You’ve roasted the turkey, enjoyed the feast, and now you’ve got leftovers — the best part, right? This creamy turkey tetrazzini recipe is the ultimate way to turn that extra turkey into a cozy, family-favorite dinner.

This dish is everything you love about comfort food — tender noodles coated in a rich, cheesy sauce, bits of juicy turkey in every bite, and a perfectly golden topping. It’s easy to make, reheats beautifully, and honestly tastes even better the next day.

Whether you’re using leftover Thanksgiving turkey or rotisserie chicken, this easy turkey tetrazzini comes together in just a few simple steps. No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques — just real, creamy, delicious food that makes everyone at the table happy.

As I was finishing off the recipe I felt like it needed a little crunch on top, much like a perfect macaroni and cheese with a breading. I remembered that we had these Honey Dijon chips in our storage room so on a whim I ran down, grabbed the bag and crushed them up.

Dear sweet mercy, it was perfection!!

This post is sponsored by Kettle Brand.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Creamy, rich sauce without being heavy
• The perfect use for leftover Thanksgiving turkey
• Family-friendly comfort food
• Simple ingredients, easy prep

What is Turkey Tetrazzini?

Tetrazzini is an American main dish with diced poultry (yes you could use chicken as well) and mushroom in a butter/cream and parmesan sauce. It is served hot over linguine, spaghetti, or some similarly thin pasta, garnished with parsley.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this best turkey tetrazzini recipe has a job to do! Here’s a quick look at what each one adds…

• Spaghetti: The base of the dish that holds the creamy sauce and gives that classic, comforting texture.
• Turkey: Adds hearty protein and mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing to build flavor and prevent sticking.
• Button Mushrooms: Add earthy, savory depth and balance the richness of the sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Infuse the sauce with delicious, aromatic flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and forms the base of the creamy sauce.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce when combined with butter to make a roux.
• Chicken Broth: Thins the sauce slightly and adds savory depth.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Adds flavor and subtle heat.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and makes the sauce extra velvety.
• Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy texture and helps mellow the flavors.
• Frozen Peas: Add color, sweetness, and freshness to balance the dish.
• Parsley: Adds fresh herby flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully for a creamy, cheesy finish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Gives salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Kettle Brand Honey Dijon Chips: Give the casserole a crispy, golden crust for contrast in texture.

How to Make Turkey Tetrazzini

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
2. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta until al dente.
3. Chop: Grab your leftover turkey meat and chop/shred it.
4. Sauté: Add a drizzle of olive oil to a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and cook until softened. Then add the garlic and sauté another minute or two.
5. Create a Roux: Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, then add the flour and whisk until smooth. Add the cream and milk to the mixture and bring it to a simmer until it thickens. Add the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta and turkey to the pot and then add the parsley, peas, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Stir everything to combine.
7. Bake: Cover the dutch oven and then bake for 30min. Remove the lid and sprinkle with the crushed chips. Then bake for another 10min without the lid.
8. Serve: Serve immediately!

Kettle Brand Chips

This holiday season, be totally ready for every drop-in guest, late night munchies while you chat with loved ones and of course, holiday meals. Keeping Kettle Brand potato chips around isn’t just smart for snacking and playing games with family and friends, it’s actually a great way to finish off a holiday meal.

Kettle Brand potato chips are non-GMO, totally packed full of flavor and I hear that they are literally an obsession among some of our neighbors and friends.

Kettle Brand chips are the ultimate crunchy chip. You chip lovers know what I’m talking about, chips aren’t at all just about the flavor, you want that crazy crunch thing going on and not all chips are created equally. Kettle Brand chips win the prize for the biggest crunch!

Variations and Substitutions

If you don’t have leftover turkey, no worries at all! You can use chicken instead! Here are a few ideas for variations and substitutions:

• Use rotisserie chicken instead of turkey
• Make it lighter with half-and-half instead of cream
• Swap the spaghetti noodles for penne or linguine
• Add other veggies: broccoli, carrots, green beans

What to Serve with Turkey Tetrazzini

Pasta is always tricky isn’t it. You feel like you have to serve only a salad with pasta dishes, but if you’re smart about it, you can actually ditch the side dish completely.

If you add some extra veggies into your turkey casserole with noodles, I see no need to even worry about sides. I mean, carbs, protein and veggies are covered.

Heck, you could even say you’ve got dairy as well!

Alright, but I get it, you are like me and one dish sometimes feels like you at least need a salad. Here are a few ideas.

• Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
• Roasted Pear Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta

Storing and Reheating

Leftover turkey tetrazzini should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 4-5 days.

To reheat a single serving, I use the microwave, but if I’m going to reheat a large portion of the turkey pasta bake, I’ll reheat it in the oven at 300 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Can Turkey Tetrazzini Be Frozen?

Because turkey tetrazzini is a cream-based sauce and full of pasta it’s best to never freeze it. Your sauce will separate and the pasta will continue to bloat and take on the liquid. This will make for a mushy pasta which no one wants.

There’s something so satisfying about turning leftover turkey into something completely new — and this creamy turkey tetrazzini does just that. It’s warm, comforting, and easy enough for a weeknight, but special enough for company.

Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers with these Recipes…

• Leftover Turkey Sandwich (The Gobbler)
• Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Sliders
• Turkey Club Sandwich
• Turkey Pot Pie
• Leftover Turkey Soup

This Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich stacks the flavor in a whole new way! First, make a creamy honey avocado spread. Next, pile turkey, avocado, crispy bacon and tomato on your favorite bread. Finally, dig into the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten!

Make it on 7 Grain Bread or Scroll down to watch on Focaccia!

Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich Ingredients

• Favorite bread: Go for a good sturdy 7 grain or focaccia– trust me.
• Havarti cheese: Mild and creamy; a great complement, but not necessary.
• Bacon: Make it on a sheet pan, starting in a cold oven or pan for ultimate fat-rendering-crispness.
• Deli turkey: Choose fresh deli slices or use leftover Thanksgiving turkey if you’ve got some!
• Avocado: Use a perfectly ripe avocado for a creamier texture; slice thinly.
• Tomato: Always sprinkle a little salt and pepper on tomatoes in a sandwich!
• Greens: I love to used mixed greens or peppery arugula, but anything will do! Romaine or green leaf lettuce would be great!
• Honey Avocado sauce: Blend together the ingredients in a small bowl for the ultimate sandwich spread!

