Traeger Spatchock Turkey With Bacon

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by Chef Jason from 5280 Culinary

The spatchcock technique is a great way to cook a turkey fast for your feast before smoking it on a Traeger.

Traeger Spatchcock Turkey With Bacon

Let a Chef walk you through how to it's done the easy and effective way for your pellet grill.

Print Recipe For  Traeger Spatchcock Turkey With Bacon

Yield: Serves 10-12 People
Prep time: 20 Minutes
Cook time: 2-3 Hours depending on level of smoke desired

Ingredients

Measure   Ingredient                                              

1 Pkg              Traeger Turkey Brine                                                        Prepared                  

1 Pkg              Traeger Turkey Rub                                                         

1 Ea                Turkey, Whole, Fresh                                                       18-20 Lb Turkey                            

1 ½ lbs           Bacon, Applewood, Thick Sliced                                                         

4 Tbsp            Oil, Olive, Blend

                                                                       

 

Cooking Directions

  • Prepare turkey by removing cavity contents and giblets package under front flap
  • Rinse turkey inside and out and set aside
  • Prepare the Traeger Turkey Brine according to package directions and cool completely
  • Line a bucket with a brine bag and carefully place the turkey into the brine bag
  • Add the brine solution and brine the turkey (under refrigeration) for 45 minutes per pound
  • Load pellet hopper with Turkey blend pellets, set temp. at 190˚ and ignite Traeger
  • While Traeger is heating up, carefully remove turkey from the brine. DO NOT RINSE
  • Place the turkey onto a stable cutting board
  • With heavy duty poultry shears or large chefs knife, cut along both side of the backbone and remove the backbone
  • *** Watch for any shards of bone and remove
  • Using poultry shears or the heel of your knife, split the breastbone/sternum and lay the turkey flat
  • Rub turkey with olive oil blend and season to taste with Traeger Turkey seasoning
  • Place the turkey cavity/bones side down into the Traeger and smoke at 190˚ for 1 hour
  • While turkey is smoking, make your bacon blanket on a sheet of butcher paper or foil, keep cold
  • After 1 hour of smoke, adjust Traeger to 400˚ and allow to come to temp
  • Open the lid and carefully turn the bacon blanket over onto the turkey
  • *** If you want to save drippings for gravy, add turkey to a pan, then cover with bacon blanket
  • Add the wifire probe to the thickest part of the breast and set probe alarm for 160˚, carry over cooking will take turkey past 165˚ for final internal temperature
  • Close the lid and let turkey cook for 1.5 – 2 hours
  • Carefully remove the turkey from the Trager using heat proof gloves
  • Remove the bacon blanket and save for snacking or chopped bacon needs
  • Allow to cool for 5 minutes
  • Slice turkey and devour!

Grills / Grill Gear Used

  • Traeger Grills                                                      Ace SKU – 8030466
  • Reserve Blend Pellets                                        Ace SKU – 8015887
  • Traeger Turkey Pellet Kit                                 Ace SKU – 8013985

For more tips, go to Tips.acehardware.com

Published: 8/31/2020