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Roast Spatchcock Turkey

This spatchcock turkey recipe makes the juiciest, crispiest roast turkey cooked in a fraction of the time it usually takes to cook a whole turkey. If you've never tried it, spatchcocking is easier than you might think! By removing the backbone and flattening out the bird, you'll reduce cooking time and make carving a whole lot easier, too! Once you try it, you might never go back.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people
Calories 5629.4 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy-duty Kitchen Shears Essential for spatchcocking the turkey.
  • 1 Roasting rack Ensures even airflow and crispier skin.
  • 1 Baking Sheet To hold the roasting rack and catch drippings.
  • 1 Instant-Read Thermometer Crucial for verifying doneness and food safety.
  • 1 Cutting Board For preparing and carving the turkey.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 10 pound whole turkey
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Gather ingredients. Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place a roasting rack on a baking sheet.
  • Place turkey, breast-side down, on a cutting board. Using a pair of sharp heavy-duty kitchen shears, cut along one side of the backbone. Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Repeat on the other side of the backbone. Remove backbone and reserve for making turkey stock for gravy. Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Press firmly down onto both sides of turkey to flatten. Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Flip turkey breast-side up and put on the roasting rack. Tuck wing tips under turkey (behind breast). Pat skin dry and rub olive oil over entire turkey. Season with sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Roast in the preheated oven for 1 hour 30 minutes, rotating the baking sheet every 30 minutes.
  • Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and continue to roast until skin is crisp and golden, about 15 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Remove turkey from the oven, cover loosely with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Allrecipes/Oana Ennis
  • Serve hot and enjoy! Allrecipes/Oana Ennis

Notes

Spatchcocking is a game-changer for turkey; ensuring a uniformly flat bird guarantees even cooking and superior crispness. Always pat the skin thoroughly dry before seasoning for maximum browning. Don't skip the resting period; it allows juices to redistribute, leading to a much juicier final product. Consider infusing butter with these fresh herbs and rubbing it under the skin for an extra layer of flavor and moisture. Utilize the removed backbone for a rich gravy stock, maximizing yield and depth of flavor.