Cajun Maple Glazed Spatchcock Turkey

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Cajun Maple Glazed Spatchcock Turkey is the best way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey that is tender, juicy, and buttery. Seasoned with spicy cajun seasoning and glazed in maple syrup for a delicious blend the whole family will love.  

This post has been sponsored by OXO. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It is almost time for Thanksgiving! 

You may already be planning your menu or if you’re anything like me, then you may be waiting until the last minute to pull everything together. Either way, I’ve got you covered when it comes to the center of the show, the turkey. 

My favorite way to prepare turkey is by roasting it in the oven. However, with time being a factor I prefer to spatchcock or butterfly the turkey to allow it to cook faster. 

What is Spatchcock?

Spatchcocking is a process that breaks down the bird by removing the backbone and flattening out the turkey. This allows the turkey to cook evenly and dramatically reduces the roasting time in the oven. 

Typically a turkey needs to cook 13 to 15 minutes per pound, but when spatchcocked a 10-14 pound turkey can be done in 70 to 90 minutes. 

The process may sound complicated but I assure you it’s not, especially with the help of a few tools from OXO. 

How to Spatchcock a Turkey:

The most important thing you will need to get started is a pair of poultry shears. Trust me, regular kitchen shears aren’t strong enough to get the job done and using a knife is not advised for safety reasons. Thanksgiving is not a time to take a trip to the ER. 

I’m using the OXO Good Grips Poultry Shears to help me cut with ease. The stainless steel blades are curved and tapered for precision cutting with non-slip handles. 

1. Begin with a completely thawed turkey turned breast side down. Using the poultry shears, cut along both sides of the backbone until you are able to remove it completely. Save it to make gravy or store it in a freezer bag to make homemade stock.
2. Gently stretch open the cavity of the bird to reveal the breastbone inside. Carefully make a small incision in the bone using a knife. This will make it easier to flatten out the turkey.
3. Flip the turkey over, breast side up, and stretch it out as wide as it will allow. 
4. Place both of your hands on both sides of the chest of the bird and press down firmly until you hear a snapping sound and the turkey is able to flatten out. 
5. Tuck the wing tips or cut them off if you prefer. I just leave them on.

Now its time for the herb butter. To make it you will need: 

• Butter 
• Garlic
• Sage
• Thyme
• Rosemary

Mix all the ingredients together and generously rub it all over the turkey inside and out. I am talking about everywhere your hand will fit. Leave no area without this mixture because it adds all the flavor to your turkey. 

How to Cook this Turkey?

There are two ways that you may cook this turkey in the oven. 

1. Place directly on the oven rack with a pan with sides placed on the rack underneath to catch the dripping. 
2. Use a large roast pan with a little help from the OXO Good Grips Silicone Roasting Rack to give the bird a lift in the pan to allow the juices to drain away from the bird.

Either way is fine, but today I will be placing the turkey directly on the oven rack. 

What temperature to Cook the Turkey?

The turkey should begin baking in the oven at 450 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Remove the turkey from the oven to brush evenly with maple syrup. 

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. and allow the turkey to cook for an additional 60 minutes. While checking the turkey every 20 minutes using the OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, once the internal temperature registers 165 to 170 degrees it is ready to be removed. 

Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 30 to 45 minutes before carving. If you used the roast pan loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil. If you cooked directly on the oven rack, carefully slide the turkey onto a Non-Stick Pro Metal Bakeware set which includes the pan and cooling rack. 

Make a gravy to compliment your turkey and serve it to your friends and family. This is sure to be your new favorite way to prepare turkey any time of the year. 

Want more recipes to complete your Thanksgiving Meal? Try These: 

• Easy Cornbread Dressing 
• Garlic Green Beans 
• Southern Mac and Cheese 
• Southern Cornbread 
• Easy Sweet Potato Pie 

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