If you are looking for the easiest way to make a turkey, try this Spatchcock Grilled Turkey. It is super-moist, requires half the cook time of a roasted turkey and it is bursting with flavor.
Turkey doesn’t always get a good reputation. It is intimidating to make for most and many times it turns out dry and not flavorful. But that is not the case with when you spatchcock and grill the turkey. It tastes great and is juicy, and I think this way is easier than cooking it in the oven. It cooks in half the time.
When you butterfly or spatchcock a turkey, you remove the backbone so it cooks faster and is easier to carve later. I prefer making like this than any other way.
If you are in charge of the turkey for Thanksgiving or are having people over for the holiday, I really think you should try this grilled turkey and spatchcocking it. It is so delicious, easy to make and your family or friends and you will love it.
I also prefer getting a fresh turkey over a frozen one and it’s typically 10-12 lbs or so. It’s a great size for serving a larger group and makes for an easy spatchcock. Which means butterflying the turkey by removing the backbone with kitchen shears.
I cannot wait for you guys to try making turkey like this! Let me know what you think.
Cooking a spatchcock turkey on a gas grill is a great way to free up oven space and add delicious smoky flavor to your Thanksgiving bird. Spatchcocking also known as butterflying is the process of removing the backbone and flattening the turkey so it cooks more evenly. This method significantly reduces cooking time compared to roasting a whole turkey.
When spatchcocking a turkey, the backbone is removed which allows the bird to lay flat This exposes more surface area to the heat, helping the dark and white meat cook at the same rate With a whole turkey, the breast often dries out by the time the thighs are done.
Flattening also makes the turkey more compact so it takes up less space on the grill The legs can be tucked in to give it a tidy oval shape
How Long Does it Take to Grill a Spatchcock Turkey?
Cooking time will vary based on a few factors:
- Size of the turkey
- Temperature of the grill
- If using direct or indirect heat
Here are general guidelines for gas grills:
- 10-15 pound spatchcock turkey: 60-90 minutes
- 15-18 pound spatchcock turkey: 90-120 minutes
- 18-22 pound spatchcock turkey: 120-150 minutes
These times are for grilling over indirect medium-high heat between 375-450°F.
Indirect Grilling Method
Indirect grilling uses heat on one side of the grill and places the food on the unlit side. This mimics oven roasting rather than direct grilling over an open flame.
To cook a spatchcock turkey over indirect heat:
- Preheat grill to medium-high, around 375-450°F.
- Place turkey skin-side up on unheated side of grill.
- Cook over indirect heat with the grill lid closed until fully cooked and browned.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. The thickest part of the thigh should reach 165°F and the breast 165°F.
If your gas grill has multiple burners, turn off the center burner and place turkey over the unlit burner. Keep the outer burners on for indirect heat.
Direct Grilling Method
The direct grilling method can also be used but requires more attention to prevent burning.
For direct grilling:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, 400-450°F.
- Place turkey skin-side down directly over heat.
- Grill for 30-40 minutes until browned.
- Flip and finish cooking until fully cooked, about 30 minutes more depending on size.
Direct grilling browns the skin nicely but temperature control can be tricky. Keep a close eye on the temperature and move to a cooler area of the grill if flare-ups occur.
Basting the turkey with broth or oil helps keep the meat moist during direct grilling. Spraying with non-stick cooking spray before placing on the grill can also prevent sticking.
Checking for Doneness
An instant-read thermometer should be used to determine when the turkey is fully cooked. Insert into the thickest part of the thigh but not touching the bone. The thighs and breasts should reach 165°F.
The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork or knife tip. Let the turkey rest about 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
The spatchcocking method significantly reduces cooking time while producing juicy, flavorful turkey with crispy skin. Grilling over indirect heat will yield the best, most consistent results. With a little practice, you can master perfectly cooked spatchcock turkey on a gas grill.
How spatchcock grilled turkey:
- In a small bowl, mix the spices together.
