Thanksgiving is about gathering with loved ones, sharing stories, and enjoying a delicious feast! The turkey is at the heart of this festive meal, a centerpiece that can genuinely make or break your Thanksgiving dinner.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or trying to cook turkey for the first time, finding the perfect recipe is essential.
Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
In this post, we've gathered 40+ of the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe ideas, ranging from classic to creative.
I guarantee you’ll find something that will impress your guests and satisfy everyone's taste buds.
Get ready to make your holiday memorable with a mouthwatering turkey that everyone will rave about!
Cajun Turkey Breast
Turkey Breast is an easy and tasty recipe. It’s seasoned with Cajun spices, roasted to perfection, and served with delicious gravy. It’s perfect for holiday dinners or anytime you want turkey.
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Photo credit: theyummybowl.com
Smoked Turkey with Bourbon Brine
Learn how to make the delicious Smoked Turkey Recipe with a Bourbon Brine. This guide walks through brining, flavor, and how to smoke a turkey.
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Photo credit: vindulge.com
Simple Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast
Intimated to make a whole turkey? Don’t fret, y’all - try this oven-roasted turkey breast and be amazed at how delicious it is!
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Photo credit: jcpeats.com
How To Slow Roast Turkey
For perfect turkey every time, follow this easy recipe. Tips and tricks for cooking and serving.
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Photo credit: whatagirleats.com
Lemon-Herb Turkey Breast Recipe
Lemon-Herb Turkey Breast Recipe is a moist, flavorful turkey breast that’s so easy to make! Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!
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Photo credit: ihearteating.com
Oven-Baked Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
Simple Oven Roasted Orange glazed Turkey Breast makes a perfect alternative to a full-size turkey for Thanksgiving, for small families.
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Photo credit: nkechiajaeroh.com
Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
This easy Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast is my favorite no-fuss alternative to a full-size turkey. Perfect for smaller groups or families, the result is juicy, delicious, perfectly seasoned roast turkey breast every time!
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Photo credit: theforkedspoon.com
How To Cook a Wild Turkey
Let us show you how to cook a wild turkey, step by step. Wild turkey is more flavorful than domestic turkey. Cooking it is the trick!
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Photo credit: binkysculinarycarnival.com
Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
Juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned air fryer turkey tenderloin can be an easy weeknight meal or small Thanksgiving dinner idea. Using a handful of simple ingredients, cook turkey tenderloins in the air fryer in under
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Photo credit: happyhoneykitchen.com
Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast (with Cranberry Sauce!)
This slow cooker boneless turkey breast with cranberry sauce is the perfect recipe for a juicy and flavorful and easy Thanksgiving dinner.
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Photo credit: onmykidsplate.com
Butter Basted Turkey
This butter basted turkey will amp up your holiday turkey with a savory butter seasoned with plenty of citrus, herbs, and savory spices.
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Photo credit: thesassyfoodie.com
Roast Turkey Breast with Traditional Stuffing
Roast Turkey Breast with Traditional Stuffing is perfect if you’re a Thanksgiving novice, have picky eaters or are doing a small-scale Thanksgiving. It’s as showstopping as a whole turkey!
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Photo credit: fromachefskitchen.com
Smoked Turkey Breast with Cumin
Enjoy a succulent Smoked Turkey Breast perfectly seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika, and other spices for a mouthwatering festive meal.
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Photo credit: recipesfromapantry.com
Succulent Smoked Whole Turkey
Prepare a better turkey for Thanksgiving. Nothing says delicious quite like this succulent smoked turkey with a step by step tutorial.
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Photo credit: littlesunnykitchen.com
Puerto Rican Style Thanksgiving Turkey (Pavochón)
Puerto Rican Thanksgiving Turkey recipe for Pavochon. A delicious twist on the traditional turkey with exotic Puerto Rican flavors.
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Photo credit: alatinflair.com
Crock Pot Turkey Breast With Lemon Butter
Crock Pot Turkey Breast is a great alternative to roasting a whole bird. Cook for a few hours in a slow cooker, then broil for crispy skin!
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Photo credit: theslowroasteditalian.com
How to Brine and Roast Turkey (Homemade Gravy)
Here’s our tried-and-true recipe for how to brine and roast tender, juicy turkey. Plus gravy so good you just have to try it for yourself.
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Photo credit: chewoutloud.com
Herb Citrus Brined Turkey Breast
Herb and Citrus Brined Turkey Breast is perfect for a couple or small celebration, with a citrus and fresh herbs brine for a healthy turkey breast…
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Photo credit: beyondmeresustenance.com
Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy
Tender, succulent turkey breast can be on the dinner table in less than an hour with this Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy recipe.
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Photo credit: chewoutloud.com
Deep Fried Turkey
Learn how to make the best deep fried turkey in an electric deep fryer. Get marinade and seasoning ideas plus frying oil tips. Perfect for Thanksgiving.
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Photo credit: copykat.com
Spatchcock Turkey Recipe (Juicy With Crispy Skin!)
Learn how to spatchcock a turkey, with perfectly juicy meat and crispy skin! This easy spatchcock turkey recipe cooks in just 60-90 minutes, making a faster holiday meal.
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Photo credit: wholesomeyum.com
Cajun Smoked Turkey
We could not have a southern-style Thanksgiving without tossing in some Cajun influence, so we teamed up with Yummly to make Cajun Smoked Turkey! The recipe is pretty straightforward but does take a little prep
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Photo credit: cookswithsoul.com
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Sauce
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Sauce is perfect for a small-scale holiday or a nice family dinner any day of the year. Best of all, it’s easy and totally make-ahead!
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Photo credit: fromachefskitchen.com
The Best Oven-Roasted Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
Our roasted turkey breast with garlic and herbs is tender, juicy meat with crispy edges, making it a great choice for Thanksgiving dinner or simple weeknight meals.
