14 Ways to Make the Perfect Thanksgiving Turkey

If you ask me, bacon makes everything better and this easy spatchcock turkey recipe is full of bold, buttery, bacon-y flavor! Roast a juicy turkey along with carrots and onions, then serve it with a hearty gravy on the side.

Here’s another recipe that breaks the mold of a typical Thanksgiving turkey. A whole turkey is rubbed with a spicy maple spice blend, stuffed with citrus and then smoked with cherry wood and applewood on the grill. Crisp skin, juicy turkey meat and mind blowing flavor await with this easy recipe.

This grilled turkey recipe only uses the tenderloin so it’s ideal for smaller gatherings. Flavored with brown sugar, whole grain mustard and smoked paprika, this succulent turkey is just begging to be served with mashed potatoes.

A traditional roasted whole turkey slathered in herb butter! If you’re looking for a classic Thanksgiving day centerpiece for your meal, then this whole bird flavored with thyme, sage and rosemary is the recipe you need.

This slow cooker turkey recipe only uses the breast meat and serves 4 to 6 people, which makes it another ideal choice for smaller Thanksgiving celebrations! The turkey meat is cooked with carrots and you can even add potatoes to the mix, so you’re basically cooking your main dish and a side with minimal effort.

Here’s another way to make a stress-free Thanksgiving turkey: use your Instant Pot! In only a fraction of the time required for a traditional roasted turkey you can have tender, juicy turkey bread seasoned to perfection. Sign us up!

Make a juicy old fashioned Thanksgiving turkey with this classic recipe. Generous amounts of citrus, rosemary, butter and garlic give the turkey meat incredible flavor while it roasts in your oven.

This is one of the recipes we tested before Joyful Healthy Eats was added to Smackeral and take it from us: this recipe is DA BOMB. An easy Thanksgiving turkey recipe that doesn’t require any brining and uses a flavorful herb butter tucked under the turkey skin to make a succulent Thanksgiving turkey. It’s seriously good!

If you’re feeling intimidated by the idea of making a Thanksgiving turkey at home, then this step-by-step tutorial is exactly what you need. This beginners guide to “how to roast a turkey” has a simple method for getting a juicy, golden bird every time.

Another simple roasted turkey recipe that will have you cooking like a pro! Made with apples, onions and herbs, this roasted turkey recipe is a must have for Thanksgiving.

We’ve seen how to cook just the turkey breast in a crock pot, but how about the oven? If you don’t want to wait hours for a whole turkey to cook but still want the flavor from a roasted bird, this simple recipe is done in 90 minutes!

Instead of brining your turkey in a traditional saltwater bath, try buttermilk! The lactic acid in buttermilk tenderizes the meat and makes for a plump and juicy Thanksgiving turkey.

How’s about another Thanksgiving day hack? We’ve talked about the crockpot, we’ve talked about the Instant Pot. Now it’s time to put your air fryer to work for you! Make juicy turkey breast with the crispiest skin in an hour!

Why not make your Thanksgiving turkey and the veggie sides to go with it all in the same pan? This simple sheet pan dinner idea lets you make your turkey, your vegetable side AND the stuffing at the same time!