93 Juicy and Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
The turkey is the centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table—so it’s no surprise that cooking the perfect bird can feel like an overwhelming task at times. Thankfully, these recipes make it easy. From classic takes to turkey with a twist, you’re sure to find a roast that’s perfect for your feast.
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Our Best Thanksgiving Turkey Ideas
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.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Smoky Turkey
Juicy Mayo Roasted Turkey
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.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Mayo Roasted Turkey
Classic Roast Turkey
Get the Recipe: Classic Roast Turkey
Traditional Roast Turkey
Alton brines this bird overnight in a mixture of broth, salt, sugar, peppercorns, allspice and ginger.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Roast Turkey
Tuscan Turkey Roulade
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Turkey Roulade
Perfect Roast Turkey
Balsamic-Glazed Turkey
Balsamic glaze is back, and this year we're finishing our holiday turkey with the beloved tangy condiment. Inspired by the Italian influence, we stuffed the bird with plenty of aromatics--sage, thyme, rosemary, and a whole head of garlic--then basted it throughout with a buttery, flavorful broth. Brushing on the rich balsamic glaze at the end imparts a beautiful color and delicious sweet-tart finish.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic-Glazed Turkey
Homemade Gravy
Ina's pan gravy starts out with butter, onions and flour, and then she adds turkey drippings and chicken stock, plus Cognac, wine and a little heavy cream for richness.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Thanksgiving Gravy
Paprika Roast Turkey
Paprika comes in a few different varieties. This recipe uses a blend of two (sweet and hot) for the perfect balance of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Paprika Roast Turkey
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey
Hosting a holiday meal is easy when you can make the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table (the turkey!) in advance.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey
Roast Turkey with Cranberry-Orange Glaze
Bake the flavors of Thanksgiving right into the bird with this cranberry-orange glaze with garlic and chipotle.
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey with Cranberry-Orange Glaze
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast Stuffed with Pear Hash
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast Stuffed with Pear Hash
The Best Tandoori Turkey
This succulent whole roast turkey is inspired by perennial favorite, tandoori chicken. Flavorful and juicy, it’s bound to be a showstopper at Thanksgiving, or any dinner. The turkey is marinated overnight in a tangy spiced yogurt sauce that takes just 10 minutes to make, then roasted like a traditional holiday bird.
Get the Recipe: The Best Tandoori Turkey
Cajun Brined Turkey Two Ways
Get the Recipe: Cajun Brined Turkey-Two Ways
No-Baste, No-Bother Roasted Turkey
Trisha's family recipe calls for cooking the turkey in a covered roasting pan with 2 cups of boiling water. This results in a juicy, tender bird — no basting needed.
Get the Recipe: No-Baste, No-Bother Roasted Turkey
Spiced Turkey Breast with Persian Golden Prunes
Roasted in a rich sauce made from tomatoes, barberries and Persian golden prunes, this spiced turkey breast is bursting with flavor in every bite. It makes a delicious addition to a Thanksgiving spread and is ideal for a smaller crowd at the table. Golden prunes are slightly sour and are commonly paired with poultry and lamb in Persian cuisine. Here they lend a welcome brightness to the sweet-tart sauce. They are typically served with the pits intact so be sure to let your guests know before they dig in.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Turkey Breast with Persian Golden Prunes
Butter-Blanketed Turkey
This turkey is extra juicy and gorgeously browned, thanks to the blanket of butter.
Get the Recipe: Butter-Blanketed Turkey
Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
Ree takes her brined bird out of the oven halfway through its cooking time to spread butter on it before it finishes cooking. This ensures that it ends up with that deep, golden-brown color.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
Perfect Roast Turkey
You can’t go wrong with Ina’s perfect turkey, flavored simply with lemon and thyme.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Roast Turkey
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
A turkey breast cooks up quicker than a whole bird. Ina roasts hers rubbed with a classic mixture of fresh herbs and garlic.
Get the Recipe: Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
Best Gravy Ever
Alton makes turkey gravy in the roasting pan while the turkey rests.
Get the Recipe: Best Gravy Ever
World's Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey
The name says it all. This is the simplest turkey you'll ever make, courtesy of Food Network Magazine. Take it easy!
Get the Recipe: World's Simplest Thanksgiving Turkey
Grilled Turkey with Prairie Rub
Rub a turkey with a unique blend of dry mustard, dried orange peel, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and more for a Thanksgiving roast that be talked about for years to come!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Turkey with Prairie Rub
Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage, Smoked Bacon, and Cornbread Stuffing
For his ultimate turkey, Tyler fills his bird with cornbread stuffing, bastes it in maple syrup and then covers it in bacon.
