Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your big turkey day feast! If you want a turkey that’s moist, flavorful and cooked to perfection you may be considering having your bird spatchcocked. But will Whole Foods do this kitchen hack for you? I decided to do some digging to find out.
What Is Spatchcocking?
First, let’s cover the basics. Spatchcocking is a technique where the backbone is removed from a whole turkey, and then the bird is flattened out. This allows the turkey to cook more evenly since the breasts and legs will be cooked at the same rate.
The turkey ends up juicier, more flavorful, and ready to eat in almost half the time. It’s an ideal method for feeding a crowd on Thanksgiving when oven space is limited. No longer will you have to worry about dry breast meat or undercooked thighs!
Reasons to Spatchcock Your Turkey
There are so many benefits to spatchcocking your Thanksgiving turkey
- Cooks faster – A 12 lb turkey only needs about 90 minutes in the oven
- Promotes even cooking – No more dry breast meat or pink thighs
- Maximizes crispy skin – The skin gets evenly exposed to the hot oven air
- Easy to carve – With the backbone removed carving is a breeze
- Flavorful – The seasonings spread evenly under and over the skin
- Impress your guests – It looks cool with the backbone removed!
I don’t know about you, but juicy, evenly cooked turkey with crispy skin sounds amazing. Sign me up!
Can You Buy a Spatchcocked Turkey at Whole Foods?
After doing a good amount of digging on the Whole Foods website and contacting store locations directly, I have confirmed that yes, you can buy a spatchcocked turkey from Whole Foods for Thanksgiving!
This is great news if you want to enjoy all the benefits of a spatchcocked bird without having to do the work yourself
While availability can vary by location, most Whole Foods stores will spatchcock fresh or frozen turkeys upon request. Some may even have pre-spatchcocked turkeys available in the days leading up to the holiday.
How to Order a Spatchcocked Turkey from Whole Foods
Ordering a spatchcocked turkey from your local Whole Foods is easy. Just follow these steps:
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Stop by the store – Visit the butcher counter and talk to the meat team about spatchcocking options. Let them know when you need it and they can check on availability.
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Place your order – Once you’ve picked out your fresh or frozen turkey, ask them to please spatchcock it for you. Provide your name and phone number so they can call when it’s ready.
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Pick up your spatchcocked turkey – Swing by a day or two before Thanksgiving when they call you that it’s ready. Enjoy your evenly cooked turkey masterpiece on the big day!
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Pre-order for the holidays – For peak availability, you can call your store ahead of time and pre-order a spatchcocked turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
It’s that easy to let the Whole Foods meat experts do the work for you!
How Much Does Whole Foods Charge for Spatchcocking?
There is no additional charge for having your turkey spatchcocked at Whole Foods. You simply pay the standard price for whatever turkey you select.
The cost will vary depending on the weight, type (fresh vs. frozen), and brand of turkey you choose. But the spatchcocking service itself is complimentary.
That’s part of what makes preordering a spatchcocked turkey from Whole Foods so worthwhile. You get all the benefits without any extra fees.
Tips for Cooking a Spatchcocked Turkey
Once you bring home your beautifully spatchcocked turkey from Whole Foods, follow these tips for cooking it to perfection:
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Let it rest – Let the turkey sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly.
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Season generously – Rub the skin all over with olive oil or butter, then sprinkle on your favorite herbs and spices. Get under the skin too.
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Roast breast-side up – Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan, breast-side up. Tent with foil if the skin gets too brown.
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Cook to temp – Roast in a 425°F oven until the breast meat reaches 160°F and the thighs are 175°F.
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Rest before carving – Let the turkey rest for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
Follow these simple steps for the best spatchcocked turkey you’ve ever tasted!
Enjoy Hassle-Free Holidays with Whole Foods
Take the guesswork out of your Thanksgiving turkey this year by ordering a spatchcocked bird from Whole Foods Market. With even cooking, juicy meat, crispy skin, and no carving headaches, it’s a great option for feeding family and friends.
Stop by your local store or give them a call to ask about availability. With the skilled Whole Foods meat team handling the spatchcocking, you can focus on enjoying a stress-free and delicious holiday meal.
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Ree Drummond’s Spatchcock Turkey | The Pioneer Woman | Food Network
FAQ
Are the turkeys at Whole Foods fresh or frozen?
Will a butcher debone a turkey?
Will a butcher thinly slice meat?
Will a butcher spatchcock a chicken for you?
Should you try a Spatchcock Turkey?
If what you dread most about Thanksgiving is cooking the turkey, then it’s time you tried a spatchcock turkey. Every year around Thanksgiving, people get very nervous about cooking turkeys. They bemoan the dryness of the bird and the fact that it is flavorless, as well as the fact that it takes a very long time to cook.
What is a roast Spatchcock Turkey?
While there are many methods to cooking turkey, a roast spatchcock turkey allows for even cooking, juicy meat with perfectly crisp skin, and in only a fraction of the time! WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE? Enter your email below & we’ll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
What is Spatchcocking a Turkey?
Spatchcocking is a cooking technique that refers to butterflying a bird to prepare it for cooking. Essentially, you are removing the backbone so it can lie flat on the pan. With more of the turkey’s surface area exposed, the bird will cook faster and more evenly.
What size Turkey should you Spatchcock?
A 13-lb. turkey is the largest bird you should spatchcock to ensure it fits in a roasting pan, and 10 to 12 pounds is ideal. If you’re tight on space, a smaller turkey will more easily fit properly in the pan. Look for 6- to 11- pound Li’l Butterballs in stores this holiday season. Carson Downing. Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly