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22 Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without your classic roast turkey – but are you tired of using the same outdated recipe every Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

Looking for new, exciting ways to create a dish that will have everyone talking about how your turkey was one that they will never forget?

Well, look no further, as we have compiled 22 of the most delicious meal ideas which will have your guests begging for the recipe!

Though turkey may be one of the most simple dishes to prepare for Thanksgiving, it can be tricky to get it perfect – with these recipes, you’re guaranteed to find a new method, whether you’re looking to spice up or simplify your routine!

1. Best Roast Turkey

When it comes to roasting the perfect turkey, don’t let the hundreds and tried and tested methods confuse you – if you’re a complete beginner, this is the only recipe you will ever need!

When roasting a turkey, all you need to remember are a few simple methods – test your oven’s temperature accurately, thaw the turkey, and use lots of flavors.

For the seasonings, add any that you like, and make sure to stuff with lots of onion and lemon to make your turkey succulent, juicy, and packed with flavor!

2. Easy No Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey

If you have a big family or group of friends coming over for your Thanksgiving lunch, then you will absolutely need a no-fuss recipe to feed everyone, and we’ve found the perfect one for you!

Want to know the key to making sure that your turkey is absolutely spot on every time?

Ensure that you’re regularly checking the turkey’s temperature and monitoring the oven’s heat to get the perfect bird every time!

3. Super Moist Turkey Baked in Cheesecloth

If you do a roast turkey every Thanksgiving and it always ends up a little on the dry side, then you need to give this recipe a go – this is a super easy hack to get a buttery, juicy turkey!

The key to getting this recipe right is to use a cheesecloth to lock in the flavor.

For the best butter mixture, add all your fresh herbs – sage, rosemary, and thyme work the best! Chuck in an extra lemon, mince in some garlic, and you’re good to go.

4. How to Cook a Turkey

Roasting a turkey is super simple, but getting the perfect roast every time is all in the know-how – with this recipe, we will teach you how to make the perfect turkey again and again!

All you will need for this recipe is your bird – this one uses frozen, but feel free to use fresh!

For the stuffing, use onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and the seasoning of your choice.

5. Garlic Herb Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Like your turkey to have a little more spice? Give this garlic herb butter version a try!

This is stuffed with the staples like onion, garlic, and spices and a mix of lemon and orange wedges to keep the meat extra moist!

For the garlic herb flavor, add in the butter mixture under the skin and roast in the oven until golden brown and crisp.

This one is a real crowd-pleaser, perfect for serving for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or to use for meal prep!

6. Roast Turkey in a Bag

Have you always struggled to roast a juicy and perfectly moist turkey?

This hack will change your life! Using a turkey roasting bag, you can cook a turkey of any size, and you will save yourself the hassle of constantly checking the oven temperature.

One for the lazy chefs out there, this recipe will give you a roast turkey that you can be truly proud of without the hassle!

7. Turkey Brine Recipe

One of the best-kept secrets for getting a succulent turkey is to soak your meat in a good turkey brine.

This may sound a little extra, but preparing your brine will take just minutes of your time for maximum results!

Using just water and salt for the base, you can add pretty much anything you like to help lock in the flavor – we like to add in citrus peel, brown sugar, and spices.

Simply submerge your turkey and leave it for as long as you can before roasting it in the oven to get the perfect juicy meat!

8. Simple Garlic and Herb Roasted Turkey

If you find that searching for an easy recipe to cook a turkey is an almost impossible task, then this simple garlic and herb roasted turkey may be the way forward.

The best part? You can use any turkey you like – no need to splurge on the fancy organic stuff!

Once you’ve got your turkey ready, all you will need to do is whack it in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes until it’s golden and crispy, and then lower it to 350 degrees and roast until perfection.

9. Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

Whether you’re into traditions or not, it can’t be denied that a turkey is an absolute staple for any table at Thanksgiving!

While some may say it’s complicated, you need not be overwhelmed – with just a few simple ingredients. You can create the perfect centerpiece to go with any of your chosen sides!

To give your turkey extra flavor, add chopped parsley and fresh lemon to your butter mixture and massage under the skin before it goes in to roast.

10. Most Tender Oven Roast Turkey

Turkey often puts many people off because it can often turn out to be quite dry if cooked incorrectly.

However, the important thing to remember is that those people are cooking it wrong!

With this recipe, we give you the top tips on how to cook the juiciest and most tender oven roast turkey you will ever eat!

Want to know the top tip for locking in all of that juice? Use an oven roasting bag, and your turkey will be falling off the bone!

11. Roast Turkey Recipe

Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even a midweek meal, it’s a no-brainer that turkey is an absolute staple that everyone needs at the center of the table!

With this recipe, you’ll learn how to cook the perfect turkey for every occasion.

For this recipe, you can use fresh or thawed turkey and whatever seasoning and stuffing you like – we recommend using plenty of onion and garlic, fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme, and bright lemon to add a hint of citrus! Don’t forget to slather in butter to get that beautiful crispy skin.

