7 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes: The Best Ways to Cook a Turkey

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Collage of roasted and sliced Thanksgiving turkey recipes with the text “The Best Ways to Cook Turkey” and OhSweetBasil.com.

If you’re trying to decide how to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve cooked A LOT of turkeys over the years, and I’m sharing 7 of our favorite Thanksgiving turkey recipes so you can choose the method that works best for your family.

Want that classic golden oven roasted turkey? We’ve got it. Need to free up the oven? Try the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Cooking for a smaller crowd? Go with a turkey breast. And if you want big, smoky flavor, our apple pecan smoked turkey is calling your name.

There’s no one right way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey, so let’s find the right turkey for YOUR Thanksgiving!

Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes

  • 7 completely different methods: Oven, slow cooker, Instant Pot, smoker and a few turkey tricks you probably haven’t tried before.
  • Whole turkey or turkey breast: Feeding the entire extended family or keeping Thanksgiving small? We’ve got options for both.
  • Find the method that fits your kitchen: Save oven space, shorten cooking time or go all-in on a traditional roasted bird.
  • Tested family favorites: We’ve been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for years, and these are the turkey recipes we come back to again and again.

Which Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Should I Make?

If You Want…Choose…
The classic Thanksgiving centerpieceOven Roasted Turkey
Extra juicy meat + gorgeous presentationCheesecloth Turkey
A unique, ultra-juicy methodTurkey in a Bowl
Hands-off/oven-freeSlow Cooker Turkey Breast
Big smoky flavorApple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast
Need turkey FASTRead more

Cheesecloth Turkey

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Cheesecloth Turkey

This Cheesecloth Turkey recipe is our tried-and-true secret for a golden, juicy turkey with the most flavorful herb butter crust. This method makes a beautifully golden skin and turns out the juiciest roasted turkey recipe you’ve ever had!

If roasting a whole turkey makes you nervous, the cheesecloth method is one of the easiest ways to get a juicy, flavorful bird with beautifully browned skin and no expert skills. The turkey is wrapped in butter-soaked cheesecloth as it roasts, which helps baste the meat and protect the skin while it cooks.

Here’s What I’ll Teach You for the Perfectly Golden Thanksgiving Turkey

I’ll show you exactly how to use cheesecloth, when to remove it, how to know when the turkey is done, and how to get that golden skin without drying out the meat.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Recipe

  • Incredibly juicy turkey every time
  • Golden, flavorful skin
  • Easy herb butter method
  • Helps prevent dry turkey
  • Perfect Thanksgiving centerpiece
  • Simple ingredients
  • Makes amazing leftovers
  • A tried-and-true holiday recipe
  • Less stressful than traditional turkey methods

Everything you Need to Know About Cheesecloth

Why Use Cheesecloth on a Turkey?

The butter-soaked cloth acts almost like a blanket over the turkey. It helps keep the surface from drying too quickly while the butter and pan juices continually coat the skin.The butter-soaked cloth acts almost like a blanket over the turkey. It helps keep the surface from drying too quickly while the butter and pan juices continually coat the skin.

How to Use Cheesecloth on a Turkey

1. Cut the cheesecloth to size

Use a piece roughly 3½ feet by 1½ feet and fold it in half. 

2. Soak it completely

Explain that every part of the cloth needs to be saturated.

3. Drape it over the turkey

Gently draping the cheesecloth over the bird and smoothing it out will help it to brown evenly. Mine slipped in the photos precisely because I hurried and did not smooth.

4. Remove it at the right time

This is huge. Do not pull the cheesecloth until directed!

5. Finish uncovered

T

Turkey Quesadilla

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Is there anything more American than sitting down to a feast with multiple pounds of meat on the table for each person? Turkey leftovers are real. But, they aren’t a problem, at my house! We use it up in sandwiches, salads, and now the most incredible Turkey Quesadilla. Crispy edges, gooey cheese, tender meat… you know the drill.

You can see chunks of tender turkey in this close up horizontal shot of a turkey quesadilla on a white plate over a wooden tabletop with a grey and white checkered tea towel in the background.

Turkey Quesadilla

I can’t remember the first time I blogged a quesadilla. It was probably during the time when I was writing my first cookbook. Talk about being absolutely overwhelmed! Simple and easy lunches were what I survived on amidst the seemingly endless rounds of recipe development, photography days, and writing, writing, writing.

Today, I made a turkey quesadilla for lunch, but not because I was pressed for time. Now, quesadillas just feel like an easy treat. They’re ridiculously simple, since nailing down the process. Cheese and a tortilla with the fillings I want? Who says no to that kind of lunch? Not me. Not today, at least!

