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!
Thanksgiving is approaching, which means it’s time to start planning that big turkey dinner. A turkey dinner is a major undertaking but with some preparation and planning you can pull it off successfully. In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to make your turkey dinner a hit.
Planning the Menu
The first step is deciding on your menu. Here are some classic turkey dinner dishes to consider:
- Roast turkey – This is the star of the show. Plan on about 1-1.5 lbs per person.
- Stuffing – Bread, corn bread, or wild rice are classic flavors.
- Mashed potatoes – Fluffy, creamy, and buttery potatoes are a must.
- Gravy – Make turkey pan gravy for maximum flavor.
- Cranberry sauce – Fresh, canned, or jelly varieties all work.
- Vegetable sides – Green beans, Brussels sprouts, roasted veggies, etc.
- Bread – Rolls, biscuits, or corn bread go great with the meal.
- Pie – Pumpkin, pecan, apple, and more make perfect desserts.
When planning portions, make sure to have generous amounts of each dish. Having leftovers is part of the fun!
Shopping for Ingredients
Here are some key ingredients you’ll need to add to your master grocery list
- Turkey – Purchase a whole turkey, breast, or parts. Allow 1-1.5 lbs per person.
- Herbs & seasonings – Sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper.
- Vegetables – Potatoes, sweet potatoes, celery, carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, etc.
- Baking items – Flour, sugar, spices, butter, broth, eggs, milk, nuts.
- Cranberries – Fresh cranberries plus orange juice and sugar.
- Pantry staples – Chicken/turkey stock and broth, oils, condiments.
- Equipment – Roasting pan, cutting boards, pie dishes, utensils.
Make sure you have enough ovenware and pans for all the dishes you’ll be preparing.
Advance Preparation
To stay organized, start prepping 1-2 days before Thanksgiving:
- Thaw frozen turkey in the fridge allowing 24 hrs per 5 lbs.
- Make cranberry sauce, bread dough, pie fillings.
- Chop vegetables and aromatics for sides.
- Measure out dry ingredients like spices, flour, etc.
- Prepare compound butters.
- Make turkey brine or rub.
Morning of Thanksgiving:
- Remove giblets from turkey, rinse and pat dry.
- Apply herb rub or butter under and on skin.
- Prepare stuffing but don’t add to turkey yet.
- Peel and cut potatoes and other veggies.
- Assemble pie crusts and roll out dough.
- Take ingredients out of fridge/pantry to come to room temp.
Cooking Timeline
Follow this timeline to get everything cooked and ready on time:
- Early morning: Put stuffed turkey in the oven. Plan 15 min per lb at 300-325°F.
- Mid-morning: Bake pies while turkey cooks. Take 50-60 mins at 350°F.
- Late morning: Start roasting potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash.
- Afternoon: Make gravy with turkey drippings. Add stuffing to oven about 30 mins before turkey is done.
- 30-45 mins before eating: Finish green beans, Brussels sprouts, etc.
- Right before meal: Rest turkey 15-20 mins before carving. Reheat any sides.
Serving the Feast
Once everything is cooked it’s time to serve this amazing spread
- Carve turkey and arrange on a platter.
- Transfer stuffing to a serving bowl.
- Mash potatoes or serve roasted whole potatoes.
- Add vegetable sides like green beans to serving bowls.
- Slice pies and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Offer salt, pepper, gravy, butter, and condiments on the table.
Before digging in, take a moment to express gratitude for the meal and time with loved ones. Enjoy the feast!
Turkey Dinner FAQs
How much turkey is needed per person?
Plan on 1-1.5 lbs of turkey meat per person. For 8 guests, buy a 12-15 lb turkey.
What are good turkey side pairings?
- Mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy
- Cranberry sauce, rolls
- Green beans with crispy fried onions
- Roasted vegetables with compound butter
How far in advance can I prepare dishes?
Make cranberry sauce, bread, pie fillings 1-2 days ahead. Cook fresh veggies right before eating.
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. Use a meat thermometer and cook to 165°F.
What are classic Thanksgiving pies?
Pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, and apple are traditional options. Add chocolate, lemon meringue or coconut cream for variety.
Conclusion
Pulling off the full turkey dinner is a big task, but very doable with advance planning. Use this guide to plan your menu, prep ingredients, and cook everything on time. Before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful Thanksgiving feast ready for family and friends to enjoy!
Don’t Cook Stuffing In the Turkey
If you want perfectly cooked stuffing and perfectly cooked turkey, cook them separately. If you overfill the cavity of the turkey it slows down the cooking time. And besides, it’s better to fill the turkey with aromatics and herbs that give it flavor and moisture. So cook your stuffing in a casserole dish instead.
There are three basic kitchen items you’ll need to roast your turkey – a roasting tray, thermometer, and a sharp knife.
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.