36 Unusual Roast Turkey Recipes For The Holidays (2024)

Table of Contents
Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving? Best turkey recipe in the world Our favorite Deliciously Unique Turkey Recipes How to Deep Fry a Turkey Without Burning Down Your Garage Ancho-Scallion Roast Turkey Breast Smoking a Turkey – The Ultimate Guide w/ Video Five Spice Turkey {Asian Inspired Thanksgiving} Apple and Sage Turkey Smoked Apple Cider Turkey {Juicy & Delicious} Cajun Rotisserie Turkey Adobo Turkey with Red-Chile Gravy Garlic Herb Maple Roast Turkey Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage, Smoked Bacon, and Cornbread Stuffing Grilled Turkey - How to Grill a Turkey for Thanksgiving (Golden and Juicy!) Mole-Roasted Turkey with Masa Stuffing and Chile Gravy Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter Gravy Pit Boss Smoked Turkey (Just 6 Simple Steps for Juicy Smoked Turkey) Smoky Paprika-Bacon Wrapped Turkey Smoked Turkey Big Green Egg How To Dry Dry Brine a Turkey and a Chefs Secrets Black Pepper-Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Turkey The best spatchco*ck turkey with apple cider maple glaze Orange-Ginger Glazed Turkey BEST Grilled Turkey (how to grill a turkey) Turkey with Fruit and Nut Stuffing Recipe Gluten-Free Turkey (the BEST) Thanksgiving Herb Butter Turkey Smoked Beer-Can Turkey Recipe Spatchco*ck Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Recipe Slow Cooker Turkey Crown Easy and Delicious Bacon Wrapped Turkey Mom's Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Butterflied Turkey with Apple-Cranberry Glaze Bacon Wrapped Herb Roasted Turkey Spatchco*ck Turkey Recipe | Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Mediterranean Roast Turkey Breast with Saffron Yogurt Sauce Adobo Butter Turkey Dry Brined-Fried Turkey without Oil How to Spatchco*ck a Turkey How to Deep Fry a Turkey Without Burning Down Your Garage What should you make with leftover turkey? FAQs References

We all love Thanksgiving and it’s a good time to show appreciation for our friends and family. But sometimes we can get into a bit of a rut in the kitchen, cooking the same things over and over again.

So now you’re looking for some interesting turkey recipes, right? Because a good roast turkey recipe is essential for any traditional holiday meal.

And making the same old turkey over and over again can get a bit tired, right?

Why not try one of these unusual and unique turkey recipes (that are also crazy awesome!) to shake up the menu.

But first, have you ever thought about WHY we eat turkey on Thanksgiving? We did too and this is what we found out.

Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Gobble, gobble, gobble! Roast turkey is probably the most popular holiday meal for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

  1. Turkeys are native to North America and they were widely available to early settlers.
  2. Turkeys are large enough to feed multiple people and aside from their meat, they don’t have much other use! For instance, other farm animals provide other edibles or uses like eggs from chickens, milk from cows, wool from sheep. Turkeys are just turkeys, so it may have made sense to use them for this reason.
  3. Some historians think that it might have something to do with the popularity of Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol. When the book was published in the 1840s, it introduced the idea of a turkey being something extra special. It’s what the Cratchit family wants to share most in the world, and shortly after this turkeys started gaining popularity.
  4. The actual celebration of Thanksgiving dates back officially to 1777 when an act of the Continental Congress declared it a real holiday. Then again in 1863 during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, Thanksgiving was declared a nationwide holiday again. Lincoln had started the tradition with an unofficial Thanksgiving dinner that featured roast turkey, his favorite meal.

So we’ve basically had roast turkey dinner for almost 250 years.

The same old plain roast turkey your mom made, and her mother made, and her grandmother made. Ugh.

I mean those are probably good turkey recipes, but some new turkey recipes might be just what you need this year.

36 Unusual Roast Turkey Recipes For The Holidays (1)

If you’re tired of the same old, same old turkey dinner recipes – why not surprise your family and guests with a unique twist on your turkey dinner this year?

We’ve round up some mouth watering and maybe sometimes weird thanksgiving turkey ideas to try.

Best turkey recipe in the world

Roast turkey is both traditional and delicious, but there are so many unusual and unique holiday turkey recipes to shake up the menu.

You never know, after taking a look at our favorite different turkey recipes, you just might find a new family favorite of your own!

