38 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Worth Waiting All Year For (2024)

Home Holidays Thanksgiving

Emily Racette ParulskiUpdated: Feb. 28, 2024

Make one of our best-loved Thanksgiving turkey recipes to ensure your holiday dinner is spectacular. We have the classics as well as a few new twists.

As much as we love stuffing and green bean casserole, there’s no denying turkey is the main event of the holiday meal. So, try one of our favorite Thanksgiving turkey recipes for the perfect crowning jewel. After choosing and cooking your bird, make sure you know how to carve a turkey the right way to avoid it drying out.

Then, serve your turkey with all the Thanksgiving sides and beverages. And don’t forget the pies!

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Taste of Home

Herb-Glazed Turkey

Honey and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my Thanksgiving turkey recipe a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true herb turkey recipe never fails to win compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta

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Herb-Brined Turkey

For an impressive main course, look here. The moist, flavorful bird will have guests counting the minutes until carving time. — Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon

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Grilled Turkey Drumsticks

Try something different this Thanksgiving and learn how to grill turkey drumsticks! These smoky, tender turkey drumsticks are easy to make, free up space in the oven and cook in a fraction of the time needed for a whole turkey. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Classic Stuffed Turkey

For years, my mother has made this moist stuffed Thanksgiving turkey recipe. Now, I do the same thing. The turkey stuffing nicely compliments the tender, juicy slices of oven-roasted turkey. —Kathi Graham, Naperville, Illinois

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Smoked Turkey

Mouths will water when you bring this flavorful smoked turkey recipe to the table. Add sprigs of your favorite herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary to the brine for extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Turkey Leg Pot Roast

Well-seasoned turkey legs and tender veggies make an ideal dinner for a crisp fall day. This Thanksgiving turkey recipe couldn’t be easier! —Rick and Vegas Pearson, Cadillac, Michigan

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Romano Basil Turkey Breast

Guests will be impressed when you slice this golden, grilled turkey breast, dressed up with a flavorful layer of basil and cheese under the skin. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York

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Honey-Glazed Turkey

Even during the holidays, my husband wouldn't eat turkey—until I tried this recipe. Now he loves it! The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. —Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois

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Brined Grilled Turkey Breast

You’ll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering Thanksgiving turkey recipe! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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Taste of Home

BBQ Turkey

I don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

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Bacon-Wrapped Turkey

Everything’s better with bacon, including turkey! This impressive Thanksgiving turkey recipe gets a blanket of bacon, which not only adds flavor but helps keep the turkey juicy. The best part? It’s easier than it looks! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Turkey and Root Veggie Sheet-Pan Dinner

My family loves this turkey sheet-pan dinner. I used ingredients I had on hand, including bacon, which lends a nice smoky flavor. It's so quick and easy to prepare. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

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Classic Cheesecloth Turkey

This cheesecloth turkey uses a classic method, wine-soaked cheesecloth, to give you the juiciest turkey and most flavorful gravy you've ever tasted! Pair with your favorite sides for a complete meal. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Spicy Turkey Tenderloin

Here’s a full-flavored Thanksgiving turkey recipe that will really wake up your taste buds.

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Taste of Home

Turkey in Cream Sauce

I've been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago. I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I'm constantly writing out the recipe. —Kathy-Jo Winterbottom, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

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Lemon-Herb Roasted Turkey

Lemon and thyme are the predominant flavors in this golden, tender and moist turkey that has just six ingredients. It’s so easy, we guarantee success! —Felicia Smith, Georgetown, Texas

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Grilled Huli Huli Turkey Drumsticks

I'm never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting Thanksgiving, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I substituted turkey legs and have never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

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TMB Studio

How to Deep-Fry a Turkey

A deep-fried turkey means tender, juicy meat that’s ready in a fraction of the time. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to deep-fry a turkey.

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Taste of Home

My daughter loves to help me make this moist apple turkey. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn’t eat them first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia

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Herbed Roast Turkey Breast

When learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular Thanksgiving turkey recipe. It was such a success that this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio

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Turkey Breast Tenderloins with Raspberry Sauce

Sweet and tangy raspberry sauce is a perfect match for this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. In fact, this sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

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Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

Try this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix slow-cooker turkey breast when you're craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Photo: Taste of Home

Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable Gravy

There’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Pressure-Cooker Turkey with Berry Compote

This delicious Thanksgiving turkey recipe gives you a way to get all that yummy turkey flavor without heating up the house, and the berries make the perfect summer sauce. For a browner turkey, just broil it for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama

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Taste of Home

Turkey Cutlets with Pan Gravy

Using cutlets or any boneless meat speeds up cooking time for this quick entree. You can use thin boneless, skinless chicken breast as well. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

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Taste of Home

Maple-Sage Brined Turkey

When the leaves start turning, it’s time for Thanksgiving turkey. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire

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Happy Orange Turkey

Here’s the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. Champagne and oranges flavor this special bird that will become one of your favorite turkey recipes ever. —Tara Baier, Menomonie, Wisconsin

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Seasoned Roast Turkey

Rubbing the skin with melted butter keeps this simply seasoned turkey moist and tender. —Nancy Reichert, Thomasville, Georgia

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Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy

Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead Thanksgiving turkey recipe that’s ready to serve when you are. It’s a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey

My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Taste of Home

Maple-Glazed Turkey

I prepare turkey with a taste of Canada in mind. The sweet maple flavor comes through even in the breast meat. You may start to notice it's caramelized color after about 2 hours. That's when I cover it loosely with foil while it finishes cooking. The maple-glazed turkey will stay tender and juicy. —Suzanne Anctil, West Vancouver, British Columbia

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38 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Worth Waiting All Year For (33)

TMB Studio

Dry-Brined Turkey

To wet brine a turkey the traditional way, you need a container that’s large enough to hold five gallons of liquid. However, a dry brine turkey uses no water, so it takes up less space and requires much less fuss.

