The Quick and Juicy Michael Symon Spatchcock Turkey Recipe

Michael Symon’s spatchcock turkey transforms traditional holiday cooking with its innovative approach to preparing poultry.

Strategic techniques guarantee a dramatically different roasting method that ensures crispy skin and incredibly moist meat.

Professional chefs appreciate this technique for its ability to distribute heat evenly across the entire bird.

Removing the backbone allows the turkey to lay flat, creating uniformly cooked surfaces that maximize flavor potential.

Crisp exterior and juicy interior become guaranteed outcomes when applying this straightforward technique.

Home cooks can confidently approach this method, knowing it simplifies the typically complex turkey preparation process.

The result promises a show-stopping main course that impresses family and friends: prepare to elevate your culinary game.

Why Michael Symon’s Spatchcock Turkey Will Transform Your Thanksgiving Game

• Revolutionize Your Roasting: Spatchcocking transforms traditional turkey preparation by flattening the bird, ensuring faster and more even cooking with crispy skin and juicy meat.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Tucking fresh rosemary and garlic underneath the skin creates an incredible aromatic experience, infusing every bite with herb and garlic richness that elevates the entire dish.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: The high-temperature roasting and strategic basting technique guarantees a perfectly browned turkey without complicated techniques, making it ideal for home cooks who want professional-level results with minimal effort.
• Time-Saving Culinary Hack: By removing the backbone and flattening the turkey, you reduce cooking time significantly compared to traditional roasting methods, allowing more time to enjoy with family and friends during holiday meals.

What You Need for Michael Symon’s Spatchcock Turkey

• Whole Turkey: A classic centerpiece for holiday meals, with the backbone removed for even cooking and crisp skin. Choose a fresh, high-quality turkey with no added preservatives.
• Rosemary: Fragrant herb that adds earthy and pine-like flavor to the turkey. Fresh rosemary sprigs work best for maximum aromatic impact.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the turkey's natural flavors and creating a delicious crust. Use kosher or sea salt for better seasoning distribution.
• Garlic Cloves: Provides a robust, pungent flavor that complements the turkey. Fresh garlic cloves are preferred for intense taste.

• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden, crispy skin and prevents the turkey from drying out. Extra virgin olive oil offers the best flavor and quality.

How to Make Michael Symon’s Spatchcock Turkey

Step 1: Prepare the Turkey

Remove giblets from the turkey cavity. Place turkey breast side down on a stable cutting board. Using sharp kitchen shears, carefully cut along both sides of the backbone to remove it completely. Flip the turkey over and press down firmly with both hands to flatten the bird, creating a spatchcock style.

Step 2: Season the Turkey

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Gently separate the skin from the meat and tuck minced garlic and rosemary underneath. Drizzle olive oil all over the turkey and generously sprinkle salt and pepper across the entire surface.

Step 3: Preheat and Position

Heat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Place the turkey on a large roasting pan with the breast side facing up. Position the wings to partially cover the breast and allow the legs to extend outward.

Step 4: Initial Roasting

Slide the turkey into the preheated oven. Roast for 20 minutes until the skin begins to turn golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Adjust and Continue Cooking

Reduce oven temperature to 400°F (204°C). Use a baster to collect pan juices and spread over the turkey. Continue roasting, monitoring the bird’s color and temperature.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

After approximately 15 minutes, check the internal temperature using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone. The turkey is ready when it reaches 165°F (74°C) in multiple spots.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring moist meat. Carve and serve with pan drippings and roasted garlic cloves.

Pro Tips for a Perfectly Roasted Spatchcock Turkey

• Pre-Warm Turkey: Let the bird sit out of the fridge for a smooth, even cooking process.
• Check Temperature Precisely: Grab a digital meat thermometer to nail the perfect doneness without guesswork.
• Monitor Oven Heat: Quick adjustments prevent burning or undercooking, keeping your turkey juicy and delicious.
• Spice It Up: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage transform the standard recipe into a flavor explosion.
• Relax and Enjoy: Preparing the turkey becomes a breeze when you follow these simple, stress-free tips.