How to Make Turkey Avocado Sandwiches with Honey Avocado Dressing

1. Make sauce: Blend together the sauce ingredients and store in the fridge until ready to use.
2. Assemble: Spread sauce on BOTH slices of bread. On one slice, layer greens, cheese (if using), turkey, crisp bacon, avocado and tomato (don’t forget the S&P!).

Variations

The beauty of a sandwich is that you can totally customize it to your liking. Omit certain toppings or add other toppings to make it just how you want it. I’d highly recommend NOT omitting the avocado sauce on this sandwich, but if you wanted to added some other toppings, here are some ideas:

• Cheese: Swap the Havarti for Gouda, Provolone or Swiss cheese
• Red Onions
• Black Olives
• Mustard or Honey Mustard

What To Serve Alongside The Avocado Turkey Sandwich

• Broccoli Salad
• Cheesecake Fruit Salad
• Bag of your favorite chips
• Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

More Sandwich Recipes to Try…

• Caprese Sandwich
• Best BLT
• Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
• My Favorite Avocado Sandwich

Check out this Version on Focaccia…

Add some tropical flavor and a spicy kick to your next burger with this delicious and saucy pineapple jalapeño turkey burgers. Perfect for summer cookouts or anytime you’re in the mood for a unique and tasty twist on a classic dish.

We had a bunch of family in town a couple weeks back and I was trying to think up something quick and easy to have for dinner. Instantly BBQ came to mind because you can just throw it all on the grill and sides are always easy. I’m not a huge hamburger fan so I changed things up and made them sweet, spicy and saucy.

I loved the juiciness that the Mar A Lago turkey burgers recipe had because of the fruit in it so I threw pineapple into this one. The preserves give it a little heat and sweetness which even our youngest loved. The burgers stay really moist and when you bite into them you get a little sweet and tang from the sauce.

Ingredients for Pineapple Jalapeño Turkey Burgers

These burgers are sweet and tangy and I crave them all summer long! Here is everything you will need:

Burgers

• Ground Turkey: don’t go too lean or the burgers will be crumbly and dry
• Salt and Pepper: adds flavor to the meat
• Hamburger Buns: We prefer brioche for the best flavor and texture.
• Toppings: Havarti Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato Slices and Red Onion Slices

Sauce

• Pineapple Jalapeño Preserves: We love Kelly’s brand, but any brand you can find should work great.
• Spices: Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Ginger
• Lemon Juice: adds acidity to the sauce
• Soy Sauce: adds flavor

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Pineapple Jalapeño Turkey Burgers

We have found that chilling the turkey burger patties after they are formed makes all the difference, so be sure to plan that into your prep time. Here are the steps:

1. Form the Patties: Divide the ground turkey into 4 equal balls and form into patties and cover both sides in salt and pepper.
2. Refrigerate: Place the patties in a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.
3. Make Sauce: While the turkey patties are chilling, make the sauce by adding all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisking everything until well combined.
4. Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat, and grill the patties for 6-8 minutes on each side. Only flip them once and don’t press them.
5. Stir: Add all the ingredients for the sauce to a sauce pan and whisk together
6. Assemble: Top each patty with a slice of Havarti cheese and close the lid for a minute or two while the cheese melts. Remove from the grill and place the patties on the buns. Spread sauce all over the top bun, add the lettuce, tomato and onions and top bun.

The complete recipe can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

What to Serve with Jalapeno Turkey Burgers

It is time to bust out all the typical burger side dishes! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• French Fries
• Broccoli Salad
• Fruit Salad

Of course, you can grab a few bags of your favorite chips and slice up a watermelon if you want to keep it extra simple! Some homemade strawberry ice cream would finish off the meal perfectly too!

Variations

Burgers are so easy to customize to your own liking! For this recipe, you can swap the cheese…pepper jack cheese would be super good! Or change up the toppings…add avocado, a fried egg, or pickled jalapenos for an extra kick.

If you need to make this in the middle of winter and don’t want to grill, it can be cooked on the stove top in a grill pan or cast iron skillet.

Is Ground Turkey Healthier Than Beef?

Ground turkey can be healthier than beef. However, it really depends on the lean meat to fatty meat ratio that you find in the ground turkey or beef that you purchase.

Light meat turkey will always be leaner than dark meat turkey. Extra lean ground beef has about the same fat content as ground turkey. Lean ground turkey can be quite dry so take that into consideration as well!

Why Do Ground Meat Patties Fall Apart?

Ground meat that is not really cold will fall apart easily. After you form your patties, put them in the refrigerator to cool completely.

Also, do not keep flipping them. To keep patties from falling apart, cook halfway, flip and finish cooking.

Storage Tips

Once a turkey burger is completely assembled, it won’t keep very well. If you want to store just the patties, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop. Assemble the burgers with all the toppings fresh.

If you have leftover sauce, it will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Spice up your next BBQ with this delicious Pineapple Jalapeño Turkey Burger recipe! Featuring a perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors, this recipe is sure to be a hit at your next cookout.

More Summer Grilling Recipes to Try:

• Grilled Flank Steak
• Honey Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken
• Best Steak Marinade
• Maple Mustard Apple Chicken Burgers
• Mexican Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Baby Back Ribs

Bring the flavors of Mexico to your next barbecue with these fajita style Mexican burgers. Packed with spices and topped with all your favorite fajita fixings, these turkey burgers are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

I’m kind of in love with this turkey burger. I hardly ever eat fajitas, it’s just not a dish that I think about. But I needed something super delicious and comforting and Fajita Mexican Burgers is what happened.

Clearly, based on how over the top this burger is, I was needing comfort. This Mexican turkey burger is unbelievably good. Piled high with sauteed peppers, onions and gooey, colby jack cheese, you’ll be sure to forget all of your problemos.

read more: Love hamburgers? Try our Classic Burger Sauce next!