Maybe find the best turkey recipe in the world? (Pst if you do, be sure to let us know and we want to know about the funky turkey recipes too!)

Our favorite Deliciously Unique Turkey Recipes

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, food! While traditional turkey recipes are always a hit, why not mix things up this year with a unique twist on the classic bird?

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Photo Credit:www.surfandsunshine.com

How to Deep Fry a Turkey Without Burning Down Your Garage

Deep frying a turkey can be a delicious way to cook the bird, but it also comes with some risks. If you're not careful, you could easily end up with a fire or even an explosion. Here are a few tips to help you deep fry your turkey without burning down your garage :)

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Photo Credit:www.foodandwine.com

Ancho-Scallion Roast Turkey Breast

Whether you’re a fan of dark meat or white breast meat, just looking at thisancho scallion basted turkeyshould get anyone’s mouth start watering.

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Photo Credit:www.theslowroasteditalian.com

Smoking a Turkey – The Ultimate Guide w/ Video

Smoking a turkey for a holiday meal creates a juicy bird with crispy skin and amazing flavor! Make our smoked turkey recipe for your guests.

This Five Spice Turkey is a delicious Asian inspired bird! There is also an authentic family recipe for Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage and Mushrooms. Yumm.

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Photo Credit:www.foodnetwork.com

Apple and Sage Turkey

ThisApple and Sage turkey dinner recipe from The Food Networktakes it home with sweet and savory.

Smoked Apple Cider Turkey is perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner. The quick brine and the apple cider marinade adds the best flavor and keeps it incredibly juicy.

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Photo Credit:canadiancookingadventures.com

Cajun Rotisserie Turkey

This Whole Cajun Rotisserie Turkey is a family favorite. It is seasoned with all the right spices and comes out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside.

This Adobo spice roasted bird looks so delicious on its own, you barely notice the disposable roasting pan.

Maybe you could cover it up with aDIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece?

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Photo Credit:www.nutmegnanny.com

Garlic Herb Maple Roast Turkey

This garlic herb maple roast turkey is packed full of flavor with just a touch of maple syrup sweetness. It’s the perfect addition to any holiday table!

Calling all bacon lovers, check out thisMaple-Roasted Turkeywith Sage, Smoked Bacon, and Cornbread Stuffing from Tyler Florence. I’m thinking this will go perfectly with mashed potatoes and melted butter.

If you’ve ever wondered if you can grill a turkey for Thanksgiving, the answer is yes! I love to bbq a turkey because it frees up oven space when I have so many other dishes to makewhen I’m hosting a holiday dinner. I’m sharing one of my favorite ways to cook a whole turkey that’ll be ready in just a few hours. The result is golden, juicy turkey with crispy skin, you’re going to love it!

For another southwestern spin on your Thanksgiving turkey recipe, skip the cranberry sauce and try thisMole roasted turkey with masa stuffing and chile gravy. This is one of the more creative turkey recipes I’ve seen.

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Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com

Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Butter Gravy

Learn how to make delicious Thanksgiving quality turkey and gravy in less than an hour using your Instant Pot.

Ajuicy fresh smoked turkeyhas got to be one of the most delicious things on Earth. And, it’s not that hard to make! Our friends at Simply Meat Smoking will give you everything you need to know about smoking a turkey in a wood pellet grill like the Pit Boss.

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Photo Credit:cookingontheweekends.com

Smoky Paprika-Bacon Wrapped Turkey

This Smoky Paprika-Bacon Wrapped Turkey is the mother of all roasted turkeys. Saying it’s over-the-top might be an understatement, and it will surely bring your Thanksgiving feast to the next level!

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Photo Credit:www.gritsandpinecones.com

Smoked Turkey Big Green Egg

Smoked Turkey blanketed in a fresh herb and garlic butter rub and smoked is a wonderful choice for the holidays or any occasion where your oven might be space-challenged. If you have never smoked a whole turkey before, you will be surprised at just howeasy it is!

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Photo Credit:www.askchefdennis.com

How To Dry Dry Brine a Turkey and a Chefs Secrets

If you want the most perfectly moist, flavorful, and juicy Thanksgiving Turkey, my recipe for dry-brining is what you’re looking for. All you need to do is rub the turkey down with salt, seasonings and fresh herbs.

Impress your guests with this gourmet Bobby Flay turkey recipe forBlack Pepper-Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Turkey. The key to this recipe is during the last 15 minutes of roasting, you will need to stop basting with chicken stock and instead brush on a pomegranate glaze. Yum!

