4 Ways to Cook a Turkey
Sometimes, the best moments and memories are when you step out of your comfort zone and try something unexpectedly bold. This year, why not break tradition and prepare the turkey differently? You could brine it for extra moisture and flavor, slow-cook it in a crockpot for a smaller gathering, or grill it for a smoky twist that adds a new dimension to your holiday feast.
Brined Turkey: Tender and Terrific
Brining is not a cooking method but a prevalent preparation step resulting in a tender, juicy turkey. A brine—a mixture of salt, water, and add-ins—helps to keep the meat moist during cooking. It also helps reduce the toughness of meat. During the process, the turkey absorbs the saltwater and gets nicely seasoned from the inside out. Read The Kitchn’s article How To Brine a Turkey, which includes a simple brining recipe. Brining ingredients include a little bit of this and a little bit of that, so it’s an inexpensive way to prep a turkey with extra flavorful results.
Crockpot Turkey: Dinner for Two, with Leftovers!
If you plan on preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for 2 to 6 people, you may not want to spend extra time and money on a whole turkey. This Crockpot Turkey Breast recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron is a perfect solution. It’s the right amount of tender, tasty turkey on Thanksgiving Day, with possible leftovers for salads and sandwiches throughout the week. With your leftovers, make Thanksgiving In A Blanket sandwiches from Delish. These crescent roll sandwiches feature key flavors from the holiday spread: mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce, and they’re perfect for dipping into gravy. Whip up a batch of these sandwiches for easy weekend bites.
Smoked Grilled Turkey: Deliciously Crisp
If you like your turkey moist, tender, and deliciously crisp, give the grilled turkey a go. Grilled over hickory chips, the turkey boasts a rich, smoky flavor with a subtle woodsy depth that enhances its natural juiciness. There are two important things to remember when grilling a turkey: 1) If it’s windy outside, the wind may deplete heat from the grill, and 2) you will need a full fuel tank for your gas grill. A gas grill is better than charcoal because you can control the heat better. Read The Spruce Eats article How to Smoke a Turkey on the Grill for great tips and step-by-step instructions.
Roast Turkey: A Traditional Favorite
For people who want to serve up a turkey evocative of Norman Rockwell’s The Thanksgiving Picture, a classic roast turkey is the way to go. It’s also an excellent method to choose if this year will be your first time preparing and cooking a turkey. This Classic Stuffed Turkey With Old-Fashioned Gravy from Epicurious is one of those recipes you’ll return to when you want to taste tradition. It’s a simple recipe with minimal ingredients, but the outcome is a moist and delicious turkey, just like Grandma used to make.
For a twist on the traditional roast turkey, elevate your feast with a succulent Cranberry-Orange Glazed Turkey, infusing vibrant citrus and tart berry flavors into the classic holiday centerpiece.
On a final note, if you’re intimidated by cooking many dishes for one meal, check out this blog post, My Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule, from The Pioneer Woman. With some planning and prepping before the holiday, you’ll breeze through cooking your Thanksgiving feast, leaving more time to enjoy the celebration and your company. You got this!
Whatever recipe you choose, trying something new with the Thanksgiving turkey can add a delicious twist to your holiday meal and create new family traditions.
