Spatchcock Turkey on Santa Maria Style Grill????

dwfisk · 07-07-2013, 02:00 PM

We loaded up on whole turkeys when they were on sale for $0.59 per pound during the holidays and I have a few 12-14 pounders still hanging out in the freezer. I'm toying with the idea of spatchcocking one and cooking it on my Santa Maria style pit one day next week. Surely someone has done this before and its just my inept search skills that won't let me find examples (found plenty smoked, on the Weber and BGE so I'm encouraged it will work). I'm thinking I'll spatchcock the bird, then brine overnight, maybe inject, rub and then cook on oak & huickory coals at a target grill temp around 300* (or where I can keep my hand for 10-12 seconds) until I start seeing IT's around 150*-165* then wrap & rest?
What do y'all think?
Any guess on cooking time?
Any critique or suggestions will be appreciated.

Callahan-que · 07-07-2013, 02:39 PM

Sounds like a plan to me. Instead of wrapping & resting how about loosely tenting it & resting? If you wrap it the skin will lose it's crispiness.

Bludawg · 07-07-2013, 02:51 PM

tent & rest is a defenate, although I like my Buzzard a little more on the well done side. Like 165 breast & 175 drums & thighs. BLU don't eat no under cooked Buzzard.. Bad experiences!

5string · 07-07-2013, 04:14 PM

This is the only way I cook turkey now. I would not recommend injecting, it leaves pockets as turkey has tighter tissue than 4 legged critters. You'll get mushy spots where the injection pools. I like higher temps for birds (300+) to get crispy skin. Nobody likes rubber skin or limp bacon.

dwfisk · 07-07-2013, 04:16 PM

Thanks a bunch. Do you cook on a SM style grill?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string

This is the only way I cook turkey now. I would not recommend injecting, it leaves pockets as turkey has tighter tissue than 4 legged critters. You'll get mushy spots where the injection pools. I like higher temps for birds (275-300) to get crispy skin. Nobody likes rubber skin or limp bacon.

5string · 07-07-2013, 04:21 PM

I've done them on a SM, a kettle, and in various smokers, my preference is a WSM unless it's just too big to fit.

07-07-2013, 02:00 PM	#1
dwfisk Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-01-12 Location: Fairfield, Florida Name/Nickname : Dave	Spatchcock Turkey on Santa Maria Style Grill???? We loaded up on whole turkeys when they were on sale for $0.59 per pound during the holidays and I have a few 12-14 pounders still hanging out in the freezer. I'm toying with the idea of spatchcocking one and cooking it on my Santa Maria style pit one day next week. Surely someone has done this before and its just my inept search skills that won't let me find examples (found plenty smoked, on the Weber and BGE so I'm encouraged it will work). I'm thinking I'll spatchcock the bird, then brine overnight, maybe inject, rub and then cook on oak & huickory coals at a target grill temp around 300* (or where I can keep my hand for 10-12 seconds) until I start seeing IT's around 150-165 then wrap & rest? What do y'all think? Any guess on cooking time? Any critique or suggestions will be appreciated. __________________ I'm Dave Got a bunch of cooking toys and a custom metal fabrication shop where I spend my time building all sorts of smokers & outdoor cooking gear.

07-07-2013, 02:39 PM	#2
Callahan-que Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-18-10 Location: Callahan Fl Name/Nickname : Rick	Sounds like a plan to me. Instead of wrapping & resting how about loosely tenting it & resting? If you wrap it the skin will lose it's crispiness. __________________ Rick

07-07-2013, 02:51 PM	#3
Bludawg somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx	tent & rest is a defenate, although I like my Buzzard a little more on the well done side. Like 165 breast & 175 drums & thighs. BLU don't eat no under cooked Buzzard.. Bad experiences! __________________ I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows.

07-07-2013, 04:14 PM	#4
5string is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-05-12 Location: Geezerville, North Carolfornia	This is the only way I cook turkey now. I would not recommend injecting, it leaves pockets as turkey has tighter tissue than 4 legged critters. You'll get mushy spots where the injection pools. I like higher temps for birds (300+) to get crispy skin. Nobody likes rubber skin or limp bacon. __________________ PitBoss & Dishwasher, Smokin' Geezers Grill Team & Gumbo Krewe KCBS CBJ, CTC, CBBQA, ECV

07-07-2013, 04:21 PM	#6
5string is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-05-12 Location: Geezerville, North Carolfornia	I've done them on a SM, a kettle, and in various smokers, my preference is a WSM unless it's just too big to fit. __________________ PitBoss & Dishwasher, Smokin' Geezers Grill Team & Gumbo Krewe KCBS CBJ, CTC, CBBQA, ECV