Flavorful Spatchcock Turkey Recipe with Lemon & Garlic
A delicious and transformative spatchcock turkey recipe infused with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic. Perfect for holidays or hearty dinners, this recipe ensures juicy meat and crispy skin.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole turkey (10–12 pounds, fresh or thawed from frozen)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the turkey: Remove giblets and neck from the cavity. Use kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it. Flip the turkey over and press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten it. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Make the compound butter: Mix softened butter with minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the turkey: Loosen the skin on the turkey breast and thighs using fingers or a spoon. Spread the compound butter evenly under the skin, covering as much meat as possible. Rub olive oil over the skin and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the roasting pan: Place a wire rack inside the roasting pan and lay the spatchcocked turkey on top. Tuck fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs around the bird for extra aroma.
- Roast the turkey: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Roast the turkey for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast. Rotate the pan halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Baste (optional): Baste the turkey with chicken broth or pan drippings every 30 minutes for added moisture.
- Rest the turkey: Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
[‘Dry the turkey thoroughly to ensure crispy skin.’, ‘Use fresh herbs for better flavor.’, ‘Allow the turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking to keep the meat juicy.’, ‘Invest in a meat thermometer for accurate cooking.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: spatchcock turkey, lemon garlic turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, roasted turkey, holiday recipe