- Mix together the oil and mustard and set aside
- To keep everyone safe, please wear gloves when handling meat and pat the whole turkey dry with a paper towel.
- Using kitchen shears, cut the backbone out of the turkey. Beginning at the tail end, cut along the spine up to the neck. Do this on both sides of the spine until it is completely gone.
- Cut the turkey in half along the end of the breast plate with the shears. This will help it lay flat. Depending on the turkey, you may need to make more cuts near the thighs to help it lay flat. The goal is for all parts of the turkey to be flat so that it cooks evenly on the grill!
- Brush the turkey with the oil and spice mix (rub the turkey all over while wearing gloves).
- Set the grill to medium to high heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the turkey skin side down in the middle of the grill and cook for 5 minutes, until the skin is crispy.
- Turn the turkey over, lower the heat to low, and cook for 90 minutes. The grill temperature should be between 375 and 400 degrees; to get this temperature, two middle burners were set to low and two outside burners were set to medium.
- Make sure the turkey is 165 degrees on a meat thermometer. Take it off the grill and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving it. I hope you enjoy!
What ingredients you need to spatchcock and grill a turkey:
- Turkey: A 10–12-pound turkey works well for this. The average size turkey most stores sell.
- You don’t have to use Dijon mustard. You can also use honey mustard or plain mustard. Whichever you prefer.
- Olive oil, or avocado oil if you’d rather.
- It’s one of the most important spices in the rub.
- The smoked paprika, which is another important spice in this rub, tastes SO good.
- Parsley: I like to use dried parsley, but you can also use fresh parsley that has been chopped very small if you’d rather.
- Oregano – same here, I use dried oregano
Spatchcocked Grilled Turkey | Food Network
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a spatchcock turkey on a gas grill?
How many minutes per pound of turkey on a gas grill?
How long to cook spatchcock turkey at 275?
How long does a Spatchcock grilled Turkey take to cook?
The cooking time for a spatchcock grilled turkey depends on several factors, including the size of the bird, the temperature of your grill, and the consistency of the heat. However, here’s a general guideline for grilling a spatchcocked turkey at 300-350°F: Estimate about 10-12 minutes per pound for a spatchcocked turkey.
How long do you cook a Turkey on a gas grill?
Before grilling the turkey, you will need to preheat your grill to medium heat. If you are using a gas grill, you can turn all of the burners to high and let them heat for 10-15 minutes. If you are using a charcoal grill, you will need to build a fire and let it burn for 30-45 minutes until the coals are white and ash-covered. Grilling the Turkey
Should you cook a spatchcocked Turkey before grilling?
Spatchcocking your turkey first before grilling allows you to cook faster than a whole one. Stuff cubes of butter under the turkey skin before grilling, and once the turkey skin turns brown, baste it with more butter. Here’s how to grill that spatchcocked turkey. Dry-brine the turkey before grilling.
Can You Grill a spatchcocked Turkey with charcoal?
A: Yes, you can grill a spatchcocked turkey using charcoal. Follow the same instructions for spatchcocking and adjust the charcoal placement for indirect heat cooking. Maintain a consistent temperature and adjust the airflow on the grill as needed.
How do you cook a spatchcocked Turkey?
Stuff cubes of butter under the turkey skin before grilling, and once the turkey skin turns brown, baste it with more butter. Here’s how to grill that spatchcocked turkey. Dry-brine the turkey before grilling. Stuff cubes of butter under the turkey skin before grilling so it starts to baste the meat.
Can a Spatchcock chicken fit on a grill?
While a spatchcock chicken can fit on any grill, a spatchcock turkey takes up a little more real estate. My 14 pound turkey easily fits on my 26.75” One Touch Gold, or if I was using a gas grill, my Summit Grill Center. For a 22” kettle, I would use a turkey closer to 10 pounds. The Spatchcock Tools: Kitchen Shears