Skip to Main Content
Bacon-wrapped Spatchcocked Turkey
By Jason K. Morse
Wrap your turkey in a bacon blanket to layer on some serious flavor. Our Orange Brine and Turkey Rub kit makes this recipe simple and delicious.
Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
2 Hours
Ingredients
How many people are you serving?
10
Activating this element will cause content on the page to be updated.Units of Measurement:
main
| 1 | (18-20 lb) fresh whole turkey |
| 1 | Traeger Orange Brine and Turkey Rub Kit |
| 4 Tablespoon | Olive oil |
| 1 1/2 Pound | thick-cut applewood bacon |
Steps
1
Prepare turkey by removing cavity contents and giblets package under front flap. Rinse turkey inside and out, and set aside.
Ingredients
1 (18-20 lb) fresh whole turkey
2
Prepare the Traeger Orange Brine according to package directions and cool completely.
Ingredients
1 Traeger Orange Brine and Turkey Rub Kit
3
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.
4
When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 190°F and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
190 ˚F / 88 ˚C
Super Smoke
5
While Traeger is heating up, carefully remove turkey from the brine. DO NOT RINSE.
6
Place the turkey onto a stable cutting board and with heavy-duty poultry shears or a large chef's knife, cut along both sides of the backbone, and remove the backbone. Be sure to watch for any shards of bone and remove.
7
Using poultry shears or the heel of your knife, split the breastbone/sternum and lay the turkey flat.
8
Rub turkey with olive oil and season to taste with Traeger Turkey Rub from the kit.
Ingredients
4 Tablespoon Olive oil
9
Place the turkey cavity/bone-side down into the Traeger and smoke at 190°F for 1 hour.
190 ˚F / 88 ˚C
Super Smoke
10
While turkey is smoking, make your bacon blanket on a sheet of butcher paper or foil, keep cold.
Ingredients
1 1/2 Pound thick-cut applewood bacon
11
After 1 hour of smoke, increase the Traeger temperature to 400°F and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
400 ˚F / 204 ˚C
12
Open the lid and carefully turn the bacon blanket over onto the turkey. NOTE: If you want to save drippings for gravy, add turkey to a pan, then cover with bacon blanket.
13
Add the Traeger WiFIRE probe to the thickest part of the breast and set probe alarm for 160°F, carry over cooking will take turkey past 165°F for final internal temperature.
400 ˚F / 204 ˚C
165 ˚F / 74 ˚C
14
Close the lid and let turkey cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Carefully remove the turkey from the Traeger using heatproof gloves.
400 ˚F / 204 ˚C
15
Remove the bacon blanket and save for snacking or chopped bacon needs. Allow turkey to cool for 5 minutes, slice and enjoy!