How to Store Michael Symon’s Spatchcock Turkey

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air from the packaging to prevent freezer burn and preserve the turkey's tender texture, ensuring maximum flavor retention for up to 4 months.
• Portion Packaging: Slice leftover turkey into individual servings before freezing. Wrap each portion separately in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, making future meal prep quick and convenient. Label each package with the date to track storage time.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Place turkey in an airtight glass or ceramic container to maintain moisture and prevent odor absorption. Position the container in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, away from temperature fluctuations. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety.

Delicious Variations of Michael Symon’s Spatchcock Turkey

• Herb Garden Fusion: Swap rosemary with a mix of fresh thyme, sage, and parsley for a vibrant herbal profile that elevates the turkey's flavor.
• Citrus Zest Infusion: Add lemon and orange zest under the skin and sprinkle orange juice over the turkey to introduce bright, tangy notes that complement the rich meat.
• Smoky Paprika Roast: Incorporate smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne pepper into the seasoning for a warm, slightly spicy undertone that adds depth to the traditional recipe.
• Mediterranean Inspired: Replace olive oil with herb-infused olive oil and add crushed garlic cloves, dried oregano, and a sprinkle of sumac for a Mediterranean-style flavor transformation.

A Bold, Tender Feast: Michael Symon’s Spatchcock Turkey

Crispy, golden spatchcock turkey emerges as culinary magic straight from Michael Symon’s kitchen playbook.

Classic techniques blend with bold flavor profiles, creating a memorable centerpiece for holiday gatherings.

Rosemary and garlic infuse deep, aromatic notes throughout succulent meat.

Precision cooking guarantees perfectly browned skin and juicy interior that will impress dinner guests.

Spectacular results await those willing to master this straightforward technique.

Savor each bite, share this recipe with friends, double-tap if you love spectacular holiday cooking, and drop a comment celebrating seasonal deliciousness.

Michael Symon Spatchcock Turkey Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Micheal Symon’s spatchcock turkey revolutionizes holiday cooking with its quick roasting and perfectly crispy skin. Juicy meat and golden-brown exterior promise a memorable centerpiece that will impress guests and simplify your seasonal feast.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 18 to 12 pounds (8.2 to 5.4 kilograms) turkey
• 10 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 branch fresh tarragon or thyme, separated into sprigs, or ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) dried thyme or tarragon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Fats:

• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil or butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Position the turkey breast-side down on a sturdy cutting board and carefully remove the backbone using kitchen shears or a sharp knife.
2. Gently press down on the turkey to flatten it completely, creating an even surface for roasting.
3. Transfer the turkey to a roasting pan, positioning it breast-side up. Arrange the wings to partially cover the breast and allow the legs to extend slightly outward.
4. Carefully tuck fresh rosemary sprigs and whole garlic cloves underneath the bird, nestling them between the wings and legs.
5. Generously season the entire turkey with coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil evenly over the surface to enhance flavor and promote crispy skin.
6. Roast the turkey for 20 minutes, observing as the skin begins to turn a golden brown color.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and baste the turkey with the accumulated pan juices. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). If the turkey appears to be cooking too rapidly, lower the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
8. Continue roasting, checking the internal temperature after approximately 15 minutes (or 10 minutes for smaller birds).
9. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to verify the temperature. When the leg meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), the turkey is fully cooked. Repeat temperature checks in multiple locations to ensure accuracy.
10. Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This resting period helps redistribute the juices, ensuring a moist and flavorful result.
11. Serve the roasted turkey with the caramelized garlic cloves and rich pan juices, creating a stunning centerpiece for your meal.

Notes

• Let the turkey sit out for 30-60 minutes before roasting to promote even cooking and prevent dryness.
• Invest in a digital instant-read thermometer to guarantee the perfect internal temperature without guesswork.
• Monitor your bird closely and lower the oven heat by 25 degrees if browning happens too rapidly.
• Play with flavor combinations like rosemary and thyme or sage and garlic to make the recipe uniquely yours.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg