# A Spatchcock Turkey: The Simplest, Quickest, Most Attractive Turkey You Will Ever Prepare

Turkey is a favored meat, often viewed as a more robust version of chicken. It’s sizable, provides ample leftovers, and is ideal for special celebrations. Although many choose ham or prime rib during holiday times, there’s something distinctly fulfilling about serving a beautifully roasted turkey. Spatchcocking is a technique that enhances your turkey preparation, making it simpler and swifter.

## What is Spatchcock Turkey?

Spatchcocking entails removing the turkey’s backbone and flattening it prior to roasting. This approach encourages uniform cooking, as the thighs are not concealed by the legs, and the tender white meat is not excessively exposed. The outcome is crispier skin, a more appealing presentation, and the chance to utilize the backbone and other scraps for instant gravy or stock preparation.

## How to Spatchcock a Turkey

1. **Prep**: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels and position it breast side down in a large, clean sink or roasting tray.
2. **Remove the Backbone**: With kitchen shears, cut along the backbone, starting from the tail to the neck. Repeat on the opposite side to completely detach the backbone.
3. **Trim**: Cut away any excess fat or skin, including the tail and neck fat. These scraps can be repurposed for gravy.
4. **Flip and Flatten**: Rotate the turkey so the breast is facing upward. Press down firmly on the breast bone until you hear cracks, flattening the bird. Tuck the wing tips behind the breast.
5. **Season**: Set the turkey on a rack in a baking sheet, rub with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

## Cooking Times for Spatchcock Turkey

– 11-12 lb turkey: around 75 minutes
– 12-14 lb turkey: roughly 1 hour 25 minutes
– 14-16 lb turkey: about 1 hour 35 minutes
– 16-18 lb turkey: approximately 1 hour 50 minutes
– 18-20 lb turkey: about 2 hours

Always utilize a meat thermometer to confirm the breast reaches 150°F and the thighs hit 165°F.

## Should You Brine Your Turkey First?

Spatchcock turkey is typically juicy and tasty without the need for brining. If you usually brine your turkey, you can continue to do so, but it’s not essential for this preparation method. Brining may sometimes result in excessively salty meat.

## What Size Turkey Works Best?

Spatchcocking is most efficient with smaller turkeys. Larger birds need additional space and a bigger oven to lay flat. If your oven can’t accommodate a full-size baking tray, consider opting for a smaller bird.

## Reasons to Make a Spatchcock Turkey

1. **Immediate Use of Backbone**: You can use the backbone for gravy and stock instantly.
2. **Faster Cooking**: A flattened turkey cooks uniformly and quickly, often completing in around an hour and twenty minutes.
3. **Crispier Skin**: The flat shape allows all the skin to be exposed to heat, yielding a crisper texture.
4. **Even Cooking**: Flattening the turkey guarantees that both white and dark meat cook at the same pace.

## How to Carve a Spatchcock Turkey

1. Detach the thighs, drumsticks, and wings from the turkey.
2. Debone the thigh meat and set it aside.
3. Remove the breast meat from the carcass and cut into even slices.
4. Arrange the sliced breast on a platter, add the drumsticks and wings, and fill in the spaces with deboned thigh meat.

## Sides and Stuffing

While a citrus herb butter can elevate the flavor, turkey is delightful with just salt and pepper. Feel free to try out different seasonings, but the secret to success lies in the spatchcocking method.

Savor your beautifully roasted spatchcock turkey, ideal for any celebration!

# Spatchcock Turkey: The Ultimate Holiday Recipe

With some expertise and a handful of seasonings, this spatchcock turkey recipe will become your holiday favorite. A butterflied turkey is enhanced with oil, seasonings, and fresh herbs, and cooked to succulent perfection.

## What is Spatchcock Turkey?

In simple terms, spatchcocking refers to butterflying (flattening) an entire turkey to ensure it cooks uniformly from the wing tips to the neck, while saving a significant amount of oven time.

### Advantages of Spatchcocking

– **Flavor**: A lean turkey remains juicy and tender with a delicious, seasoned, crispy skin cooked spatchcock-style.
– **Technique**: Eliminate the guesswork of preparing a whole holiday turkey with the spatchcock method. It requires some preparation, but the turkey cooks quicker and more evenly.
– **Essential Tools**: Poultry shears are a must-have for neatly and effectively removing the backbone (which you can save for turkey stock). A deep-rimmed baking tray will collect all the flavorful broth for turkey gravy.

## How to Spatchcock a Turkey

1. With kitchen shears, cut the backbone out on both sides.
2. Make a cut along the breast bone in the center to “score” it.
3. Turn it over and flatten the turkey.
4. Tuck the wing tips beneath the turkey.
5. Season and cook according to the recipe below.

## How to Cook a Spatchcock Turkey

1. Take out the neck and giblets (keep them with the backbone for broth or gravy).
2. Spatchcock the turkey as described.
3. Mix oil and herbs, then brush over the top of the turkey with salt and pepper.
4. Roast until the skin becomes browned and crispy.
5. Take the bird out of the oven, tent it with foil, and allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

### FAQs

**What size should the turkey be?**
I’ve used a turkey up to 20 pounds, but anything over 16 can be challenging since it’s difficult to find a pan large enough for a spatchcocked bird. I recommend a turkey weighing about 10-14 lbs.

**What seasonings should I use?**
I prefer to keep it straightforward with fresh herbs and a touch of olive oil. You can add garlic powder, but fresh garlic may burn at high temperatures. I typically don’t use a wire rack, but occasionally I place a few onion slices and celery ribs under the turkey for added flavor. Generously season the skin with kosher salt and black pepper.

