Spatchcocking 101: Four Steps to a Better Thanksgiving Turkey
Traeger's Thanksgiving email, titled "Spatchcocking 101: 4 Steps to a Better Thanksgiving Bird," gives home cooks a practical introduction to spatchcocking, a technique that can make the holiday centerpiece easier to cook and more evenly done. The newsletter combines a short how-to, a video call-to-action, a pro tip, a new planning tool, and a sample cook schedule.
Describing the Newsletter Contents
Introduction to Spatchcocking
The email opens by addressing the intimidation factor. Spatchcocking may sound complicated, but the newsletter explains that it is simply a fancy name for butterflying a turkey. The promise is a faster, more evenly cooked bird, and the only tools required are poultry shears, four simple steps, and a satisfying crack.
The Simple Four-Step Method
- Cut out the backbone. Place the turkey breast-side down and cut along both sides of the backbone with poultry shears.
- Open it up. Spread the turkey open like a book and remove the giblets.
- Crack the breastbone. Flip the bird breast-side up and press down firmly until you hear the crack, which flattens the bird for even cooking.
- Tuck the wings. Tuck the wingtips behind the bird to help keep them from burning.
Video and Full Guide
A "Watch the Video" button invites readers to see the process in action. The email also links to a full guide with step-by-step technique and advice on prepping, seasoning, and cooking the turkey to perfection.
Pro Tip
A callout addresses a common problem: if the breastbone won't budge, there is a fix. Readers are directed to the full guide for the solution.
New Turkey Planner
The newsletter promotes the all-new Turkey Planner. Users enter their guest count and choose a cooking method, and the tool calculates the turkey size and provides instant recommendations along with a personalized cook schedule, from brine time through the final carve.
Sample Thanksgiving Plan
A featured example, "Your Thanksgiving Plan," shows an 18 lb turkey with the following guidelines:
- Cook time: 4 to 4.5 hours
- Grill temperature: 325°F
- Pull temperature: 165°F
- Rest time: 25 to 30 minutes
Footer and Navigation
The footer links to Traeger's Grills, Pellets, Recipes, and Accessories categories, along with social media and retailer links, including Amazon, ACE Hardware, and Walmart. It also offers contact options, a dealer locator, warranty terms, an unsubscribe link, and the privacy policy.
Products Featured in the Newsletter
The newsletter does not name specific grill models, but it references several product categories and tools that support the Thanksgiving cooking experience:
- Traeger pellet grills: The turkey instructions and cook schedule are designed for grilling, with a 325°F cooking temperature, which points to Traeger's pellet grill lineup as the intended cooking appliance.
- Pellets: The footer lists Pellets as a product category, indicating the fuel sold alongside the grills.
- Accessories: The footer lists Accessories as a category, which typically includes tools and add-ons for grilling.
- Poultry shears: The spatchcocking method calls for poultry shears. The newsletter does not specify a brand, but this is the essential tool for the technique.
- Turkey Planner: This free online tool helps users plan their meal, including brine time, cook time, and carving.
- Recipes: A recipes section is available for further inspiration and cooking guidance.
The Store Behind the Newsletter: Traeger
The newsletter comes from Traeger, a brand closely associated with wood-fired pellet grilling. Its emails are written to feel like friendly cooking advice, with clear instructions and a focus on helping customers succeed at the grill. Thanksgiving is one of the biggest cooking occasions of the year, and this email shows how the brand positions itself as a guide for holiday meals, not just a seller of equipment.
The company is headquartered at 533 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, Utah, and operates as Traeger Pellet Grills LLC. Its products are sold through its own channels as well as through major retail partners, including Amazon, ACE Hardware, and Walmart, and through a network of authorized dealers that customers can locate on the website. The footer's Warranty Terms link and Contact Us option suggest a focus on customer support and after-sale service.
Overall, the newsletter reflects a brand that combines practical education with product promotion. By offering a how-to video, a planning tool, and a sample schedule, Traeger aims to build confidence among home cooks while steering them toward its grills, pellets, and accessories.
