Cajun Maple Glazed Spatchcock Turkey

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.  

Try pairing this delicious turkey recipe with a side of Easy Cornbread Dressing, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and don't forget a slice of Sweet Potato Pie for dessert.

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 for 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. 

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. 

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 it's time to make the herb butter, let's get started!

Making the Herb Butter

1. Butter - Use any that you prefer salted or unsalted. Try to allow it to soften to room temperature for easier mixing.
2. Garlic - Be sure to use fresh garlic for the best results. This ingredient adds a nice flavor to the herb butter and pairs well with the butter and fresh herbs.
3. Sage - Provides a nice woodsy flavor that is common in many holiday recipes. Be sure to use fresh sage that can be located in the produce section at the grocery store.
4. Thyme - Use fresh thyme to give the herb butter a nice earthly flavor.
5. Rosemary - This fresh piney herb pairs well with the thyme and balances the earthly flavors of the herbs.

Mix all the ingredients together and generously rub them 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. 

Cooking Instructions

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 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 large sheet pan. 

Make 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. 

Recipe

Cajun Maple Glazed Spatchcock Turkey

LaKita Anderson

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.  

4.94 from 15 votes

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Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 2 hrs

Resting Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 236.52 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 12 to 20 pound turkey, thawed with neck and giblets removed
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ tablespoon cajun seasoning
• ¼ cup maple syrup

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Using a small bowl, stir together the butter, garlic, sage, thyme, rosemary and set aside.
• Spatchcock the turkey by 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.
• 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. 
• Flip the turkey over, breast side up, and stretch it out as wide as it will allow.
• 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. Tuck the wing tips or cut them off if you prefer.
• Use your hands to generously spread the herb butter all over the turkey. Don’t forget the area between the skin and meat.
• Use a paper towel to pat the outside of the turkey to dry it of any excess moisture. Drizzle the olive oil evenly on top of the turkey. Spread with your hands to cover evenly. Evenly sprinkle on the cajun seasoning.
• Place in a roasting pan or directly on the oven rack with a separate pan placed on the rack underneath to catch the drippings. If you placed directly on the rack, remove using a set of metal spatulas or turkey lifters.
• Cook the turkey for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush evenly all over with maple syrup. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Return the turkey to the oven to cook.
• Set a timer to check the turkey every 20 minutes by inserting a 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. If you used the roast pan loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil. If you cooked directly on the oven rack, carefully transfer the turkey from the oven onto a pan. Allow the turkey time to rest for 30 to 45 minutes before carving.

Nutrition

Calories: 236.52kcalCarbohydrates: 5.12gProtein: 0.31gFat: 24.43gSaturated Fat: 10.99gCholesterol: 40.73mgSodium: 136.35mgPotassium: 29.84mgFiber: 0.24gSugar: 4.07gVitamin A: 648.97IUVitamin C: 1.09mgCalcium: 18.4mgIron: 0.27mg

*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

Keyword cajun turkey, spatchcock turkey

Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita

Original post date 11/18/2019. Updated 11/05/2022.

More Holiday Recipes You'll Love

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

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