7 Ways to Cook a Turkey

7 Foolproof Ways to Cook a Turkey for the Holidays – Whether you’re a fan of roasting turkey or itching for a new tradition like brining a turkey, slow cooking, air frying, or cooking a turkey in the Instant Pot we’ve got you covered with tips, recipes, and more for your holiday feast. Give one of these delicious recipes a try for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

collage of 7 turkey photos with text overlay

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Holiday Turkey Recipes and Tips

This Thanksgiving, whether you’re a fan of roasting turkey or itching for a new tradition like brining a turkey, slow cooking, air frying, or cooking a turkey in the Instant Pot, we’ve got you covered with tips, recipes, and more for your upcoming holiday feast.

Today I am sharing 7 ways to cook a turkey and dressing/stuffing this year. I have my Mom’s Famous Turkey & Dressing recipe, a brined turkey recipe (SO good), an easy air fryer recipe, two slow cooker recipes, an Instant Pot recipe, PLUS an easy one-pot boneless turkey and dressing recipe if you aren’t feeding a crowd.

You can use our turkey brine on any bone-in whole turkey or whole turkey breast and then choose your cooking method. The brined turkey works great in the oven, air fryer, Instant Pot, and slow cooker.

How to Thaw a Turkey

You are going to need to thaw the Frozen Whole Turkeys and Frozen Whole Turkey Breasts before cooking. You can thaw them two ways – in the refrigerator or in cold water. Either way works fine, it just depends on how much time you have.

  • If thawing the turkey in the refrigerator, you need to allow at least 6 hours per pound.
    • Keep the turkey in its original packaging on a tray in the refrigerator.
    • Thaw the turkey breast side up.
    • Use the thawed turkey within 4 days of thawing.
  • If thawing the turkey in cold water, you need to allow at least 30 minutes per pound.
    • Keep the turkey in its original packaging.
    • Thaw the turkey breast side down.
    • Cover the turkey completely with cold water.
    • If your sink or bucket isn’t large enough to cover the turkey, change the water every 30 minutes, and rotate the turkey to keep it cold.

How to Know When Your Turkey is Done

No matter which way you decide to cook your turkey, they all need to be cooked until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF in the breast and between 170 and 175ºF in the thigh.

  • To take the temperature of the breast, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the deepest part of the breast. Be careful to not go so deep as to hit the bone. Check both breasts for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
  • To take the temperature of the thigh, insert the thermometer into the thickest portion of the thigh away from the bone. Check both thighs for an internal temperature of 175ºF.
  • Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This will give the turkey time to reabsorb the juices. If you have a larger turkey, you may need to wait up to 40 minutes.

What to Serve with Thanksgiving Turkey

You can’t have a holiday feast without serving delicious side dishes and desserts. Green beans, mashed potatoes, squash casserole, rolls, and pecan pie are all a must! Here are a few of our go-to recipes from the blog to complete your holiday meal:

bowl of green beans and bacon

Smothered Green Beans

Smothered Green Beans – canned green beans baked in bacon, brown sugar, butter, soy sauce, and garlic. This is the…

scooping squash casserole from baking dish

Old School Cheesy Squash Casserole

Old School Cheesy Squash Casserole – a must for your holiday table!! Loaded with 3 types of cheeses – cheddar,…

scooping sweet potato casserole from baking dish

Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole

Cranberry Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole – a must for your Thanksgiving dinner! Diced sweet potatoes tossed in brown sugar, orange…

dinner roll in a baking pan

No Knead Dinner Rolls

No Knead Dinner Rolls recipe – seriously THE BEST rolls EVER!! The best part is that you can make them…

7 Ways to Cook a Turkey for the Holidays

Click on the photos or recipe titles to go directly to the recipe

turkey and dressing in baking dish

Mom’s Turkey & Dressing

turkey in brine in a stockpot

Brined Thanksgiving Turkey

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

turkey breast in a crockpot

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

turkey breast on cutting board

Instant Pot Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Turkey & Dressing

turkey & gravy in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Turkey & Gravy

Steph

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Rebecca R. Ammons

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