27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (2024)

It’s Thanksgiving morning. You wake up to delicious smells and lots of excitement, knowing your family and friends will gather around your table in only a few short hours.

So you scurry to the kitchen, put the coffee on, and begin to cook even more delicious foods.

However, you are most excited about your turkey. Why? Because turkey is usually the main focus of every Thanksgiving dinner.

However, how will you top last year’s turkey dish? How will you make the most delicious turkey that your friends and neighbors have ever had?

Well, this year I’m making it easy. I’ll be bringing you the internet’s best Thanksgiving Turkey recipes. Then you can scroll through them, decide which ones will knock your loved one’s socks off, and then get busy cooking.

So here we go:

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (1)

1. Dry Brined Orange Rosemary Roasted Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (2)

This turkey is definitely going to be one with bold flavors. It is dry brined meaning that you cover it in salt to draw all of the juice out.

Then the brine will actually use the turkey’s own juices to break down the meat and make it more tender and juicy. This sounds absolutely moist and delicious!

Try this turkey recipe

2. Cajun Fried Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (3)

If you were to ask me what my favorite kind of turkey is I’d probably tell you fried. There is just something about that crispy skin.

However, I also love spicy, bold flavors. So I definitely think this turkey recipe could be a winner for me.

Try this turkey recipe

3. The Cajun Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (4)

Do you love spicy flavors? Are you in favor of a turkey with crispy outer skin? If so, then you’ll probably love this turkey.

It reminds me a lot of the previous recipe only it is a baked turkey, which a lot of people prefer because it is easier to prepare.

Try this turkey recipe

4. Latin Style Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (5)

This turkey is prepped in the same way as most baked turkeys. That is great news for someone who is fearful of baking a turkey.

What sets this one apart is the seasonings that are used. Latin flavors are tossed onto the turkey (like sazon) to remind you that this turkey has some Latin style to it.

Try this turkey recipe

5. Brining a Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (6)

If you are preparing a turkey for the first time or the millionth time, you probably know that brining a turkey is a big deal.

If you are unsure of how to do that, then this recipe will definitely get you started on that and move in the right direction.

Try this turkey recipe

6. Puerto Rican Style Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (7)

This turkey recipe is really amazing. You can follow it to make a turkey breast in the slow cooker, or you can double the recipe to make a whole turkey in the oven.

You tell that this turkey has flair. It also has sazon included in it, along with garlic and many other familiar seasonings.

Try this turkey recipe

7. Martha’s Perfect Roast Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (8)

Okay, so we all dream of producing the perfect turkey that has the crispy dark skin, moist meat, and perfect fluffy stuffing sticking out as well.

Well, with this recipe, you could be one step closer to scoring a turkey like that. The ingredients are all pretty basic, though you will need a couple of bottles of wine (for the turkey, not the cook.)

Try this turkey recipe

8. Applewood Smoked Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (9)

This turkey sounds like a sweet street. It is brined in a lot of different spices and maple syrup. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

Then it is covered in apples, bourbon, garlic, and a few other familiar ingredients. Finally, it is smoked to perfection.

Try this turkey recipe

9. The Best in the World Fried Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (10)

This recipe seems so easy to do. You just buy the turkey (they give you the recipe to what size turkey you need) and inject it with a store-bought marinade.

Then you fry the turkey to perfection and enjoy. So simple yet apparently so delicious!

Try this turkey recipe

10. Adobo Butter Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (11)

This recipe is very interesting. You learn how to make your own adobo from scratch which is packed full of many delicious and familiar spices.

Then once you allow the turkey to sit with the adobo rubbed on it, you make delicious adobo butter before baking it to perfection.

Try this turkey recipe

11. Bacon Roasted Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (12)

How many bacon fans do we have today? I have both of my hands raised because let’s be real, I love bacon.

What better way to cook a turkey than to wrap it in bacon first? I seriously think this could be a bacon-lovers Thanksgiving paradise.

Try this turkey recipe

12. Turkey with Brown Sugar Glaze

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (13)

Have you ever tried to glaze your turkey? If I’m honest, I’ve basted but never glazed. Yet, this glaze looks absolutely amazing.

So if you like orange juice, cider vinegar, brown sugar, and butter then you’ll have to try glazing your turkey this year.

Try this turkey recipe

13. The 3-Step Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (14)

Everyone wants a turkey that is delicious, but one of the biggest hang-ups people face is keeping their turkey moist.

Well, this post shares 3 easy steps to keep your turkey moist and delicious. If you are fearing a dry turkey, check this recipe out.

Try this turkey recipe

14. The Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (15)

If you’ve ever watched Christmas Vacation, then you’ll probably remember the perfect turkey.

