Garbage Can Turkey

SUBMITTED BY: GLORIA2003 PHOTO BY: Joshua

"Not the conventional way of cooking a turkey but the results are amazing and the bird tastes wonderful. Seasoning can be added but is not necessary."

PREP TIME	30 Min
COOK TIME	2 Hrs
READY IN	2 Hrs 30 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 12 servings

USMETRIC

About scaling and conversions

INGREDIENTS

aluminum foil
15 inch wooden stake
1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
new 15 gallon metal garbage can with lid

READ REVIEWS (8)

DIRECTIONS

Lay about 3 long sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil out on the grass to make a square about 3x3 feet. Pound the wooden stake into the ground in the center of the aluminum foil.
Fill the lid of the garbage can with a large pile of charcoal, and light. Place the whole turkey (thawed of course) onto the stake, legs down. Turn the garbage can upside down, and place over the turkey. Place piles of lighted coals on the top, and around the sides of the can.
Cook for at least 1 1/2 hours, or keep going until coals go out. Do not lift can during cooking. Brush the charcoal off of the can, and lift off carefully as some heat may rush out when you lift the can. The internal temperature of the turkey should be at least 180 degrees F (83 degrees C) when taken in the thickest part of the thigh.

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REVIEWS

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Reviewed on May 16, 2005 by UTM

You don't need to go through that much work. Need the garbage can- no lid. Put stake 2" X 2" in ground 15" high. Place foil around steak and a piece over top if you don't want bird to touch wood. Foil around base of stake is in case bird gets so done it slides down stake. Place garbage can over turkey mounted on stake with legs down. Light 10 - 12#'s charcoal till turning white. Shoval about 3 briquette's wide around bottom of can with a shoval full on top. Let cook for 1 1/2 hours without removing can. Turkey will be done. No charcoal inside of can. If you wish set a can or 2 of beer inside can with turkey for additional moisture. I found it does't make a difference. Size of turkey is also irrelevant. I've done these in freezing temperatures outside and have always had great results. Bird size doesn't matter. Watch out for the dogs once the stake is in the ground.

37 users found this review helpful

Reviewed on Nov. 2, 2005 by Cookie L

This way to cook turkey is amazing! It's so moist and has a wonderful smokey flavor!! The important thing about the trash can is to burn off any galvinizing before the first time cooking with it. All you have to do is get a really hot fire going inside of it, then when the fire is out, dump the ashes.

26 users found this review helpful

Reviewed on Dec. 17, 2005 by CHARLES WRIGHT JR.

I have done this garbage can turkey for years.But I have went a little bit modern I now use a stainless steel stake and a stainless steel can. The turkey always comes out perfect. I also use 20# of k9ingsford chaircoal & leave it for 2 hrs. without opening the can.

17 users found this review helpful

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