By Becky Hardin
Published Nov 3, 2022
These unique turkey recipes are just perfect for Thanksgiving dinner! It’s the center of the holiday feast, so it’s important to have something delicious, whether you prefer something traditional, or something a little different. This list of Thanksgiving turkey ideas are all easy, juicy, flavorful, and beautiful. So say goodbye to the same old turkey, and make these recipes instead!
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Find Different Turkey Recipes for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dinner centers around the turkey, so it’s important to find the perfect recipe for your feast. You want it to be easy to make, but still taste super delicious. It should be juicy, savory, and full of flavor. Luckily, there’s no shortage of unique recipes for different types of turkeys!
I’ve gathered some of my best Thanksgiving turkey recipes to help you along. Whether you want to cook a whole turkey or just a turkey breast, you can find the recipe you need. You can go the traditional route by roasting or deep frying it, or you can make something using your Air Fryer, Instant Pot, or Slow Cooker. There’s really something for everyone here.
Whichever turkey recipe you choose, it’s sure to be something that will impress all of your holiday guests. So pick your favorite turkey idea, get cookin’, and surround it with all of the best Thanksgiving dishes .
Make a Traditional Roast Turkey
Let’s start with a classic, simple recipe. If you want a beautiful, roasted whole turkey to serve up at Thanksgiving dinner, then this is the way to go. This recipe is so easy, it’s foolproof!
Get the Recipe: Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe
Deep Fry Your Turkey
Whether you want to cook a whole turkey or a turkey breast for your Thanksgiving feast, you can fry it! If you want that crispy, juicy, flavorful turkey, these recipes make it easy.
Get the Recipes: Deep Fried Turkey , Deep Fried Turkey Breast
Smoked Turkey
A smoked turkey is infused with so much flavor, creating something different for Thanksgiving that everyone will love. This recipe includes instructions for various types of grills.
Get the Recipe: Whole Smoked Turkey , Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe
Grill a Whole Turkey
This whole turkey recipe is stuffed, coated in butter, and grilled to create juicy, crispy skin! It’s a unique way to make a turkey, but it definitely satisfies in the flavor department.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Turkey Recipe
Cook Turkey in an Air Fryer
Cooking a turkey in the Air Fryer is such an easy process for holiday cooking, and it gives you a beautifully crisp texture. This recipe is seasoned with sage, rosemary, thyme, and more.
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Turkey Breast Recipe
Stuffed Turkey Roll
Juicy turkey breast is stuffed with garlic, apple, and herb stuffing, slow-roasted in the oven, and served with rich gravy! This is a beautiful dish if you’re looking for some different Thanksgiving ideas this year.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Roulade Recipe
Garlic Butter Turkey Breast
If you want a classic roast turkey for Thanksgiving, but you’re only serving a small family or group, this turkey breast recipe is perfect! It’s flavorful (40 cloves of garlic!), it’s easy to cook in the oven, and it’s easier to slice and serve than a whole turkey.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Turkey
Strips of bacon add an extra layer of flavor, crispiness, and juiciness to this unique roasted turkey breast. It’s so easy to make and everyone will love it.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast Recipe
Make a Turkey in the Slow Cooker
Making your turkey in a Crockpot is a great, hands-off option for the holiday, so you can free up the oven for other stuff. And this recipe gives you juicy, succulent turkey every time!
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Turkey Breast Recipe
Turkey Meatloaf
If you want to skip the typical turkey and make something simple and comforting for your family this holiday, meatloaf is the answer! Go with the traditional loaf with ground turkey, or try these individual-sized, cheese-stuffed meatloaves.
Get the Recipes: Mini Turkey Meatloaves , Turkey Meatloaf
Add a Garlic Rosemary Rub
This turkey breast is perfectly flavored with rosemary and garlic for a savory, herb-y taste. And cooking it in the Air Fryer gives it a nice, crispy finish!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Rosemary Turkey Recipe
Honey Glazed Turkey Breast
If you love honey baked ham, you’ll love this delicious boneless turkey breast recipe! Roast it, glaze it, and it’s sure to satisfy guests.
Get the Recipe: Honey Baked Turkey Recipe
This Dry Brine Adds so Much Flavor
This herb-and-spice-filled dry rub creates tender and juicy turkey meat, while adding tons of savory flavor.
Get the Recipe: Dry-Brined Turkey Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey
Cook your Thanksgiving turkey in a pressure cooker for an easy (and pretty quick) method. Pop it in, set the timer for about an hour, and it’ll be ready to serve. It comes out so juicy and tasty (even better with this turkey gravy ).
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Breast Recipe
The Most Unique Turkey Recipe of Them All
This is the most unique turkey recipe I can think of for Thanksgiving. Get out the grill and add some incredible flavor–that pineapple salsa is so refreshing! It makes a nice change from the more traditional recipes, and gives everyone a chance to try something different.
Get the Recipe: Huli Huli Turkey Breast Recipe
Say goodbye to the same old turkey–any of these unique turkey recipes and ideas will light up the center of the Thanksgiving table! And they all go perfectly with your favorite side dishes to create one delicious holiday dinner. Enjoy!
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Finish off your Thanksgiving menu with these easy recipes! Find side dishes for your turkey, and lots of pies, desserts, and more to enjoy after the feast.
35 Alternative Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas (Besides Turkey)
16+ Leftover Turkey Recipes
54+ Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
How Long to Thaw a Turkey (with Turkey Thawing Chart)
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
