Beautiful, golden turkeys are centerpieces for holiday tables, and finding one big enough to impress the family is no small feat. I have collected 11 turkey recipes for you, from sweet maple glaze to smoky paprika, for you to choose from for your feast. Your guests will definitely appreciate the one you choose!

1) Maple Glazed Turkey with Sage

Maple syrup and sage provide this turkey with beautiful magazine-worthy glossy finish.

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Maple Glazed Turkey with Sage

A maple-sage glaze gives the turkey a beautiful golden brown color, perfect for roasting.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 0.5 cup maple syrup
• 0.33 cup butter melted
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Pat the turkey dry and season it inside and out with salt and pepper.
2. Stir the maple syrup, melted butter, and sage together into a glaze.
3. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and brush with half the glaze.
4. Roast at 325F, brushing with the remaining glaze every 30 minutes, until a thermometer reads 165F in the thigh, about three hours.
5. Rest the turkey 20 minutes before carving so the juices settle.

Notes

Glaze in the last hour rather than too early so the maple sugars don't scorch.

2) Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

The secret to making every slice incredibly juicy and full of flavor is tucking herb butter under the skin.

Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

Classic roast turkey with a garlic-herb butter rub.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 0.75 cup butter softened
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp chopped rosemary
• 2 tbsp chopped thyme
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Mash the butter with the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Loosen the skin over the breast and rub the herb butter directly onto the meat.
3. Spread any remaining butter over the outside of the skin.
4. Roast at 325F, basting occasionally, until a thermometer reads 165F in the thigh, about three hours.
5. Tent with foil and rest 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Work gently when loosening the skin so it stays intact and crisps up beautifully.

3) Garlic and Herb Turkey Rub

Sometimes it is all about the rub!, and this garlicky herb blend spices up a turkey to an unforgettable experience.

Garlic and Herb Turkey Rub

Aromatic dry rub made from garlic and herbs combined with warm spices for the ideal roast.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 1 rub

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp dried rosemary crushed
• 2 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Method

 

1. Stir all the dried spices and herbs together in a small bowl.
2. Drizzle in the olive oil and mix into a loose, spreadable paste.
3. Pat your turkey completely dry, then rub the paste all over the skin and into the cavity.
4. Loosen the breast skin and work some of the rub directly onto the meat.
5. Let the rubbed turkey rest in the fridge a few hours, or overnight, before roasting.

Notes

Rubbing it on the night before and chilling uncovered gives you the crispiest skin.

4) Citrus Brined Turkey Delight

An overnight magic process will get you a brined turkey with all the seasoning deep down to the core.

Citrus Brined Turkey Delight

A turkey soaked in a fragrant orange-and-lemon brine before roasting.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 2 oranges sliced
• 2 lemons sliced
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 gallon water

Method

 

1. Dissolve the salt and sugar in the water, then add the citrus slices and bay leaves.
2. Submerge the turkey in the brine and refrigerate overnight, about 12 hours.
3. Remove the turkey, rinse, and pat it very dry.
4. Roast at 325F until a thermometer reads 165F in the thigh, about three hours.
5. Rest the turkey 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Pat the brined turkey extra dry before roasting so the skin can crisp instead of steam.

5) Apple Cider Brined Christmas Turkey

The turkey will taste like the holidays in every bite due to the apple cider in the brine, which gives a slight seasonal sweetness.

Apple Cider Brined Christmas Turkey

Turkey soaked in spiced apple cider, makes for a sweet and tender roast.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 4 cups apple cider
• 0.75 cup kosher salt
• 0.5 cup brown sugar
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
• 3 quarts water

Method

 

1. Warm the cider with the salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and peppercorns until dissolved.
2. Stir in the cold water to cool the brine completely.
3. Submerge the turkey and refrigerate overnight.
4. Remove, rinse, and pat the turkey dry, then roast at 325F until the thigh reads 165F, about three hours.
5. Rest the turkey 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Always cool the brine fully before adding the turkey, or you risk warming the meat.

6) Orange and Thyme Turkey Roast

The delightful scent of bright orange and thyme will fill your kitchen and is so inviting.