Ingredients for Fajita Mexican Burger Recipe

The ground turkey is spiced up with a few favorite Mexican seasonings, diced green chiles, and fresh cilantro. I wish I could explain just how moist and flavorful these are. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Lean Ground Turkey
• Fajita Seasoning
  • If you want to make your own fajita seasoning, we’ve included a recipe in the recipe card below. You will need: Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder and Onion Powder
• Diced Green Chiles
• Cilantro
• Salt and Pepper
• Sweet Onion
• Green Bell Pepper
• Orange Bell Pepper
• Buns
• Colby Jack Cheese

Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Water
• Lime Juice
• Chili Powder
• Smoked Paprika
• Salt

The measurements and details for all of the ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

I want to challenge each of you to make this recipe, or another favorite from the site, and then hold your own family night. Turn the phones off, and just concentrate on being together. Don’t forget what it’s like to be a kid yourself. Listen to what your little ones have to say and enjoy time together. I  can’t wait to hear what you make and do together!

How to Make Fajita Style Mexican Burgers

These turkey burgers are a mashup between delicious fajitas and a burger. You will sauté peppers and onions and grill seasoned turkey burger patties and then combine them on a toasted bun. Here is a step-by-step guide for making these bold burgers:

1. Sauté: Drizzle a little oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and then add the onions and peppers when the oil is shimmering. Stir to coat the vegetables in the oil.
2. Cook: Reduce the heat to medium low and let peppers and onions cook for 15-20 minutes until tender and the onions are translucent and starting to caramelize. Remove the skillet from the heat and move the peppers and onions to a plate and set aside.
3. Prep: Heat the grill to medium-high heat and grease the grill with oil or cooking spray.
4. Mix: Add the ground turkey, fajita (or taco) seasoning, diced green chiles and cilantro to a bowl and mix to combine. Then form each patty making a small indentation in the center of each patty.
5. Grill: Place the burgers on the grill and season each patty with salt and pepper. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes.
6. Melt: Place the skillet back on the burner and place a pile of cheese (about 1/2 cup) in the center of the pan. When it is good and melted, pile onions and pepper on top of the cheese and then scoop it all up and place on top of the cooked patty.
7. Assemble: Put a patty on each toasted bottom bun, top with a pile of the cheesy peppers and onions and spread some of the sauce mixture (see next section) on the toasted top bun. Eat immediately!
   • PRO TIP: Adding a few slices of avocado would be a great addition!

Sauce

1. Whisk: Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk everything together.

All of the instructions for making these Mexican burgers can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Are Fajitas Made With Beef?

Fajitas are typically made with grilled strips of beef skirt steak with onions and bell peppers, and served sizzling hot with fresh tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. Check out our steak fajitas recipe!

Fajitas can be made with chicken, or they can be vegetarian, with no meat at all. We have a stellar chicken fajitas recipe on the blog too!

Is Lean Ground Turkey Healthier Than Lean Ground Beef?

Ground turkey is usually considered to be more healthy than ground beef. But, it really depends on the amount of fat in the ground meat. Lean ground turkey will be more dry so take that into consideration when you decide the fat content of your ground turkey.

Light meat turkey is leaner than dark meat turkey. Light meat turkey will always be leaner than dark meat turkey and beef.

What is the Difference Between Green and Red Bell Peppers?

The difference between green and red bell peppers is really just the ripeness. Red peppers are just green peppers that have been left to ripen more. The more color in the pepper, the sweeter it is. Yellow is sweeter than green, orange is sweeter than yellow, red is the sweetest.

Can Turkey Mexican Burgers Be Pink?

Turkey burgers should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Turkey can remain pink even after cooking to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

What to Serve with Fajita Mexican Burgers

If you want to go with the burger angle, some hot french fries are always a great side dish for burgers. If you want to take it down the Mexican food route, then here are some of our favorite side dishes:

• Elote Grilled Street Corn
• Best Black Beans
• Spanish Rice
• Elote Grilled Mexican Corn Salad
• Restaurant Style Refried Beans
• Cilantro Lime Rice – Cafe Rio Copycat
• Tortilla Chips and Guacamole or fresh Pico de Gallo

Storage Tips

Once a fajita turkey burger is completely assembled, it won’t keep very well. If you want to store just the patties and peppers and onions, store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge. They will keep for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop. Assemble the burgers with all the toppings fresh.

If you have leftover sauce, it will keep for up to 2 weeks.

Add some delicious Mexican flair to your burgers with this fajita-style recipe. Perfect for a summer BBQ or anytime you’re craving a tasty twist on a classic dish.

More Summer Grilling Recipes to Try:

• Grilled Baby Back Ribs
• Grilled Flank Steak
• Honey Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken
• Best Steak Marinade
• Maple Mustard Apple Chicken Burgers
• Mexican Grilled Chicken

Watch This Video to See How it’s Made…

There’s nothing better than a warm, hearty bowl of chili—especially one that comes together fast and is actually healthy. This Instant Pot Turkey Chili is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it’s healthy, protein-packed, and incredibly flavorful without needing to simmer all day.

Lean ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices pressure-cook into a rich, cozy chili that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked for hours.

Our Instant Pot Award Winning Chili Recipe went viral so we couldn’t help but create a healthy turkey chili recipe for all of you looking for instant pot recipes that are healthier!

We almost didn’t post that classic beef chili recipe because we figured that everyone was totally set in their ways with their own favorite chili recipes, but boy were we wrong! It’s going crazy on our site!

Immediately we started hearing that we needed a vegetarian version, but before we get to that, Turkey Instant Pot Chili first! We use turkey bacon to still give that hint of bacon goodness, but in a healthier way, along with lean ground turkey, and lots of tomato flavor.

Alright, friends if it was you wanting a healthy Instant Pot dinner recipe, this turkey chili in an Instant Pot is for you! And if you’re still interested in a vegetarian chili, we have created a recipe for that too!

Ingredients You’ll Need 

We really wanted to create a pressure cooker turkey chili recipe that could be made with ingredients you already have on hand. Here is what you will need:

• Ground Turkey: Lean, high-protein base that absorbs the chili spices well.
• Turkey Bacon: Adds smoky, savory flavor to balance the lean turkey.
• Pinto Beans and Black Beans: Make the chili hearty, thick, and protein-packed.
• Fire Roasted Tomatoes: Add rich, smoky depth and boost overall flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Thickens the chili and intensifies the tomato flavor.
• Red Onion: Builds a flavorful, slightly sweet aromatic base.
• Red and Orange Bell Peppers: Add sweetness, color, and extra veggie bulk.
• Jalapeño: Provides mild heat and fresh, bright spice.
• Chicken Broth: Adds flavor and thins the chili to the right consistency.
• Dried Oregano: Gives earthy, herbal depth.
• Ground Cumin: Adds warm, smoky, classic chili flavor.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the chili.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and sharp, peppery balance.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smokiness and deeper color.
• Chili Powder: The main chili seasoning—warm, bold, and flavorful.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and richness to round out the flavors.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and classic savory flavor.

