Over-The-Top Ways You Can Make Your Thanksgiving Turkey
If you want your children's children to talk about holidays for years to come, you have to take a risk and make the holiday truly your own. Whether you add a fun Thanksgiving craft activity or change up the menu, there are plenty of ways to make Thanksgiving dinner something unique. One thing most folks do not consider is rethinking the main entrée. Of course, for those hesitant to give up tradition entirely, we don't recommend disregarding the turkey. Instead we want to give you new, outside-the-box ways to consider making your otherwise traditional Thanksgiving turkey.
Turducken
Eating turkey on Thanksgiving every year can get kind of old. To switch things up in the kitchen, but still keep the tradition of the Thanksgiving turkey, try making a turducken this year. For those of you who may not know, a turducken is a deboned chicken stuffed inside a deboned duck stuffed inside a deboned turkey, with dressing added between the layers. It first took the country by storm in the early years of this millenium, but it retains its dramatic appeal. Why not try it yourself?
Barbecue Turkey Wings
If Thanksgiving is second only to the Super Bowl in terms of biggest football days, isn't it only fair that the fare reflect that? Forget those paltry Super-Bowl chicken wings, and instead of roasting a whole turkey for your fellow football fans, make these barbecued turkey legs instead. Combine them with traditional sides (or, to be even more laid-back, casseroles); whatever you decide, these wings will be a fun and flavorful feature on your Thanksgiving table.
Beer-Can Turkey
You've heard of beer-can chicken — a whole chicken roasted with a full, open beer can in its cavity? You'll find beer-can turkey even better — smoky, succulent, tender, and, most of all, mind-blowingly delicious. It'll instantly take center stage for many holidays to come.
Mayonnaise Basted Turkey
The following recipe for a 16- to 18-pound turkey was a hit. It was quick. It was easy. It was messy. And it was a success. It was simple, too — mayonnaise, herbs, seasoning and some celery and onion. That's all it takes!
Bacon Blanket Turkey
Nothing's better than bacon, except when it's Thanksgiving Day and your turkey is wrapped in some. This recipe uses a seasoning and olive oil paste for under the turkey's skin to add a subtle hint of flavor that perfectly complements the bacon.
Deep-Fried
Not an early riser? Just thaw and deep-fry your turkey. The skin will be nice and crispy and the meat will be extra juicy. The best part is, your turkey will cook in half the time and promises to be just as tasty. Just be sure to read the fryer instructions thoroughly before deep-frying the bird.
Turkey Empanadas
If you want to make a more hands-on meal, roast a turkey breast and shred it to make filling for delicious empanadas. Fill it up with Brie and your favorite stuffing and you'll have a savory and indulgent thanksgiving dinner that's as fun to eat as it is delicious.
Tofu-Turkey Roll-Ups
These tofu-turkey roll-ups are vegetarian-friendly and simple to make. They can be served as an alternative for vegetarians as a main course on Thanksgiving, or as a side for adventurous omnivores.
Tofu-Turkey Roll-Ups
These tofu-turkey roll-ups are vegetarian-friendly and simple to make. They can be served as an alternative for vegetarians as a main course on Thanksgiving, or as a side for adventurous omnivores.
Roast Turkey with Tangerine Glaze
Chef Dean Fearing from Fearing's Restaurant in Dallas glazes his roast turkey with a sweet syrup made with tangerine juice, ginger, and sage. When has a savory and sweet combo ever been a bad idea?
Recipe adapted from Dean Fearing.
Click here for the Roast Turkey with Tangerine Glaze Recipe.