Our 13 Best Turkey Recipes

From a simple one-hour turkey breast dinner for four to a honey-and-herb-coated traditional bird, here are 13 delicious ways to take on the main dish this year.

By Chatelaine

Updated September 25, 2024

Roast Turkey With Cider Gravy. (Photo: Roberto Caruso)

A golden, roasted turkey is the star of the dinner table at Thanksgiving and the holidays, but you don't have to cook it the same way every time. From a simple one-hour turkey breast dinner for four, a spatchcocked turkey that cooks in half the time of a full bird, or a honey-and-herb-coated traditional turkey, here are 13 ways to take on the main dish this year.

And if the idea of cooking a turkey feels a little overwhelming, here's a breakdown of the most common turkey questions, answered.

Roast Turkey With Cider Gravy

A can of hard apple cider lends perfect fall flavour to both the bird and the gravy in this easy recipe. Get our roast turkey with cider gravy recipe.

Garlic Butter Turkey With Roasted Garlic Gravy

Store-bought garlic butter is the secret weapon behind this moist and flavourful bird. Have leftovers? Reheat in a baking dish covered with foil in a 375F oven for 35 to 40 min. Get our garlic butter turkey with roasted garlic gravy recipe.

overhead shot of a turkey leg and sliced turkey breast on a blue plate with a pitcher of gravy next to it

Photo, Erik Putz. Food styling, Ashley Denton. Prop styling, Rayna Marlee Schwartz.

Spatchcocked Turkey

"I love spatchcocking because it optimizes the cooking process, heating the turkey more quickly and evenly compared to roasting it whole. It’s an easy, efficient technique that yields a bird brimming with flavourful juices and boasting perfectly crisp, golden skin—and it’s way easier to pull off than you might think." Get Jennifer Pallian's spatchcocked turkey recipe.

Recipe and text by Jennifer Pallian. Produced by Sun Ngo. Photography by Christie Vuong. Food styling by Michelle Rabin. Prop styling by Nicole Billark.

Herb And Garlic Turkey

This classic recipe relies on butter, rosemary, thyme and garlic to create a succulent, flavourful bird. Get our herb and garlic turkey recipe.

A photo of a roast turkey on a white platter on a red and white plaid tablecloth.

Roast Turkey Breast With Fresh Savory And Thyme

This no-fuss but still traditional turkey recipe can be prepared the day before. Just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve. Get our roast turkey breast with fresh savory and thyme recipe.

A white plate filled with a traditional turkey dinner including stuffing beans, a dinner roll and cranberry sauce.

(Photo: iStock)

Easiest-Ever Roast Turkey And Gravy

Dry brining the bird is your ticket to incredibly juicy turkey. Two caveats: Use kosher salt, and rinse all traces of the sugar-salt mixture from the bird before roasting. Get our easiest-ever roast turkey and gravy recipe.

Cooking turkey perfectly: Large roast turkey on blue serving platter with a side of gravy

Photo, John Cullen.

Maple And Herb Roast Turkey With Sherry Gravy

Dry sherry adds the perfect autumnal flavour to this roast turkey and gravy recipe, while maple syrup gives the bird a glorious glaze. Get our maple and herb roast turkey with sherry gravy recipe.

Photo, Ryan Szulc.

Honey And Herb Roasted Turkey

Honey, sage and sherry come together in this sweet and fragrant holiday favourite. Get our honey and herb roasted turkey recipe.

Thanksgiving feast: Cooking turkey — 10 things to know: Roasted turkey o a platter with gravy and roasted carrots on the side

Photo, Sian Richards.

New Orleans-Style Turkey With Bourbon Gravy

Want to try something different this holiday? Southern spices and bourbon take this turkey-and-gravy combo in an entirely new direction. Get our New Orleans-style turkey with bourbon gravy recipe.