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below.

What Toppings to Put on Chili

This chili is heavenly on it’s own, but I secretly think my favorite part is all the yummy toppings I like to add. Here are some of my favorite chili toppings:

• Sour Cream (or plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option)
• Cilantro
• Shredded Cheese
• Avocado
• Corn Chips
• Tortilla Chips
• Black Olives
• Diced Red Onions or Scallions
• Cilantro

How to Make Ground Turkey Chili in an Instant Pot

1. Cook the Bacon: Turn your instant pot to “sauté” and cook bacon until crisp. Once cooked, remove the bacon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra grease.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the onions and peppers to the electric pressure cooker and cook until tender.
3. Brown the Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey and brown. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Add: Pour in all the remaining ingredients into the Instant Pot and change the setting to “chili” and let it cook. All it to natural release.
5. Serve: Scoop it into bowls and top it with all your favorite chili toppings.

How Long Should You Cook Instant Pot Turkey Chili? 

Most batches of this turkey chili will be done after 18 minutes. However, we’ve had a few times when the flavor just wasn’t there yet, so feel free to pressure cook a little longer for more flavor, or if your beans are not as tender as you’d like.

Instant Pot FAQs

If you’ve got any questions about cooking in an Instant Pot that aren’t answered below, please refer to our Award Winning Instant Pot Chili Recipe.

Can I Make This Recipe on the Stove Top or in a Slow Cooker?

The answer is yes and yes! It’s easy to make this recipe using either method. Just depending on what your schedule is, we have the cooking method to meet your needs! Scroll down to the end of the recipe card for instructions on using the stove or a slow cooker to make this recipe.

What to Serve with Turkey Chili

No chili is complete with a pan of fluffy moist cornbread! If you aren’t a cornbread fan, then a batch of our 1 hour dinner rolls or buttermilk biscuits would work great!

Storage Tips

Store: Leftover turkey chili should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 5 days. I actually prefer this recipe the next day. The flavors deepen with time.

Freeze: This chili freezes extremely well! Let it cool completely, then place in a large ziploc bag or FoodSaver. Squeeze out as much air as you can, then lay flat in your freezer. It will keep for up to 2 months.

Reheat: You can reheat leftover chili from the fridge in the microwave or on the stove top. If your chili is froze, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.

Sometimes it’s hard to find a hearty chili recipe that is healthy and still tastes like a million bucks, and this easy instant pot turkey chili checks both of those boxes! It’s less than 250 calories per serving with 20+ grams of protein! Now that’s a winner recipe!

More Chili Recipes: 

• Award Winning Instant Pot Chili
• Best Stove Top Chili
• Cheesy Ground Beef Enchilada Chili
• Brisket Chili
• White Chicken Chili
• All our Chili, Soup, and Stew Recipes here!

Looking for more instant pot recipes?

And if you need to know how to make any of the basics in the Instant Pot, check out our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet!

Watch How This Recipe is Made…

Make the most out of your Thanksgiving leftovers with this mouthwatering sandwich recipe. Filled with all your favorite holiday flavors, this leftover turkey sandwich is the perfect way to use up those extra turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce leftovers.

Inspiration for the Gobbler

Cade and I had noticed a little bread and sandwich shop in kind of an awkward little corner of a shopping area when our first daughter was just a little toddler. We’d passed it so many times and had become quite curious about it. I’d never been a fan of cranberry sauce nor stuffing but I’ll tell you what, this shop literally changed me.

A very nice man was there one evening when we stopped in and to this day it breaks my heart to remember him and his little dream he was trying to build. We bought some cinnamon bread for French toast and asked which sandwich to buy. He raved about his thanksgiving sandwich so we dove in.

My gosh, it was the most satisfying thing I’d ever sunk my teeth into. The flavors, the texture. All of it! I hate that his shop never took off. The bread and sandwiches were legit amazing. I think the location just killed the possibilities, but for me, it was the best of the best.

What Do I Need to Make a Leftover Turkey Sandwich?

It’s not every day that a sandwich or dish gets its own name. We have “The Soup” which is our most popular soup recipe here on the blog, and our Busy Day Casserole which has been a top performer for years. This leftover turkey sandwich needed it’s own name. It’s that good! The Gobbler was born! Pull out your Thanksgiving leftovers and here is everything you will need:

• White Bread
• Leftover Stuffing
• Turkey Gravy
• Cranberry Sauce
• Leftover Turkey
• Shredded Lettuce
• Mayo or Honey Mustard

What Type of Bread to Use

Usually I’m all about the multi-grain bread with loads of seeds and crunchies in it, but for this recipe, it’s all about the plain ol’ white bread. You want a good quality white bread that will hold up to all the delicious layers that will go into this sandwich. Sourdough bread would also be a delicious option!

How to Make the Gobbler

I love this sandwich recipe because I can use up leftovers in a creative and delicious way and it’s so quick and easy! Here are the basic steps:

1. Warm: Reheat the turkey, stuffing and gravy.
2. Spread: Slather both slices of bread with may or honey mustard (or both).
3. Layer: Add a layer of lettuce, sliced turkey, stuffing, a drizzle of gravy, and then cranberry sauce. Top with the other slice of bread.
4. Serve: Serve immediately!

Tips for the Best Leftover Thanksgiving Sandwich

After many years of Thanksgiving leftovers under my belt (literally, ha!), I’ve learned a few tricks for making the best sandwich using leftovers.

• Using gravy on the sandwich is a nonnegotiable! It adds that classic Thanksgiving flavor and helps keep the sandwich from being too dry.
• Mayonnaise and/or mustard on both bread slices is highly recommended. We love the taste of honey mustard the most, but use any type of mustard you love.
• I know people are anti-turkey for Thanksgiving, so if you have leftover, use that instead! Or use both turkey and ham!
• I prefer my leftover Thanksgiving sandwich with the turkey, stuffing and gravy warmed up, but you can try it with them cold. Except maybe not the gravy…cold gravy…eww, no thanks!
• The cranberry sauce is optional. For some people, it is an essential flavor of Thanksgiving, but I know some people are against it, so just skip it if you want.