Get the Recipe: Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage, Smoked Bacon, and Cornbread Stuffing
Brined Herb-Crusted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy
Anne's secret to moist, succulent turkey is a flavorful brine. Then she crusts the turkey in herbs and serves with a creamy gravy.
Get the Recipe: Brined Herb-Crusted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy
Roasted Turkey Breast with Peach Rosemary Glaze
Sunny uses apple cider, peaches and rosemary for a savory-sweet turkey glaze that's fresh yet rustic.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey Breast with Peach Rosemary Glaze
Black Pepper-Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Turkey
Spice up your Thanksgiving with Bobby's flavorful, Throwdown-worthy turkey.
Get the Recipe: Black Pepper-Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Turkey
Turkey with Stuffing
Get Alton's secret for cooking perfect stuffing — inside your turkey.
Get the Recipe: Turkey with Stuffing
Spatchcocked Grilled Turkey
"Spatchcock" is a funny word, but it's a seriously smart way to cook a large bird: It roasts faster, and if you make it on the grill, you free up space in your oven to cook sides.
Get the Recipe: Spatchcocked Grilled Turkey
Good Eats Roast Turkey
With thousands of reviews and a 5-star rating, Alton's classic turkey is the go-to, foolproof recipe that every cook can use.
Get the Recipe: Good Eats Roast Turkey
Memphis Fried Turkey
This Southern-spiced bird gets rubbed down the day before with smoky paprika, cayenne, thyme and other flavors before getting fried up — it’s crispy, juicy and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Memphis Fried Turkey
Roast Turkey with Garlic, Sage and Fennel
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey with Garlic, Sage and Fennel
Deep-Fried Turkey
Get the Recipe: Deep-Fried Turkey
Sheet Pan Turkey with Sage and Brown Butter
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Turkey with Sage and Brown Butter
Thanksgiving Dinner Turkey Roulade
The many colors and flavors of Thanksgiving dinner are wrapped up in an elegant little roast that will wow your guests.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Dinner Turkey Roulade
General Tso's Fried Turkey
Deep-fry your turkey in half the time roasting takes. Amp up the bird with this unexpected, totally addictive sweet and spicy glaze.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Deep-Fried Turkey
Roast Kosher Turkey with Asian Ginger Butter
A kosher brined turkey is rubbed with butter mixed with ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, scallions and garlic for a simple (and delicious) twist on a Thanksgiving classic.
Get the Recipe: Roast Kosher Turkey with Ginger-Sesame Butter
Buffalo Fried Turkey
This flavor-packed fried bird slathered in spicy Buffalo sauce may ruffle Grandma's feathers, but is guaranteed to win Friendsgiving.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Fried Turkey
Air Fryer Thanksgiving Turkey
Want to get a turkey breast on the table in less than an hour, without heating up the house? Cook it in an air fryer. Guaranteed golden, crispy skin and no brining required.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Thanksgiving Turkey
Spiced and Super-Juicy Roast Turkey
Get the Recipe: Spiced and Super-Juicy Roast Turkey
Fried Turkey and Waffles
Chicken and waffles gets supersized with this spin on a classic fried turkey. Skipping the oven for hot oil keeps the meat moist and juicy. Basting the bird with glaze three times while it rests guarantees the salty-sweet flavor comes through.
Get the Recipe: Fried Turkey and Waffles
Smoked Whole Turkey
Smoking a turkey imparts wonderful flavor but can lead to a few pitfalls. It can leave the skin tough and leathery, so we addressed that by making a buttery broth that you baste with once the turkey gets a little color on it. The seasoned rub helps to impart even more flavor, as do the aromatics that are stuffed into the cavity. You’ll get a juicy, tender turkey that’s a twist on the classic roast bird.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Whole Turkey
Turkey Roulade with Cranberry-Apricot Stuffing
Get the Recipe: Turkey Roulade with Cranberry-Apricot Stuffing
Dry-Brined Fried Turkey
Jeff’s deep-fried turkey does require a bit of extra prep, but the juicy end result is so worth it. Before frying, he recommends placing the turkey in the fryer, filling it with water until the turkey is just submerged and mark the outside of the fryer where the water line is. That way, you’ll have the perfect vessel-to-turkey ratio to keep the skin nice and crisp.
