One meat that I really enjoy is turkey; it tastes a lot like chicken. Well, they’re large and you’ll have a lot of leftovers, but really, it’s worth it, and how often can you get a large, fresh turkey each year?
Keywords: spatchcock turkey, cooking time per pound, juicy turkey, crispy skin, Thanksgiving, Christmas, holidays
Ditch the traditional roast turkey and embrace the spatchcock method for a faster, juicier, and crispier bird This technique involves removing the backbone and butterflying the turkey, resulting in a flat bird that cooks evenly and quickly.
Spatchcocking Benefits:
- Faster Cooking: Spatchcocking exposes more surface area to the heat, leading to a significantly faster cooking time. Expect a 60-90 minute cook time for a spatchcock turkey, compared to 3-4 hours for a traditional roast.
- Juicier Meat: The shorter cooking time prevents the turkey from drying out, resulting in succulent and flavorful meat.
- Crispier Skin: With all the skin exposed to the hot oven air, spatchcocking guarantees a beautifully browned and crispy skin.
- No Special Equipment: Unlike traditional roasting, spatchcocking requires minimal equipment. All you need is a large rimmed baking sheet and a pair of kitchen shears.
How Long to Cook a Spatchcock Turkey per Pound:
- General Rule: A good rule of thumb is to cook a spatchcock turkey for 6 minutes per pound.
- Estimated Cooking Times:
- 11-12lb turkey: 75 minutes
- 12-14lb turkey: 85 minutes
- 14-16lb turkey: 95 minutes
- 16-18lb turkey: 105 minutes
- 18-20lb turkey: 120 minutes
- Temperature Check: Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the turkey is cooked through. The breast should reach an internal temperature of 150°F, while the thighs should reach 165°F.
Additional Tips:
- Brining: Brining is an optional step that can add extra flavor and moisture to the turkey. However, it’s not essential for a delicious spatchcock turkey.
- Oven Temperature: Roast the turkey in a preheated 450°F oven for optimal results.
- Resting: Allow the turkey to rest for 20 minutes after cooking to ensure the juices redistribute and the meat remains tender.
- Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and rubs to customize the flavor of your spatchcock turkey.
Spatchcocking is a simple yet effective technique that guarantees a delicious and perfectly cooked turkey. With its faster cooking time, juicier meat, and crispy skin, it’s the ideal method for busy cooks and holiday gatherings. So, this Thanksgiving or Christmas, embrace the spatchcock method and enjoy a stress-free and flavorful feast.
What size turkey does this work with?
Not because larger turkeys are less effective, but rather because a large turkey requires a very large oven to lay flat (along with a large baking sheet). This is why it works best with smaller turkeys. If your oven isn’t big enough to accommodate an 18 x 26-inch baking sheet, you may want to continue using the 14-pound birds and fill it up on the sides.
What is spatchcock turkey?
To remove the backbone and flatten the bird before roasting it is called “spatchcocking.” It’s better than roasting the bird whole because it allows for more even cooking because the delicate white meat isn’t exposed directly above the thighs and the legs don’t cover them. Additionally, it results in skin that is crispier, presents better, and allows you to immediately use the backbone and other bits to make stock and gravy.
Spatchcocked Turkey | Better. Faster. Juicier.
FAQ
What is the target temperature for a Spatchcock turkey?
How long to smoke a 20 lb spatchcock turkey at 325?
How long to grill a 15 lb spatchcock turkey?
Is a 20 lb turkey too big to spatchcock?
How do you cook a Spatchcock Turkey?
A much better way to roast Thanksgiving turkey. White and dark meat came out juicy and correctly cooked at the same time (90 mins at 425-450). Dry brined for 2 days after butterflying. Put apple, onion, sage, thyme & parsley under and smeared compound butter under skin and over legs. Spatchcocked turkeys are wider than whole ones (duh).
How long does it take to cook a 10 pound turkey?
Roast in a preheated oven for about 90 minutes, rotating every 30 minutes. Increase the temperature and continue roasting until the skin is crispy and golden. This recipe should result in a perfectly cooked 10-pound turkey after about an hour and 45 minutes of roasting.
How long do you cook a Spatchcock Turkey in a pressure cooker?
The cook time will be longer, generally around 10 hours on the low setting. Additionally, you will need to baste the turkey periodically during cooking to prevent it from drying out. If you’re short on time, cooking a spatchcock turkey in a pressure cooker is a great option.
How long does a Spatchcock turkey roast take to cook?
When a whole turkey is roasted, the lean breast meat is fully exposed, while the dark meat in the legs is comparatively protected. This means it’s very easy for the breast to dry out. With spatchcock turkey, white and dark meat cook more evenly. Faster. A 12-to 14-pound spatchcock turkey roasts in about 1 hour.