Variations for the Gobbler

I honestly wouldn’t change anything on this sandwich, but if you want to augment the sandwich a little, you could add a couple slices of cheese. Pepper jack would honestly be delicious, or provolone, Havarti or white cheddar would all be amazing!

I haven’t ever tried it, but I’ve seen some people add mashed potatoes to their leftover Thanksgiving sandwich, so that might be a tasty addition too!

What to Eat with a Leftover Turkey Sandwich

If you’re eating this sandwich for lunch after Thanksgiving day, then you don’t need anything else to go with it. It is so hearty and filling that it’s all you need. Unless you are a chip lover, then a bag of crunchy potato chips is a great option!

If you’re scaling this recipe up and making several sandwiches for a crowd, then you could serving a delicious roasted butternut squash and kale salad or our harvest cobb salad on the side. Ooh, a winter fruit salad would be great too!

Since it’s Thanksgiving, then you better eat a slice of leftover pumpkin pie or razzleberry pie with it too!

Does The Gobbler Store Well?

Unfortunately this turkey sandwich does not store well. The bread gets soggy quite quickly so it is best to eat fresh. Warm up just enough of the turkey, stuffing and gravy you will need for the sandwich(es) you plan to make.

Don’t let your Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste! Transform them into the ultimate turkey sandwich, also known as The Gobbler. It’s like a full Thanksgiving meal in every bite! This delicious recipe will have you looking forward to leftovers every year.

More Ideas for Your Thanksgiving Leftovers:

• Leftover Turkey Club Sandwich
• Turkey Sliders
• Leftover Turkey Soup
• Turkey and Stuffing Acorn Squash
• Cranberry Sauce Muffins
• Turkey Pot Pie
• Turkey Tetrazzini

A classic turkey recipe for making the best oven roasted Thanksgiving turkey ever! It starts with a brine, gets smothered in lemon herb butter, and ends with a perfectly roasted whole turkey to feed your Thanksgiving crowd!

I’ve done it all. Over cooked, undercooked, bland, you name it. Thanksgiving has always been a stitch lame to me because the turkey was absolutely never exciting, hence why I loved the leftover sandwiches the best!

Mmmmm, potato rolls, mayo, turkey and a little cheese! Or, lately I’ve been doing a little cream cheese, poppyseed dressing, cheese and turkey on a roll and oh my goodness it’s life-changing.

But back to the turkey, you guys I’m serious I have spent every year for the past 15 years trying to figure out the best Thanksgiving turkey recipe and this is it. The secrets are for sure brining and proper herbs and rest time three things to make the perfect combo.

Turkey Basics

Before we jump in to making this roasted whole turkey, I want to cover a few of the basics:

• A frozen turkey will need thaw 24 hours per every 5 pounds.
• Turkey will need to cook for 13-15 minutes per pound.
• Safe internal temperature for a turkey is 175 degrees F the thigh and 165 degrees F in the breast.

So let’s assume you are going to roast a 12 pound turkey that is frozen when you purchase it and you want to have your meal on Thursday afternoon. Here is your brief timeline:

• Remove turkey from freezer to thaw in the fridge: 4 1/2 days ahead of time (Sunday morning – Tuesday afternoon)
• Brine: 24 hours (Tuesday afternoon – Wednesday afternoon)
• Turkey rests in fridge: 4-12 hours (overnight Wednesday to Thursday morning)
• Turkey rests at room temperature: 1 hour
• Turkey roasts in the oven: 3 hours
• Turkey rests: 30 minutes

Now the turkey is ready to carve and eat Thursday afternoon! Now here are those same steps in a little more detail…

How to Roast a Whole Turkey

Roasting a whole turkey starts with a 24 hour brine. Head to our favorite turkey brine recipe for all the details of why to brine, how to brine and what goes into the brine.

Turkey Prep

After the turkey brines, remove the turkey from the brine, pat it dry with paper towels and put it on a baking sheet uncovered. Stick it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours to dry the skin the out. This helps it gets deliciously crispy when it roasts. You can let the turkey sit in the fridge for 2 days. Just turn the bird upside down and right side up every 12 hours.

When you are ready to start roasting the turkey, pull it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for an hour. Because turkeys are very large in size it can be difficult to properly cook them. To help with this we turned to a technique we use in our Best Prime Rib recipe. Allowing the turkey to sit out for a bit takes the chill off and allows an evenly cooked bird. Do not let it sit out for longer than an hour.

Roasting Pan

When the turkey has been sitting out close to an hour, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Then in the bottom of a large roasting pan, add the apple cider and enough cooking wine (or regular wine) to fill the pan to a 1/4-inch depth. Place half of the quartered onions, 6 garlic cloves and the bay leaves in the pan. Now your roasting pan is prepped for the bird.

Lemon Herb Butter

Melt the butter and add the lemon zest, garlic, sage, thyme and savory and mix everything together. Loosen the skin on the turkey and put a few tablespoons of butter directly onto the meat, under the skin and massage it around. Brush the turkey skin generously with remaining herbed melted butter.

Roasting

Stick the remaining onion quarters, herb bunches and the lemon quarters not used in the bottom of the roasting pan into the turkey cavity. Place turkey, breast side up, on a roasting rack set inside the roasting pan. Transfer pan to the oven and roast 30 minutes at 450 degrees.

Open the oven and cover the turkey with aluminum foil if it looks like the turkey is getting too brown. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a thigh (without touching bones) reaches a temperature of 160-165 degrees. It will take about 2-2 1/2 hours more. Transfer turkey to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 30 minutes before carving.

And just like that, you have a beautiful whole roasted Thanksgiving turkey. It looks fancy, complicated and like loads of work, but it’s really simple! You’ll never use another roasted turkey recipe again!

What to Eat with Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

Let me just suggest a few of the best Thanksgiving side dishes you could ever want!

• Best Mashed Potatoes
• Homemade Turkey Gravy
• Potato Rolls
• Sweet Potato Souffle
• Green Bean Casserole
• Candied Pecan Bacon Brussel Sprouts
• Sausage Stuffing
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce

And it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without allllllllll the pies! Here are a few of our favorites!

