27 of the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes You Have to See!

This post may contain affiliate or referral links. Read more about this in our disclosure policy.

As a kid I started off dreading Thanksgiving, it was full of foods this picky girl didn't want to touch. While I am nowhere near as picky today, I still like to experiment and try some of the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes. Yes, Thanksgiving turkey is a classic, but if people hadn't experimented when I was a kid there would be no deep-fried turkey now! YUM!

Table of Contents

27 of the Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes You Have to See!

Around the time I hit my teens I started really looking forward to the games, my family played before Thanksgiving dinner. It's a tradition I've kept with my kids. Monopoly is always a big hit, but sometimes my family gets a bit too competitive for that. It can get so bad we have to have a non-playing referee for trades and such! But that is how memories are made!

Now let's talk turkey. Who knows what size turkey they REALLY need? I always buy too big of a turkey and end up with way too much leftover turkey that I need recipes for the following week!

Ok, a few recipes to point out below. Yes, I have the classic roast turkey and deep-fried turkey on here, but then there is a drunken turkey! Perfect for hard to deal with families, am I right? A drink for the turkey and two for you! Also, check out the Island Jerk Turkey if you want a bit of a different flavor and some spice to it!

Also included is a recipe for a turkey you don't have to thaw and a turkey in the Instant Pot which is my new favorite item in my kitchen!

What flavors go with turkey?

The traditional flavors are garlic, onion, sage, thyme, and rosemary. But citrus flavors and of course cranberry go well together too.

How do I add flavor to my turkey?

The easiest way to add flavor to these is to inject the turkey using a turkey injector. Many suggest injecting butter or apple juice but you can inject any marinade you choose. It's best to inject the same marinade you use on the outside of your turkey.

Should I wash my turkey before cooking it?

The only time you should wash your turkey is if you used a brine. Then wash the brine off before continuing on your cooking. There is no need to wash the turkey otherwise.

What can I stuff my turkey with?

It's best not to cook your stuffing in the turkey cavity as it can soak up all the bacteria you are trying to cook out of the turkey. I like stuffing mine with lemon and orange halves and some garlic, onion, and fresh tyme.

How long do you cook a turkey?

The general rule of thumb is to cook your turkey at 350 degrees F and cook it for 20 minutes per pound. Always use a meat thermometer to make sure your turkey is cooked to at least 165 degrees F.

The length of your cooking time will vary on altitude and if you stuff your turkey and if it's fully defrosted.

How long does it take to defrost a turkey?

The USDA suggests thawing in the fridge and it will take around 1 day for every 5 pounds the turkey is. So if your turkey is 25 pounds you need to take it out 5 days ahead of time.

Ok on to the recipes!