Should You Spatchcock A Turkey For Smoking?

A Smoked Spatchcocked Turkey is a game-changer for the holidays or any special occasion. Spatchcocking a turkey (removing the backbone and flattening it) allows it to cook faster, and also more evenly versus a traditional whole bird. And smoking a turkey adds amazing flavor that cannot be replicated in the oven.

Is it better to Spatchcock Turkey?

Why Should You Spatchcock a Turkey? Not only will spatchcocking turkey ensure plenty of crisp skin (since virtually all of it is out in the open), it makes it much easier to cook the white and dark meat evenly—meaning the breast will stay juicy. It cuts down on the total cooking time too, always a plus.

How long do you smoke a spatchcocked turkey per pound?

How Long to Smoke a Spatchcock Turkey? Turkey cooks for about 11-13 minutes per pound at 225 – 275 F. This is the perfect temperature to cook the turkey while giving it time to absorb the smoky flavors. Don’t forget to use a meat thermometer to check if your turkey is good to go.

How long does a Spatchcock Turkey take to smoke?

approximately 4 to 4.5 hours
Smoke the spatchcocked turkey. Close the lid and smoke for approximately 4 to 4.5 hours, or until an internal thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast. The thighs will likely read higher temperatures, around 175-185 and that is totally perfect.

Should I split my turkey to smoke?

It allows the turkey to lay flat on the cooking grate and helps the meat cook more evenly. It’s also great if you’re limited on shelf space in your smoker. To spatchcock a whole turkey first remove the tail; flip the bird breast side down and grab a pair of kitchen shears.

Is butterflying turkey better?

Spatchcocking turkey cooks more evenly and more quickly than non-butterflied versions, for stunningly crisp skin and perfectly cooked white and dark meat.

What is the purpose of spatchcock?

What Is the Purpose of Spatchcocking? Spatchcocking ensures that a whole chicken cooks evenly. Since different parts of the chicken cook at different rates, whole roast chicken often ends up with overcooked chicken breast meat and undercooked dark meat.

How long does it take to smoke a Spatchcock turkey at 225 degrees?

Place the turkey on a cookie sheet to carry it out to the smoker or you can use a Bradley rack and just leave it on there while it cooks. Place the spatchcocked turkey skin side up and let it smoke cook for about 4 hours at 225-240°F.

How long does it take to smoke a Spatchcocked turkey at 250 degrees?

approximately four hours
How long does it take to smoke a spatchcock turkey? At 250 degrees, it takes approximately four hours to cook.

Is it better to smoke a turkey whole or cut up?

A Cut Up Turkey Cooks Quicker I’ve found that by dividing a turkey into its separate parts, it will take less time to cook in the smoker. It also makes it possible to end up with a perfectly cooked breast every time.

Should I butterfly my turkey?

How to Butterfly a Turkey- In the Kitchen with David – YouTube

What do you call butterflying a turkey?

By flattening the turkey with a technique called spatchcocking, essentially butterflying the carcass, there are only two hours of cooking time involved in producing a perfect holiday roast. Spatchcocking not only makes the turkey cook faster, it allows it to roast more evenly, making for tastier meat.

Does spatchcocking reduce cooking time?

To spatchcock a chicken, or butterfly it, is to remove the backbone, thus allowing it to be completely opened out and flattened. Doing this reduces the cooking time significantly and allows the whole bird to be cooked in different, speedier ways, such as grilling or pan frying.

What temperature should I smoke a Spatchcock Turkey?

225° – 275° F
Smoke the turkey over low heat 225° – 275° F for approximately 11-13 minutes a pound. 9. Once the breast reaches 165°F, remove, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest approximately 30 minutes.

Should you butterfly a turkey to smoke?

Butterflying the turkey helps it cook faster, with more evenly cooked breast meat. It also creates crisper skin. Dry-brining the bird by rubbing it with salt and refrigerating it for at least a night before cooking helps it retain juices.

How do you keep a turkey moist while smoking?

Turkeys should be brined overnight, coated with fat only initially, and minimally seasoned. Brining keeps the turkey from drying out during the smoking process. Basting the turkey only results in soggy skin. Overly seasoning the skin just makes inedible skin – let the brine and aromatics add flavor.

Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?

Turkey can be smoked at a smoker temperature as low as 225 degrees, but it’s much quicker if smoked at 275-300 degrees, or even higher. When smoking at a lower temperature you’re looking at more time in the smoker, but that means the turkey could potentially have a richer smoke flavor.

Which is better bone in turkey breast or boneless?

Properly cooked bone-in and boneless breasts can be juicy and flavorful. However, bone-in turkey breasts have a slight advantage. The bone in the breast insulates the nearby meat during cooking, causing it to heat slower and retain moisture.

What can I use to spatchcock a turkey?

Knife Skills: How to Spatchcock a Turkey – YouTube

Where does the thermometer go in a Spatchcock Turkey?

Turkey Tips – Proper Probe Placement in Your Turkey – YouTube

Can you cut a turkey in half and smoke it?

Brine the half turkey for a shorter time than you would a whole one, cutting the time by 25 percent to prevent it from becoming too salty. Season lightly with a turkey rub, then place it in the smoker with the cut side up.