So you’ve heard about spatchcocking a turkey, but it sounds complex. But don’t let the name intimidate you. It’s an easy process that has multiple benefits, including more even cooking, reduced cooking time, crispier skin, and a layout that makes the turkey easier to carve. Preparing a spatchcock turkey simply means removing the backbone and pressing the turkey down flat. This allows you to spread the turkey out so that the breasts, thighs, and legs all cook at an even rate by maximizing the surface area exposed to the warm air produced by an oven or smoker, which is something you won’t get when cooking a whole turkey prepared the old-fashioned way. Spatchcocking also exposes all of the skin at once, resulting in more crispy skin. And the fat will render much better from the opened-up bird, allowing the fat to more effectively baste the meat during the cooking process.
The Yoder YS640 pellet grill is a fantastic option for smoking a juicy, flavorful turkey. With its thick, insulated construction and precise temperature control, this smoker can churn out tender, smoky birds that are sure to impress. Follow these tips to smoke the perfect turkey on your Yoder YS640.
Prep the Turkey
Start with a 10-15 lb turkey for the YS640’s grates. Remove giblets and rinse well. Pat dry inside and out with paper towels.
Brine the bird – Soak in a saltwater brine for 12-24 hours in the fridge to infuse moisture and seasoning Aim for 1 cup salt per gallon of water,
Inject flavor – Use an injector to pump a Cajun butter or broth marinade deep into the meat. Try 1-2 oz per lb
Loosen the skin – Slide your fingers under the skin to separate it from the breast meat. This helps heat circulate and crisp the skin.
Coat in oil and seasoning – Brush oil over the skin and rub seasoning like smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper inside and out.
Refrigerate uncovered – Let sit 24 hours unwrapped to dehydrate the skin for maximum crispness later.
Smoke the Turkey on the YS640
Set up your Yoder YS640 smoker for success:
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Use premium pellets like Lumber Jack for the best smoke flavor. Hickory, pecan, apple, or maple complement turkey well.
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Preheat the grill to 275°F with no smoke for optimal heat diffusion.
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Place a drip pan with 1-2 cups of water or broth under the turkey to baste it as it cooks.
Cook time estimate: Smoke for 10-15 minutes per lb, until the breast hits 165°F and the thighs reach 175°F. Plan for 10-12 hours for a 15 lb turkey.
Maintain Perfect Smoke
Monitor your YS640 during the smoke to prevent issues:
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Check the temp often and make adjustments to hold 275°F. The turkey’s done when it probes tender.
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Spritz the turkey with broth every 1-2 hours to moisten the skin if it appears dry.
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Add a water pan between the heat deflector and turkey drip pan to act as a barrier if the skin browns too fast.
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Wrap the breast or tent with foil if it cooks faster than the legs and thighs.
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Let the turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
Troubleshooting Your Smoked Turkey
It’s taking forever to cook – Check that your YS640 is maintaining the right temp. Use an oven-safe thermometer inside to be sure. Add more pellets if needed.
The turkey is drying out – Brining is key for moisture. Spritz more often and tent foil over drying areas. Don’t cook past 165°F breast temp.
The skin won’t crisp up – Ensure it was uncovered in the fridge. Start at a higher temp (325°F) for 30 minutes to render the fat before dropping to 275°F.
The smoke flavor is too light – Try a stronger wood pellet flavor like hickory. Or wrap in bacon for more smoke and moisture.
The flavor is too smokey – Opt for lighter fruit woods like apple or cherry. Mix in some unsmoked pellets. Or rinse off the skin at the end if it’s overpowering.
Injectable Marinade Ideas
Take your Yoder smoked turkey to the next level with flavorful homemade injections like:
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Cajun – Butter, Cajun seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, chicken broth
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Italian – Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary, oregano, fennel, red pepper flakes
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Asian – Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, red chili flakes
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BBQ – Melted butter, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic, apple cider vinegar
Get creative with your own signature marinades!
Master the Perfect Smoked Turkey
Smoking turkey on your Yoder YS640 may take patience and monitoring, but the incredibly moist, tender and full-flavored results are so worth it. With the right technique, your smoked birds will draw rave reviews year after year. Enjoy the smoky goodness!
Preparing to Spatchcock a Turkey
- Unwrap the turkey, remove the giblets and neck, and set them aside.
- Place your turkey breast side down on a cutting board large enough to accommodate the turkey.
- A raw turkey can be slippery, so we recommend patting it dry with paper towels and then setting a damp kitchen towel under your cutting board to keep it from sliding around.
How to Spatchcock a Turkey
- Using your poultry shears, cut right along one side of the backbone, then turn the turkey around and repeat on the other side to remove it.
- Using your poultry shears or boning knife, you can now remove the ribs, wishbone, and any other loose bones along the spine. If you’re interested in making rich and delicious turkey stock, set the backbone aside for later.
- Once the backbone, ribs, and wishbone have been removed, you need to focus on the breast bone. Using your poultry shears, make a cut about an inch in at the top of the bone. This will reduce the force needed when pressing down on the breast to lay the bird flat.
- With the breastbone cut, place the palms of both hands on either side and press down until you hear and feel the breastbone crack.
Smoked Spatchcock Turkey on a Yoder YS640s Pellet Smoker
FAQ
How long to smoke a turkey on a Yoder YS640?
- Dry off turkey with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Trim off excess turkey skin.
- Inject turkey with melted butter.
- Season turkey with seasoning.
- Tie Legs together with butchers twine.
- Tuck wing tips under turkey.
- Preheat the Yoder Smokers YS640S to 225° and place turkey in smoker for 2 hours.
Is it better to smoke a turkey at 225 or 250?
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Cooking time:At 250°F, a turkey will cook faster than at 225°F, which can be beneficial if you want a quicker cook time.
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Skin crispness:Higher temperatures like 250°F may help achieve crispier turkey skin compared to a lower temperature like 225°F.
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Smoke flavor:While both temperatures can infuse smoke flavor, a lower temperature like 225°F may result in a more intensely smoky turkey.
What temperature to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill?
- 225°F: A common temperature to smoke a turkey at, but it can take longer to cook
- 250°F to 275°F: A higher temperature that can cook a turkey faster
- 300°F: A temperature that can be used to cook a turkey
- 350°F: A temperature that can be used to finish cooking a turkey
What is the danger zone for smoked turkey?
Completely thaw meat or poultry before smoking. Because smoking uses low temperatures to cook food, the meat will take too long to thaw in the smoker, allowing it to linger in the “Danger Zone” (temperatures between 40 and 140 °F) where harmful bacteria can multiply.
How do you smoke a Turkey in a Yoder ys640s?
Drain, and lay the turkey on a cooling rack in a rimmed pan. Gently lift the skin from the flesh to separate. Pop in the fridge uncovered for overnight or at a minimum of 2-3 hours. When it’s time to smoke, fire up the Yoder Smokers YS640S to 275°F. Remove the bird from the fridge, flip the bird over showing the undercarriage.
Is the Yoder YS640 only a smoker/Grill?
The Yoder YS640 is not just a smoker/grill. After spending a year cooking on it, I consider it the most versatile cooking system I have come across in the BBQ world. The ease of use and versatility will allow you to cook throughout the week and all year round. You will eat healthier as slow cooking removed more grease and fats than fast cooking.
Does the Yoder ys640s have a fireboard?
Yoder has partnered with FireBoard Labs, which manufactures the Fireboard 2 and Spark thermometers. The Fireboard system is integrated into the Yoder, so you can also use the Fireboard app. The Yoder YS640S comes with a lot of options, including different grate options, temperature gauges, and shelves.