However, when they cut into it, perfection faded and so did the turkey because it dried out. Well, thanks to this recipe, you’ll hopefully dodge the ‘dry turkey’ experience and have a much more picturesque turkey to serve.

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15. The Maple Glazed Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (16)

Seriously you guys, after checking out all of these glazed turkeys, I seriously think glazing is going to be in this year…at least at my house.

This maple glazed turkey not only looks delicious, but the glaze is so simple. It is just butter and maple syrup. You can’t get much easier or delicious.

Try this turkey recipe

16. Aromatic Lemon Apple and Herb Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (17)

Everyone wants a turkey that is moist and delicious, but have you ever thought you wanted a turkey that smells great too?

Well, this recipe has you covered. This turkey is brined in herbs, covered in herb butter, and has more aromatics added when roasting too.

Try this turkey recipe

17. Tuscan Style Grilled Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (18)

It is very common to hear of people baking their Thanksgiving turkeys. We even hear of frying and occasionally smoking them.

However, grilling your Thanksgiving turkey is a lot less common. Thanks to this recipe, you can give this delicious method a try this year.

Try this turkey recipe

18. Cranberry Glazed Turkey Breast

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (19)

When I was growing up we usually only had a turkey breast for Thanksgiving because it was just my mom, sister, and myself.

So if you only have a breast, then you’ll need to check out this glaze. I’m a huge cranberry person so this sounds like you could have all of the flavors of Thanksgiving in one amazing dish.

Try this turkey recipe

19. Roast Turkey Like a Boss

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (20)

For some reason, cooking a turkey is something that has a lot of people frightened. I think they all fear that they’ll dry it out and it’ll be terrible.

Well, do as this article suggests. Follow their basic instructions to perfectly roasting a turkey and be the boss in your own kitchen.

Try this turkey recipe

20. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (21)

I wish this recipe was around when I was a little girl because as I mentioned we just had the turkey breast. My poor mom would work herself silly in the kitchen over one meal.

Now, many people have come out with amazing crockpot techniques that save so much time and produce a tasty dish, like this one. My mother would’ve been so thankful for this recipe all those years ago.

Try this turkey recipe

21. How to Smoke a Turkey in 4 Hours

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (22)

Are you looking to do something a little different with your turkey this year? It seems that smoking is all the rage.

If you’d like a deliciously flavored turkey that can be ready in about 4 hours, then you definitely need to check out this recipe.

Try this turkey recipe

22. Citrus and Herb Roasted Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (23)

This is another very flavorful turkey recipe. Many people love to have turkeys that are strongly flavored with fresh herbs.

Plus, they think that the citrus is a great way to accompany those flavors and help tenderize the meat. If you are one of those people, then you definitely need to check this out.

Try this turkey recipe

23. Maple Glazed Turkey with Bacon and Sage Butter

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (24)

This turkey had me asking myself, “Seriously?” This is everything you want, rolled into one amazing turkey!

You have the bacon-wrapped turkey that is glazed in delicious maple syrup. Then it is coated with sage butter and stuffed with delicious fruits and vegetables for added flavor. Welcome to Flavor Town, friends.

Try this turkey recipe

24. Yellow Bliss Road Best Thanksgiving Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (25)

This is another post that claims to have the best Thanksgiving turkey. I don’t know if you’ll consider it the best, but in my books, it is pretty darn tasty.

We make our turkey like her post shows. It is very simple and turns out super moist and delicious as well.

Try this turkey recipe

25. Garlic and Herb Roasted Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (26)

Would you like to bake a simple roasted turkey? Yet, you still want it to have a lot of flavors?

Well, look no further than this recipe. It is super simple, it is meant to be roasted, but it packs a punch of garlic and herbs as well.

Try this turkey recipe

26. Super Moist Turkey

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (27)

My mom always hated baking turkeys because she feared how dry they would turn out. If only the internet had been around then.

Now, we have these wonderful Thanksgiving Turkey recipes that help us to overcome turkey dryness. This recipe uses a unique method of coating a turkey in herb butter and wine, then covering it in a cheesecloth. However, apparently, it works!

Try this turkey recipe

27. Juicy Roasted Turkey with Pictures

27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (28)

We all love our Thanksgiving turkey if it’s done right. Yet, we all know that it can be challenging finding a method that allows the turkey to cook but remain juicy too.

Well, this article has you covered. You not only get a recipe for a juicy Thanksgiving turkey, but she includes pictures to help you along too.

Try this turkey recipe

So there you have it. You now have almost 30 different Thanksgiving Turkey recipes to choose from when making your Thanksgiving turkey this year. You may want to start early and try a few out before you decide on ‘the one.’