Get the Recipe: Dry-Brined Fried Turkey
Roasted Turkey Gravy
Tyler makes extra-flavorful gravy by roasting a turkey wing with vegetables and herbs. He removes the wing, then adds flour to the turkey fat and juices, and simmers it with stock.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey Gravy
Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Get the Recipe: Bay and Lemon Brined Turkey
Chicken-Fried Turkey Legs
Giant fried turkey legs are a fun and eye-catching way to bring the holidays to your dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken-Fried Turkey Legs
Roasted Turkey Breast & Gravy
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey Breast with Gravy
Gluten-Free Gravy
In our quest for a delicious gluten-free gravy that everyone around the table would love, we tested all the starches--cornstarch, arrowroot, potato flour, you name it. Sweet rice flour was the winner -- it provides the best texture, doesn't impact the gravy flavor, and reheats beautifully back to that silky sauce we all crave.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Gravy
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Have a flavor-packed turkey on the table in less than an hour by cooking two boneless turkey breasts instead of a whole turkey.
Get the Recipe: Herb Roasted Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy
Foolproof Turkey Breast
Guy’s turkey is brined for juicy, flavorful perfection.
Get the Recipe: Foolproof Turkey Breast
North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey
Get the Recipe: North Carolina-Style BBQ Turkey
Skillet Turkey with Roasted Vegetables
Get the Recipe: Skillet Turkey With Roasted Vegetables
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Roll
Yes, turkey is the star on Thanksgiving, but a bacon-weave layer over the top makes it extra special for the holiday. Even better, the bacon bastes the meat as it cooks, keeping it from drying out.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Roll
Turkey and Stuffing
To protect the breast meat from overbrowning, Alex suggests dipping a large cheesecloth in melted butter and placing it on the turkey breast before roasting.
Get the Recipe: Turkey and Stuffing
Instant Pot Thanksgiving Turkey Breast with Gravy
Five pounds of turkey breast, roasted and ready in under an hour — complete with gravy! And did we mention it's tender and juicy?
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Thanksgiving Turkey Breast with Gravy
Crispy-Skinned Herb-Roasted Turkey
Jeff knows that you only need a handful of ingredients (like herbs, citrus zest, butter and salt) to cook the perfect holiday bird.
Get the Recipe: Crispy-Skinned Herb-Roasted Turkey
Thanksgiving Turkey Brine
Alex's secret to an extra-juicy and flavorful turkey is the perfect turkey brine.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Turkey Brine
Whole Roasted Turkey with Fennel Spice Rub
Get the Recipe: Whole Roasted Turkeys with Fennel Spice Rub
Braised Turkey Braciole
Giada stuffs turkey breast with cheese, olives, capers and breadcrumbs, then braises the dish in a rich tomato sauce.
Get the Recipe: Braised Turkey Braciole
Deep-Fried Turkey
Alton safely fries his turkey in the backyard, but his first important step takes place in the kitchen. He places the bird into the pot that he'll fry it in and adds water just until it barely covers the top of the turkey and is at least 4 to 5 inches below the top of the pot. This test determines the amount of oil needed for frying and prevents overflowing.
Get the Recipe: Deep-Fried Turkey
Sliced Chipotle Turkey Breast with Pomegranate Cranberry Relish and Polenta
Sliced turkey breast is perfect if you're only cooking for a small group and don't want to manage a whole bird.
Get the Recipe: Sliced Chipotle Turkey Breast With Pomegranate Cranberry Relish and Polenta
Accidental Turkey
"Everyone has a turkey disaster story, but this one actually had a happy ending," Ina Garten says.
Get the Recipe: Accidental Turkey
Brined Rosemary Crusted Turkey with Pan Gravy
After you brine and butter your turkey, refrigerate it uncovered overnight. Not covering it will help the skin to dry out and become brown and crispy when baked.
Get the Recipe: Brined Rosemary Crusted Turkey with Pan Gravy
Cranberry-Orange Glazed Turkey
For Thanksgiving Live!, Giada broke down her turkey into pieces before roasting to cut down on the cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Glazed Turkey
Cider-Brined Turkey
Rachael showed the Thanksgiving Live! audience the secret to her flavorful bird: a soak in brine made with apple cider.