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Photo credit: eatfreshglow.com
Herb Butter Whole Roasted Turkey
Herb Butter Roasted Turkey is tender, flavorful and the perfect turkey to serve your guests over the holidays. This turkey makes Thanksgiving simple and is always a favorite at the table! The leftovers are great too!
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Photo credit: acedarspoon.com
How to Cook Turkey Breast in a Roaster Oven
Cooking turkey breast in a roaster oven is the easiest way to ensure a tender and flavorful bird! The three part recipe - brine, butter, and roast - adds amazing flavor and keeps the turkey breast moist - no dry white meat here. Plus we have a secret technique for keeping the skin crispy!
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Photo credit: borrowedbites.com
Roast Tandoori Turkey
A deliciously-spiced twist on traditional turkey, this tandoori turkey has an especially scrumptious gravy. Perfect with mashed potatoes & roasted veggies.
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Photo credit: foodess.com
Maple-Butter Glazed Turkey Roast
A delicious, tender roasted turkey breast with a sticky maple glaze.
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Photo credit: foodess.com
Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast & Gravy
You will love how easy it is to make this turkey dinner in your Ninja Foodi and how we use the pressure cooker for juicy turkey and then the air fryer lid for crispy turkey skin.
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Photo credit: recipethis.com
Herb Roasted Turkey with White Wine Gravy
This easy herb roasted turkey breast is perfect for small gatherings or a Thanksgiving dinner for two or three people! Start with an easy salt, herb, and honey brine (it only needs a few hours in the fridge!), then roast the turkey and build a quick white wine gravy in a single cast iron skillet.
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Photo credit: lifeasastrawberry.com
Roast Turkey with Sage and Orange
This roast turkey recipe with fresh sage and orange zest is the perfect holiday meal centerpiece. It’s seasoned perfectly with a simple dry brine, then roasted with herbs, aromatics, and citrus until tender and juicy.
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Photo credit: peelwithzeal.com
Juicy Dry Brined Spatchcock Turkey
This spatchcock turkey recipe is the best way to cook a juicy, tender, flavorful turkey in only an hour and a half with an easy dry brine!
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Photo credit: sweetteaandthyme.com
Classic Roast Thanksgiving Turkey
The best roast Thanksgiving turkey you will find! This recipe and guide will help you cook a flavorful, moist turkey every Thanksgiving.
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Photo credit: sweetteaandthyme.com
Smoked Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
This Smoked Turkey Breast is juicy and flavorful with the perfect amount of crust. This cooks low and slow for the best smoked turkey!
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Photo credit: modernhoney.com
Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic and Gravy
Free up your oven by cooking this Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot! Made with herbs, garlic, and turkey gravy, it is perfect for Thanksgiving.
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Photo credit: flavormosaic.com
Brined Roasted Turkey with Maple Glaze
This is the best maple glazed turkey with gravy that is perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday season. Brined, roasted to perfection and juicy!
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Photo credit: scarlatifamilykitchen.com
Perfect Roast WholeTurkey
Enjoy a stress-free holiday feast with this Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe, discover the easy method for perfectly tender, juicy turkey every time!
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Photo credit: cookingorgeous.com
Slow Cooker Turkey Crown
Slow Cooker Turkey Crown is perfect for serving smaller groups. Super moist tender turkey breast and amazing gravy with almost zero effort!
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Photo credit: supergoldenbakes.com
Smoked Turkey Breast
This smoked turkey breast can be enjoyed anytime of the year with it’s juicy meat and crispy seasoned skin.
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Photo credit: grillingsmokingliving.com
Tips for Preparing Turkey for Thanksgiving
- Thawing: If your turkey is frozen, make sure to give it plenty of time to thaw. The best way is to leave it in the fridge for several days before cooking. Plan on about 24 hours of thawing time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey. Don't cut corners when thawing the turkey; it is best to do it the right way so no one gets food poisoning during the holidays.
- Brining: Consider brining your turkey to keep it extra moist and juicy. You can use a wet brine with salt and spices or a dry brine with salt rubbed all over the skin. Brining should be done 12-24 hours before cooking.
- Seasoning: Don’t be shy with the seasonings! Rub the turkey GENEROUSLY inside and out with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. Try rosemary, thyme, or sage for a classic flavor.
- Cooking Time: If the turkey is unstuffed, a good rule of thumb is to cook it for about 13-15 minutes per pound. If the temperature is between 160 and 165 degrees F, the turkey is done.
- Resting Time: After cooking, let the turkey rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making it juicier.
- Carving: Use a sharp knife to remove the legs and wings first, then slice the breast meat. Remember to carve against the grain for the best texture!
What Should I Do With Leftovers?
After your Thanksgiving feast, store leftover turkey in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can use it in:
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Salads
- Soups and dinner bowls
- Meatballs
- Shepherd's pie
- Air fryer stuffed peppers
Thanksgiving Turkey: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook a stuffed turkey?
YES, but be sure to check the internal temperature of both the turkey and the stuffing. The stuffing should also reach 160-165°F to ensure it's safe to eat.
When is it time to toss out your Thanksgiving turkey?
You should throw away your Thanksgiving turkey if it’s been sitting out for over 2 hours. If the temperature is really warm, like over 90°F, that time drops to just 1 hour. It’s always better to be safe and avoid food poisoning!
How much turkey should you plan for each person?
A good rule is to plan for about 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. This way, you'll have enough meat and some leftovers to enjoy later!
How can I keep my turkey moist?
To keep your turkey moist, consider basting it with pan juices during cooking or adding a bit of broth to the bottom of the roasting pan. Covering the turkey with foil for part of the cooking time can also help retain moisture.
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