12. Thanksgiving Turkey

Are you in the hot seat this Thanksgiving and tasked with the overwhelming responsibility of cooking for all your guests?

All you will need is this foul-proof recipe to keep everything from going up in flames!

You can really add any seasoning you like, but for an extra bit of spice, mix salt, pepper, thyme, sage, paprika, and ground mustard and rub all over the skin before roasting in the oven until golden brown.

13. Turkey Brine

While there are many ways to cook the best roast turkey, one of the easiest and best ideas is to use a turkey brine.

Not only is a brine extremely delicious, but it’s also super simple – all you will need is a large pot big enough to fit your turkey, a turkey roasting bag, and lots of ice.

For the brine, combine your ingredients, pour in the bag with your turkey, and throw it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

For the best brine, add in your staple store cupboard apple cider vinegar, and you’re good to go!

14. Easy Garlic Butter Herb Roasted Turkey Recipe

If you need a super easy recipe packed with flavor, this is the one for you – with a combination of brine, butter, seasoning, and roasting, you’ll be left with a turkey so delicious your family and friends will be begging you for seconds!

For the best results, make sure to thaw your turkey properly before adding it to your brine.

Once it’s ready to be brined, make sure you add in plenty of salt to get the most out of that delicious meat.

15. Butter Herb Roasted Turkey

If you need a classic recipe to follow for your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey, then this butter herb-roasted turkey never fails to impress.

All you will need is a few simple ingredients to transform your bird into a feast to feed your whole family!

The trick here to getting your turkey succulent and juicy is to add a good glug of dry white wine – we recommend using a Chardonnay or Sauvignon blanc for the best results.

Once you have brined your turkey, season it with whatever you like and roast to perfection.

16. Bacon Turkey

Are you done with cooking the same old plain turkey every year? Then give this bacon-wrapped turkey ago!

So indulgent, so delicious, this turkey will be one to remember. Not only does this taste amazing, but the recipe is actually super simple and uses just a few ingredients that you will have lying around in the cupboard at home.

To prepare the turkey for the bacon, whip up your garlic butter and spread it all over the turkey before wrapping it in the bacon.

Want to know the best tip for this? Mix in smoked paprika to layer up that smokey flavor!

17. Thanksgiving Turkey

If you’re looking for one of the easiest recipes for the perfect Thanksgiving turkey, this one’s for you – juicy and moist but with deliciously crispy skin. All you will really need for this recipe is a little bit of patience and a lot of butter!

The most important step that you cannot miss with this is to leave enough time for your turkey to thaw before cooking – we recommend 4-5 days to yield the best results.

If you’re looking to elevate the flavor, make sure to stuff your turkey with fresh citrus fruits and herbs.

18. 3-Easy Steps Moist Delicious Turkey

Are you a big fan of turkey but don’t know how to make it yourself without serving something dry and inedible?

Follow these 3 easy steps, and you will have the most delicious, juicy turkey that your guests will never forget!

  • Firstly, you will need to brine your turkey – this can be done any way you prefer, but definitely don’t skip this step!
  • Secondly, you will need to prepare your turkey to roast – add in any seasoning and be generous with that butter!
  • Finally, add your turkey to the oven and roast until golden brown.

19. Oven Roasted Turkey

If you’re a complete beginner to roasting turkey, this is the only recipe you will ever need – absolutely foolproof and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

While a fresh turkey is great in theory, don’t be afraid to buy frozen – they will still taste just as great, and all you will need to do is make sure that it’s thawed correctly.

The key is all in the preparation, but once this is done, the sky really is the limit – add your seasonings, dried and fresh, and be generous with the wine for extra flavor!

20. How to Cook a Turkey in the Oven

Looking to shake up your traditions this year, or want to branch out and try something new?

This Asian spiced Thanksgiving turkey is packed with exotic flavors and can be paired with any side dish!

  • For the turkey rub, swap out the butter for mayonnaise and mix with garlic, ginger, and sriracha to keep that beautiful crispy skin.
  • For stuffing, add Thai lemongrass, ginger, and scallions to the cavity to infuse your turkey – this will leave you with deliciously tender and fragrant meat!

21. Brine Turkey

Bored of using the same brine year on year for your Thanksgiving turkey? Want to know a super simple hack that will save you time and money?

Try using Wish-bone – not just used for salad dressings. This sauce is packed with seasoning and is one of the easiest ways to spice up your turkey when you don’t have the time to go to the store to stock up on seasonings!

Once you have brined your turkey, roast it in the oven and wait for that delicious aroma!

22. Ultimate Smoked Turkey Recipe

If you’re more into smokey barbeque flavors, give this ultimate smoked turkey recipe a try – yes, you heard it, you really can smoke a turkey too!

All you will need to do is brine your turkey, stuff it with your herbs and seasonings, and then once it is ready, add it to a smoker for four hours.

Don’t forget to add applewood to your fire every thirty minutes to lock in that smokey flavor.

This turkey really works for any occasion, but it goes especially well with Christmas leftovers!

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