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Thanksgiving Recipes: How to Cook a Turkey

If you need a new recipe for your Thanksgiving turkey, give one of these non-traditional twists a try.

There are many ways to cook everyone’s favorite holiday bird. Each family has its own special technique for cooking a turkey, whether it's using an old family recipe, adding a secret ingredient or shopping at a certain store in town that helps make the turkey taste all the better.

Do you have any special recipes that have been passed down from generations before. If they are not "top secret," we would love for you to share your recipe in the comments below. Also let us know where you shop to find the best turkey and secret ingredients for your family meal. 

If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, you can also try any of the recipes below to add a new kick to your feast. If you're attending someone else’s dinner, hopefully their turkey will taste as good as one of these!

Just the name of this recipe makes the mouth water. An Allrecipes.com user contributes this Greek take on turkey, which combines ground beef and pork with tangerine juice, rice and other ingredients for an in-bird stuffing. This one requires no pre-made brine.

Emeril Lagasse’s recipe for a Cajun-spiced turkey is not for those looking for a simple roast bird this Thanksgiving. It calls for the equipment and safety precautions necessary to deep-fry a good-sized bird, but for those looking for a little extra flavor and adventure this year, this may be the perfect alternative to the oven. The results will undoubtedly be delicious, but be sure to heed the safety tips at the bottom of the recipe before attempting. If you want the Cajun flavors without the hassle, risk and calories of deep-frying, try this recipe from Jimmy Bannos.

This recipe calls for the use of a turkey breast roast, but variations can be worked out fairly easily for a smaller whole bird or even diced meat for a stir-fry or bake. The key is letting the meat soak up the sauce overnight. The flavors are intense and aromatic, and will definitely lend themselves to a unique Thanksgiving meal.

This recipe’s name—and its use of whiskey—is intriguing. A flavorful blend of unconventional ingredients make this dish sound delicious and feasible, and it requires fairly simple preparation. Check out the chef’s note to see how you can use a crock pot for a quicker, easier version of this recipe. Some of the user comments also have great ideas for stuffings that use the same components.

If you're in the mood for something more traditional this year, try this recipe:

The Food Network’s Alton Brown brings us this fairly simple (for a whole turkey) and by-the-book recipe, which uses a brine peppered with allspice berries and candied ginger. It takes about 10 hours of total cooking time, not including defrosting.

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Michelle McIntyre November 21, 2012 at 06:24 pm
My grandma gave me a Fannie Farmer cookbook 20+ years ago. Here is part of the recipe for a roasted stuffed turkey. If it's under 16 pounds, cook it 15 minutes/pound. If it's over 16 lbs, cook it 12 minutes per pound. Here's my tip. Don't buy a frozen turkey last minute and try to thaw it the same day. Additionally, Gene's marketing in Saratoga seems to have some nice fresh free range turkeys left. We bought an 11 pounder last night and we didn't even have "reservations." We have reserved good turkeys in the past. Happy Turkey Day!
Irene Aida Garza-Ortiz November 22, 2012 at 02:00 am
Have never cooked a Turkey, & rather have Prime rib! HA!

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