Our 15 Very Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

Marcie Bidou
·4-min read

Thanksgiving is so soon...are you ready for it? I'm more than ready. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. It's a lot of work for me because I make most everything from scratch, but I prep as much ahead as possible and my guests do bring side dishes, etc.

When it comes down to cooking the actual turkey, many like myself get anxiety at the mere thought of it. But there’s no need to stress—it’s more approachable than you think! With the right recipes and techniques, , you can confidently prepare a centerpiece-worthy bird that will impress your guests.

Related: How to Carve a Turkey, A Step-by-Step Guide

The Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

Whether you're looking for a classic roasted turkey recipe, something adventurous like spatchcock turkey, or in the new mood experiment with new flavors (think adobo butter turkey, tart cherry cranberry glazed turkey or smoked turkey), this round up of the 15 best Thanksgiving turkey recipes will have you covered this Thanksgiving and many more to come. Maybe you have no desire to cook a huge bird or you've got a smaller crowd. Turkey breast is the answer! You can try a simple herb and garlic roasted turkey breast, or go the elegant, untraditional route with a beautiful turkey roulade with bread stuffing. You can even make a Thanksgiving turkey in the slow cooker...talk about easy!

Related: How Many Pounds Turkey Do You Need Per Person For Thanksgiving?

Check out all 15 of the fabulous turkey varieties by scrolling through this scrumptious gallery, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

<p>Andrew Purcell</p><p>If you've never brined your Thanksgiving turkey before, Ree Drummond's easy brine recipe will change your mind about this Turkey Day cooking technique.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/pioneer-womans-thanksgiving-turkey-basically-023339847.html" data-ylk="slk:Pioneer Woman's Brined, Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Pioneer Woman's Brined, Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey </a></strong></p>
<p>Reynolds Kitchens</p><p>A fiery bird you will be thankful for this year.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/tried-flamin-hot-cheetos-turkey-213436363.html" data-ylk="slk:Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Turkey </a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/67-classic-thanksgiving-recipes-guests-183023323.html" data-ylk="slk:65+ Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas & Meal Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">65+ Classic Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas & Meal Recipes</a></strong></p>
<p>Flavor the Moments</p><p>Cooking a turkey couldn’t be easier than this dry-brined roasted turkey. It’s juicy and flavorful, with golden brown, crispy skin for a show stopping holiday dinner. There’s no messy liquid to deal with and it can be dry brined up to 3 days in advance!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://flavorthemoments.com/dry-brined-orange-rosemary-roasted-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Dry Brined Orange Rosemary Roasted Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Dry Brined Orange Rosemary Roasted Turkey</a></strong></p>
<p>Baked By Rachel</p><p>With this small batch turkey dish, guests will get juicy turkey and savory stuffing in every single bite.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/turkey-roulade-with-bread-stuffing/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Turkey Roulade with Bread Stuffing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Turkey Roulade with Bread Stuffing</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/secret-ingredient-best-ever-stuffing-230000596.html" data-ylk="slk:Regis Philbin's Thanksgiving Stuffing;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Regis Philbin's Thanksgiving Stuffing</a></strong></p>
<p>Flavor the Moments</p><p>Learn how to master this classic turkey cooking technique<strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://flavorthemoments.com/perfect-spatchcock-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Perfect Spatchcock Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Perfect Spatchcock Turkey</a></strong></p>
<p>Nutmeg Nanny</p><p>This adobo turkey is marinated overnight and then rubbed with flavor-packed adobo butter. Then it’s roasted to perfection for a super juicy, flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.nutmegnanny.com/2016/11/07/adobo-butter-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Adobo Butter Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Adobo Butter Turkey</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: </strong><strong><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/25-ground-turkey-casseroles-upstage-022248217.html" data-ylk="slk:25 Satisfying Ground Turkey Casseroles for An Easy Thanksgiving Dinner;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">25 Satisfying Ground Turkey Casseroles for An Easy Thanksgiving Dinner</a></strong></p>
<p>Cooking LSL</p><p>The name makes it sound rather counterintuitive, but the reality is, dry-brining helps turkey skin dry out and become super crispy which leads to more intensely juicy flavors on the inside. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://cookinglsl.com/easy-dry-brined-herb-butter-roasted-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy Dry Brined Herb Butter Roast Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Dry Brined Herb Butter Roast Turkey</a></strong></p>
<p>All Roads Lead To The Kitchen</p><p>This turkey recipe screams with all the best flavor notes of fall. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.allroadsleadtothe.kitchen/2015/12/sage-and-shallot-roasted-turkey-breast.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Sage and Shallot Roasted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sage and Shallot Roasted Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/heres-exactly-much-gravy-youll-223043954.html" data-ylk="slk:How Much Gravy Do You Need for Your Thanksgiving Dinner?;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">How Much Gravy Do You Need for Your Thanksgiving Dinner?</a></strong></p>
<p>Spicy Southern Kitchen</p><p>Remember how we said cooking a turkey can be stress-free? </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://spicysouthernkitchen.com/crock-pot-turkey-breast/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Crock Pot Turkey Breast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Crock Pot Turkey Breast</a></strong></p>
<p>Running to the Kitchen</p><p>This slightly sweet and sticky fruit glaze gives the bird tons of festive flavor!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.runningtothekitchen.com/tart-cherry-cranberry-glazed-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Tart Cherry Cranberry Glazed Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Tart Cherry Cranberry Glazed Turkey</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/thanksgiving-meal-prep-time-many-184541429.html" data-ylk="slk:How Many Bags of Fresh Cranberries Per Person?;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">How Many Bags of Fresh Cranberries Per Person?</a></strong></p>
<p>Noshing with the Nolands</p><p>Prepping a whole bird is what takes a lot of people over the Thanksgiving edge. With a stuffed turkey breast rollade, you can get the same satisfaction of a whole turkey minus the grunt work. This recipe is great for beginner cooks and people short on prep time. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://noshingwiththenolands.com/stuffed-roasted-turkey-breast/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Stuffed Roasted Turkey Breast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Stuffed Roasted Turkey Breast</a></strong></p>
<p>Eazy Peazy Mealz</p><p>Learn all the basics in one recipe.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.eazypeazymealz.com/how-to-cook-a-perfect-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:How To Cook A Perfect Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">How To Cook A Perfect Turkey</a></strong></p>