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38 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Worth Waiting All Year For (34)

TMB Studio

Pressure-Cooker Italian Turkey Breast

This Thanksgiving turkey recipe makes some of the most succulent bird I’ve ever eaten. High in lean protein, it’s a smart entree for a special occasion. —Jessica Kunz, Springfield, Illinois

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Originally Published: August 19, 2019

Emily Racette Parulski

Emily has spent the last decade writing and editing food and lifestyle content. As a senior editor at Taste of Home, she leads the newsletter team sharing delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips to more than 2 million loyal email subscribers. Since joining TMB seven years ago as an associate editor, she has worked on special interest publications, launched TMB’s first cross-branded newsletter, supported the launch of the brand's affiliate strategy, orchestrated holiday countdowns, participated in taste tests and was selected for a task force to enhance the Taste of Home community. Emily was first mentioned by name in Taste of Home magazine in 1994, when her mother won a contest.When she’s not editing, Emily can be found in her kitchen baking something sweet, taking a wine class with her husband, or making lasagnas for neighbors through Lasagna Love.

38 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Worth Waiting All Year For (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350? ›

Oven-Roasted Turkey

We recommend starting the turkey in a 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes before tenting the pan with foil and lowering the temperature to 350 degrees until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the bird.

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What should I put in the cavity of my turkey? ›

Add halved onions, carrot chunks, celery and fresh herbs to the cavity of your turkey, inserting them loosely. These flavor builders are the base of stock and most soups. As your turkey cooks, they'll steam and infuse your bird with moisture and flavor.

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What is better to eat than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

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Should I use salted or unsalted butter for my turkey? ›

Room temperature butter—you can use unsalted or salted butter. Just bear in mind how you're preparing your turkey. If you brined it with plenty of salt, consider using unsalted butter. I like to dry brine my turkey, so I use unsalted butter and add just a pinch of kosher salt to the butter.

How long does it take to cook a 15 lb turkey at 325? ›

How Long Do You Cook a 15-Pound Turkey at 325 Degrees? An unstuffed bird of 15 pounds will likely finish at around the 4-hour mark (or just before). A stuffed turkey will take at least 4 hours to cook, and typically takes an extra 15 minutes until you've hit that desired internal temperature.

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How long to roast a 7 lb turkey at 325? ›

Regular Oven 325°

2¼-2¾ hrs. 7-10 lbs. 2½-3 hrs.

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Should you wash your turkey before you cook it? ›

Wash your hands, but not the turkey! Many consumers think that washing their turkey will remove bacteria and make it safer. However, it's virtually impossible to wash bacteria off the bird. Instead, juices that splash during washing can transfer bacteria onto the surfaces of your kitchen, other foods and utensils.

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Why put apples in turkey cavities? ›

Apples. Consider quartering an apple or two for stuffing your turkey. The flavor will remind you of fall, but apples will also provide the turkey with a little extra moisture during the cooking process (you can still brine the turkey, of course).

What is the healthiest turkey to eat? ›

When it comes to poultry preferences, we all have our personal favorite: white turkey meat or dark turkey meat. And there's no time like holidays to debate which is best. You might dig into the plentiful pile of turkey breast, which is typically considered the "healthier" choice.

Should I put a stick of butter in my turkey? ›

Impart rich flavor and add moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey by adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting. Learn how to do this simple (but genius) technique for a delicious Thanksgiving turkey. I'm Kelly Senyei with http://www.epicurious.com, and this is how to put butter under turkey skin.

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How does Martha Stewart cook a turkey? ›

Roast 1 hour, then baste every 30 minutes with pan liquids, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 125°F, about 3 hours. Remove foil; raise oven heat to 400°F. Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until thigh reaches 180°F, 45 to 60 minutes more.

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Why is my butter not sticking to my turkey? ›

Why isn't the butter sticking to the turkey? The bird may be condensating or your butter may be too cold and firm. Make sure the turkey comes to room temperature for an hour and pat it with paper towels to remove moisture before you butter it.

Do you cook a 16 lb turkey at 325 or 350? ›

We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey. We've done the math for you — check out the chart below to determine both turkey cook times and estimated servings (with leftovers!).

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What is the best temperature to cook a turkey to keep it moist? ›

Begin by roasting your turkey at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes before lowering the temperature of the oven to 350°F for the rest of the cooking time. Like the other method, it's a good idea to brush the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes with butter or olive oil to help the surface brown and keep the meat moist.

Is it better to cook a turkey covered or uncovered? ›

To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.