Thaw it whole, before you flatten it — the times are the same as any turkey. About 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds in the fridge. A 14 lb bird needs 4 days. For Thanksgiving 2026, move it on Sunday, November 22. In cold water: 30 minutes per pound. You cut the backbone out after the thaw, never before.
Thanksgiving dinner is Thursday, November 26, 2026. Find your weight. That is your move date.
One: thaw the bird whole, in the fridge or in cold water, using the dates above. Two: with the breast down, cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it. Three: flip the bird and press down hard on the breastbone until it lies flat. Four: roast it flat at 325 F. A frozen or half-frozen bird cannot be cut or pressed flat safely, which is why the thaw comes first.
Brining or dry-brining? Do it after the thaw, while the bird is still whole or right after flattening: how long to brine a turkey.
A flattened bird roasts faster and more evenly than a whole bird. There is no separate spatchcock line in the USDA chart this site uses, so we do not print one. Use the whole-bird chart below as the longest your bird can take, start checking well before it, and let the thermometer call it done: 165 F in the thickest part of the breast, the innermost thigh, and the innermost wing.
| Weight | Whole-bird time at 325 F (your ceiling) |
|---|---|
| Up to 12 lb | 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours |
| 13 to 14 lb | 3 hours to 3 hours 45 minutes |
| 15 to 18 lb | 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes |
| 19 to 20 lb | 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes |
| 21 to 24 lb | 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours |
Full chart: how long to cook a turkey. Then let it rest before carving: how long should a turkey rest?
USDA's third safe way is the microwave: follow your microwave manual for size and timing, and cook the turkey right after it thaws. Never thaw a turkey on the counter. The outside warms up hours before the inside thaws. Bacteria grow in that warm layer.
Use the calculator for your buy, thaw, brine, and roast dates. Or ask in your own words.