Orange and Thyme Turkey Roast

Roasted turkey infused with orange zest and thyme.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 0.5 cup butter softened
• 2 tbsp orange zest
• 3 tbsp chopped thyme
• 2 oranges quartered
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Mash the butter with the orange zest, thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Rub the butter under and over the turkey skin.
3. Stuff the cavity with the quartered oranges.
4. Roast at 325F, basting now and then, until the thigh reads 165F, about three hours.
5. Rest 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Squeeze the roasted oranges from the cavity into your pan drippings for a bright gravy.

7) Spiced Cranberry Glazed Turkey

This turkey has a glossy cranberry glaze for a jewel-toned finish and a sweet-tart flavor that's a Christmas classic.

Spiced Cranberry Glazed Turkey

Roast turkey with a spice and cranberry glaze.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 3 tbsp orange juice
• 2 tbsp butter melted
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Season the turkey inside and out with salt and pepper.
2. Whisk the cranberry sauce, orange juice, melted butter, and cinnamon into a glaze.
3. Roast the turkey at 325F for two hours uncovered.
4. Brush generously with the cranberry glaze and continue roasting until the thigh reads 165F, glazing twice more.
5. Rest 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Add the glaze in the final hour so the sugary cranberry doesn't burn before the turkey is done.

8) Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast

A turkey breast wrapped in a lattice of bacon is super moist and gives an amazing crispy topping.

Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast

A boneless turkey breast wrapped in a woven bacon blanket and roast.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 turkey breast 4 lb boneless
• 12 slices bacon
• 2 tbsp butter softened
• 1 tbsp chopped sage
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Rub the turkey breast with butter, sage, salt, and pepper.
2. Weave the bacon slices into a lattice and drape it over the top of the breast.
3. Place the breast on a rack in a roasting pan.
4. Roast at 375F for 65 to 75 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the center reads 165F.
5. Rest 15 minutes, then slice and serve.

Notes

If the bacon crisps before the turkey is cooked through, tent it loosely with foil.

9) Honey Mustard Glazed Turkey

A delicious honey and mustard glaze gives the turkey a lovely sticky golden brown crust.

Honey Mustard Glazed Turkey

Honey and mustard glaze brushed on roast turkey.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 0.33 cup honey
• 0.25 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp butter melted
• 1 tbsp chopped thyme
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Season the turkey inside and out with salt and pepper.
2. Whisk the honey, Dijon, melted butter, and thyme into a smooth glaze.
3. Roast the turkey at 325F for two hours.
4. Brush with the honey mustard glaze and continue roasting until the thigh reads 165F, glazing once more near the end.
5. Rest 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

The honey can darken fast, so keep an eye on it and tent with foil if it browns too soon.

10) Classic Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy

Everyone remembers this no-fuss roast turkey with rich pan gravy fondly. You can't beat a classic.

Classic Roast Turkey with Pan Gravy

A basic roast turkey served with silky gravy from the pan drippings.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 0.5 cup butter softened
• 1 onion quartered
• 2 celery stalks chopped
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp salt

Method

 

1. Rub the turkey with butter and salt, then place the onion and celery in the cavity.
2. Roast at 325F until the thigh reads 165F, about three hours, then move the turkey to a board to rest.
3. Set the roasting pan over a burner and whisk the flour into the drippings.
4. Slowly pour in the broth, whisking until the gravy thickens and simmers.
5. Strain the gravy, season to taste, and serve alongside the carved turkey.

Notes

Scrape up the browned bits in the pan while making the gravy, since that's where all the flavor lives.

11) Smoked Paprika Turkey Delight

A smoky paprika rub provides this turkey with a rich color and subtle warmth that distinguishes it from the standard roast.

Smoked Paprika Turkey Delight

Roasted turkey with a turkey rub of smoked paprika for a rich smokey and sweet crust.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 whole turkey 12 lb
• 3 tbsp smoked paprika
• 0.33 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Method

 

1. Stir the smoked paprika, olive oil, garlic, brown sugar, salt, and pepper into a paste.
2. Pat the turkey dry and rub the paprika paste all over the skin and into the cavity.
3. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan.
4. Roast at 325F, basting once or twice, until the thigh reads 165F, about three hours.
5. Rest the turkey 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

The brown sugar helps the paprika crust caramelize into a deep mahogany color.