10 Impressive Ways to Cook a Turkey for Thanksgiving

There is more than one way to cook a turkey, and these recipes are here to teach you foolproof methods and detailed step-by-step tutorials on how to cook a turkey 10 different ways!

Preparing and cooking a whole turkey has long been the centerpiece of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

It's also long been known as the most difficult and nerve-wracking part of the meal to prepare as well. Well, don't let turkey preparation intimidate you anymore!

I've gathered 10 of my favorite turkey recipes for you to try your hand at this Thanksgiving. All of them include detailed instructions, step-by-step photos, and some even have videos for you to follow.

Most of the recipes call for a whole bird, but some call for a simple turkey breast instead – perfect for smaller gatherings.

Now grab your cutting board and a meat thermometer (you know I love my ThermoWorks ChefAlarm), and get to cooking!

1. Easy Roasted Turkey

If you want to keep things classic and traditional, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's classic for a reason! No basting, no brining – just cover the bird in a thick boat of seasoned butter and let it roast.

A 12-pound bird will take between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours.

2. No-Baste Cheesecloth Turkey

“Is that a mummy? Nope, it's a turkey.” You soak a large cheesecloth in an aromatic butter mixture and cover the turkey with it while it cooks, and this prevents you from needing to keep opening the oven door to baste it so that it stays moist.

Since you're not frequently opening the oven door, it will cook more quickly than when basting. A 12-pound bird will take around 2 hours.

3. Spatchcock Turkey

Spatchcocking is a silly-sounding term, but all it means is that you remove the backbone of the turkey, which helps it sit flat as it cooks.

As a result, the turkey cooks more quickly and evenly! Sure, it doesn't have the same classic presentation as your traditional roasted whole turkey, but it makes up for it in how much time and grief it saves you.

4. Apple Cider Brined Turkey

Apple cider is one of my favorite fall flavors, and adding it to your turkey just doubles the holiday fun!

The high salt content in the brine breaks down muscle fibers in the meat and adds liquid to help keep the meat moist while it cooks. You'll want to plan ahead for this one, because you want the turkey to soak in the brine for 1-2 days.

5. Applewood Smoked Turkey

Using an electric smoker to cook your turkey is not only one of the most delicious flavors you can have for your Thanksgiving bird, but it also frees up your oven for the sides and desserts.

A 12-pound bird will take between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 hours with a smoker.

6. Instant Pot Turkey

To make turkey in an Instant Pot, you'll need a smaller bird – no larger than 7 or 8 pounds. That makes this the perfect way to serve a small group, and frees up your oven for the side dishes and desserts!

7. Deep Fried Turkey

You probably hear the horror stories of people who deep fry their turkey and end up in the hospital (or worse) every year.

The best way to prevent this is to use the right tools for the job, and in this case that's an electric fryer. No muss, no fuss, and no fires to ruin the holiday!

8. Grilled Turkey

Grilling your Thanksgiving turkey is a genius move because it frees up your oven for the other sides and desserts!

A 12-pound turkey takes about 3 hours on the grill, so make sure you've got enough propane or charcoal.

9. Roasted Turkey Breast for 2 People

Jim said: “WOW! For the first time ever, my wife and I found ourselves planning a Thanksgiving day meal just for ourselves. I stumbled upon this recipe and cannot state how impressed I am. The instructions are very detailed and if followed yield an unbelievable result. The turkey was tasty and tender and the veggies were the perfect compliment… I know this will be a frequent “go-to” as my wife said, ‘Why do we wait for holidays to enjoy a turkey dinner'? Point taken… ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

10. Roasted Turducken

That's right – the fabled turducken. A chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey.

I've found in recent years that most butchers and many grocers carry prepared turduckens, so all you have to do is cook it.

This recipe from Erin at The Speckled Palate is just that – but if you really want to tackle it from scratch, try this turducken recipe from Serious Eats.

What to serve with Thanksgiving turkey

• Cranberry Mimosas – We have these on Thanksgiving every single year!
• Apple Cider Mimosas – Another easy and perfect fall cocktail
• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup or Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup – The perfect appetizer
• Cornbread Dressing with Bacon – My Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without my favorite dressing
• Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce – Back away from the canned cranberry sauce! It's so simple to make your own
• Pumpkin Pie – Because… holidays!
• Deep Dish Apple Pie Recipe – If you're not a pumpkin fan (like me), apple pie is the way to go