Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family, football and arguably the best—and most anticipated—meal of the year. The cranberry sauce, stuffing and sweet potato casserole will definitely whet guests’ appetites. But we can probably all agree; on that fourth Thursday of November, it’s basically about the bird.
So, let’s talk turkey! More specifically, the many mouthwatering methods in which the star of your fall feast can be prepared. Although the classic roasted bird (like this one) still reigns supreme over many Thanksgiving dinner tables, unconventional cooking techniques are steadily growing in popularity. Here we share seven nontraditional turkey recipes that your guests will gladly gobble up.
- Grilled. You throw burgers, dogs, chicken—even veggies—on the barbeque. So why not try your hand at grilling an entire turkey? The Greatest Grilled Turkey recipe from allrecipes.com yields a bird that’s juicy, tender and less than 500 calories per delectable serving.
- Smoked. Want to wow your dinner guests with a smoky, succulent alternative to traditional roasted turkey? This five-star Sage and Thyme Smoked Turkey recipe from myrecipes.com will please even the pickiest palates at your Thanksgiving table.
- Deep fried. Many cooks contend that deep frying a turkey is the best way to lock in its flavor and juices. Follow Alton Brown’s delicious Deep-fried Turkey recipe, courtesy of FoodNetwork.com, for a moist, flavorful bird that that will have your company talking (not squawking)!
- Bacon wrapped. Bacon, garlic and sage, oh my! Throw in some plump, sweet pears and your guests’ taste buds won’t even know what hit them. View this incredible recipe for Bacon-wrapped Turkey with Pear Cider Gravy from Chow.com.
- Brown bagged. Searching for a scrumptious, savory turkey recipe that’s difficult to fowl up? You’ll develop a new appreciation for the basic brown bag after preparing Kidd Kraddick’s Famous Brown Bag Turkey, brought to you by Food.com.
- Slow cooked. Considering cooking a whole turkey in your Crock-Pot®? This Crock Pot Turkey recipe offers bountiful flavor, and the folks at JustaPinch.com will walk you through the entire process. It’s easier than you might think. A favorite among Pilgrims (well, not really, but only because there were no slow cookers in the 1600s)!
- Sous vide. French for “under vacuum,” this trendy technique involves sealing your turkey in an airtight plastic bag and immersing it in a water bath to retain moisture, maintain flavor and ensure an even cook throughout. The Blind Cook’s Sous Vide Turkey recipe requires some special equipment, but the results will be well worth it!
Happy (and tasty) Thanksgiving from our family to yours! Keep following our blog for more appetizing recipes and homeowner resources, and don’t forget to check out our Thanksgiving Recipes board on Pinterest.
