13 Must-Try Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes That Guarantee a Perfect Feast Consider these traditional and more modern recipes for the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner. Close So, you want to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. You came to the correct place—our collection of turkey recipes runs the gamut, from traditional to unorthodox and everything in between. Aside from choosing a recipe to follow on this holiday, you'll also need to determine how big of a turkey to buy. A good ballpark figure is 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person—but keep in mind that everyone loves leftovers. Another important tip: If you've purchased a frozen turkey, consider putting it into the refrigerator to thaw a week before Thanksgiving. It needs one day in the fridge for every 4 pounds. And while all of our recipes include cooking times, it's helpful to know that if you're taking the most common cooking route—which is roasting the bird—you should plan on roughly 20 minutes per pound. Be sure to let the turkey rest for at least 30 minutes before carving for optimal flavor (and then be ready to gobble it up). 14 Leftover Turkey Recipes That Are Sure to Become Family Favorites 01 of 13 Perfect Roast Turkey: Cheesecloth Method Credit: Grant Webster This may be the signature decorvow turkey recipe. A whopping 20-pound bird gets the royal treatment with a quadruple blanket of cheesecloth that holds the butter-and-wine basting mixture on the skin to keep the meat moist while still allowing it to brown. View Recipe 02 of 13 Roast Spatchcocked Turkey Believe it or not, you can cook a turkey in an hour if you spatchcock (or butterfly) it. When the turkey's backbone is removed and the halves are flattened, the meat cooks amazingly fast. View Recipe 03 of 13 Spiced Buttermilk-Brined Turkey Fragrant spices such as coriander seeds, bay leaves, juniper berries, fennel seeds, and peppercorns permeate the buttermilk brine for this holiday centerpiece. View Recipe 04 of 13 Smoked Turkey Credit: Paola + Murray You'll need a smoker for this low-fuss, oven-free method, but it produces a Thanksgiving turkey that's supremely moist with a lightly smoked taste and burnished, crispy skin. We marinate the turkey with citrus and herbs to infuse the meat with a depth of flavor. View Recipe 05 of 13 Upside-Down Turkey This recipe for upside-down turkey is a fun way to prepare your Thanksgiving meal, and it allows the juices to trickle down onto the breast meat, rendering it extra moist and juicy. For super-flavorful gravy, scatter cut oranges, onion, and garlic, along with a few rosemary and sage sprigs, in the bottom of the pan before you begin roasting. View Recipe 06 of 13 Roast Turkey With Herb Butter Credit: Kelsey Hansen This herb butter turkey recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare. Before going into the oven, the bird is coated in a simple, flavorful butter rub mixed with rosemary, sage, and thyme, which makes the skin crispy and golden and the meat moist and flavorful. View Recipe 07 of 13 Roasted Turkey Rubbed With Coriander, Black Pepper, and Fennel Credit: Louise Hagger You might not have tried this Thanksgiving turkey technique before, but it's time to start. Cooking the bird in pieces means everything is roasted to perfection; the breasts get a head start in the oven while you sear the legs on the stove. Then, put them together to finish in a roasting pan, where the legs braise in liquid. The result is juicy white meat and succulent dark meat—all with crisp, flavorful skin, courtesy of a spicy overnight rub. View Recipe 08 of 13 Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast Credit: Alpha Smoot This is a simple roast turkey recipe for beginners or anyone who doesn't want to roast an entire bird. Just be sure you use a bone-in turkey breast—it's the key to moist, juicy meat. View Recipe 09 of 13 Lemon-Herb Turkey With Bay Butter and Gravy Credit: Paola + Murray Roasted with lemon zest, rosemary, and thyme, this turkey has a light, fragrant taste that's welcome on any Thanksgiving table. If you can find them, fresh bay branches make a dramatic bed when you bring the bird to the table. View Recipe 10 of 13 Slow-Grilled Turkey Credit: David Malosh Here's one perk to cooking a turkey over charcoal: You'll save precious oven space. It will also impart a savory, smoky flavor. View Recipe 11 of 13 Turkey Roulade Credit: Marcus Nilsson A turkey roulade is easier than roasting a whole turkey—and everyone gets stuffing in each bite of turkey. Boneless turkey breast is pounded thin and rolled up with a stuffing made from rye bread, cranberries, chopped pistachios, and plenty of herbs. The finishing touch is a layer of bacon slices, which encases the roulade and keeps it moist while roasting. View Recipe 12 of 13 Roasted Dry-Brined Turkey A dry-brined turkey is easier to prepare than a wet-brined one—and the clean-up process is easier, too. For a beautiful, natural garnish, arrange fresh sage and bay leaves, cracked walnuts, and cranberries around the roasted turkey. View Recipe 13 of 13 Turkey With Brown-Sugar Glaze Try a flavorful glaze made with orange juice, brown sugar, and vinegar on your Thanksgiving bird. Brush it on the bird during the last hour of cooking, so you can give it a crunchy, sweet crust. View Recipe 8 Ways to Cook a Turkey, From a Traditional Roast to Modern Roulade Explore more: Recipes Holidays & Events Thanksgiving Recipes Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes