Sharpie Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I need wisdom/advice. A friend of my dh is raising Thanksgiving turkeys. He asked my dh if we would purchase one. Not a problem until I found out said turkey will be a 40+ pounder. I've never cooked such a big bird and I don't have any pan big enough to cook such a turkey in. Typically I purchase the turkey bags to put the turkey in and the bags in my local grocery store aren't that big. I need specific links to pans that would work (prefer something that won't break the bank as I may never use it again). Advice, etc on cooking such a large bird are welcome. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 That is a big birdy!! Would it fit in a doubled large foil pan? (Doubled because of the weight). You can piece heavy duty foil together for the lid. If not, then overlap cookie sheets for the bottom, and make a "pan" with heavy duty foil to catch juices, and a pieced foil top. Also, I just thought of using a broiler pan for the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_to_cook_40_pound_turkey Sounds lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomsintheGarden Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Wow, that's big! I've only cooked a 26 lb. turkey, but if I had a bird that big, I'd brine it in my well-scrubbed laundry sink, then cut in half lengthwise and roast it in shifts in a large broiling pan. I hope you get some good advice. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Are you sure he didn't mean 40+ pounds BEFORE BUTCHERING? 'Cause a 40 pounder would give you about a 28lb dressed out turkey. But... if it's really 40 pounds, you can cut it up and cook the legs in a separate pan and cook the breasts flat in the roasting pan. That's the only way it would fit in my oven anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Um yeah, I am thinking that might be before butchering weight. DH used to work for a turkey processing facility and we could buy some pretty big birds. I am thinking 30 pounds was as big as we ever saw. If you have to go with an aluminum pan, be sure to put a cookie sheet under it. Or like PP said, you may have to roast it in pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted November 1, 2012 Author Share Posted November 1, 2012 Are you sure he didn't mean 40+ pounds BEFORE BUTCHERING? 'Cause a 40 pounder would give you about a 28lb dressed out turkey. I'm not 100% sure, as I want to talk to said friend but my dh indicated the friend said they were HUGE already and they had almost a month to go yet. I'm going to ask for the smallest one of the bunch. Thanks everyone for the advice thus far. I'm feeling a bit less overwhelmed at the thought. We'll only eat a fraction of the bird & freeze the rest I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rident_Mama Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Raised our own. 56 pound bird (dressed out). Cookie sheet under a giant aluminum roasting pan (I think DH got it at a restaurant supply store?). Make sure to cover the tops of the drumsticks with foil to keep it from burning against the elements! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 We soak ours in a brine for 2 days and then smoke it on the grill @ 350 degrees with radiant heat for 15 min. per pound. At 30 min. we foil the wings. Every 30 minutes thereafter we brush garlic olive oil on it. It frees up the oven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I too wonder if that's pre-dressed. I suppose you could butterfly it and roast just half of it. Though you might have to butterfly it with a chainsaw :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Raised our own. 56 pound bird (dressed out). Cookie sheet under a giant aluminum roasting pan (I think DH got it at a restaurant supply store?). Make sure to cover the tops of the drumsticks with foil to keep it from burning against the elements! How long does it take to roast a turkey that size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I'd roast half, and grind the other half to freeze in 1 lb portions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Holy moly :drool5: I love turkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela in GA Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 We raised turkeys this year. I think our biggest dressed out was 32.5lbs. I thought that was HUGE! The turkey we're cooking is 26.5 pounds. Still plenty big. I can't wait to try it. I have no idea what we're going to cook it in. I haven't thought about it yet. I'm pretty sure it won't fit in my biggest pan. :p We do a big get together with friends, since not a lot of people here in AK have family close. So, I'm really hoping one of my friends has a big enough roasting pan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 If your on the disboards forum, there is a lady on there who raised her own turkeys. I think the last on was 42 lbs after butchering. She had the hours it took to cook it. I loved the picture of it in the oven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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