Easiest way to skin/clean a turkey

[Guest TheNumber1Young1]

Ok, i know this sounds stupid, but ive killed a good number of deer, but never a turkey simply because i dont know how to clean/skin it. So now that turkey season is in i want to get one, So after i shoot, get the turkey, and check it in, what do i do? Do you gut it like a deer? What pieces of meat do you get out and how do you get it out?(be specific please, i dont want to kill a turkey and look at it dumbfounded, Lol) Advise is much appreciated, i know you guys/gals can come through for me..

[WaCoyote]

Re: Easiest way to skin/clean a turkey

Lots of different opinions here, but I would strongly recommend plucking and deep frying. I've cut them up before but I really thought it was bad that way. Tough and gamy. Deep frying locks the moisture in and it's reall really good that way. I just can't stress it enough.

Plucking only takes about 10-15 minutes if you do it while the birds still fresh. Just cut off the head, wings and feet after you pluck most of the bird and your done. Turkeys are way easier than geese if you've ever done them b4.

If skinning is what you want to do thats real easy, just lay the bird on it's back and peel the skin off starting at the breast. Then fillet the meat off the bone. All in all the time spent is about the same but deep frying in my opinion is the only way to go.

[Leo]

Re: Easiest way to skin/clean a turkey

I skin mine.

Breast meat makes awesome fajitas.

Lot's of guys toss the drumsticks on mature 2yr or older birds cause the meat is super tough. I did for awhile but not anymore.

Take one whole skinned drumstick bones and all, put it in a crockpot and cover it with chicken broth (canned stuff). You can add a little water if you don't have enough broth (figure at least three cans depends on pot size) but don't dilute it too much. Make sure it covers all the meat.

Put the top on and set the crockpot on low. Leave the leg in there at least 12hrs (overnight is about right, don't worry about over doing it, the longer it's in there the more tender. You can put it in the night before, go to work the next day and finish that night. Just make sure you leave that thing on.)

Save the broth. Let the drumstick cool and you should be able to pull tendons and bones out clean and easy. Throw out the bones and tendons. Dice up the meat. Use the broth instead of water to make a pot of Yellow Saffron rice. Add the meat after the rice is done. Add a little more broth to get it soupier if you like. Once it warms thru dig in.

It's worth the effort and not nearly as hard as it may sound. Makes a decent meal out of what a lot of folks figure is junk.

[WaCoyote]

Re: Easiest way to skin/clean a turkey

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It's worth the effort and not nearly as hard as it may sound. Makes a decent meal out of what a lot of folks figure is junk.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree, I do the same with my pheasant thighs and legs.

[mo_hunter]

Re: Easiest way to skin/clean a turkey

I cut the breast out and throw the rest in the ditch. IMO the dark meat on a turkey isn't fit to eat unless it's a very young bird. Sometimes I cut it the breast up and fry it rolled in flour. Sometimes I 'll cut it in strips against the grain and grill it with some BBQ sauce and alittle garlic. That's the way my family has always done it.