Don't fight with baking a whole bird! Spatchco*ck it and have your holiday meal on the table in a flash. Complete with a tangy apple cider maple glaze, this turkey won't take all day.

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Photo Credit:www.theroastedroot.net

Orange-Ginger Glazed Turkey

Orange-Ginger glazed turkey for your Thanksgiving Feast. This easy, flavorful approach to roasted Thanksgiving turkey is sure to please!

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Photo Credit:thewoodenskillet.com

BEST Grilled Turkey (how to grill a turkey)

Whole Grilled Turkey is my favorite way to cook a Turkey. Packed with flavor and it makes the most amazing gravy!

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Photo Credit:www.marthastewart.com

Turkey with Fruit and Nut Stuffing Recipe

If you’re looking for fun turkey recipes and are a fruit lover, you’ll love this roastturkey dinner with fruit and nut stuffingfrom Martha Stewart. It includesprunes, apricots, raisins, currants,apples, cranberries, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and cashews – wow.

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Photo Credit:www.thisvivaciouslife.com

Gluten-Free Turkey (the BEST)

This gluten-free turkey is an allergy friendly option that tastes great!

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Photo Credit:cookingandcussing.com

Thanksgiving Herb Butter Turkey

A simple slathering of herb butter is all your Thanksgiving Turkey needs to be beautiful and scrumptious for your dinner guests! Thyme, sage, parsley and orange zest are a perfect complement to the subtle flavor of turkey, and with no brining, thisturkey comes together so fast!

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Photo Credit:www.seriouseats.com

Smoked Beer-Can Turkey Recipe

Doesn’t the idea of cooking a turkey on top of an open can of beer sound like something your dad would do? Well, it’s not! This is one crazy way to cook up some Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll be surprised how amazing that meat will taste when makingbeer can turkey.

Spatchco*ck cranberry orange glazed turkey. This one of the fastest ways to get turkey roasted in half the time with a pretty presentation.

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Photo Credit:www.slowcookerclub.com

Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

If you want a low maintenance way of cooking your turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas, this is it. Slow Cooker Turkey Crown is the perfect recipe for flavourful, juicy and succulent meat without the need for basting. Oh, and you also get the beststock for gravy!

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Photo Credit:littlesunnykitchen.com

Easy and Delicious Bacon Wrapped Turkey

Take your holiday roast turkey to a delicious new level with this recipe that shows you exactly how to make a gorgeous Bacon Wrapped Turkey with a bacon lattice top.

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Photo Credit:cookingwithmammac.com

Mom's Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

This Thanksgiving Turkey is basted with a butter and wine sauce.

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Photo Credit:www.foodnetwork.com

Butterflied Turkey with Apple-Cranberry Glaze

Thisbutterflied turkey with apple cranberry glaze on the Food network, gets rave reviews for its flavor.

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Photo Credit:www.theslowroasteditalian.com

Bacon Wrapped Herb Roasted Turkey

Bacon Wrapped Herb Roasted Turkey takes dinner to a whole new level with this amazing recipe. The bacon becomes a crisp and delicious layer of flavor in this show stopping dish.

Make a whole turkey in less than 2 hours with this Spatchco*ck Turkey Recipe. It is the best way to make tender, juicy, flavorful turkey!

Bring the flavors of the Mediterranean to your turkey with this unique recipe. Pomegranate, saffron yogurt and roasted garlic all contribute to the amazing flavor!

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Photo Credit:www.nutmegnanny.com

Adobo Butter Turkey

This adobo butter turkey is PACKED full of flavor and is the perfect turkey for your Thanksgiving day celebration. First, the turkey is marinated in adobo overnight and then rubbed down with flavor-packed adobo butter. Then it’s roasted to perfectionfor a super juicy flavorful Thanksgiving turkey.

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Photo Credit:www.gritsandpinecones.com

Dry Brined-Fried Turkey without Oil

Dry Brined-Fried Turkey without Oil is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This is a recipe for an easier, faster, and healthier way to deep fry a turkey in an oil-less turkey fryer. Dry brining adds flavor and moistness throughout and cajunseasoning spices things up ever so slightly for a Thanksgiving turkey you will never forget!