• Pecan Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Razzleberry Pie

In fact, we have about a million Thanksgiving recipes and they can all be found here!

[faq]

Do You Have To Brine a Turkey?

Well, you don’t technically have to do anything, but I highly recommend brining. It is a game -changer for roasting turkey. It tenderizes the meat, keeps it from drying out, packs it full of flavor, and really shouldn’t be skipped.

How Long Will a Fresh Turkey Keep in the Refrigerator?

A fresh, raw turkey should not be stored for anymore than 2 days in the refrigerator.

How Long Does It Take to Thaw a Turkey?

The safest way to thaw a turkey is in the refrigerator. A frozen turkey requires about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 5 pounds of turkey. I check it everyday to see how it is progressing. Sometimes it will need a little longer. If you find it is ready earlier than you want, get it brining. You have a day or so buffer with the brine and refrigerator resting time.

Do You Cover a Turkey When Roasting?

The answer is yes and no. For the first half hour, you roast the turkey uncovered at a high temperature. For the remaining time, you cover the turkey with aluminum foil if the turkey looks like it’s getting too brown and roast at a lower temperature until an internal temperature of 160-165 degrees is reached.

At What Temperature Is Turkey Done?

According to the USDA, a safe internal temperature for a whole turkey is 165 degrees. We like to pull it out between 160 and 165 degrees as it continues to cook after it is pulled out of the oven.

How Do You Keep Turkey From Drying Out?

If you follow this turkey recipe, you shouldn’t have any problem with dry turkey. Several things help prevent dryness – brining, lemon herb butter, covering while roasting at the appropriate time, and resting after the roasting is complete.

Can You Freeze Left-Over Turkey?

Turkey freezes very well. Remove it all from the bones and freeze in an airtight container. It lasts in the freezer for up to 3 months. We like to use leftover turkey in our Turkey Tetrazzini.

[/faq]

I have done all the leg work, all the testing, and all the tasting to know that this is the best oven roasted turkey recipe ever! Brine, rest, butter, roast, rest, carve and voila…your Thanksgiving turkey is ready! Now just serve up some green beans and potatoes in an instant pot and you’ve got dinner.

More Turkey Recipes You’ll Love:

• Deep Fried Turkey
• Turkey in a Bowl
• Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
• Turkey Pot Pie Soup
• The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club
• Award Winning Instant Pot Turkey 
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Tetrazzini
• Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast

How to Roast a Turkey Video

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Looking for the perfect turkey brine recipe? Look no further! This delicious brine not only adds flavor to your turkey, but also keeps it moist and juicy. Watch our video tutorial and try it out for yourself!

Every year I test, and test and test recipes for Thanksgiving. But not my simple turkey brine recipe. It’s perfect, and I use the same one every single year regardless of how I make my bird.

Whether your roasting turkey or making Thanksgiving turkey in a slow cooker, I use the same brine on both of them.

There’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked turkey and that 100% starts with a turkey brine. You CANNOT skip it. Trust me, I’ve tested enough to know that it really is a game changer.

Turkey Brine Basics

Brining a turkey needs two specific ingredients and then the remaining ingredients vary based upon your own individual recipes.

1. Liquid- Your turkey breast (or whole turkey) will sit in a liquid anywhere from 8-24 hours. The kind of liquid does in fact make a difference as they will help to flavor the meat. Brining, as well as marinating, is not made to soak into the center of the meat, but to flavor the outside so well that as it cooks that flavor emerges.
2. Salt- It’s preferred that you use Kosher salt for brining as it’s a more coarse salt which will help to break down the meat, soak in the liquid for a more juicy meat and finally, the salt helps to flavor the meat more than just a rub later on.

How to Brine a Turkey

Brining a turkey might sound fancy or complicated but it’s as easy as dunking a turkey in salty liquid with some extra flavors if desired and letting it sit. Easy peezy! The brine is used to lock flavor and moisture into the turkey.

A few simple ingredients is all you need for my best turkey brine recipe:

• Apple Cider – apple juice can be used if you can’t find cider
• Water
• Brown Sugar
• Kosher Salt
• Bay Leaves
• Garlic Cloves
• Fresh Rosemary
• Orange Peel
• Lemon Peel

Grab a large stock pot and pour all the ingredients into the pot. You can also use a brining bar if you want. They are great! Stir everything together until the sugar and salt dissolve. Place the turkey carefully into the brine, put the lid on the pot, and set it in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

PRO TIP: If your stock pot doesn’t fit into your fridge, put it in a cooler and surround the pot with ice. It will store great for 24 hours.

Why Do You Brine A Turkey?

Brining a turkey adds moisture and flavor to the final product. A basic brine recipe is salt and water. We like to add several extra spices and flavors, but the salt and water is what you need for a wet brine. The turkey absorbs all the delicious flavors to make for the most flavorful turkey after cooking.

Brining breaks down muscle fibers and tenderizes the meat. In other words, forget that dry bird, brining will change your life!

Do You Rinse Meat After You Brine It?

No, just pat it dry. That way all those delicious flavors aren’t diminished. After brining, it’s important to let the bird rest in the fridge as it will dry out the skin which will bake up more golden and crisp.

If you have never brined before, do it! It’s simple and totally worth it!. You’ll be using my favorite turkey brine recipe for every turkey you ever make! I guarantee it!

More Turkey Recipes You’ll Love:

• Deep Fried Turkey
• Turkey in a Bowl
• Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
• Turkey Pot Pie Soup
• The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club
• Award Winning Instant Pot Turkey 
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Tetrazzini
• Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast

How to Make A Turkey Brine

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Learn how to make the perfect turkey gravy for the holiday season with this step by step guide! Impress your guests with this delicious and easy recipe.

It has been over 10 years that I’ve sat down with the intent of posting about how to make turkey gravy. But then I get busy with Thanksgiving and the next thing you know, we are moving on to Christmas and I didn’t even notice that I failed once again. And so this year it’s March, and I’m tackling Thanksgiving. You’re welcome. 

Turkey gravy is something I’m a little picky about. I don’t want it clumpy, lumpy, salty or herby. I want it perfectly flavored and perfectly smooth. The richness comes from cooking down the neck, giblets or leg meat and the best part is…

YOU CAN MAKE IT AHEAD!

AND FREEZE IT!

So let’s jump in!

