Pulled BBQ Turkey

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits with BBQ pulled Turkey - photo by my amii

I really wanted to make Pulled BBQ Turkey for a healthier option to pulled pork.  However, I looked all over the internet and could not find a recipe which I wanted to imitate.  I've made Emeril's BBQ Pulled Pork before, which turned out great, so I used the same principles (specifically, the wet basting sauce) and incorporated them into my own turkey version.

Pulled Turkey with Homemade BBQ Sauce

3-4 lb turkey breast, on the bone with skin
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne

Wet Basting Sauce adapted from Emeril Lagasse 
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 T red pepper flakes
1 T salt
1/2 T pepper

Barbecue sauce
3 T butter
1/2 of a yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
3 T brown sugar
3 T mustard powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1 cup water
1 T tomato paste


Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place the seasonings for turkey (salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne) in small bowl.  Rub spice mixture on turkey - be sure to rub under the skin while leaving skin in tact. Let marinate for 30 minutes.

Prepare wet basting sauce:  Combine vinegars, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and whisk to combine flavors.

Barbecue sauce: Saute onions in butter until soft, add garlic and sauté for 30 more seconds.  Add ketchup, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard powder, paprika, cayenne, water and tomato paste.  Let simmer for 30 minutes. Puree with blender (emersion or regular), and add back to pot. Taste and adjust seasonings.  NOTE: This sauce is a sweet style barbecue.  If you prefer a spicier sauce try adding 1 T chipotle in adobe sauce to mixture while simmering.

Place seasoned turkey in a baking dish and cover with foil. Roast in oven for 20 minutes, then baste with wet sauce, continue basting every 20-30 minutes.  Slow roast turkey for about 2 hours. Once cooked, remove turkey to cutting board and let cool. Discard skin and bones and shred turkey meat.  Pour prepared BBQ sauce over shredded meat.

Serve on buns with pickles and coleslaw.

Serves 4

Comments

[Thom]

Hi! Pulled turkey sounds refreshing! There's no reason for this to be anything but good. I am a barbecue person, so I would cook it there.

I am not a BBQ sauce or marinating fan. Instead I brush on Catalina dressing in the final stages of cooking. It has all the right ingredients to make your pulled turkey come out great. Don't worry it will not taste like Catalina dressing.

Best to you, and I will follow your blog.

Thom
BBQing Tips From Deep In The Heart Of Oregon

[Heating Engineers]

Hi Amy, I've looked through your website many times in the past for your recipes and I want to say thank you for sharing these dishes. Pulled turkey sounds lovely and I'm sure to give this recipe a go at the weekend. I've used a few of your recipes for preparing meals for friends and family and each time my guests have enjoyed all of the food so thank you and I look forward to seeing more recipes from you in the future.