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Photo Credit:urbanblisslife.com

How to Spatchco*ck a Turkey

Spatchco*ck Turkey is a faster way to a tender, juicy turkey with super crispy skin. All you need are some simple pantry staples for seasoning and you'll have a delicious, flavorful, show-stopping turkey in half the time it takes to normally bake awhole turkey.

Now it’s your turn to share – What is the best holiday turkey you’ve ever cooked or eaten?

Which are your favorite unique turkey recipes? Have you tried any of the above? How did it turn out?

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How to Deep Fry a Turkey Without Burning Down Your Garage

Is this the year you’re finally going to try deep frying a turkey? Afraid you might burn something down…like your garage? That is definitely a legitimate concern!

We’ve got you covered though with our step by step How to Deep Fry a Turkey post.

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What should you make with leftover turkey?

The great thing about roasting a turkey for dinner is that even if you host a large dinner party, you will almost certainly have turkey leftovers.

Lots of turkey leftovers.

Which means you need an arsenal of lots of leftover turkey recipes. (Or maybe just one really good one?)

Unfortunately turkey tends to really dry out when reheated.

Luckily, we kept that in mind with our easy turkey hand pie recipe which is an awesome way to use all of that leftover turkey!

How to Make Turkey Hand Pies from Thanksgiving Leftovers

36 Unusual Roast Turkey Recipes For The Holidays (2024)

FAQs

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 does Martha Stewart roast a turkey? ›

Roast 1 hour, then baste every 30 minutes with pan liquids, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 125°F, about 3 hours. Remove foil; raise oven heat to 400°F. Continue roasting, basting occasionally, until thigh reaches 180°F, 45 to 60 minutes more.

How does Ina Garten cook her turkey? ›

Brush the outside of the turkey with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the turkey. Roast the turkey for 2 1/2 hours, basting from time to time with pan juices, until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and the thigh.

How long to cook a 20lb turkey at 325 degrees? ›

It's done when the thermometer reads 165ºF.

A 20 pound turkey will take between 4 to 4 1/2 hours to come to temperature if your oven is 325°F. Here are some other cook times if your bird weighs differently: 10-12 pounds: cook 2 3/4 to 3 hours at 325°F. 15-16 pounds: cook 3 1/2 to 4 hours at 325°F.

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.

What is the best temperature to roast 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.

How does Bobby Flay roast a turkey? ›

Put the turkey on top of the vegetables, put in the oven and roast in the oven for 45 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Reduce the heat to 350 and continue roasting, basting with the warm chicken stock every 15 minutes until basting with some of the chicken stock every 15 minutes, about 2 to 2 ¼ hours longer.

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.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook a turkey? ›

Roast the turkey in the hot oven for 10–15 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, baste the bird with the pan juices and lay the bacon rashers over the breast to keep it moist. Baste again. Lower the setting to 180°C/Gas 4 and cook for about 2 1⁄2 hours (calculating at 30 minutes per kg), basting occasionally.

How to cook a turkey in the oven Paula Deen? ›

Roast for 18 minutes per pound (for a 12-pound bird that’s roughly 3 1/2 hours). The turkey is finished roasting when the thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 °F and the juices run clear. Tent the turkey loosely with foil and rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Should you wash a turkey before cooking? ›

According to a study by the food safety experts at the USDA, washing or rinsing raw turkey can put you at risk of foodborne illness. There's only one time you should wash a raw turkey, and that is after brining. Otherwise, do not wash a turkey before cooking.

Is 325 too low to cook a turkey? ›

Oven Temps: Best roasting is two stage process—425°F (218°C) for 1 hour, then down to 325°F (163°C) for however long it takes until the turkey is done. If you read a post telling you exactly “how long to cook a turkey,” hit the back button fast.

Should you bring a turkey to room temperature before cooking? ›

Your turkey will cook more evenly and faster if you start it out at room temperature so remove the turkey from the refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. If you plan to stuff your turkey, wait until you're ready to put it in the oven before putting the stuffing in the turkey.

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

Do you cook a butterball turkey at 325 or 350? ›

Preheat oven to 325° F. Drain juices and pat dry with clean paper towels. Place turkey breast-side-up on a flat rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2½ inches deep. Turn the wings back to hold the neck skin in place.

How long do you cook a 15 pound turkey at 350 degrees? ›

How long to cook a turkey at 350°:
  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

What is the best setting for cooking a turkey? ›

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.

How long to cook at 325 vs 350? ›

In general, you may need to increase the baking time by 10-25% to compensate for the lower temperature.

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