Why does Alton Brown not recommend basting the turkey?

Do Not Baste. Basting the skin is not necessary to flavor the meat. You’ll flavor the skin, but you’ll also let heat out of the oven each time you open it to baste. “That means the bird is going to be in there for a longer time cooking, which means it’s going to dry out more,” Brown says.

Do you brining a turkey before or after Spatchcock?

To spatchcock a turkey, you will want to first brine it, just as you would a bird for a traditional roast. When ready to roast, preheat your oven to 350 degrees, brush the turkey with oil and, depending on its weight, cook for 70 to 90 minutes.

How long does it take to cook a turkey Alton Brown?

Insert a probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Set the thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees F. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting.

Should I butterfly my turkey?

When you butterfly your bird you’re essentially flattening it so it cooks faster and more evenly. You can always ask your butcher to do this, but it’s easy enough to do at home. For an eight-person Thanksgiving dinner, start with a 15-pound turkey — it’ll be enough to feed your guests and still have leftovers.

Can you put stuffing under a Spatchcocked turkey?

The payoff: A flattened turkey cooks more evenly and quickly than a regular bird. Tucking the stuffing under the skin ensures that the meat will be moist and delicious.

Where do you put the thermometer in a spatchcock turkey?

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove turkey from the oven, cover loosely with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

How long does it take to smoke a spatchcock turkey?

Smoke the turkey over low heat 225° – 275° F for approximately 11-13 minutes a pound. 9. Once the breast reaches 165°F, remove, cover loosely with foil, and allow to rest approximately 30 minutes.

Should I Spatchcock a turkey?

Why Should You Spatchcock a Turkey? Not only will spatchcocking turkey ensure plenty of crisp skin (since virtually all of it is out in the open), it makes it much easier to cook the white and dark meat evenly—meaning the breast will stay juicy. It cuts down on the total cooking time too, always a plus.