How Long to Cook a Spatchcock Turkey

Introduction

There are several different ways to cook a turkey, but spatchcocking is my favorite. This involves removing the backbone of a turkey and butterflying it so that it lays flat in the pan. It’s kind of like making a butterfly steak or chicken cutlet. Spatchcocked turkeys cook faster than standard turkeys do because their skin helps keep in moisture and cooks very fast on each side.

Spatchcock turkey is a great way to cook a turkey.

Spatchcocking is a technique used to prepare a turkey. It involves removing the backbone and breastbone, then flattening out the bird so it can be cooked more quickly and evenly.

Spatchcocking is a great way to cook turkeys, but it takes some time–about 45 minutes–and requires some skill with knives (you’ll need an extremely sharp knife). If you’re new to spatchcocking, we recommend using one of the many tools available on Amazon that make it easier than ever before:

It’s easier to cook than a standard-style turkey, because the skin helps keep in moisture and the bird cooks very quickly on each side.

how-long-to-cook-a-spatchcock-turkey

As with any turkey, it’s important to use a meat thermometer and check the temperature of your spatchcock turkey. The thigh should reach 165 degrees F, and the breast should be 160 degrees F.

The bird cooks very quickly on each side, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it as it cooks: If you’re cooking in an oven, turn once halfway through cooking and then again when you flip them over for good measure; if grilling outside (or using an indoor grill), flip once before taking them off their racks so that both sides get equal heat exposure.

You can do this in the oven or on the grill, but it’s best to avoid using a stovetop because it can be tricky to use a spatula without puncturing or tearing the bird.

You can do this in the oven or on the grill, but it’s best to avoid using a stovetop because it can be tricky to use a spatula without puncturing or tearing the bird.

  • Place a baking tray under your turkey so that any juices that run out of it will be caught by the tray.
  • Use a large, sturdy spatula to turn your spatchcocked turkey over when one side is done cooking (this should take about 15-20 minutes). Be careful not to pierce or tear its skin! You’ll also want to avoid using forks, spoons and knives for turning–these tools aren’t sturdy enough for this job and could cause damage if used improperly.

If you’re using an oven, set the temperature at 425 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 minutes per pound (if desired).

If you’re using an oven, set the temperature at 425 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20 minutes per pound (if desired).

When making turkey in the oven, remember not to forget these important steps:

  • Preheat your oven! Don’t be like me and forget about this most crucial step. You want to make sure that it’s nice and hot before putting your bird in there. If it’s not hot enough, then your bird could get overcooked or dried out before reaching its ideal cooking temperature–not ideal!
  • Rub some oil on top of each side of your turkey so that they don’t dry out while roasting in their own juices. This is especially important if you plan on serving any kind of gravy with them; otherwise they will be too dry unless covered in sauce which defeats the purpose of having a crispy skin!

After 20 minutes, turn over the bird and cook for another 20 minutes, then check its temperature with a meat thermometer (make sure it’s inserted into meat that isn’t touching bone).

When the turkey is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving.

While your turkey is resting, you can turn up the heat on your oven to 450 degrees F and bake stuffing in a separate baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray (about 30 minutes). If you’re not serving stuffing with your meal, you can skip this step entirely or simply cook it alongside the turkey in its own pan instead of baking two separate dishes at once!

If it’s not done yet, continue turning every 15 minutes until it hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now that you know how long to cook a turkey, let’s talk about how to tell when it’s done. When your bird hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the breast (without touching bone), then it’s ready to eat!

If it’s not done yet, continue turning every 15 minutes until it hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re using an instant-read thermometer like I did here, just insert into the thickest part of the breast–not touching bone–and wait for 5 seconds before taking out again and reading temperature on screen or gauge on end cap of probe handle.

You can cook a spatchcock turkey in about an hour.

You can cook a spatchcock turkey in about an hour. It’s easier to cook than a standard-style turkey, because the skin helps keep in moisture and the bird cooks very quickly on each side.

Here are some tips for how long to cook a spatchcock turkey:

  • Make sure you’ve got enough room in your oven–the rack should be at least 3 inches away from anything else in there so that it doesn’t get too hot or burn before it’s done cooking.
  • Don’t forget about your other dishes! If you’re making stuffing, make sure it has time to bake before putting the bird into the oven; otherwise, it’ll take longer than expected for everything else (and nobody wants burnt stuffing).

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a new way to cook your turkey, spatchcocking is a great option. It’s easy and quick, plus it gives you more time to spend with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day.

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