Smoked Spatchcock Turkey

Smoked Spatchcock Turkey is a medium American recipe that serves 8. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Meat Church BBQ on YouTube.

Prep: 13 hrs 10 min | Cook: 2 hrs 45 min | Total: 16 hrs 15 min

Cost: $54.70 total, $6.84 per serving

Ingredients

  • 12 libras Whole turkey (fresh, not frozen)
  • 1 paquete Bird Baptism Brine packet (Meat Church) (approx. 1 lb, contains salt, sugar and spices)
  • 4 litros Water (to dissolve the brine and submerge the turkey)
  • sufficient cubo Ice (to quickly chill the brine)
  • 115 gramos Unsalted butter (melted, for basting the turkey during smoking)
  • 2 cucharadas Honey Hog seasoning (Meat Church) (sweet smoked seasoning)
  • 1 cucharadita Coarse black pepper 16 mesh (optional, for color and flavor)
  • 2 libras Oak and walnut pellets (Meat Church) (for smoking, balanced flavor)
  • 1 hoja grande Aluminum foil (to wrap the turkey tips)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the brine

    Place the small pot, add the Bird Baptism Brine packet and 2 L of water. Heat over medium‑high heat until it boils and fully dissolves the sugars and salt.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 100°C

  2. Cool the brine and prepare the bath

    Remove the pot from the heat, add ice to the contents to lower the temperature quickly. When it is warm, pour it into a food‑safe container.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Submerge the turkey in the brine and refrigerate

    Place the cleaned turkey inside the container, cover with the brine and top up with cold water until fully submerged. Add more ice if needed and cover. Refrigerate for 12 hours (or overnight).

    Time: PT5M

  4. Rinse and dry the turkey

    Remove the turkey from the brine, rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

    Time: PT10M

  5. Spatchcock: remove the backbone

    Using poultry shears or a knife, cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it completely. Reserve the bones for stock.

    Time: PT10M

  6. Remove the keelbone (breast bone)

    Make an incision along the sternum, feel the point of resistance and with the knife or fingers separate and extract the breast bone.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Apply butter under the skin and season

    Slide the melted butter under the breast skin and the upper part of the turkey. Generously sprinkle the Honey Hog seasoning on both sides and add coarse black pepper to taste.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Season rest

    Let the turkey rest at room temperature for 15 min so the seasoning adheres.

    Time: PT15M

  9. Preheat the smoker

    Turn on the pellet grill and set the temperature to 275 °F (135 °C).

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 275°F

  10. Smoke the turkey

    Place the turkey skin‑side up directly on the rack. Close the lid and smoke at 275 °F for 2 hours 45 min, basting with melted butter every 30 min.

    Time: PT2H45M

    Temperature: 275°F

  11. Check internal temperature

    Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast; it should read at least 155 °F (68 °C).

    Time: PT0M

    Temperature: 155°F

  12. Remove and wrap the tips

    Take the turkey off the smoker, wrap the wing tips and thighs with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Rest before carving

    Let the turkey rest under aluminum foil for 30 min before carving.

    Time: PT30M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
5 g
Fat
20 g
Fiber
0 g

Dietary info: gluten-free, contains dairy, low-carb, keto-friendly, high-protein, low-calorie

Allergens: dairy

Last updated: March 14, 2026

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Smoked Spatchcock Turkey

Recipe by Meat Church BBQ

Whole 12‑lb (5.4 kg) turkey brined overnight in Meat Church’s Bird Baptism brine, deboned and spatchcocked, seasoned with Honey Hog seasoning and coarse black pepper, and smoked at 275 °F (135 °C) on a pellet grill until the breast reaches 155 °F (68 °C). Basted with melted butter and rested 30 min before serving. Ideal for Thanksgiving dinner.

MediumAmericanServes 8

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Source Video
4h 20m
Prep
30m
Cook
35m
Cleanup
5h 25m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$54.70
Total cost
$6.84
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Remove the backbone (spatchcock)
  • Remove the keelbone (breast bone)
  • Smoke at the correct temperature and monitor internal temperature
  • Check that the breast reaches 155 °F (68 °C)

Safety Warnings

  • Handle raw turkey with clean hands and utensils to avoid cross‑contamination.
  • Use gloves or tongs when removing the backbone to avoid cuts.
  • Beware of hot fat when basting with butter.

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