How to Easily Break a Turkey Breastbone for Even Cooking

Roasting a whole turkey can be intimidating. Getting the breast meat perfectly moist while fully cooking the legs and thighs takes skill. However, there is a simple trick to cooking turkey more evenly – breaking the breastbone. Cracking the turkey’s breastbone before roasting allows it to lay flatter in the pan promoting more even cooking. Read on to learn the easy process of breaking a turkey’s breastbone so you can serve a juicy bird this holiday season.

Why Break the Breastbone?

When left whole, a turkey’s breastbone causes the breast meat to curve up and away from the legs and thighs. This exposes the white breast meat to more direct heat from the oven, causing it to overcook and dry out long before the dark meat is finished.

By breaking the breastbone you flatten the bird so the breast lays right next to the legs and thighs. This allows both light and dark meat to cook at the same rate, preventing dried out breast meat. Breaking the breastbone also speeds up overall cooking time since heat can penetrate the turkey more efficiently when it lays flat.

So breaking the turkey breastbone solves two common turkey cooking problems – overcooked breast meat and excessively long cook times. It’s a simple hack that makes roasting turkey much easier!

How to Break the Turkey Breastbone

Breaking a turkey breastbone is surprisingly easy – all it takes is a bit of brute force! Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove the Backbone

Place the turkey breast side down on a cutting board. Using sharp kitchen shears, cut closely along both sides of the backbone to remove it. Save the backbone for making broth or gravy later.

Step 2: Flip and Crack the Breastbone

Flip the turkey over so the breast side is facing up. Place your non-dominant hand on top of the turkey’s breastbone. Then, with the heel of your dominant hand, press down firmly in the center of the breastbone. You should hear and feel a crack as the bone splits.

If you need extra force, you can place a rolling pin on top of your dominant hand and lean your body weight onto it. The breastbone should crack open easily.

Step 3: Flatten the Turkey

With the breastbone broken, the turkey can now lay completely flat. Press down on both sides of the breast to flatten it out fully. If desired, you can also tuck the wing tips under the body to keep them secure.

Step 4: Roast as Usual

With the turkey butterflied, seasoning and roasting is just like normal. Simply rub the turkey cavity with herbs, salt, and pepper then roast breast side up at 350°F, basting periodically, until the thighs reach 165°F. The flattened shape will allow even cooking from breast to thigh.

And that’s it! With just a quick backbone removal and breastbone crack, you’ve sped up cook time and prevented the classic dried-out turkey breast.

Turkey Breastbone Breaking Tips

Here are some extra tips for breaking and roasting a butterflied turkey:

• For easier cracking, score the breastbone with a knife before attempting to break it. This weakens the bone.

• Opt for a 12-14 lb turkey. Larger birds are harder to flatten completely. Cook two small turkeys if needed.

• Roast the turkey on a rimmed baking sheet with a rack to allow air flow. A flat pan works better than a deep roasting pan.

• Use melted butter or oil to coat the skin and underside of the turkey before roasting for maximum browning and moisture.

• Let the roasted turkey rest 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.

With these tips and the simple four-step process above, you can look forward to a perfectly cooked turkey this holiday season. Breaking the breastbone helps novice and experienced cooks alike achieve tender, juicy meat from breast to thigh. Give it a try for your next turkey dinner!

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools do I need to break the breastbone?

You’ll need a sharp knife or poultry shears to cut out the backbone. Then you can use your hands or a rolling pin to crack the breastbone itself. Poultry shears are ideal since they cut through bone cleanly.

Does spatchcocking work the same as breaking the breastbone?

Yes, spatchcocking is just another term for removing the backbone and flattening the bird. It achieves the same result of evening out cooking.

Will I ruin the turkey if I don’t break the breastbone perfectly?

As long as you make an effort to flatten the turkey, it will still cook more evenly than leaving it completely whole. Any flattening helps exposure. Don’t worry if your crack isn’t perfect.

Can I stuff a turkey with a broken breastbone?

You can still stuff a butterflied turkey, but it may be easier to cook stuffing separately. Flattening the cavity reduces space and may prevent even cooking of the stuffing.

What’s the best roasting temperature and time for a flattened turkey?

The standard 350°F works well. Cook to 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh. Estimate 15-20 minutes per pound, less if you fully flattened the turkey.

Should I flip or rotate a butterflied turkey while roasting?

Rotating the pan halfway through is a good idea to promote even browning. Since the turkey lays flat, you should not need to flip it completely.

Is breaking the breastbone safe for brined or kosher turkeys?

Yes, you can safely break the breastbone of a brined or kosher turkey. Just be sure to flatten it adequately for even cooking.

Conclusion

Breaking the turkey breastbone solves the pesky issues of uneven cooking and dried out breast meat that so often plague whole roasted turkeys. With just a few simple cuts, you can butterfly your bird for a perfect holiday centerpiece. Follow the tips above for moist, flavorful meat from the white breast to the dark thighs and legs. Your guests will be delighted with your juicy, evenly cooked Thanksgiving turkey.