3 Ways to Cook a Thanksgiving Turkey

While we're sad to see summer go, we can't deny our excitement for the holiday season. Even more exciting is the abundance of food coming our way with Thanksgiving. But if you're not seasoned, you may not know how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. To assist you, we've rounded up three different ways to prepare a turkey.

Though Thanksgiving is still a couple weeks away, it's best to plan early to avoid the long supermarket lines. Plus, you may try switching things up with a unique twist on the classic Thanksgiving turkey. Gear up your kitchen and get ready for several turkey recipes that will turn your traditional bird into a modern classic!

Different Ways to Cook a Turkey

1. Deep-Fried Turkey

Deep frying a turkey is a popular, yet unconventional way to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. This method creates an irresistibly juicy meat, while leaving the outside a crispy golden brown. Best of all, deep frying is simple and requires no extra ingredients!

Ingredients

• One turkey, less than 15 pounds (thawed)

• Deep fryer
• Vegetable oil for frying

1. Preheat oil to 400° F (200° C). The optimal temperature for deep-frying is 375°F (180°C). If the temperature is too cool, the turkey will absorb excess oil and taste greasy. Use a thermometer to ensure accuracy. The temperature of the oil will drop appropriately as the cold turkey is immersed.
2. Using oven mitts and long-handled utensils, carefully lower the turkey into the oil. The turkey should be totally immersed in the oil to ensure even cooking.
3. A 10-pound (4.5 kg) turkey takes approximately 35 minutes to cook. To check for doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The optimal temperature is 170° F (80° C).
4. At this point, remove your golden-brown turkey from the oil, ensuring that the oil is drained from the cavity. Place on a rack and cover with foil. Let the turkey stand for at least 20 minutes to allow the juices to set.
5. Carve your turkey and serve immediately.

2. Turkey On A Can

Turkey can be a finicky bird to cook. Cook it for too little time and you'll end up with an undercooked mess. Cook it for too long and you'll end with a dry, stringy texture that'll ruin the holiday feast.

There's one trick that guarantees a perfectly moist and delicious Thanksgiving turkey every time. Cooking your turkey over beer creates a cloud of aromatic steam that acts as a baste, resulting in an incredible entrée. Though out of the ordinary, turkey on a can produces fantastic texture and flavor.

Ingredients

• 12-24 ounces beer (in a can)
• 2 teaspoons spicy mustard powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground smoked cumin
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 9- to 10-pound turkey (thawed)
• ¼ cup canola oil

1. Preheat a grill to medium (about 350 degrees F) on one side. Pour the beer into a turkey sitter (a ceramic stand that holds liquid). Alternatively, open the beer can, pour out a few tablespoons, and place in a beer can turkey stand.
2. Combine the mustard powder, garlic powder, dried onion, paprika, granulated garlic, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl.
3. Remove the neck, giblets, and excess fat from the turkey; discard. Rinse the turkey under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the cavity with 2 to 3 teaspoons of the spice mixture. Brush the outside of the turkey with the canola oil and place drumstick-end down on the sitter or stand. Rub the remaining spice mixture over the turkey.
4. Place the turkey (on the sitter or stand) on the cooler side of the grill. Cover and cook until the juices run clear and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 185 degrees F and 170 degrees F in the breast, 2 to 3 hours. Carefully remove the turkey from the grill and sitter or stand and discard the beer. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest at least 20 minutes before carving.

3. Turducken

A tur what? A turducken is a trio of birds: tur (turkey), duc (duck), and en (chicken)- tur|duc|ken. It's a dish consisting of a chicken stuffed inside of a duck, which is then stuffed inside of a turkey, so each bite is filled with flavors from all three birds.

While turducken may seem like a difficult idea, it's quite simple. Turducken, however, requires prep work, planning, and time. But if you're willing to make the investment, you'll craft a showstopping Thanksgiving turkey!

Borrowed from our friends at AllRecipes.

Ingredients

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, deboned

• salt and pepper to taste

• Creole seasoning to taste

• 1 (4 pound) duck, deboned

• 1 (16 pound) turkey, deboned

• 3 cups prepared sausage and oyster dressing

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lay the deboned chicken skin-side down on a platter and season liberally with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning. Lay the deboned duck skin-side down on top of the chicken and season liberally with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning. Cover and refrigerate.

2. Lay the deboned turkey skin-side down on a flat surface. Cover with a layer of cold sausage and oyster dressing and push the dressing into the leg and wing cavities so they will look as if they still have bones in them.

3. Lay the duck on top of the turkey skin-side down and cover it with a layer of cold dressing. Lay the chicken on top of the duck skin-side down and cover it with a layer of cold dressing.

4. With the help of an assistant, bring the edges of the turkey skin up and fasten them together with toothpicks. Use the kitchen string to lace around the toothpicks to help hold the stuffed turkey together. Carefully place the turducken, breast up in a large roasting pan.

5. Roast covered for 4 hours or until the turducken is golden brown. Continue to roast uncovered for 1 hour or until a meat thermometer inserted through the thigh registers 180 degrees F and a thermometer inserted through the stuffing registers 165 degrees F. Check the turducken every few hours to baste and remove excess liquid. Carve and serve.

We hope you enjoyed these three ways to cook a Thanksgiving turkey. If you plan to use one of these methods, share this post and let others know of new ways to prepare a holiday entrée!

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