It may sound like a joke but you won't be laughing after you try turkey cooked this way!
Here is what you will need:
1 Roll of Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
24 inch wood 2x2 post
Large bag of Charcoal
Shovel
1 (12 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
NEW 15 gallon metal garbage can with lid
Pair of heavy gloves
First, prepare your turkey. It should be thawed and the giblets removed (for gravy of course!). Rub the outside of the turkey with vegetable oil and then sprinkle with seasonings. We like to use garlic salt and lemon pepper but any of your favorite seasonings would work. We've tried poultry seasoning and Old Bay for a change up.
Outside, bury the wood post about 6 inches in the ground. Cover it with foil and then lay sheets of foil all around the area for about 2- 3 feet around the post.
On a second patch of foil start some charcoal burning.
Place the turkey on the post with it's legs downward. Put the trash can over the top of the turkey being sure to get it centered.
Shovel the burning coals all around the outside of the trash can base and 1 to 2 inches deep. Top the can with more burning coals. DO NOT LIFT THE CAN DURING COOKING!
A 12 pound turkey will cook in about an hour and 15 minutes. When the time has elapsed, grab the heavy gloves and lift the can off the turkey carefully. It will be VERY HOT!
The internal temperature of the turkey needs to be at least 180 degrees when taken in the thickest part of the thigh.
You will find that different types of grass produce different flavors - really! Be aware that this method of cooking will leave a burn ring in the grass so if you are at a campground you may want to ask for permission before doing this! If it's summer, you could go to a home and garden store and buy a patch of grass to cook the turkey on.
Cooking Times:
10 lbs 50 mins
12 lbs 1hr
14 lbs 1hr 25mins
16 lbs 1hr 40mins
18 lbs 2hrs 5 mins
20 lbs 2hrs 15mins
22 lbs 2hrs 25 mins