Don’t forget to also look at our Off-Grid Thanksgiving ideas for an alternative twist on a themed Thanksgiving meal.

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27 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes Perfect for Holiday Season (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook a 27 pound turkey? ›

For a 24–27-lb. turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3–3 3/4 hr. For a 28–30-lb turkey (weight with giblets): Bake in a 325° oven for 3 1/2–4 1/2 hr.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350? ›

Oven-Roasted Turkey

We recommend starting the turkey in a 425 degree oven for 30-45 minutes before tenting the pan with foil and lowering the temperature to 350 degrees until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees when inserted into the thickest part of the bird.

How to season a turkey really good? ›

Stick with salt and pepper, put herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to work, or take spicy Cajun seasoning for a spin for some kick. Whatever blend you choose, spread it all over the turkey—on top, underneath, between the body and wings and legs, under the skin, and even in the cavity of the bird.

How many people will a 23 pound turkey feed? ›

12 to 16 people = 12- to 24-lb. turkey. 18 to 20 people = 18- to 30-lb. turkey.

How many people does a 27 pound turkey feed? ›

While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance. At that rate, feeding a large party of 15 or more people requires 20+ pounds of turkey.

How long to cook a 27 lb turkey with stuffing? ›

A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed turkey. Roast a stuffed turkey for 15 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). It is important to check the temperature of the stuffing; it should be 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) when you insert the thermometer into the center of the stuffing.

Should you bake a turkey covered or uncovered? ›

To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.

How long does it take to cook a 27 lb turkey at 325? ›

Regular Oven 325°
WeightCook Time (Unstuffed)Cook Time (Stuffed)
10-18 lbs.3-3½ hrs.3¾-4½ hrs.
18-22 lbs.3½-4 hrs.4½-5 hrs.
22-24 lbs.4-4½ hrs.5-5½ hrs.
24-30 lbs.4½-5 hrs.5½-6¼ hrs.
2 more rows

What is the best temperature to cook a turkey to keep it moist? ›

Begin by roasting your turkey at 425°F for 40 to 45 minutes before lowering the temperature of the oven to 350°F for the rest of the cooking time. Like the other method, it's a good idea to brush the turkey every 15 to 20 minutes with butter or olive oil to help the surface brown and keep the meat moist.

Should I put butter or oil on my turkey? ›

Because turkey breast is especially lean, I like to rub softened fat beneath the skin just before roasting. It melts and gives the meat extra flavor, richness, and moisture. Duck fat is wonderful for this, and it fortifies the poultry flavors, but unsalted butter works well, too.

What adds flavor to turkey? ›

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan for turkey? ›

"Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey."

How long do you rest a turkey for? ›

REST: Once you're sure the turkey is fully cooked (check by piercing the thickest part of the leg with a skewer to see if the juices run clear), leave it to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes or up to a few hours. This lets the meat relax and allows all the juices to be reabsorbed.

How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb turkey? ›

How Long to Thaw a Turkey
Turkey WeightHow Long to Thaw in the FridgeHow Long to Thaw in Cold Water
10 to 18 pounds2 to 3½ days5 to 9 hours
18 to 22 pounds3½ to 4½ days9 to 11 hours
22 to 24 pounds4½ to 5 days11 to 12 hours
24 to 29 pounds5 to 6 days12 to 15 hours
Oct 12, 2023

How long to cook 20 lb turkey? ›

How long to cook a turkey, depending on your roasting method:
  1. 8–12 lb. turkey: 1¾–3 hours.
  2. 12–14 lb. turkey: 3–3¼ hours.
  3. 15–16 lb. turkey: 3½–3¾ hours.
  4. 18–20 lb. turkey: 4–4¼ hours.
  5. 21–22 lb. turkey: 4½–4¾ hours.
Oct 25, 2023

How long does it take to cook a 27 lb turkey at 350 degrees? ›

The simplest way to roast a whole turkey: The most straightforward approach is to roast an unstuffed turkey, breast-side up, for 13 minutes per pound of turkey at 350°.

How long does it take to cook a 27 lb turkey at 250 degrees? ›

How long do I cook a turkey at 250 F? A turkey needs to cook for about 30 minutes per pound at 250 F, and should reach a safe internal temperature of 165 F before serving.

What is the best temperature to cook a turkey? ›

What Temperature to Cook the Turkey? Cook your turkey at 325 degrees F for most of the cook time; in the final 45 minutes, remove the cover or foil tent from the turkey, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and baste the bird with butter. The initial lower oven temperature cooks the turkey through evenly.

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