A Spatchcock Turkey cooks faster and more evenly, and will be the most tender and juicy turkey you’ve ever cooked! Roasted or smoked, this turkey will wow your guests come Thanksgiving day. I love Thanksgiving leftovers! The big meal is fun, but sometimes it can be stressful. I love waking up the next morning and having a fridge full of food to make fun meals out of. If you have leftover turkey, you’ve got to try this Leftover Turkey Casserole or this delicious Turkey Pot Pie. I made Sausage Stuffing Balls last year with leftover stuffing, they were a total hit!
Spatchcock Turkey Recipe
Why should you spatchcock your turkey? Lots of reasons! Spatchcocking is when you butterfly it, or remove the backbone so that the bird will lay flat on the pan. It makes it so that the whole turkey is more evenly distributed on the roasting pan so it cooks faster and more evenly. This means less time in the oven and a more moist bird! It really is one of the best ways to cook turkey on Thanksgiving day! I have made turkey in a lot of different ways for the holidays. I really love the method of cooking a turkey in a bag, and I’ve even used my air fryer to cook a whole juicy and delicious air fryer turkey! Spatchcocking works for the oven, smoker, air fryer, or whatever you end up cooking your turkey in. It’s easy to do and I’ve got lots of tips to help you become a spatchcocking pro. Especially when you use this brine, you will have the most delicious flavor and a yummy moist turkey for your holiday dinner!
Ingredients
There is not much needed to make an incredible turkey dinner. You can choose the size of turkey that your family will need, but in this recipe, the cook time and amount of ingredients is for a 12-14 pound chicken. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Turkey: This recipe is for a 12-14 pound turkey. You will spatchcock the turkey, which means you will bring the legs out from under the bird by cutting the belly and flattening the backbone. It’s actually really simple! Make sure to remove the neck and giblet bagTurkey Seasoning: About ⅓ C of seasoning will season a 10-14 lb turkey. If you have a bigger turkey you will want to use more seasoning than that. This seasoning blend has the perfect spices for a holiday turkey like rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, garlic powder, and of course salt and pepper. It has a few other things but that’s just naming the main ones!Rosemary, Parsley, Orange Slices, and Cranberries: These are optional garnishes. You can use them if you like, they do make the plate look really pretty, and the smell of the fresh herbs and fruit is incredible! But this is your Thanksgiving turkey, make it exactly the way you like it!
How to Spatchcock a Turkey
If you have ever spatchcocked a chicken, this is the same process! A spatchcocked turkey is the way to go in my opinion, it cooks in less time and more evenly. It’s just as pretty on the plate and stays so juicy and delicious!
Spatchcock Roasted Turkey
Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Watch a Video: If you have read these instructions and still feel nervous, watch a video! There are lots of videos on the internet showing professional chefs spatchcocking a chicken, and this is no different. Watch a few to get familiar with the process.Practice: If you are nervous about messing up on your turkey, buy a whole chicken and practice ahead of time! It is smaller and less expensive, so there is less pressure to get it perfect the first time!How to Carve a Spatchcock Turkey: You will have to carve it a little differently, but it’s not harder! First, remove the legs and wings. You will remove the entire leg including the thigh at the joint. Next, separate the drumstick from the thigh. Then you will remove the breast from the bone and slice it. Finally, arrange it on a platter and you’re done!
In the Refrigerator: Store your turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Use it in other dishes to get the most out of your turkey!
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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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