Have you ever wondered how long to smoke a spatchcock turkey? Is there anything more feast-y than smoking a spatchcock turkey?
If youre unfamiliar with the technique, its pretty simple: you remove the birds backbone and flatten it out before smoking. The result is a crispy, succulent turkey thats perfect for your holiday feast. But how long to smoke a spatchcock turkey? And what kind of wood should you use? Keep reading to find out!
And if you are interested in different crazy dishes of turkey, dont forget to try out this baked crispy turkey bacon. It will blow your mind!
Table of Contents
What is Spatchcock Turkey?
Simply put, spatchcock turkey is how you cook a whole bird in a fraction of the time it takes to roast. You simply remove the backbone and flatten out the bird so that it cooks evenly and quickly.
What Kind of Wood Should I Use for Smoking Spatchcock Turkey?
What kind of wood to smoke spatchcock turkey?
When it comes to smoking a spatchcock turkey, the type of wood you use will determine how the bird tastes. Generally speaking, hardwoods like mesquite, hickory, and oak are excellent for infusing flavor into the meat.
If you want something a bit sweeter, try pecan or applewood. For an even more subtle note of smoke, use cherry wood.
What Equipment can I Use to Smoke a Spatchcock Turkey?
Before learning about how long to smoke a spatchcock turkey, lets find out what equipment we can use for our spectacular spatchcock turkey.
- A charcoal or gas smoker is the best way to cook a spatchcock turkey. Using indirect heat, you can create a low and slow cooking environment that keeps the bird moist while infusing it with smoky flavor.
- An electric smoker can also be used, but it requires more attention to get the internal temperature up to a safe level.
Thats all about some side information to make sure you are well-equipped, lets move on to our official answer of How long to smoke a spatchcock turkey?
Check out for more cooking methods of turkey by the convection oven right here.
How Long to Smoke a Spatchcock Turkey with A Charcoal / Gas Smoker?
How long to smoke a spatchcock turkey?
The amount of time you need to smoke a spatchcock turkey will depend on the size of your bird.
- For a smaller turkey, aim for 2-3 hours at 220°F/104°C.
- For larger birds, expect around 4-5 hours at the same temperature.
- To get that perfectly crispy skin, finish off with a few minutes of high heat (around 375°F/190°C).
Finally, make sure to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey. Youll want to pull it off the smoker when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C. This will ensure that your spatchcock turkey is cooked through and juicy.
How Long Does It Take to Smoke A Spatchcock Turkey in Electric Smoker?
The same rules apply when smoking your turkey in an electric smoker. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the bird, but generally speaking youll want to aim for 2-3 hours at 220°F/104°C and finish off with a few minutes at 375°F/190°C.
How to Know Spatchcock Turkey is Ready?
When your spatchcock turkey is done, it will have a golden-brown skin thats crispy and crackling. The meat should be tender and juicy, and you should see no pink when you cut into the thickest part of the bird.
Secondly, as mentioned, when you spatchcock turkey reaches the temperature of 165°F/74°C, it is well-cooked. This is also a recommendation from USDA about internal temperature of food safety.
Smoking a spatchcock turkey can be an incredibly rewarding experience when done right. With the right wood, equipment, and timing, you can be sure to have a delicious feast this holiday season. Good luck!
Tips for Having Great Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Tips to have great cooked spatchcock turkey - Gravy
Before ending our question How long to smoke a spatchcock turkey?, here are some tips for you to have an ultimate recipe. Your turkey will be perfectly cooked and flavor-packed if you use these tricks during your next big events.
- Stay small. While buying your turkey, aim to keep it under 15 pounds if possible. If the turkey is too big, then it will spend more time in the temperature danger zone of 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you need a bigger bird, cook two turkeys instead of one larger size.
- Keep up with the gravy. If you want to save turkey drippings for gravy, cook the spatchcocked turkey on a flat cooling rack placed atop a rimmed baking sheet. This may extend cook time slightly, but youll be left with lots of buttery drippings.
- Switch up flavors. By using my Apple Turkey Brine or Homemade Turkey Rub, you can have fun with different flavors while still maintaining the smoking temperature and time. If youre looking for a more traditional turkey flavor, try something like Chicken Seasoning or, for a classic BBQ twist, use my Sweet Rub recipe.
Thats all about the question How long to smoke a spatchcock turkey?. Lets wrap this up with a brief FAQs section and conclusion.
FAQs on Smoking Spatchcock Turkey
Do I need to flip a Spatchcock Turkey?
YES, and…NO. Its OK to let it be until you see the full signals of well-cooked turkey (you can check out above)
Do I have to spatchcock my turkey the night before?
Planning ahead for your holiday turkey has never been easier! You can make your Turkey Seasoning in advance, and spatchcock your turkey the day before cooking. This creates more space in your fridge, and also results in a crispier skin on your turkey.
What are the benefits to Spatchcock Turkey?
Spatchcocking a turkey might take some extra butchery, but its worth it. Not only will the turkey cook more evenly and quickly, but all of the skin will be exposed at once. This means you end up with crispy skin and juicy meat every time.
Where should I insert the thermometer into a Spatchcock Turkey?
We also need to know the safe internal temperature of smoked turkey in addition to how long to smoke a spatchcock turkey. By placing an instant-read thermometer into the thickest section of the thigh, you can determine if the turkey is fully cooked.
The ideal internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees C). After that, take it out of the oven, gently cover with a doubled layer of foil, and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
Baking and smoking, which is better for my spatchcock turkey?
Culinary experts might debate the merits of baking vs. smoking your turkey, but it really comes down to personal preference. While a smoker will impart an unmistakable smoky flavor and texture to your bird, an oven-baked spatchcock turkey can still be juicy and flavorful when cooked correctly.
Why should we spatchcock turkey?
Culinary experts recommend spatchcocking when it comes to turkey because the method shortens cooking time, ensures even cooking, and also results in a crispier skin. Plus, since all of the skin is exposed while cooking, your turkey will end up with a delicious smoky flavor that cant be achieved any other way. In addition, spatchcocking also creates more space in your oven, so you can cook side dishes and vegetables at the same time.
Conclusion
Now that youve had a crash course in how long to smoke a spatchcock turkey, we hope you feel confident enough to tackle this dish the next time you have guests over. As always, thank you for choosing The Blue Stove as your culinary assistant.
If youre looking for more tips and tricks, be sure to visit our website - thebluestove.com. We update our content regularly so that you can keep cooking delicious meals for your family and friends. See you soon!
