Description
A juicy and flavorful smoked turkey prepared using the spatchcock method, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 11 lb whole turkey
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup BBQ rub (or poultry seasoning)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 tsp fresh chopped thyme
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- ½ cup salted butter
- 2 tbsp garlic, diced
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- ½ medium lemon, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Remove the turkey from its packaging, discard the inside parts, and pat it dry using a paper towel.
- Using kitchen shears or a sharp chef’s knife, cut along each side of the backbone of the turkey. Remove and discard the backbone. Flip the turkey so the breast side is up and gently push down in the center of the turkey breast to flatten it.
- (Optional) Mix together your softened butter with rosemary, thyme, and salt. Gently separate the skin of the turkey breast from the meat and smear the compound butter between the skin and the meat.
- Drizzle olive oil over the spatchcocked turkey and massage it into the skin. Apply the BBQ rub generously.
- (Optional) Chill the turkey for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge. Remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before smoking.
- Preheat your Traeger smoker to 275°F. Optionally, place a small pan filled with water in the smoker for moisture.
- Smoke the turkey breast side up directly on the grill grates for about 90 minutes.
- (Optional) To enhance the flavor, combine the basting ingredients in a small pan and place it in the smoker after 30 minutes. Brush half of the mix onto the turkey after another 30 minutes.
- Raise the smoker temperature to 350°F, brush the turkey with the remaining baste, and check for an internal temperature of 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh, with a total smoke time of around 120 minutes.
- Let the smoked turkey rest for at least 30 minutes under foil before carving.
Notes
You can prepare the turkey and even season it a day before to allow flavors to deepen.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg