Spatchcocked Turkey with Herbed Butter

Step 1

Remove the turkey from it's packaging.

Step 2

Remove giblets, neck, pop-up timer and any plastic or hardware that is holding the legs together.

Step 3

Place the turkey on your cutting board with the backbone facing up and neck end toward you.

Step 4

Using a pair of heavy duty kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone to completely remove it from the turkey.

Step 5

Turn the turkey breast side up and press down with both hands to flatten it.

Step 6

Make a simple turkey brine using 1 gallon of cold water, 1 cup of coarse kosher salt and ¾ cup of dark brown sugar. (the sugar is optional but I think it adds a lot to the brine).

Step 7

Pour the salt into the water and stir until it becomes clear again. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves. Double or triple the brine recipe as required.

Step 8

Place the turkey in a plastic, glass or stainless steel container and pour the brine over the bird to cover.

Step 9

Place a lid or cover on the container with the bird and the brine and place it in the refrigerator overnight or 8-12 hours.

Step 10

When the turkey is finished brining, discard the brine and rinse the turkey really well under cold water.

Step 11

Dry the inside and outside of the turkey with clean paper towels.

Step 12

Place the turkey in the fridge uncovered for about 2 hours to allow the skin to dry further.

Step 13

While the drying process is occurring, make up the herb butter (recipe below)

Step 14

Combine 1 stick of softened butter, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped thyme, 1/4 cup chopped chives, 1/4 cup onion, 5 garlic cloves, 2 TBS Jeff's Texas Rub

Step 15

If made ahead, allow it to soften to help with the application.

Step 16

Split the butter into (parts and put half of it under the skin and half of it on the outside of the skin.

Step 17

Work your hands between the skin and the meat tearing the membrane loose as you go. Do this carefully and patiently and you will be able to completely loosen the skin from the breast meat and even the thighs and legs. Leave the skin attached around the edges (except for where your hand entered) to help hold in the butter and herbs.

Step 18

Once the skin is loose enough, stuff some of the herbed butter in the breast area, the thighs, and the legs. Pat it down from the outside to spread it out a little more.

Step 19

Apply the remaining herbed butter on the outside of the skin.

Step 20

Season the entire turkey skin side and meat side with my Texas rub for perfect seasoning throughout.

Step 21

Set up your smoker for cooking at about 240°F.

Step 22

If your smoker has a water pan, it's a great idea to use as this helps to reduce the drying effect of the heat.

Step 23

Make sure you have enough smoking wood to last for at least 2 hours.

Step 24

Place the spatchcocked turkey skin side up and let it smoke cook for about 4 hours at 240°F.

Step 25

Monitor the temperature of the breast at it's thickest part and when it reaches about 158-160 it's time to move it from the heat.

Step 26

Quickly tent some foil over the bird and leave it for about 10-15 minutes to rest before carving.

Step 27

To carve, remove the leg quarters then separate the thigh from the leg. Remove the wings then remove the breast meat in one big section by cutting along the carcass as you pull back on the breast meat. Slice the breast meat into pieces and you are ready to eat.