Home Holidays Thanksgiving
Emily Racette ParulskiUpdated: Feb. 19, 2024
Make one of our best-loved Thanksgiving turkey recipes to ensure your holiday dinner is spectacular. We have the classics as well as a few new twists.
As much as we love stuffing and green bean casserole, there’s no denying turkey is the main event of the holiday meal. So, try one of our favorite Thanksgiving turkey recipes for the perfect crowning jewel. After choosing and cooking your bird, make sure you know how to carve a turkey the right way to avoid it drying out.
Then, serve your turkey with all the Thanksgiving sides and beverages. And don’t forget the pies!
1/38
Herb-Glazed Turkey
Honey and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my Thanksgiving turkey recipe a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true herb turkey recipe never fails to win compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta
Go to Recipe
2/38
Herb-Brined Turkey
For an impressive main course, look here. The moist, flavorful bird will have guests counting the minutes until carving time. — Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon
Go to Recipe
3/38
Grilled Turkey Drumsticks
Try something different this Thanksgiving and learn how to grill turkey drumsticks! These smoky, tender turkey drumsticks are easy to make, free up space in the oven and cook in a fraction of the time needed for a whole turkey. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
4/38
Classic Stuffed Turkey
For years, my mother has made this moist stuffed Thanksgiving turkey recipe. Now, I do the same thing. The turkey stuffing nicely compliments the tender, juicy slices of oven-roasted turkey. —Kathi Graham, Naperville, Illinois
Go to Recipe
5/38
6/38
Smoked Turkey
Mouths will water when you bring this flavorful smoked turkey recipe to the table. Add sprigs of your favorite herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary to the brine for extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
7/38
Turkey Leg Pot Roast
Well-seasoned turkey legs and tender veggies make an ideal dinner for a crisp fall day. This Thanksgiving turkey recipe couldn’t be easier! —Rick and Vegas Pearson, Cadillac, Michigan
Go to Recipe
8/38
Romano Basil Turkey Breast
Guests will be impressed when you slice this golden, grilled turkey breast, dressed up with a flavorful layer of basil and cheese under the skin. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York
Go to Recipe
9/38
Honey-Glazed Turkey
Even during the holidays, my husband wouldn't eat turkey—until I tried this recipe. Now he loves it! The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. —Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois
Go to Recipe
10/38
Brined Grilled Turkey Breast
You’ll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering Thanksgiving turkey recipe! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Go to Recipe
11/38
BBQ Turkey
I don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana
Go to Recipe
12/38
13/38
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey
Everything’s better with bacon, including turkey! This impressive Thanksgiving turkey recipe gets a blanket of bacon, which not only adds flavor but helps keep the turkey juicy. The best part? It’s easier than it looks! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
14/38
Turkey and Root Veggie Sheet-Pan Dinner
My family loves this turkey sheet-pan dinner. I used ingredients I had on hand, including bacon, which lends a nice smoky flavor. It's so quick and easy to prepare. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Go to Recipe
15/38
Classic Cheesecloth Turkey
This cheesecloth turkey uses a classic method, wine-soaked cheesecloth, to give you the juiciest turkey and most flavorful gravy you've ever tasted! Pair with your favorite sides for a complete meal. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
16/38
Spicy Turkey Tenderloin
Here’s a full-flavored Thanksgiving turkey recipe that will really wake up your taste buds.
Go to Recipe
17/38
Turkey in Cream Sauce
I've been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago. I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I'm constantly writing out the recipe. —Kathy-Jo Winterbottom, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Go to Recipe
18/38
The holidays has never been the same since I tried this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. I have made it for the past three years, and it never fails to impress both in presentation and taste. This is a true showstopper! —Nancy M. Niemerg, Dieterich, Illinois
Go to Recipe
19/38
Grilled Huli Huli Turkey Drumsticks
I'm never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting Thanksgiving, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I substituted turkey legs and have never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California
Go to Recipe
20/38
How to Deep-Fry a Turkey
A deep-fried turkey means tender, juicy meat that’s ready in a fraction of the time. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to deep-fry a turkey.
Go to Recipe
21/38
My daughter loves to help me make this moist apple turkey. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn’t eat them first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia
Go to Recipe
22/38
Herbed Roast Turkey Breast
When learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular Thanksgiving turkey recipe. It was such a success that this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio
Go to Recipe
23/38
24/38
Turkey Breast Tenderloins with Raspberry Sauce
Sweet and tangy raspberry sauce is a perfect match for this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. In fact, this sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Go to Recipe
25/38
Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast
Try this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix slow-cooker turkey breast when you're craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
26/38
Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable Gravy
There’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
27/38
28/38
Pressure-Cooker Turkey with Berry Compote
This delicious Thanksgiving turkey recipe gives you a way to get all that yummy turkey flavor without heating up the house, and the berries make the perfect summer sauce. For a browner turkey, just broil it for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama
Go to Recipe
29/38
Turkey Cutlets with Pan Gravy
Using cutlets or any boneless meat speeds up cooking time for this quick entree. You can use thin boneless, skinless chicken breast as well. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California
Go to Recipe
30/38
31/38
Maple-Sage Brined Turkey
When the leaves start turning, it’s time for Thanksgiving turkey. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire
Go to Recipe
32/38
Happy Orange Turkey
Here’s the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. Champagne and oranges flavor this special bird that will become one of your favorite turkey recipes ever. —Tara Baier, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
33/38
Seasoned Roast Turkey
Rubbing the skin with melted butter keeps this simply seasoned turkey moist and tender. —Nancy Reichert, Thomasville, Georgia
Go to Recipe
34/38
Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy
Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead Thanksgiving turkey recipe that’s ready to serve when you are. It’s a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
35/38
Marinated Thanksgiving Turkey
My family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Go to Recipe
36/38
Maple-Glazed Turkey
I prepare turkey with a taste of Canada in mind. The sweet maple flavor comes through even in the breast meat. You may start to notice it's caramelized color after about 2 hours. That's when I cover it loosely with foil while it finishes cooking. The maple-glazed turkey will stay tender and juicy. —Suzanne Anctil, West Vancouver, British Columbia
Go to Recipe
37/38
TMB Studio
Dry-Brined Turkey
To wet brine a turkey the traditional way, you need a container that’s large enough to hold five gallons of liquid. However, a dry brine turkey uses no water, so it takes up less space and requires much less fuss.
Go to Recipe
38/38
TMB Studio
Pressure-Cooker Italian Turkey Breast
This Thanksgiving turkey recipe makes some of the most succulent bird I’ve ever eaten. High in lean protein, it’s a smart entree for a special occasion. —Jessica Kunz, Springfield, Illinois
Go to Recipe
Originally Published: August 19, 2019
Emily Racette Parulski
Emily has spent the last decade writing and editing food and lifestyle content. As a senior editor at Taste of Home, she leads the newsletter team sharing delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips to more than 2 million loyal email subscribers. Since joining TMB seven years ago as an associate editor, she has worked on special interest publications, launched TMB’s first cross-branded newsletter, supported the launch of the brand's affiliate strategy, orchestrated holiday countdowns, participated in taste tests and was selected for a task force to enhance the Taste of Home community. Emily was first mentioned by name in Taste of Home magazine in 1994, when her mother won a contest.When she’s not editing, Emily can be found in her kitchen baking something sweet, taking a wine class with her husband, or making lasagnas for neighbors through Lasagna Love.
