How to Cook a Spatchcocked Turkey

This method is the quickest way to cook a whole turkey. It ensures even cooking of the meat, and produces super crisp skin. This recipe is a winner!

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“If you want to learn the quickest, easiest, laziest way to make a turkey this recipe is for YOU!”

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That was what I wrote on my personal Facebook wall the day I made this. I put that up on my page to let all my friends and family know I was challenging myself to make a holiday meal from start to finish in under 2 hours.

Crazy, right?

It’s not crazy at all. I know it seems like it is, but it’s completely doable. They key to success was making a spatchcocked turkey. That cuts the turkey cooking time down considerably. So you don’t have to babysit your bird all day long.

If you are unfamiliar with what a spatchcocked turkey is, it’s basically a flattened turkey. People refer to the method as “butterfly”, “flattened”, and “spatchcocked”. You remove the backbone and flatten the turkey by pressing down.

You can also use a brick to help flatten it even more. I make Brick Chicken often. It’s utterly delicious and you can make it on the grill in a flash. It’s a great cooking method, and it’s so much faster than cooking the bird traditionally.

What I absolutely love about this is the turkey cooks evenly. Most of the time when you cook a turkey the traditional way you end up with overcooked parts, and undercooked parts. That’s likely why many people dislike turkey.

Turkey is absolutely delicious if cooked properly. If it’s not cooked properly you will end up scaring off future generations of turkey loving peeps. One bad bird can ruin a life, people. Or many lives. No joke.

So “turkey” responsibly this holiday season. Make this spatchcocked turkey for Thanksgiving! Do it for all the future generations of turkey loving peeps. Turkey deserves your love and adoration. So cook it with love and care.

Looking for more Thanksgiving/Holiday Recipes? Check these out:

• Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Smashed Potatoes with Onions and Garlic
• Parmesan Smashed Potatoes
• Lamb Chops with Peach Salsa
• Balsamic Roasted Baby Carrots
• Kim’s Cheater Stuffing

Check out these amazing Spatchcocked Turkey Recipes from around the web:

• How to Cook a Spatchcocked Turkey from Serious Eats
• Spatchcocked Turkey with Anise and Orange from Bon Appétit
• How to Spatchcock a Turkey from Martha Stewart
• Spatchcocked Roast Turkey from Food 52
• Butterflied, Dry Brined Roasted Turkey from Food Network

To learn how to spatchcock your own turkey watch this great video How to Spatchcock a Turkey from NY Times. The legendary Mark Bittman shows you exactly how to do it at home. All by your little old self.

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How to Cook a Spatchcocked Turkey

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

1 hr 20 mins

Total Time

1 hr 30 mins

 

This method is the quickest way to cook a whole turkey. It ensures even cooking of the meat, and produces super crisp skin. This recipe is a winner!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Turkey

Keyword: how to cook a spatchcocked turkey, spatchcock turkey

Servings: 12

Calories: 499 kcal

Author: Kim Beaulieu

Ingredients

• 12 pound turkey, spatchcocked
• 1/4 cup butter
• 4 sprigs Rosemary
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 heads garlic, cut through the equator
• 1 large vidalia onion, chopped into large pieces
• 8 baby carrots, chopped into large pieces
• 12 roma tomatoes, whole or halved
• 4 celery stalks, chopped into large pieces

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. In a small saucepan melt the butter and toss in a few sprigs of rosemary. Allow the butter to bubble up for a few minutes, then lower the heat to a simmer for a few minutes. Take off heat, and leave the rosemary in the butter while you prep the bird.
3. Line a large rimmed pan with tinfoil. Spray with non-stick spray.
4. Toss chopped vegetables in the pan. Cover the pan with a flat rack.
5. Season the turkey generously with salt and pepper on bottom side. Place the turkey cut side down on the baking pan. Brush with butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Place turkey in the oven on the middle rack, and cook for 80 to 90 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches of the breast is approximately 150 degrees, and the thigh reaches approximately 165 degrees. My turkey took 80 minutes.
7. Remove the turkey from the oven. Allow to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
8. Serve with a big turkey loving smile!

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is a rough estimate. Results can vary depending on ingredients and products. 

 

If you made this recipe considering giving it a star rating or leave a comment!

Nutrition Facts

How to Cook a Spatchcocked Turkey

Amount Per Serving

Calories 499 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 22g 34%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 242mg 81%

Sodium 604mg 25%

Potassium 790mg 23%

Total Carbohydrates 2g 1%

Protein 70g 140%

Vitamin A 25.6%

Vitamin C 2.5%

Calcium 5.2%

Iron 16.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I used Serious Eats method for inspiration. Let’s face it, they are the epitome of perfection where cooking is concerned.

This turkey is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Thanks for visiting today!

Swing by my recipe index for more great ideas for everything from dessert to dinner. You can search for more Thanksgiving recipes, as well as Christmas recipes, and Easter recipes.

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Toodles! xx