Traveling to North Carolina and not experiencing its world-famous barbecue is like visiting Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. North Carolina-style barbecue is a holy trinity of smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors that has tantalized taste buds for generations. Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of North Carolina's barbecue legacy and discover the secrets to cooking the perfect North Carolina-style BBQ turkey. From selecting the right bird to mastering the art of smoking and basting, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to create a mouthwatering turkey that will leave you craving for more. So, put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to embark on a barbecue expedition like no other.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
NORTH CAROLINA BARBECUE TURKEY
A firestarter chimney or second smaller grill is essential to barbecuing turkey. For best results, use natural hardwood charcoal.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Turkey Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Rinse cavity of turkey, and pat dry with paper towel. Place turkey, breast-side down, in a deep bowl or roasting pan. Combine barbecue sauce, vinegar, pepper, and sugar; pour over turkey. Let marinate, refrigerated, at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Light a charcoal fire, and let it burn until the coals have become a white ash. Alternatively, heat half of a gas grill set on medium-high.
- Brush the entire turkey with the marinade. Place the turkey on the grill, breast-side up, near but not directly over the coals, or on the side of the gas grill that is not turned on. Close the grill lid, and cook turkey 4 to 4 1/2 hours, until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the leg and breast is 160 degrees. Baste with the marinade every 30 to 45 minutes, rotating the turkey a quarter turn each time. Add coals heated in a firestarter chimney as needed to maintain an even temperature.
- When the turkey is fully cooked, remove from the grill, and let sit for 15 minutes before carving. Serve with tomato-herb gravy if desired, or additional barbecue sauce.
NORTH CAROLINA EASY CHOPPED BARBECUE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Wrap pork in aluminum foil and place in a broiler pan. Cook for 7 hours, about 1 hour per pound. Remove from oven and let stand for 1 hour.
- Wearing heavy rubber gloves, pull skin from the meat and discard. Remove most of the fat and all of the bone. Cut meat into 8-ounce chunks and place in large pan.
- Place meat on a charcoal fire and cook, covered, for another 30 to 45 minutes, until well smoked, turning meat over every 10 to 15 minutes. Pour barbecue sauce over meat during the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking.
- Remove meat from the grill and chop into bite size pieces. Serve with additional barbecue sauce if desired.
- Mix all ingredients in a 6-quart stainless steel pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand, about 30 minutes. Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
NORTH CAROLINA-STYLE BBQ SAUCE
Blending two vinegars helps re-create the BBQ sauce we love from my mother's North Carolina roots. - Gloria McKinley, Lakeland, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 25m
Yield 1-2/3 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until flavors are blended.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 26 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 179mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges
EASY NORTH CAROLINA BARBEQUE
I just love vinegar-based barbeque. I looked high and low for an easy recipe for North Carolina barbeque; this is it! Be warned; your friends will want the recipe. Eat it with a fork or on rolls with coleslaw.
Provided by Phil
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Pork Shoulder Recipes
Time 9h10m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Trim the fat from the roast; place in slow cooker and cook on Low overnight, at least 8 hours.
- To make the sauce, whisk together the vinegar, melted butter, salt, lemon juice, crushed red pepper, hot sauce, black pepper, and sugar in a bowl.
- Carefully remove the roast to a cutting board. Pull the meat from the bone with a fork. Return the pork to the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the pulled pork. Simmer for 1 hour more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.6 calories, Carbohydrate 4.2 g, Cholesterol 134.1 mg, Fat 37.5 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 23.4 g, SaturatedFat 18.6 g, Sodium 1630.3 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
BBQ TURKEY
I don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. -Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 3h10m
Yield 24 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce).
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic in 1/4 cup oil until tender. Stir in the ketchup, water, syrup, vinegar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, celery seed, pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon pepper and ginger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Set aside 1-1/2 cups for serving., Remove giblets from turkey (discard or save for another use). Lightly oil the grill rack. Prepare grill for indirect heat, using a drip pan. Skewer turkey openings; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining oil over skin of turkey. Sprinkle salt and remaining pepper over turkey and inside cavity., Place turkey over drip pan, breast side up; grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 1 hour. Brush with some of the sauce mixture. Grill until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175°, 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer, basting frequently with remaining sauce. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving. Serve with reserved sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 355 calories, Fat 16g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 123mg cholesterol, Sodium 726mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 36g protein.
Tips:
- To ensure the turkey is cooked evenly, it's crucial to brine it for at least 12 hours or overnight. This process adds flavor and moisture to the meat, resulting in a succulent and juicy turkey.
- For a crispy skin, pat the turkey dry thoroughly before roasting. You can also brush the skin with melted butter or oil to enhance its crispiness.
- When roasting the turkey, use a roasting pan with a rack to elevate the turkey above the drippings. This allows the air to circulate around the turkey, promoting even cooking and preventing the meat from becoming soggy.
- To achieve a golden-brown color, baste the turkey with the reserved marinade or a mixture of melted butter, oil, and herbs every 30-45 minutes during roasting.
- To test if the turkey is done, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Conclusion:
North Carolina-style BBQ turkey is a flavorful and succulent dish that combines the richness of barbecue sauce with the delicate taste of turkey. With its crispy skin, juicy meat, and smoky flavor, this dish is a perfect centerpiece for any special occasion. Whether you choose to brine, smoke, or grill the turkey, the result will be a delicious and memorable meal that your family and friends will love. So, fire up your grill or smoker and get ready to experience the mouthwatering goodness of North Carolina-style BBQ turkey!
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