Are you ready for the BEST way to cook your turkey evenly and in less time? A spatchcock turkey is the answer!
More commonly known as butterflying, spatchcocking is a quicker route to a beautiful, delicious turkey for the holidays – or really any time of year. Perfect for roasting, grilling or smoking, a spatchcock turkey is sure to please the whole crowd.
Don’t let that extra effort of spatchcocking (or the funny name) intimidate you. It’s easier than it sounds. We’ve answered some of the most pressing questions to walk you through the process below.
Spatchcocking is removing the backbone of a turkey and laying it flat on its cooking surface. Yep, it’s that simple!
A spatchcock turkey is the ideal centerpiece for intimate holiday gatherings. Removing the backbone and flattening it out helps the bird cook more evenly and quickly. But where can you actually find and purchase a spatchcocked turkey?
From specialty online retailers to your neighborhood butcher, you have ample options to source this uniquely prepared bird. With some advance planning, you can put a perfectly roasted spatchcock turkey on your table this season
Order from an Online Meat Delivery Service
Several internet companies specialize in shipping premium quality meat straight to your door. Browse their holiday offerings for spatchcock turkeys:
-
Snake River Farms Pasture-raised organic and heirloom breeds; ships frozen nationwide
-
Porter Road Pasture-raised heritage breeds from small family farms; ships fresh or frozen
-
Crowd Cow: Grass-fed, free-range, organic options available; ships frozen
-
Omaha Steaks: Ships frozen; classic roasted and smokehouse flavored
-
Rastelli’s: Natural and organic choices; ships frozen
Order whole spatchcocked turkeys 10-16 lbs. Or get boneless turkey breasts or roasts. Many services offer prepared heat-and-eat sides, wines, and desserts for full holiday meals.
Pricing: $99 to $199 for a 10-12 lb spatchcock turkey
Check with Your Local Butcher
Quality-focused independent butchers work directly with regional farms and can specially source spatchcocked turkeys.
Reach out to shops in your area and ask if they carry or can get spatchcock turkeys. Provide 2-3 weeks lead time around the holidays.
You may find local heritage breed and free-range organic options not available elsewhere. Supporting local butchers helps sustain small agriculture too.
Popular regional chains include:
- The Chop Shop
- Rosewood Market
- Oliver’s Meats
- Oakview Meats
- Hen House Market
Pricing: $3.99 – $6.99 per pound
Order from Specialty Retailers Online
Several e-commerce companies focus on gourmet foods and specialty groceries, including fresh poultry. Browse their holiday categories for spatchcock turkey availability:
-
Harry & David: Gift baskets with fully-cooked spatchcock turkey meals.
-
Williams-Sonoma: Carries premium fresh and frozen spatchcock turkeys.
-
D’Artagnan: Organic, free-range, antibiotic-free options available.
-
Farmfoods Market: Pasture-raised, non-GMO spatchcock turkeys.
-
PeachDish: Meal kits with recipes and fresh spatchcock turkeys.
Pricing: $99 to $159 for a 10-12 lb spatchcock turkey
Check Your Local Specialty Grocer
Many upscale grocery chains sell gourmet and premium products. Inquire about spatchcock turkey availability:
- Whole Foods Market
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Earth Fare
- Fresh Market
- New Seasons Market
Supplies are limited around the holidays. So call your nearest stores 1-2 weeks before your meal to check stock and reserve one.
Pricing: $3.99 to $4.99 per pound
With the right source and timing, getting a ready spatchcocked turkey for your holiday table is totally doable. Enjoy the ease of this clever preparation method for a perfect bird!
How-to spatchcock a turkey
To spatchcock turkey, we recommend using heavy duty kitchen shears to remove the backbone. Alternatively, a sharp knife or meat cleaver can be used.
- Remove a completely thawed turkey from any packaging and remove the neck, giblets and/or leg lock.
- Pat the turkey dry.
- Place it breast-side down on a cutting surface.
- Starting at the tail, make an incision along one side of the backbone.
- Continue cutting along the backbone until you’ve snipped through the rib bones up to the neck.
- Use your hands the spread the turkey open slightly.
- Make an identical cut along the other side of the backbone. Watch your fingers!
- The backbone should now be freed – this may take some additional snipping. Remove.
- Flip the turkey over and, using two hands, press down hard on the breastbone. Listen for a couple of cracks. The turkey should now rest flatly.
- Now arrange your turkey for cooking. Splay the legs and tuck the wing tips under the breast (or remove entirely) to prevent burning.
- Separate the skin from the meat – this will allow any compound butter or seasoning to easily get under the skin.
Step-by-step with Emily Dingmann, My Everyday Table: Cut out the backbone, flatten the breast and arrange on a tray for cooking.
How long does it to cook a spatchcock turkey?
A spatchcocked whole turkey will cook more quickly than a standard turkey. While the spatchcock turkey cooking time will depend on the size and oven temperature, 6 minutes per pound is a good rule of thumb. Depending on the size of the turkey, cook times are estimated between 60-90 minutes.
To ensure doneness, we recommend verifying the internal temperature of the turkey has reached 165°F in three places: the innermost part of the thigh, breast and wing.
People are wrong about spatchcocking
FAQ
Is it worth spatchcocking a turkey?
Spatchcocking turkey cooks more evenly and more quickly than non-butterflied versions, for stunningly crisp skin and perfectly cooked white and dark meat.
Will a butcher spatchcock a turkey?
Notes Most butchers will spatchcock the bird for you. If he/she is not aware of the term, ask to have the backbone removed and the bird butterflied. And be sure to ask for the backbone (for the gravy)! Large turkeys (over 14 lbs) don’t do as well when spatchcocking.
How long will a spatchcock turkey take to cook?
- A 10-lb turkey can take about 1 hour and 45 minutes to cook
- A 14-lb turkey can take about 1 hour and 10 minutes to cook
Is a 20 lb turkey too big to spatchcock?
It works best with smaller turkeys, not because larger turkeys don’t work as well, but because a big turkey needs a really big oven to lay flat in (not to mention a big baking sheet).