Let's Talk BBQ

Tips, Tricks & Just Good Advice! => Tips, Tricks & Things of Interest => Food Related Tips => Topic started by: LostArrow on November 23, 2014, 10:23:06 AM

Title: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: LostArrow on November 23, 2014, 10:23:06 AM
If your cooker has enough area to lay a turkey flat , spatchcocking a turkey allows for a faster more even cook.

http://www.nytimes.com/video/dining/1194833563448/roast-turkey-in-45-minutes.html
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: ACW3 on November 23, 2014, 10:35:20 AM
I have spatchcocked a turkey and cooked it on my MAK.  I don't remember the specifics except to say it took less time to cook and everything was perfectly moist and flavorful.  I am planning on doing that again this week.  I'll report back later on what I actually do.

Art
Title: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: Pappymn on November 23, 2014, 10:38:43 AM
Only way to cook poultry in my opinion. You also get the back bone for gravy.
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: TwoPockets on November 23, 2014, 11:27:40 AM
Only way to cook poultry in my opinion. You also get the back bone for gravy.

I use mine for bait in a crab trap.
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: smokeasaurus on November 23, 2014, 12:18:36 PM
The best way to do whole poultry in my opinion.
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: teesquare on November 23, 2014, 12:22:08 PM
Only way to cook poultry in my opinion. You also get the back bone for gravy.

I use mine for bait in a crab trap.

I try to never stay in that kind of motels Ken.... ;) ;D
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: TentHunteR on November 23, 2014, 01:55:29 PM
The best way to do whole poultry in my opinion.

I agree.  In fact I swear by two things when it comes to any poultry:  Taking the bird off as soon as it reaches 165° and spatchcocking!

I spatchcocked a turkey for the first time about five years or so ago, and could not believe how well it worked.




Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: smokeasaurus on November 23, 2014, 02:24:51 PM
The best way to do whole poultry in my opinion.

I agree.  In fact I swear by two things when it comes to any poultry:  Taking the bird off as soon as it reaches 165° and spatchcocking!

I spatchcocked a turkey for the first time about five years or so ago, and could not believe how well it worked.

Right on Tent....the other benefits is they cook more evenly and much faster as well... :)
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: aliengriller on November 23, 2014, 05:47:41 PM
Suggested that for this year and got one of the dirtiest looks EVER!   Do it with chicken ALL the time--why the opposition to turkey have no clue!   Grill grates large enough, that's fur shore.
Title: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: Pappymn on November 23, 2014, 06:37:34 PM

Suggested that for this year and got one of the dirtiest looks EVER!   Do it with chicken ALL the time--why the opposition to turkey have no clue!   Grill grates large enough, that's fur shore.

Norman Rockwell turkey is rarely cooked perfect in all parts. Hold your ground Rad! We got your back and bail money. 8)
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: Saber 4 on November 23, 2014, 11:51:41 PM
That was the only way I ever did turkey's in my Bradley until I went over to the dark side with Tommy and got my first SRG. ;D
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: TentHunteR on November 24, 2014, 12:25:53 AM

Suggested that for this year and got one of the dirtiest looks EVER!   Do it with chicken ALL the time--why the opposition to turkey have no clue!   Grill grates large enough, that's fur shore.

Norman Rockwell turkey is rarely cooked perfect in all parts. Hold your ground Rad! We got your back and bail money. 8)

I'm with Pappy!  Besides a spatchcocked bird can look just as gorgeous.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U5m1o8eAoxE/VHLBIEmPFCI/AAAAAAAAHKE/eWWL8yXAJ58/s720/SPCHKTRK.JPG)
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: deestafford on November 24, 2014, 09:49:27 AM
I have cooked a chicken whereby I separate the white meat from the dark meat, the breast from the legs, into two separate pieces because of the difference in the cooking times.  I got this from a post on the CB forum and I think someone posted it here.  It looks semi-weird when you have just the upper half of the bird in one piece and the lower half in another piece, but it works.

I'm gonna try it with my turkey this year and have the dark meat on the lower level of the SRG and the breast on the upper level with remotes in each piece.

I think sometime we want the bird to look like Norman Rockwell's painting when it will be best to cook it well and then do a good carving and arranging on the serving platter while in the kitchen rather than being a Jeffery Dommer at the table.

Dee
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: CaptJack on November 24, 2014, 11:29:54 AM
I have cooked a chicken whereby I separate the white meat from the dark meat, the breast from the legs, into two separate pieces because of the difference in the cooking times.  I got this from a post on the CB forum and I think someone posted it here.  It looks semi-weird when you have just the upper half of the bird in one piece and the lower half in another piece, but it works.

I'm gonna try it with my turkey this year and have the dark meat on the lower level of the SRG and the breast on the upper level with remotes in each piece.

I think sometime we want the bird to look like Norman Rockwell's painting when it will be best to cook it well and then do a good carving and arranging on the serving platter while in the kitchen rather than being a Jeffery Dommer at the table.

Dee

Dee
you need to put the dark meat at the top and the breast below it. and no meat in the bottom of the basket in the "Dead Zone"
remember that the BigEasys cook hotter the higher in the chamber you are.
remember this tenderloin I cooked on the skewer. note how it is more browned towards the top

(http://i53.tinypic.com/2iw746.jpg)
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: deestafford on November 24, 2014, 11:35:21 AM
Jack, That is a great looking cook and I remember it well.  You are right about the dead zone.  When I say "lower" level, I probably mean about half way down because I'll put the breast up fairly high.  Do you remember that picture with the chicken cut in half with the breast, backbone, and wings in one piece and the thighs and legs in another piece?  The picture had the breast at the top and the leg part placed beneath it. It looked weird but it worked.

Dee
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: CaptJack on November 24, 2014, 11:58:42 AM
Dee, since the dark meat needs to get to 175° and the breasts need to be 160°~165°
is why I think the dark meat should be on top.
it's the same reason I always cook whole chickens legs up in the SRG
if I was cooking a turkey in the SRG it would be legs up too
plus the dark meat renders it's fat over the breasts  ;)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/wgxnas.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/2lsv0vt.jpg)

(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o283/CaptJack50/BBQ/CB_Chicken_03.jpg)

Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: CaptJack on November 24, 2014, 11:59:11 AM
here's another version / video on taking the bird apart to roast it faster
http://faithtap.com/2109/how-to-cook-a-turkey-fast/?d=1
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: deestafford on November 24, 2014, 12:56:30 PM
Jack, That video is excellent.  I'm going to cut my turkey up that way and do it in the SRG after brining, injecting and rubbing.  Thanks, Dee
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: RAD on November 24, 2014, 02:13:43 PM

Hold your ground Rad!
I would but I don't have a any ground to hold  ???
Title: Re: Spatchcocking a turkey!
Post by: Las Vegan Cajun on November 26, 2014, 12:17:12 AM
here's another version / video on taking the bird apart to roast it faster
http://faithtap.com/2109/how-to-cook-a-turkey-fast/?d=1

Looks great, may have to do that and cook it on the pellet grill.