And, they make it so easy to use up your leftovers. Any time I have chicken or turkey or steak that didn’t get eaten on the first go round, I shove them into a grilled and gooey quesadilla for lunch. It turns what might otherwise be ordinary or lackluster “leftovers” from the fridge into a small joy.

Speaking of leftovers, I have been loving this winter salad, lately with all of its crunchy, seasonal veggies. All that texture made it the perfect accompaniment to a cheesy turkey quesadilla. And, because it has a vinaigrette dressing, the flavors are well balanced, too!

Black and white lettering has been overlaid this collage of three photos, showing the process of making a quesadilla. It reads,

Turkey Quesadilla Recipe

I use shredded Monterey jack cheese in this turkey quesadilla recipe. And, I think the subtle flavors are perfect to let the turkey take center stage.

Turkey Tetrazzini – Creamy, Comforting, and So Easy to Make

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Turkey Tetrazzini in a large pot

You’ve roasted the turkey, enjoyed the feast, and now you’ve got leftovers — the best part, right? This creamy turkey tetrazzini recipe is the ultimate way to turn that extra turkey into a cozy, family-favorite dinner.

This dish is everything you love about comfort food — tender noodles coated in a rich, cheesy sauce, bits of juicy turkey in every bite, and a perfectly golden topping. It’s easy to make, reheats beautifully, and honestly tastes even better the next day.

Whether you’re using leftover Thanksgiving turkey or rotisserie chicken, this easy turkey tetrazzini comes together in just a few simple steps. No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques — just real, creamy, delicious food that makes everyone at the table happy.

As I was finishing off the recipe I felt like it needed a little crunch on top, much like a perfect macaroni and cheese with a breading. I remembered that we had these Honey Dijon chips in our storage room so on a whim I ran down, grabbed the bag and crushed them up.

Dear sweet mercy, it was perfection!!

This post is sponsored by Kettle Brand.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

  • Creamy, rich sauce without being heavy
  • The perfect use for leftover Thanksgiving turkey
  • Family-friendly comfort food
  • Simple ingredients, easy prep

What is Turkey Tetrazzini?

Tetrazzini is an American main dish with diced poultry (yes you could use chicken as well) and mushroom in a butter/cream and parmesan sauce. It is served hot over linguine, spaghetti, or some similarly thin pasta, garnished with parsley.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this best turkey tetrazzini recipe has a job to do! Here’s a quick look at what each one adds…

  • Spaghetti: The base of the dish that holds the creamy sauce and gives that classic, comforting texture.
  • Turkey: Adds hearty protein and mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
  • Olive Oil: Used for sautéing to build flavor and prevent sticking.
  • Button Mushrooms: Add earthy, savory depth and balance the richness of the sauce.
  • Garlic Cloves: Infuse the sauce with delicious, aromatic flavor.
  • Butter: Adds richness and forms the base of the creamy sauce.
  • Flour: Thickens the sauce when combined with butter to make a roux.
  • Chicken Broth: Thins the sauce slightly and adds savory depth.
  • Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Adds flavor and subtle heat.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds richness and makes the sauce extra velvety.
  • Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy texture an

Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich (Honey Avocado Sauce)

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Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich (Honey Avocado Sauce)

turkey bacon avocado sandwich stacked on each other so you can see the cross section

This Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich stacks the flavor in a whole new way! First, make a creamy honey avocado spread. Next, pile turkey, avocado, crispy bacon and tomato on your favorite bread. Finally, dig into the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten!

Honey Avocado Sauce

My friend introduced me to the ULTIMATE sandwich spread- Honey Avocado- and I cannot stop making it!

This sauce is the real deal. I mix mayo, avocado, honey and lemon juice with a little garlic in a blender to cream everything together. It’s simple, lasts for days and tastes better than any sandwich shop. Swap in any fillings or breads you like, but don’t skip that special-sauce!

Make it on 7 Grain Bread or Scroll down to watch on Focaccia!

Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich Ingredients

  • Favorite bread: Go for a good sturdy 7 grain or focaccia– trust me.
  • Havarti cheese: Mild and creamy; a great complement, but not necessary.
  • Bacon: Make it on a sheet pan, starting in a cold oven or pan for ultimate fat-rendering-crispness.
  • Deli turkey: Choose fresh deli slices or use leftover Thanksgiving turkey if you’ve got some!
  • Avocado: Use a perfectly ripe avocado for a creamier texture; slice thinly.
  • Tomato: Always sprinkle a little salt and pepper on tomatoes in a sandwich!
  • Greens: I love to used mixed greens or peppery arugula, but anything will do! Romaine or green leaf lettuce would be great!
  • Honey Avocado sauce: Blend together the ingredients in a small bowl for the ultimate sandwich spread!

How to Make Turkey Avocado Sandwiches with Honey Avocado Dressing

  1. Make sauce: Blend together the sauce ingre
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