5 Turkey Recipes To Take Your Thanksgiving To The Next Level

It’s that time of year again! Family and friends are brought together over a warm meal that is months in the making. A wide array of flavors, textures and decorations coming down to one moment. Thanksgiving is a time of joy and to spend quality time with your family. And the star of the show? Turkey. Yet with so many turkey recipes out there, it can be hard to find the perfect fit. If you’re looking to make memories this Thanksgiving, try out these 5 turkey recipes that will take your turkey to the next level.

This recipe is an all time classic when it comes to Thanksgiving feasts.

1. Garlic Herb Butter Turkey

This Thanksgiving classic is the ultimate memory maker for your dinner. Turkey meat is perfect for absorbing the deep richness of butter and sweet aromatics of garlic. And the color is a beautiful gold that is perfect for any Thanksgiving centerpiece. Looking for the all time classic with flavors that will impress all the chefs in your family? Try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 12 pound turkey, whole
• 3 garlics, halved
• 3 lemons, sliced
• 6 sprigs of thyme
• 6 sprigs of rosemary
• ½ cup olive oil

Herb Butter

• 4 ounces of butter, unsalted
• 1 tsp thyme, chopped
• 4 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425F. Combine your herb butter ingredients. Line a large roasting pan with foil or parchment paper. Arrange your garlic on the pan, placing them face down followed by your thyme, rosemary sprigs and one lemon slice. Pat your turkey dry with a paper towel and stuff the remaining garlic, lemon slices, herbs and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Next, melt your butter and rub under the skin and season with your salt and pepper. Place your turkey on top of the garlic and lemon slices on the pan. Be sure to place it breast side down and drizzle with remaining olive oil. Roast your turkey uncovered for 30 minutes. Then, turn your turkey over so it is facing breast side up with a pair of tongs. Baste with pan juices. Spread half of the reserved butter over your turkey and  use a spoon or brush to coat the turkey. Pour remaining juices over your turkey. Then, reduce the heat to 325F and roast uncovered for an hour. Repeat the process of butter and basting and roast for an additional 30 minutes. Then, cover your turkey lightly with foil and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove 2 ½ cups of the pan juices and reserve for gravy. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is a must try for any and all bacon lovers this Thanksgiving.

2. Bacon Lemon Pepper Turkey

This recipe is great for when you’re looking to add that extra kick to your Thanksgiving turkey. Unlike other turkey recipes, the lemon is perfect for cutting through some of the fat in that turkey, leaving a perfect balance of turkey sweetness, zest, pepper and bacon. If you’re looking to cook something different this season, try this recipe out. 

Ingredients

• 12 to 14 pound turkey
• 4 lemons
• 2 tbsp cracked black pepper
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 white onion, quartered
• 2 stalks of celery, chunked
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• 9 slices of bacon
• 4 tbsp butter
• Gravy of your choice

Directions

Let your turkey sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350F. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey. Finely grate your lemon zest and combine with your pepper and salt. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels to ensure the seasoning will stick evenly to the skin. Season inside your turkey and outside. Stuff lemons inside of the turkey cavity followed by onion and thyme. Tie the turkey legs together with twine and put on the oven rack. Note, be sure to tuck the wings under the body as well so they do not burn. Next, cook your bacon in a large skillet until it is crispy, around 7 to 8 minutes. Chop up your bacon into bits, add butter to the bacon skillet with lemon juice from two lemons. Let it cool slightly before coating your turkey. Transfer over to the oven in a large baking dish or pan. Let roast for 1 hour. After the first hour, baste your turkey every 30 minutes with your butter mixture. Then, carefully transfer your turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 30 minutes. Add gravy of your choice. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is for those who are looking for a challenge and crispy results this Thanksgiving.

3. Deep Fried Turkey

Bored with your current turkey recipes? No problem! Deep fried turkey is a must try. And while it may sound a little odd, the flavors are unmatched. The soft crunch of the fried skin of this turkey is a must try for any Thanksgiving occasion. 

