Up
The better taste and The birds usually arrive in
convenience of a ready-to- most locations 10 days
cook turkey is something ahead and are available until
that is highly appealing to the holiday. The vast majority
Costco members. More of these fresh turkeys are
than 350,000 of the fresh toms (males) ranging from
(never frozen) 100 percent 18 to 24 pounds. The smaller
natural turkeys from Foster hens (females), in the 10-
Farms and Butterball were to 16-pound range, are also
sold last Thanksgiving in brought in for Thanksgiving
Costco warehouses and and carried again for the
business-delivery centers. December holidays.
THANKSGIVING GATHERING
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