Buttermilk Brined Spatchcock Turkey with Gravy Recipe

Step 1

2-3 days before you plan to roast, spatchcock the turkey:

Step 2

Put the turkey on a cutting board, breast-side down. Use poultry shears or heavy-duty kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone.

Step 3

Starting at either the tail or neck end, cut halfway down the spine, as close to the spine as possible, then cut down the opposing side. Turn the turkey around and cut down the other sides.

Step 4

Spread the two sides of the turkey apart and press down to flatten. You will hear some cracks and popping of the cartilage in the breast bone. Turn the turkey breast side up and press again.

Step 5

You can cut off the wing tips, the wing tips and the first joint, or just tuck them under the bird before roasting. The wing tips and first joint make a good addition to the stock for gravy. I’ve left them on because I think it makes for a prettier bird and some people at the table may like to eat the wings.

Step 6

Open a 2 gallon ziplock bag inside a large bowl. Pour in 3 quarts of buttermilk. Stir in salt.

Step 7

Put the turkey inside the bag. I find it easiest to hold it by the legs and put it in head first, breast facing down. Seal the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible so that the buttermilk is touching all parts of the turkey.

Step 8

Refrigerate for 48 hours, turning every 12 hours to redistribute the buttermilk.

Step 9

Remove the turkey from the refrigerator, and place on a baking sheet. Wipe off the excess buttermilk. Get as much off as possible so that it doesn’t burn in the oven.

Step 10

Let the turkey come to room temperature, about 2-3 hours, so that it cooks quickly and evenly.

Step 11

After you’ve wiped off as much of the buttermilk as you can and the turkey has come to room temperature, put the turkey on a rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Tuck the wings under the breasts if you haven’t trimmed them off.

Step 12

Roast the turkey in the middle of a 400° oven.

Step 13

Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the deepest part of the breast registers 150 degrees and the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone registers 165 degrees, about 80 to 100 minutes, approximately 6 minutes per pound.

Step 14

Rotate the pan occasionally as needed to ensure even browning. Tent any areas that begin to brown too quickly with foil.

Step 15

Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for 20-30 minutes before carving.

Step 16

Pour off any collected juices and pass them through a fine mesh strainer if you’d like to add them to your gravy. Skim off any excess fat.

Step 17

You can serve the turkey whole and carve it at the table, or carve it up and serve it already sliced.

Step 18

In a Dutch oven, simmer the turkey parts with 2 cups of chicken broth. Let it simmer until all of the liquid evaporates and the trimmings begin to sizzle, about 20 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until a brown coating of frond forms over the bottom of the pan, about 2-4 minutes.

Step 19

Add chopped vegetables and sauté for a few minutes until softened. If the frond seems to be darkening too much, add a few spoons of water and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to dissolve it while you continue to sauté the vegetables.

Step 20

Add rest of the stock, along with the parsley sprigs, thyme, and salt. Simmer for 1-2 hours.

Step 21

Strain stock through a fine meshed sieve. You should have about 4 cups of turkey stock. The stock can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Step 22

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and increase the heat to medium-high, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns a deep golden brown. Whisk in the turkey stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in any drippings, if using, and salt and pepper to taste.

Step 23

The gravy can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen. To thaw, reheat gently over low heat. Stir in extra broth to thin as necessary.