Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a perfectly cooked turkey at the center of the table. But let’s be honest—getting it just right can feel a little intimidating. The good news? With the right recipe, your bird can come out tender, flavorful, and juicy every single time. These 13 Thanksgiving turkey recipes will guide you through a variety of cooking methods and flavor combinations, ensuring you’ll impress your guests and enjoy a stress-free holiday.
From classic roasted turkey with garlic and herbs to more adventurous options like maple-bourbon glazed or Cajun-spiced, there’s a recipe here to suit every table. Some recipes focus on achieving crispy, golden-brown skin while locking in the meat’s natural juiciness, while others highlight brines, marinades, or rubs that infuse every bite with flavor.
For those who love traditional flavors, you can’t go wrong with a butter-basted turkey seasoned with rosemary, thyme, and sage. If you want something a little different, try a citrus-herb roast with orange and lemon for a bright, fresh twist. Fans of smoky flavors will love turkey prepared on the grill or in a smoker, while slow-roasted or spatchcock methods guarantee even cooking and extra moisture.
Stuffed turkeys are another classic approach—whether with savory bread stuffing, wild rice, or fresh herbs, the filling makes the dish feel extra festive. And if you’re hosting a smaller gathering, several of these recipes can be easily scaled down for a turkey breast or smaller bird without losing the same delicious flavor.
No matter which recipe you choose, these 13 juicy and delicious turkey recipes will make Thanksgiving dinner the highlight of the year. With plenty of variety, you can keep things classic or branch out into bold, new flavors. Either way, your guests will leave the table satisfied, impressed, and already looking forward to next year.]
Juicy Mayo Roasted Turkey
Who needs butter? A slather of mayonnaise on your turkey pulls double duty by standing in as a flavorful rub as well as adding moisture and fat to often dry meat. And what’s particularly great is that it browns the skin beautifully without the constant basting that most birds need.
Classic Roast Turkey
Sometimes the best holiday recipes are the classics. This recipe calls for plenty of seasonal herbs, vegetables and, of course, butter.
Traditional Roast Turkey
Alton brines this bird overnight in a mixture of broth, salt, sugar, peppercorns, allspice and ginger.
Tuscan Turkey Roulade
This rolled-and-tied bird cooks evenly, slices into beautiful disks, and is saturated with the rich herb-and-garlic flavors of porchetta. If you let your butcher do the work of removing the bones, preparing it is remarkably straightforward.
Perfect Roast Turkey
Ina shares her secret to roasting a perfect holiday turkey: stuffing the bird with onion, big sprigs of thyme, chunks of lemon and garlic.
Balsamic-Glazed Turkey
Balsamic glaze is back, and this year we’re finishing our holiday turkey with the beloved tangy condiment. Inspired by the Italian influence, we stuffed the bird with plenty of aromatics–sage, thyme, rosemary, and a whole head of garlic–then basted it throughout with a buttery, flavorful broth. Brushing on the rich balsamic glaze at the end imparts a beautiful color and delicious sweet-tart finish.
Homemade Gravy
Ina’s pan gravy starts out with butter, onions and flour, and then she adds turkey drippings and chicken stock, plus Cognac, wine and a little heavy cream for richness.
Paprika Roast Turkey
Paprika comes in a few different varieties. This recipe uses a blend of two (sweet and hot) for the perfect balance of flavor.
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey
Hosting a holiday meal is easy when you can make the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table (the turkey!) in advance.
Roast Turkey with Cranberry-Orange Glaze
Bake the flavors of Thanksgiving right into the bird with this cranberry-orange glaze with garlic and chipotle.
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast Stuffed with Pear Hash
If you’re seeking a break from traditional roast turkey year after year, take a page out of Sunny’s book. She keeps the holiday interesting with her unusual presentation: turkey breasts wrapped in bacon and stuffed with a spicy pear mixture.
The Best Tandoori Turkey
This succulent whole roast turkey is inspired by perennial favorite, tandoori chicken. Flavorful and juicy, it’s bound to be a showstopper at Thanksgiving, or any dinner. The turkey is marinated overnight in a tangy spiced yogurt sauce that takes just 10 minutes to make, then roasted like a traditional holiday bird.
Cajun Brined Turkey Two Ways
Bobby treats two turkeys to a fragrant brine and spice rub. When it’s time for roasting, one turkey cooks in a Cuban-style box for smoky results and the other in a green ceramic grill using smoked wood chips for bold hickory flavor.