Ingredients

• 6 quarts hot water
• 1 pound of salt
• 1 pound brown sugar
• 5 pounds of ice
• 1 13 to 14 pound turkey, giblets removed
• 4 gallons peanut oil

Directions

Place your hot water, salt and brown sugar into a cooler of approximately 5 gallons. Stir until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Next, add in your ice and stir until the mixture is cool. Gently lower your turkey into the mixture and weigh it down until it is fully submerged. Cover and store in a cool dry place for 8 to 16 hours. Next, remove your turkey from the brine, rinse and pat dry. Allow your turkey to come up to room temperature before cooking. Take a large pot and place 28 quarts of oil in it, setting it to high heat. This works best outdoors. Wait until the oil is 250F. Slowly lower the temperature and wait until it has reached 350F. Then add your bird to the mixture. Check the temperature every 30 minutes to ensure it stays at 350F. Once your turkey breast has reached an internal temperature of 151F, gently remove from oil and let rest for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy. 

This recipe is guaranteed to bring the heat for your Thanksgiving.

4. Cajun Spiced Turkey

Looking to bring the taste of cajun into your turkey recipes this year? This turkey is a spicy sweet kick unlike any other. If you’re bored of the typical sweet turkey recipes, this Thanksgiving bring the heat to your family and friends with this recipe. 

Ingredients

• 1 13 to 14 pound turkey, patted dry
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 large pinch pepper
• ½ cup Cajun spice mix
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• ¼  cup olive oil

Directions

Prepare a large roasting pan with parchment paper. Season your turkey with salt, pepper and cajun spice mix. Make sure you are massaging the spices into the skin. Transfer your turkey breast side down onto the baking pan. Refrigerate uncovered overnight. Remove the turkey and let it come up to room temperature. This will take around an hour. Next, preheat your oven to 375F. Mix your celery, pepper and onion in a medium mixing bowl. Fill the turkey cavity with your veggie mixture. Be sure to scatter the remaining veggies on the outside or bottom of the pan. Lightly brush your turkey with oil. Roast your turkey, basting occasionally for 1 hour. Using paper towels or an oven mitt, flip your turkey, repeat the process. This time let it cook for 1 hour to 1 ½. Transfer to a platter and let sit for 20 minutes. Sever and enjoy. 

This recipe is perfect for those non meat lovers.

5. Tofu Turkey

While Thanksgiving has a wide array of dishes to choose from, not all of them are vegetarian friendly. Turkey recipes are especially difficult for those with restricted diets. This tofu turkey recipe is a happy medium between meatless and delicious for all your guests. Are some of your guests skeptical of a tofu turkey? Wow them with this! 

Ingredients

• 14 ounces of extra firm tofu
• ¾ cup pinto beans
• 6 tbsp of nutritional yeast
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp poultry seasoning
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 large pinch salt
• 1 large pinch pepper
• 1 large pinch onion powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 ½ cups vital wheat gluten
• ½ cup vegan stuffing gravy
• 1 cup vegetable broth

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375F. Soak some wooden skewers in water to prevent them from burning while baking. Crumble up your tofu into a bowl lined with a dish towel. Gather sides of the towel and squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the tofu. Add your beams, tofu, yeast, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, and vegetable broth into a blender. Blend until smooth. Add gluten to the mixture and process until it becomes a dough like substance. Knead for 1 to 2 minutes, until most of the cracks have disappeared. Roll into a ball and cut off ¼ inch dough to save for later. Transfer over the remaining dough to a bowl and stretch the edges to help it expand. Stretch your dough over the stuffing and encase completely. Wrap your tofu turkey in parchment paper then in foil. Divide the dough in half and shape into drumsticks. Insert a wooden skewer in each one and wrap your formed drumsticks in parchment paper. Set the tofu turkey and drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, flipping every 20 minutes. Remove your drumsticks after 40 minutes. Plate with gravy. Serve and enjoy. 

Thanksgiving is the time of year to make memories over great food and quality recipes. Great turkey recipes can be hard to come by, yet with these recipes you will never have to worry again! Give your family and friends something to talk about this Thanksgiving with these 5 turkey recipes.