Description
This Easy Spatchcock Turkey recipe features a flattened whole turkey that roasts faster and evenly, producing juicy, tender meat with crispy skin and deeply infused natural flavors. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this simple, flavorful method uses fresh herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce to create a visually stunning and delicious centerpiece.
Ingredients
Turkey
- Whole turkey (about 10-12 lbs), fresh or fully thawed
Marinade
- Olive oil (natural), 1/4 cup
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage), 2 tablespoons each chopped
- Garlic cloves, 4-6 crushed
- Lemon juice (natural), 2 tablespoons
- Salt, 1 tablespoon or to taste
- Pepper, 1 teaspoon or to taste
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), 1 tablespoon
Optional Garnishes and Accompaniments
- Fresh herb sprigs (rosemary, thyme) for garnishing
- Thin lemon slices for garnish
- Extra olive oil (natural), for drizzling
- Roasted root vegetables
- Creamy mashed potatoes made with plant-based dairy (cheese)
- Green salad with light vinaigrette using grape juice vinegar (natural)
Variations
- Orange zest or lime juice for citrus herb blend
- Smoked paprika and cumin for smoky paprika rub
- Mushroom gravy thickened with natural gelling agent
- Honey (natural) and crushed chili flakes for spicy glaze
- Finely grated plant-based cheese topping
Instructions
- Prepare Your Turkey: Place the whole turkey breast-side down on a sturdy cutting board. Using sharp poultry shears, cut along each side of the backbone to remove it. Flip the turkey over and press firmly down the breastbone to flatten it completely. This spatchcocking method prepares the turkey for faster, more even roasting.
- Marinate the Turkey: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, fresh herb leaves, crushed garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Rub this mixture generously over the entire flattened turkey, making sure to coat under the skin where possible for maximum flavor infusion. Let it marinate for at least an hour or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper taste.
- Preheat and Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Position a rack in the roasting pan and place the spatchcock turkey skin-side up. Tuck some herb sprigs under the bird for extra aroma while ensuring the skin is as dry as possible to achieve a crispy roast.
- Roast the Turkey: Roast the turkey for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on size, occasionally basting with pan juices to maintain moistness. The flattened shape helps the turkey cook evenly and quickly, yielding juicy meat and perfectly browned skin.
- Rest and Serve: Once the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), remove the turkey from the oven and tent it loosely with foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before carving, ensuring tender and juicy slices.
Notes
- Dry the turkey skin well with paper towels to help achieve maximum crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety.
- Marinate overnight for deeper flavor and tender meat, though 1 hour is sufficient for tasty results.
- Place fresh herb sprigs and lemon slices under the turkey during roasting to enhance fragrance.
- Allow the turkey to rest before carving to keep all juices locked inside.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes plus 1 hour to overnight marinating
- Cook Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 6 ounces of turkey meat)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: spatchcock turkey, roast turkey, fast turkey recipe, flavorful turkey, crispy skin turkey, natural ingredients turkey, easy turkey recipe