**What’s the ideal temperature to roast a turkey?**
Flattening aids in ensuring it cooks evenly and perfectly each time. A high temperature locks in the juices and guarantees crispy skin. Roast at 450°F for a standard turkey. Roast at 425°F for a butter-basted (or Butterball) turkey. The turkey should be cooked until a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 165°F. As with all roasted meats, let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.

**How long to roast a spatchcock turkey?**
You should roast the turkey for 1 ¼ hrs to 1 ½ hrs, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.

## Turkey Dinner Essentials

Did you prepare this Spatchcock Turkey? Please leave a rating and comment below.

### Recipe Summary

– **Servings**: 12
– **Prep Time**: 20 minutes
– **Cook Time**: 1 hour 15 minutes
– **Resting Time**: 15 minutes
– **Total Time**: 1 hour 50 minutes

### Directions

1. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey (and save for broth or gravy).
2. Position the turkey on a work surface, breast side down, with the backbone facing up. Using poultry shears, cut along each side of the backbone to completely detach it (reserve the bone for broth or gravy).
3. Score the breastbone with a sharp knife to aid in flattening the turkey.
4. Flip the turkey over, breast side up. Press down on the turkey with your palms to flatten it. You should hear the cartilage in the breastbone crack as it flattens.
5. Tuck the wing tips under or snip them off and reserve for gravy.
6. Optionally, cover the turkey with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight. Discard any juices in the baking tray before roasting.
7. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Combine olive oil and chopped fresh herbs. Set aside.
8. Place the turkey on a baking sheet with a large rim. Pat the skin dry with paper towels. Brush with the olive oil mixture and season generously with salt and pepper.
9. Roast the turkey

**7-Day Nutritious Meal Plan for November 10-16**

With the refreshing chill of November arriving, it’s an ideal moment to concentrate on providing your body with nutritious dishes. Here’s a 7-day nutritious meal plan that harmonizes nutrients and tastes, making sure you remain lively and content throughout the week.

**Day 1: November 10**

– **Breakfast:** Oatmeal garnished with sliced almonds, seasonal berries, and a drizzle of honey.
– **Lunch:** Grilled chicken salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
– **Dinner:** Roasted salmon accompanied by quinoa and steamed broccoli.
– **Snack:** Greek yogurt sprinkled with granola.

**Day 2: November 11**

– **Breakfast:** Spinach and banana smoothie blended with almond milk and a scoop of protein powder.
– **Lunch:** Wrap of turkey and avocado using a whole-grain tortilla served with carrot sticks.
– **Dinner:** Tofu stir-fry with bell peppers, broccoli, and brown rice.
– **Snack:** Sliced apple with almond butter.

**Day 3: November 12**

– **Breakfast:** Whole-grain toast topped with avocado and poached eggs.
– **Lunch:** Lentil soup paired with a mixed greens salad.
– **Dinner:** Shrimp tacos grilled with cabbage slaw and lime crema.
– **Snack:** A handful of assorted nuts.

**Day 4: November 13**

– **Breakfast:** Chia pudding made with almond milk and garnished with mango slices.
– **Lunch:** Quinoa and black bean salad including corn, red onion, and cilantro.
– **Dinner:** Baked chicken breast served with roasted sweet potatoes and green beans.
– **Snack:** Celery sticks paired with hummus.

**Day 5: November 14**

– **Breakfast:** Scrambled eggs with spinach and tomato.
– **Lunch:** Whole-grain pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
– **Dinner:** Beef stir-fry with snow peas served over brown rice.
– **Snack:** Slices of orange.

**Day 6: November 15**

– **Breakfast:** Yogurt parfait layered with granola and mixed berries.
– **Lunch:** Grilled vegetable wrap with hummus.
– **Dinner:** Cod with herb crust served alongside wild rice and asparagus.
– **Snack:** Cucumber slices with tzatziki.

**Day 7: November 16**

– **Breakfast:** Whole wheat banana pancakes topped with a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
– **Lunch:** Chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta served with quinoa.
– **Dinner:** Chickpea and vegetable curry served with basmati rice.
– **Snack:** A square of dark chocolate with a handful of almonds.

This meal plan provides a selection of proteins, whole grains, and fresh produce, guaranteeing a balanced supply of vital nutrients. Modify portion sizes and ingredients according to your dietary requirements and preferences. Enjoy a week filled with nutritious and tasty dishes!

I use one every day!
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Alex & Sonja: The Culinary Pair Behind A Couple Cooks

Introducing Alex and Sonja Overhiser, the vibrant pair behind the esteemed culinary platform, A Couple Cooks. As authors of two celebrated cookbooks, active parents, and a genuine couple, Alex and Sonja have transformed their love for cooking into a flourishing online community. Since launching in 2010, A Couple Cooks has emerged as a key resource for food lovers in search of straightforward, seasonal recipes and the joy that comes with cooking.

Their journey started with a mutual passion for food and a mission to make cooking both accessible and enjoyable for all. Over time, they have created thousands of unique recipes, each made with love and meticulous attention. Their dishes not only tantalize the taste buds but also highlight the significance of utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients for nutritious meals.

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Through their platform, Alex and Sonja have cultivated a lively community of food enthusiasts who share in their passion for cooking. Their commitment to nurturing a love for food and family is clear in every recipe and blog entry, making A Couple Cooks a cherished place for anyone seeking to dive into the realm of home cooking.

In an age where convenience frequently overshadows tradition, Alex and Sonja remind us of the basic joys of cooking and sharing meals with those we care about. Their narrative exemplifies the capacity of food to unite people, one delectable recipe at a time.