Ingredients for Homemade Turkey Gravy

We are going to start this recipe by making our own turkey stock which we will then use to make the gravy. Here is what you will need for each step:

For the Homemade Turkey Stock

• Turkey Neck, Giblets, Legs, Wings, etc: We will roast and simmer these to infuse maximum turkey flavor. You can even add a ham hock if you have one for deeper flavor.
• Olive Oil
• Seasonings and Herbs: Salt, Fresh Parsley, Black Pepper, Bay Leaves, Fresh Thyme
• Vegetables: Celery, Carrots, Onion, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Garlic
• Chicken Broth
• Turkey Trimmings
• White Cooking Wine

For the Gravy

• Unsalted Butter
• All-Purpose Flour
• Turkey Drippings
• Homemade Turkey Stock

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below. Keep scrolling for all the details.

Turkey Gravy Recipe: Step by Step Guide

This is a make-ahead recipe, so it should be started a few days, to even a few weeks before Thanksgiving. If you don’t have time, store-bought will work but will not be as flavorful. You’ll also be surprised about how easy it is to make your own. Here are the basic steps:

1: Roast the Turkey Pieces

• Place the turkey neck, giblets, legs, wings, etc on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss with the salt, pepper, parsley, and bay leaf.
• Roast at 425 degrees F for 50-60 minutes. When it is done, drain the fat.

2: Chop the Vegetables

• While the turkey is roasting, chop all the vegetables. For the garlic, just chop the whole bulb in half and use one half leaving the skins on.

3: Deglaze the Pan

• Add a little cooking wine to the cookie sheet that the turkey roasted on and scrap all the little brown bits from the bottom.

4: Simmer the Broth

• Pour 2 cups of chicken broth to a dutch oven (or saucepan) and add the chopped vegetables and roasted turkey to the pot. Add the wine and bring it to a simmer.
• Pour in the rest of the broth, the thyme and garlic cloves, bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1 hour.

5: Strain and Cool

• Pour everything through a fine mesh strainer, discard all the meat and veggies, and store the broth in the fridge until cool. Strain off the fat once cool.

6: Make the Gravy

• Using a new sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and increase to medium-high heat. Stir the roux constantly until the mixture is a deep golden brown.
• Reduce the heat to low and whisk in 2 cups of the turkey broth we made. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Let it simmer until it thickens. Add the turkey drippings of you have any from your roasted turkey.
• Reduce the heat to low again, add the remaining turkey broth and stir together. Increase the heat to medium-high heat, bring to a simmer and let it simmer until it thickens.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

All of these instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. Keep scrolling for all the details.

What to Eat with Turkey Gravy

Creamy mashed potatoes is the first thing that comes to mind, but homemade turkey gravy is also delicious on top of stuffing, as a dip for your homemade rolls, and on top of your turkey, of course! To be honest, I just drizzle it all over my entire Thanksgiving plate.

Can I Use Cornstarch Instead of Flour?

If you’re looking to make gravy that is gluten-free, you can use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the gravy. Instead of creating the roux with butter and flour, heat the turkey stock and drippings to a simmer. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and whisk to combine to create a slurry. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture to the turkey stock and whisk until thickened.

You’ll lose a little richness in flavor since you’ll be missing the butter, but this is an option for thickening the gravy.

Cornaby’s EZ Gel is another great option for thickening gravy. Add the turkey stock and drippings to a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of EZ Gel at a time until desired consistency.

Storing and Make Ahead

The thing I love most about this recipe is that you can make it up to 2 weeks ahead of time. That means one less thing to do on Thanksgiving day. There are a couple of options for making it ahead. First, you can freeze the turkey stock, then let it thaw and make the gravy as directed.

The other option is to the make the gravy and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days or freeze it for up to 2 weeks. Reheat it on the stovetop.

My Ideal Thanksgiving Menu

This easy turkey gravy recipe needs to be on your Thanksgiving menu this year, and here are my other favorite Thanksgiving recipes to make as well:

• Roasted Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Dinner Rolls
• Stuffing
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Green Bean Casserole
• Cranberry Sauce
• Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
• And ALLLLL the PIES!

Impress your family and friends with this delicious homemade turkey gravy recipe made from scratch using drippings from your Thanksgiving turkey. Perfect for the holidays or any special meal!

How to Make Turkey Gravy Ahead of Time

Stressed at the thought of cooking a turkey? Don’t be! We’ve made dozens of turkeys over the years and we’ve figured out how to cook a turkey perfectly every time. Spoiler: the best way to cook a turkey is in a bowl! 

I know, this isn’t your typical roast turkey recipe, but look how brown it got and can you see how it’s falling apart?!

The BEST Turkey Recipe

My friend Brittany was chatting with me over Thanksgiving dinner last year all about turkeys. You see, Brittany doesn’t cook a turkey in the traditional way. In fact, she totally blew my mind when she told me, the best way to cook a turkey — this turkey in a bowl recipe — is life changing.

Yes, it’s a turkey that is literally cooked in a big bowl in the oven.

You’re going to want to buy a big bowl and try this one out for yourself. It’s the simplest and quickest way to prepare turkey that I’ve ever seen, but the results are fall apart moist and tender.

Turkey Basics

Before we get too far into this, I want to cover a few of the basics so you know if is the right fit for your eating schedule:

• A frozen turkey will need thaw 24 hours per every 5 pounds.
• Turkey will need to cook for 1 hour per pound.
• Safe internal temperature for a turkey is 175 degrees F the thigh and 165 degrees F in the breast.

So let’s assume you are going to roast a 18 pound turkey that is frozen when you purchase it and you want to have your meal on Thursday afternoon. Here is your brief timeline:

• Remove turkey from freezer to thaw in the fridge: 4 days ahead of time (Sunday afternoon – Wednesday afternoon)
• Turkey roasts in the oven: 15 hours
• Turkey rests: 30 minutes

The turkey will be falling off the bones and probably won’t even really need to be carved! Now here are those same steps in a little more detail…

Turkey in a Bowl Ingredients

To make the best turkey recipe possible, here are the ingredients you’ll need: 

• Garlic 
• Olive Oil
• Whole Turkey
• Butter
• Lemon Zest 
• Fresh Sage
• Fresh Thyme
• Paprika 
• Kosher Salt

Really, that’s it! Cooking a turkey requires far less ingredients than you’d think. If you’d like to make turkey gravy from the drippings (which you should definitely do!), you’ll also need some water and cornstarch when making this whole turkey recipe. 

