Are you ready to make the BEST Thanksgiving turkey recipe? Trust me, it’s easier than you think!
You don’t need to brine and you don’t need to baste. Just a few simple steps and you’ll have a perfectly golden, juicy, and insanely flavorful roasted turkey recipe that’ll impress your family and guests.
There’s something about cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving that intimidates a lot of people. I totally get it. I remember being intimidated the first time I cooked a turkey. It’s because you don’t want to screw up a big, holiday meal with all your friends and family over…am I right?
But here’s the funny thing, cooking a turkey is actually super easy! Think of it as cooking a really large chicken. It might take longer to cook, but other than that, the process is pretty darn similar.
Sure, some people get fancy with expensive equipment, gadgets, smokers, and flavors, but you don’t need any of that to make a classic, ultra-flavorful, and juicy turkey. Just follow my Thanksgiving game plan so you know what to buy and cook when. Then follow the recipe and tips below. Easy!
Besides the turkey, you just need herbs, aromatics, and a little seasoning. Simple really is best!
I also put vegetables under my turkey (like celery, carrots, and onion) while it’s roasting. This isn’t required, but I do recommend it. Not only will it amp up your turkey recipe, but it will take your turkey gravy flavor to the next level too!
Turkey dinner with all the fixings is the centerpiece of many holiday celebrations. But pulling off the perfect turkey feast requires some planning and preparation. In this guide we’ll go over everything you need to know to plan your turkey dinner menu shop for ingredients and cookware, prep and cook the meal, and pull off a fantastic spread.
Planning Your Turkey Dinner Menu
The first step is deciding your menu turkey is a given, but you’ll want to round it out with classic side dishes. Here are some standard turkey dinner menu items to consider
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Turkey – roasted, smoked, or fried whole turkey, turkey breast, etc.
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Stuffing – bread, corn bread, or wild rice stuffing
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Mashed potatoes – creamy, fluffy, buttery potatoes
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Gravy – turkey pan gravy, rich and flavorful
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Cranberry sauce – fresh canned or jelly
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Vegetable sides – green beans, Brussels sprouts, roasted veggies
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Bread – rolls, biscuits, cornbread
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Pie – pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, apple, etc.
Think about how many people you’re serving and plan ample portions. Having leftovers is part of the fun! Determine any family favorite dishes and shop accordingly.
Shopping for Your Turkey Dinner
Once your menu is set, make a master grocery list. Here are some key ingredients you’ll need:
Turkey
- Whole turkey, turkey breast or turkey parts
- Turkey brine or rub
Sides
- Potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, Brussels sprouts, etc.
- Fresh and/or canned cranberries
- Celery, onions, carrots for stuffing and sides
- Herbs – sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley
Baking Needs
- Flour, sugar, baking powder, spices for pies
- Butter, broth, eggs, milk, cream
- Nuts – pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.
Don’t forget pantry staples like chicken/turkey stock, oils, seasonings, and condiments. Make sure you have enough ovenware, pans, and utensils for all your dishes.
Prepping Your Turkey Dinner
With ingredients in hand, start prepping a day or two before the big meal.
- Thaw turkey in fridge 1-2 days before (4-5 lbs per 24 hours).
- Make pie dough and cranberry sauce a day ahead.
- Chop veggies and make stock for stuffing and gravy.
- Prep pie fillings but don’t bake pies yet.
- Measure out dry ingredients for bread, biscuits, etc.
- Make compound butters to top dishes.
Morning of turkey day:
- Remove giblets, rinse turkey, pat dry.
- Rub with herbs, oil, butter, salt, pepper.
- Stuff the cavity if using stuffing. Truss legs.
- Prepare stuffing but don’t add to pan yet.
- Peel and cut potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash.
- Clean and trim green beans, Brussels sprouts.
- Make pie dough for top crusts.
Cooking Your Turkey Feast
Follow this timeline for seamless cooking on turkey day:
- Early morning: Put stuffed turkey in oven/smoker. For a 12-15 lb turkey, plan 4-5 hours at 300-325°F.
- Mid-morning: Bake pies while turkey cooks. Pecan, pumpkin, apple pies take 50-60 minutes at 350°F.
- Late morning: Prep potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash and put in oven to roast about 1 hour before turkey is done.
- Afternoon: Make gravy with turkey drippings. Add stuffing to oven 30-60 mins before turkey is done.
- 30-45 mins before eating: Finish vegetable sides – green beans, Brussels sprouts, etc.
- Right before meal: Take turkey out of oven and let rest 15-20 minutes before carving. Reheat any sides that need it.
Serving Your Thanksgiving Feast
Once everything is cooked, it’s time to serve and enjoy!
- Carve turkey and arrange slices on platter.
- Transfer stuffing to serving bowl.
- Mash potatoes or slice roasted potatoes.
- Add veggie sides to serving bowls.
- Slice pies and put out whipped cream, ice cream, etc.
- Put butter, salt and pepper on table for finishing touches.
Before sitting down to eat, take a moment to reflect on everyone and everything you’re grateful for. Then dig in to the amazing spread and soak up time together with loved ones!
Turkey Dinner FAQs
How much turkey do I need per person?
Plan on about 1-1.5 lbs of turkey meat per person, which translates to a 12-15 lb turkey for 8 people. Buy a little extra for leftovers!
How far in advance can I prep dishes?
Make cranberry sauce, pie fillings, bread dough, etc. 1-2 days in advance. Cook vegetables just before serving. Stuff turkey right before roasting.
What are good turkey side dish pairings?
- Mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy
- Green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts
- Cranberry sauce, rolls
- Roasted veggies, compound butter
How long does it take to cook a whole turkey?
About 15 minutes per pound at 300°F. A 12 lb turkey takes 3-4 hours. Add 30-60 minutes if stuffed. Always use a meat thermometer – cook to 165°F.
What are good Thanksgiving pie flavors?
Classic choices are pumpkin, pecan, apple, and sweet potato pie. Get creative with chocolate cream, lemon meringue, coconut custard, or your favorite fruit pie as well!
Pulling off the full turkey dinner with all the fixings is no small feat. But with this guide in hand, you can plan your menu, shop smart, get organized, and cook everything in time for a spectacular holiday feast. Now relax and enjoy time with your loved ones!
How Long to Cook a Turkey
Ready for good news? Because we didn’t stuff the turkey, it will cook about 30 minutes faster. On average, plan for about 15 minutes per pound of turkey. But remember the BEST gauge is the temperature. You want to cook the turkey to 158° to 160°F (measure at the thickest part of the thigh or breast). But here’s a guideline:
- For a 10 to 14 pound turkey: 2 ½ hrs to 3 ½ hrs
- For a 14 to 18 pound turkey: 3 ½ hrs to 4 ½ hrs
- For a 18 to 22 pound turkey: 4 ½ hrs to 5 ½ hrs
Keep an eye on your turkey when it’s about 75% done. Then, check the temperature every 10 minutes. Remember that ovens can cook slightly hotter or cooler. If you notice the skin browning too quickly, you can always place aluminum foil on top.
Don’t Forget to Thaw The Turkey
The biggest mistake people make is buying a frozen turkey the day before Thanksgiving. Don’t do that! Remember that a big turkey is going to take a while to defrost in the fridge. It takes about 24 hours per 5 pounds of turkey to properly thaw. My recommendation – buy your turkey at least a week before Thanksgiving. Then, let it thaw in the fridge 3 to 4 days before the big day.