I know this has nothing to do with Auto Repair, but cooking is a terrific way to relax and just have some fun. As you can see from the pictures, we did not Spatchcock the Turkey and it took FOREVER. This is such an easy step. Our Turkey turned out wonderful. I think it would be better Spatchcock.
Spatchcock is a technique where you remove the backbone of the turkey so it can lay flat while cooking. This allows for even cooking and crisper skin. What do you think?
The Ultimate Guide to Smoking a Spatchcock Turkey
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means it's time to start thinking about how you're going to cook your turkey. If you're looking for something a little different this year, why not try smoking a spatchcock turkey? Spatchcocking is a method of preparation that involves removing the turkey's backbone so that it can be flattened out before cooking. This results in a bird that cooks evenly and quickly, making it the perfect choice for smoking.
Smoking a spatchcock turkey is easy to do and yields delicious results. Plus, it frees up your oven so that you can focus on making all of your side dishes. So, if you're ready to learn how to smoke a spatchcock turkey, read on!
What You'll Need
Before you get started, there are a few things you'll need to gather. First, you'll need a large cooler or ice chest. This will be used to brine the turkey overnight. Second, you'll need plenty of wood chips for smoking. We recommend using hickory or mesquite for the best results. Third, you'll need a quality digital thermometer in order to ensure that your turkey is cooked through. Finally, you'll need some kitchen twine and aluminum foil.
Now that you have everything you need, let's get started!
Step 1: Brine the Turkey
The first step in smoking a spatchcock turkey is to brine it overnight. To do this, simply combine 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of salt in your cooler or ice chest. Submerge the turkey in the brine and then refrigerate overnight. This will help to keep the bird moist during cooking.
Step 2: Prep the smoker
While the turkey is brining, prep your smoker according to manufacturer's instructions. You'll want to preheat it to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure that there are plenty of wood chips on hand for smoking.
Step 3: Prepare the Turkey
Once the turkey has finished brining, remove it from the cooler and pat dry with paper towels. Then, use kitchen twine to truss up the legs and wings. Next, spread some softened butter over the skin of the bird. Be generous with the butter! You can also sprinkle on some seasoning at this point if desired.
Step 4: Smoke the Turkey
Place the prepared turkey in your smoker and close the lid. Smoke for 3-4 hours, or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit is reached (use your digital thermometer to check). Step 5. Rest and Carve
Once the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it from the smoker and allow it to rest for 20-30 minutes before carving. This will give all of those delicious juices time to redistribute throughout the meat so that they don't all run out when you start carving! When carving time comes, cut along either side of the breastbone to remove each half of breast meat from the bird—then enjoy!
There's nothing quite like smoked spatchcock turkey for Thanksgiving dinner! This method of preparation yields juicy meat with crisp skin—and thanks to its smaller size, it cooks quickly and evenly too. Best of all, smoking your turkey frees up valuable oven space so that you can focus on making all of your favorite side dishes too! So next time you're planning your holiday feast, remember: there's always room for improvement—especially when it comes to smoked spatchcock turkey!