Supplies Needed for This Easy Turkey Recipe

In addition to the ingredients listed above, you’ll also need to buy a big oven-safe bowl. Because I’ve got lazy bones, I generally order this 20 QT bowl from Amazon, but you could totally check out kitchen stores in your area as well.

It’s actually totally worth the investment too as we use this bowl to mix up big snack mixes like our 5-Minute Reese’s Snack Mix and 5-Minute Halloween Snack mix, plus we make bread in it, and so on.

How to Cook a Turkey in a Bowl

For this easy turkey recipe, you’ll basically be creating your own slow cooker in the oven. The good news is, you don’t have to ever peek, test the temperature, or anything. No roasting pan, no brine…you literally pop it in the oven and don’t think about it for hours. You can be busy making other things without ever basting, turning, or even touching the turkey! 

Here’s a basic rundown of how to make a turkey in a bowl:

1. Roast: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roast an entire bulb of garlic until softened, then squeeze the garlic cloves out of the bulb. 
2. Mix: Combine the garlic gloves with softened butter, herbs, spices, and lemon zest in a small bowl and mix with a fork to combine. 
3. Prep: Remove the neck and giblets and pat the turkey dry both inside and out with paper towels.
4. Rub: Scoop some of the butter mixture up in your hand and rub the turkey all over with the butter mixture outside and underneath the skin. 
   • NOTE: If your turkey is really large, you may need to double the herb butter mixture.
5. Prep: Reduce the heat of the oven to 250 degrees F. You made need to move the racks around for the bowl to fit. Place turkey into the bowl breast side down and cover the bowl tightly with foil.
6. Cook: Place the bowl into the oven and roast for 1 hour for every pound of turkey (up to 15 hours).
7. Rest: Carefully remove the bowl from the oven. It will be quite heavy so be careful! Remove the foil being careful to not be burned by the steam as you do so.
8. Remove: Using long tongs, remove the turkey the bowl and place it on a platter and let it rest.
9. Pour: Pour the leftover turkey drippings in the bowl into a saucepan or large glass measuring cup. Then transfer it to a gravy fat separator.
10. Make Gravy: Pour the dripping back into a medium saucepan and bring to a soft boil over medium high heat. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and whisk everything together until thickened.
11. Slice: Separate the turkey from the bones and place on a serving platter, slicing larger pieces if necessary. I’ve actually never had to carve a turkey in a bowl because it literally just falls apart it’s so tender.

All of these instructions can be found in the recipe card found down at the end of the post.

How Much Turkey Do I Need Per Person?

Figuring out what size turkey you need to buy can be challenging. As a general rule of thumb, you should count on each person eating roughly 1 pound of turkey. You’ll likely wind up with leftovers this way, which is fine in my book! You can make turkey tetrazzini, turkey club sandwich, or turkey soup.

For reference, an 18-pound turkey will feed about 25 people with leftovers. And to serve over 50 guests, try using two 20 to 22-pound turkeys.

How Long to Cook a Turkey

The general rule for cooking a whole turkey using this cooking method is about an hour a pound at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

We use an 18-pound turkey, but by 15 hours it’s totally done and falling apart. If you have a turkey bigger than 15 pounds, you will most likely find the exact same thing, but if you open the bowl and it’s not done, just give it another hour or two. Note that I’ve never had to add extra time.

Tips on How to Cook a Turkey 

Always place the turkey breast side down when cooking a turkey in a bowl. Even traditional roasting should start out breast side down and then be flipped in the cooking process.

As you remove (or attempt to remove) the turkey, everything will be falling apart back into the bowl. You literally cannot lift the turkey out. Because of this, we prefer to drain out the juice and make the gravy and then remove the turkey.

And if you want to make this turkey recipe a little healthier, feel free to ditch the butter and only use seasonings and herbs to flavor the turkey in a bowl. Just make sure to spray the bowl with nonstick cooking spray before adding the turkey so nothing sticks.

What to Eat with Turkey in a Bowl

This tender, flavorful and totally juicy Thanksgiving turkey is great with all your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. Some of our must have are:

• No Fuss Make Ahead Stuffing
• Cheesy Potato Casserole
• Garlic Roasted Carrots
• Loaded Sweet Potatoes
• Best Potato Rolls
• Green Bean Casserole
• Best Mashed Potatoes

Variations for Turkey

You can make this turkey in a bowl into whatever you want. There are endless options for flavoring your turkey.

Herb Turkey — We love fresh herbs, so try mincing up poultry herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley. And don’t forget salt as that’s where the majority of flavor will come from. Rub these chopped herbs all over and under the skin alone or with softened butter for an ultra flavorful, moist turkey. 

Smoky Turkey — Just like our Smoked Turkey Breast Recipe, you can really bring home those warm flavors by mixing together cumin, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and ground mustard. This combination of spices makes for a unique homemade turkey your friends and family won’t soon forget! 

Citrus Turkey — Try adding orange or lemon zest to butter along with fresh herbs for a bright whole turkey.

How to Reheat Turkey

If you have leftover turkey after Thanksgiving, I recommend reheating it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll want to reheat the turkey in a baking dish and add a splash of turkey broth or leftover pan drippings to keep the turkey moist. Then, wrap the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture and cook the turkey until heated through (about 20 to 30 minutes). 

Can You Freeze Turkey? 

Absolutely! Turkey can be frozen for up to 4 months. I love using frozen turkey in casseroles, soups, stews, and on sandwiches. You all know I love using my food saver to freeze turkey, but sealing it in a freezer bag will work too! 

Discover a unique and easy way to cook a delicious turkey in a bowl with simple ingredients. Watch our step-by-step video tutorial for a perfect holiday meal.

More Turkey Recipes: 

• Oven Roasted Turkey
• Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
• Deep Fried Turkey
• Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
• Turkey Pot Pie Soup
• The Ultimate Leftover Turkey Club
• Award Winning Instant Pot Turkey 
• Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Tetrazzini
• Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey Breast

Watch How to Make the Juiciest Turkey in a Bowl

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When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in our stories!  FOLLOW OH, SWEET BASIL ON FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER FOR ALL OF OUR LATEST CONTENT, RECIPES AND STORIES.