We’ve all heard the Thanksgiving Day horror stories. Hell, most of us even have our own. Every single Turkey Day dish is tricky in it’s own special way — but, honestly, the turkey itself is the hardest thing to cook on the holiday.
There are just so many things that can go wrong. If you don’t put it in early enough, your family will end up eating at two in the morning the day after Thanksgiving. But if you put it in too early, you’re looking at a dried-out bird that’ll rival the Griswold’s hot mess in Christmas Vacation. And don’t even get us started on under/overseasoning. Bland turkey is bad, but super-salty turkey is worse.
To avoid any turkey mishaps, the best defense is a good offense. If you plan ahead and pick out the perfect recipe, what could go wrong? From a classic dry brine to Tuscan-style, these recipes are all stellar. Give them a try if you want to steer clear of any disasters — or if you maybe just want to try something new this year.
Originally published November 2015. Updated November 2017.
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Honey, white wine and pear-glazed turkey
Image Credit: Adventures in Cooking Brined then lacquered with a honey, white wine and pear glaze, this turkey will steal the show.
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White wine turkey brine
Image Credit: Bobbi's Cozy Kitchen White wine, citrus, thyme and sage give this turkey brine a classic flavor that will leave your bird tasting refined.
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Brandy and tangerine-glazed turkey
Image Credit: Wicked Good Kitchen Boozy brandy and tangerine glaze gives this turkey a glamorous sheen.
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Orange-cider brine
Image Credit: Mrs. Happy Homemaker Orange peels, rosemary and cider make this brine just the thing for packing your turkey full of flavor.
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Buttery turkey rub
Image Credit: Holistic Squid Celery, scallions and a whole head of garlic flavor this incredible buttery turkey rub.
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Beer-brined turkey
Image Credit: The Beeroness Beer lovers will rejoice at the first taste of this juicy beer-brined turkey.
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Classic dry-brined turkey
Image Credit: Honestly Yum If crispy crust is your ultimate goal, then you’ve got to try this classic dry brine.
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Rosemary and maple-glazed turkey
Image Credit: $5 Dinners Rosemary gives this maple turkey glaze a delightfully herbal aroma.
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Apricot-glazed turkey with fresh herb gravy
Image Credit: Food & Wine Sweet and sticky, this apricot glaze will leave your turkey a burnished bronze.
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Maple-glazed, bacon-wrapped turkey
Image Credit: Five Heart Home Bacon and sage butter liberally coat this turkey, making its skin crispy and its drippings beyond flavorful.
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Mayonnaise-roasted turkey
Image Credit: She Wears Many Hats Mayonnaise makes pretty much everything better, and this turkey is no exception.
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Orange and honey-glazed turkey
Image Credit: The Cozy Apron Sweet and tangy, this orange-honey glaze will make your turkey stand out.
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Apple cider and citrus turkey brine
Image Credit: Wicked Good Kitchen Fragrant with citrus, allspice, anise and apple cider, this brine is sure to churn out a flavorful turkey.
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Applewood-smoked turkey
Image Credit: How Sweet Eats Smoke your turkey with applewood, then serve it with a tangy cider-bourbon gravy.
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Maple, cider and bourbon-brined turkey
Image Credit: Greens & Chocolate How could anyone resist a bronzed turkey that was brined in bourbon, cider and maple syrup?
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Dry-brined, spatchcocked turkey
Image Credit: The Crepes of Wrath Ultra-crispy skin, super-moist meat — this dry-brined, spatchcocked turkey is a surefire hit.
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Classic dry-rubbed turkey
Image Credit: Lasting Ingredient A classic blend of spices keeps this turkey super flavorful.
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Bourbon and maple-glazed turkey
Image Credit: Chocolate and Marrow Infuse your turkey with the flavors of fall by brushing it with a bourbon-maple glaze.
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Citrus and herb-roasted turkey
Image Credit: What's Gaby Cooking Tons of herbs and lemon zest are whirred in a food processor to create a buttery rub that’s totally to die for.
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BBQ coffee dry rub
Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality Use this toasty barbecue coffee rub on your turkey, and it will almost feel like you’re at a summer cookout.
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Turkey baked in cheesecloth and white wine
Image Credit: Serena Bakes Simply Cheesecloth soaked in wine and melted butter keeps this turkey golden brown and moist.
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Ancho chili-rubbed turkey breast
Image Credit: Food Done Light Cooking for a small group? Surprise them with this smoky, spicy, ancho-rubbed turkey breast.
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Lemon, apple and herb turkey
Image Credit: Flirting with flavor Aromatic herbs will turn this recipe into your new holiday go-to.
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Spiced apple cider-glazed turkey breast
Image Credit: The Noshery Apple cider is a seasonal favorite, and it’s flavor mixes perfectly with a holiday bird.
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Cranberry-hazelnut turkey Wellington
Image Credit: Rock Recipes This fun spin on beef Wellington isn’t only delicious, it looks gorgeous on your table as well.
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Stuffed roasted turkey breast
Image Credit: Noshing with the Nolands Guests will love how this recipe tastes, and you’ll love how much easier it is to pull off than roasting a whole turkey.
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Cajun turkey with orange-oregano gravy
Image Credit: Fox Loves Lemons Add a little Creole flair to your holiday spread with a Cajun-style main course.
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Orange, anise and thyme-roasted turkey
Image Credit: Savory Experiments The vibrant and bold fruit and herb flavors nicely infuse into every single part of the turkey.
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Grilled Tuscan-style turkey
Image Credit: Just a Little Bit of Bacon A Tuscan grilled turkey adds an exotic flair, plus it takes way less time to cook than traditional roasting.
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Brown bag roasted turkey
Image Credit: Mommy's Kitchen Roasting in a run-of-the-mill paper bag really lends to a juicy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside bird.
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