Get the Recipe: Cider-Brined Turkey with Maple-Cider Glaze
Citrus-Marinated Grilled Turkey
Get the Recipe: Citrus-Marinated Grilled Turkey
Roast Turkey with Mustard-Maple Glaze
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey with Mustard-Maple Glaze
Crispy Truffled Turkey
Get the Recipe: Crispy Truffled Turkey
Pan-Roasted Turchetta
Get the Recipe: Pan-Roasted Turchetta
Ancho-Rubbed Turkey
Get the Recipe: Ancho-Rubbed Turkey
Prosecco-Roasted Turkey with Lemon and Thyme
Get the Recipe: Prosecco-Roasted Turkey with Lemon and Thyme
Garlic-Rosemary Turkey with Porcini
Get the Recipe: Garlic-Rosemary Turkey with Porcini
Lemon-Pepper Turkey with Bacon Gravy
Get the Recipe: Lemon-Pepper Turkey with Bacon Gravy
Roast Turkey with Tarragon-Shallot Butter
A simple way to roast a flavorful, golden bird? Rub a turkey all over with butter mixed with tarragon, lemon and shallot.
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey with Tarragon-Shallot Butter
Southwestern Turkey with Chipotle Gravy
Get the Recipe: Southwestern Turkey with Chipotle Gravy
Maple-Whiskey Turkey with Gravy
Get the Recipe: Maple-Whiskey Turkey and Gravy
Spiced Glazed Turkey
Try this fruity turkey with a sweet pineapple-apple glaze.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Glazed Turkey
Oven-Roasted Turkey
Make a flavor-packed, Southern-spiced turkey this year by seasoning it with thyme, paprika and cayenne.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted Turkey
Barbecue-Spiced Spatchcocked Turkey
Spatchcocking your turkey will cut your roasting time in half.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue-Spiced Spatchcocked Turkey
Turkey Roulade with Swiss Chard
This beautiful, unexpected twist on turkey is an amazing showstopper. And making it is easy with the roulade step-by-step from Food Network Magazine.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Roulade With Swiss Chard
Dry-Brined Herbed Turkey
Can't decide if you want to brine? Try this dry-brine method to get the same flavorful bird without all the liquid.
Get the Recipe: Dry-Brined Herbed Turkey
Smoked Whole Turkey
Want to make a sweet-and-smoky Thanksgiving turkey but you don’t have a smoker? No problem! Bobby’s recipe works perfectly on a charcoal grill, too.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Whole Turkey
Triple Citrus Buttered Turkey
Lemon, lime and orange flavor this turkey for an unexpected, fresh twist.
Get the Recipe: Triple Citrus Buttered Turkey
Pomegranate-Glazed Turkey with Wild Rice Stuffing
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate-Glazed Turkey With Wild Rice Stuffing
Turkey with Glazed Chestnuts, Parsnips and Mushrooms
Get the Recipe: Turkey with Glazed Chestnuts, Parsnips and Mushrooms
Butterflied Turkey with Apple-Cranberry Glaze
This butterflied turkey from Food Network Magazine is beautiful, flavorful and cooks up quicker than a normal turkey.
Get the Recipe: Butterflied Turkey with Apple-Cranberry Glaze
Roast Turkey with Apple-Sourdough Bread Stuffing
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey with Apple-Sourdough Bread Stuffing
Apple and Sage Turkey
For a pretty presentation, Aida puts sage leaves under this turkey's skin and roasts it along with apples and onions.
Get the Recipe: Apple and Sage Turkey
Grilled Rotisserie Turkey with Stuffing
We removed the hassle of constant basting from the Thanksgiving equation by popping the turkey on a rotisserie. As it rotates, it bastes itself to juicy, smoky perfection, plus the stuffing underneath catches all the flavorful drippings.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rotisserie Turkey with Stuffing
Chipotle Spiced Grilled Turkey Breast
A chipotle spice rub lends a fiery kick to Valerie’s grilled turkey breast.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Spiced Grilled Turkey Breast
Butter-Basted Turkey and Gravy
Alex soaks a piece of cheesecloth in melted butter and covers the turkey breast with it to keep the meat tender and moist.
Get the Recipe: Butter-Basted Turkey and Gravy
Persian-Style Stuffed Roast Turkey
This roasted turkey recipe with a Persian twist is full of flavor in every bite. The bird is marinated up to a day in advance with saffron and spices, then stuffed with a chickpea, apricot, barberry and Persian plum filling and basted with a delicious tomato sauce. Barberries are a tart dried fruit similar to dried cranberries, and dried Persian golden plums are a sweet and lightly sour treat that look and taste a bit like dried apricots. Both are available at stores that specialize in Middle Eastern ingredients and online.
Get the Recipe: Persian-Style Stuffed Roast Turkey
