Cooking a juicy, golden turkey for a crowd is no small task. To get this main on the table you’ll find yourself wondering everything from what kind of turkey you should buy (and what size bird you need) to how much time you’ll need to plan for thawing and how long to leave the turkey in the oven. And that’s not even taking into consideration special techniques you may want to use—like brining or spatchcocking. It’s enough to make anyone's head spin. But, before you throw in the metaphorical kitchen towel, consider this: we’ve got all the turkey tips and recipes you need to make your meal a success. (We can even show you how to carve a turkey step-by-step—for an impressive tableside display). Best of all, there are lots of turkey recipes to choose from so you’re sure to find one that’s just right for your celebration. One of our favorites? Molly’s grilled bird, which she bastes with a mixture of pan juices and honey. That ensures plenty of sweet-and-smoky flavor—and keeps the turkey from drying out.

Who needs butter? A slather of mayonnaise on your turkey pulls double duty by standing in as a flavorful rub as well as adding moisture and fat to often dry meat. And what's particularly great is that it browns the skin beautifully without the constant basting that most birds need.

Alton brines this bird overnight in a mixture of broth, salt, sugar, peppercorns, allspice and ginger.