Eazy Peazy Mealz

Learn all the basics in one recipe.

Get the recipe: How To Cook A Perfect Turkey

<p>Flavor the Moments</p><p>The less you fuss over it, the better the turkey can so often be. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://flavorthemoments.com/simple-herb-garlic-roasted-turkey-breast/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Simple Herb and Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Simple Herb and Garlic Roasted Turkey Breast</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/martha-stewart-just-cracked-code-133000760.html" data-ylk="slk:Martha Stewart's Mozzarella-Stuffed Garlic-and-Herb Bread;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Martha Stewart's Mozzarella-Stuffed Garlic-and-Herb Bread</a></strong></p>
<p>Nutmeg Nanny</p><p>If you've never added mayo to turkey, this is your sign to start. The creamy condiment can add flavor and moisture to the turkey and create a beautifully browned and crispy skin.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.nutmegnanny.com/2014/11/17/herbed-mayonnaise-roast-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Herbed Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Herbed Mayonnaise Roasted Turkey</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/secret-ingredient-crispy-crunchy-perfectly-123000813.html" data-ylk="slk:How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese with Mayo;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese with Mayo</a></strong></p>
<p>Blackberry Babe</p><p>How to get a restaurant-quality bird without relying on a professional chef.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://blackberrybabe.com/2016/11/03/smoke-whole-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:How To Smoke A Whole Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">How To Smoke A Whole Turkey</a></strong></p>

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Related: The Martha Stewart-Approved Method to Getting the Juiciest Turkey Ever

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