20+ Thanksgiving 26 Lb Turkey Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 4, 2024
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it's time to start planning your holiday feast. One of the most important dishes, and often the centerpiece of the entire meal, is the turkey. This year, instead of going for a traditional small bird, why not impress your guests with a 26 lb turkey recipe that will not only feed a crowd but also leave everyone raving about how delicious it is. Here's how you can make the perfect Thanksgiving 26 lb turkey that will have your guests coming back for seconds and thirds.
Main Ingredients: Biscuits, Buns, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious breakfast with these Thanksgiving leftover breakfast sandwiches. Layer leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce between two slices of bread and toast until golden brown. Serve with a side of gravy for dipping and enjoy a comforting and satisfying start to your day.
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a perfectly roasted turkey. This simple and classic recipe will guide you through the steps to create a juicy and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. Bonus tip: Brine the turkey beforehand for added flavor and moisture. Serve with your favorite sides and gravy for a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
Turn your Thanksgiving leftovers into tasty croquettes with this easy recipe. Simply mix together chopped turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and any other leftover vegetables. Form into patties, coat in breadcrumbs, and fry until crispy. Serve with leftover cranberry sauce for a delicious and unique way to enjoy your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Put a twist on the classic pot pie by using your leftover Thanksgiving turkey as the star ingredient. This recipe combines leftover turkey with vegetables, gravy, and a flaky pie crust for a comforting and hearty dish. Perfect for a cozy post-Thanksgiving dinner on a chilly evening.
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Salt, Sugar, Mandarin Oranges, Fresh Sage
Looking for a foolproof way to ensure a juicy and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey? Look no further than this recipe for an easy brined and oven-roasted turkey. The brine, made with herbs and spices, infuses the turkey with flavor and keeps it moist during cooking. Serve with all your favorite Thanksgiving sides and enjoy!
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Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Turkey
Combine all your Thanksgiving leftovers into one tasty and comforting casserole with this recipe. Layer leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and vegetables in a casserole dish and top with gravy and cheese. Bake until heated through and enjoy a delicious and convenient way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers.
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Juicy Thanksgiving Turkey
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Johnny S Seasoning Salt, Unsalted Butter, Fresh
For a no-fail recipe for a juicy and succulent Thanksgiving turkey, look no further than this recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and a turkey roasting bag, you can create a perfectly cooked and flavorful turkey that will impress your guests. Serve with your favorite sides and gravy for a classic Thanksgiving meal.
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Thanksgiving Breakfast Cups
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Large Eggs, Nonfat Milk, Potato, Pepper
Elevate your leftover breakfast sandwich game with these Thanksgiving breakfast cups. Simply line a muffin tin with slices of bread, fill with leftover turkey, stuffing, and vegetables, and top with an egg. Bake until the egg is cooked to your desired level of doneness and enjoy a delicious and unique breakfast using your Thanksgiving leftovers.
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Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
Main Ingredients: Stuffing, Cooked Turkey, Mayonnaise, Whole Berry
Another delicious casserole recipe for using up your Thanksgiving leftovers, this dish combines turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce with a creamy sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Bonus tip: Use leftover dinner rolls to make the breadcrumb topping for added flavor and texture.
If you're short on time or just don't want to deal with a complicated turkey recipe, this one is for you. With just four ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a perfectly cooked and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. Serve with all your favorite sides and enjoy a stress-free holiday meal.
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Thanksgiving Pie
Main Ingredients: Mashed Potatoes, Turkey, Vegetables, Garlic Clove
Don't let your leftover pie crust go to waste after Thanksgiving dinner. Use it to create a delicious and unique Thanksgiving pie. Layer leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce in a pie dish and top with a layer of pie crust. Bake until golden brown and enjoy a tasty and creative way to use up your leftovers.
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Garlic Butter Thanksgiving Turkey With Gravy
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Unsalted Butter, Salt, Smoked Paprika, Dried
Add some extra flavor to your Thanksgiving turkey with this recipe for a garlic butter turkey. Rub the turkey with a mixture of garlic, butter, and herbs before roasting for a delicious and aromatic main dish. Serve with homemade gravy for a truly memorable Thanksgiving meal.
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Maple Bacon Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Maple Syrup, Fresh Sage, Bacon, Chicken Stock
Sweet and savory collide in this mouthwatering recipe for a maple bacon roasted Thanksgiving turkey. Rub the turkey with a maple bacon glaze and stuff with a mixture of bacon, apples, and onions for a flavorful and unique twist on the classic Thanksgiving turkey. Bonus tip: Use the leftover bacon and apple stuffing in a breakfast dish the next day.
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Homemade Thanksgiving leftover hot pockets
Main Ingredients: Pie Dough, Turkey, Leftover Gravy, Cranberry Sauce
For a fun and convenient way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers, try making these homemade leftover hot pockets. Simply fill crescent roll dough with leftover turkey, stuffing, and vegetables, and bake until golden brown. Serve with leftover gravy for dipping and enjoy a delicious and easy meal using your Thanksgiving leftovers.
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How to Roast a Thanksgiving Turkey
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Butter, Fresh Parsley, Fresh Rosemary, Fresh
If you're a beginner when it comes to cooking a Thanksgiving turkey, this step-by-step guide is for you. Learn how to properly prepare, season, and cook a turkey for a tasty and impressive main dish. Bonus tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection.
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Super Moist Turkey
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Butter, Dry White Wine, Chicken Stock, Fresh
For a super moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey, try this recipe that uses a combination of butter, herbs, and chicken broth to create a juicy and tender main dish. Bonus tip: Reserve the juices from the cooked turkey to make a delicious homemade gravy.
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Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (aka Thanksgiving...
Main Ingredients: Butter Oil, Onion, Carrots, Celery, Minced Garlic
Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a comforting and creamy shepherd's pie with this recipe. Layer leftover turkey, stuffing, and vegetables in a casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes and cheese. Bake until heated through and enjoy a tasty and unique way to use up your Thanksgiving leftovers.
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How to Cook Thanksgiving Turkey
Main Ingredients: Turkey, Unsalted Butter, Yellow Onions, Garlic Cloves
For a simple and foolproof way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey, follow this recipe that uses a roasting bag for a juicy and flavorful main dish. Bonus tip: Use the leftover juices from the cooked turkey to make a delicious and flavorful gravy.
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Mom's Thanksgiving Dressing
Main Ingredients: Corn Bread, Bread, Toast, Stuffing, Yellow Onion
Everyone has their own family recipe for Thanksgiving dressing, and this one is sure to become a favorite in your household. Made with a combination of bread, herbs, and vegetables, this dressing is the perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey. Bonus tip: Use leftover turkey and gravy to make a delicious sandwich with this dressing the next day.
For a convenient and tasty way to use up all your Thanksgiving leftovers, try this recipe for a Thanksgiving dinner casserole. Layer leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and vegetables in a casserole dish and top with a mixture of eggs and milk. Bake until set and enjoy a delicious and hearty meal using your Thanksgiving leftovers.
Preparing the Turkey
Choosing the Right Size
When it comes to cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving, most people opt for a 12-14 lb bird. However, if you're hosting a larger gathering, a 26 lb turkey will be the perfect size. This will not only ensure that everyone gets a generous serving, but also provides enough leftovers for sandwiches and other dishes the next day. When selecting your turkey, make sure to choose one that is fresh and has a plump breast and moist-looking skin.
Cleaning and Seasoning
Before you start cooking, make sure to clean your turkey thoroughly. Remove any giblets or innards from the cavity and rinse the turkey under cold water. Pat it dry with paper towels and then generously season it with herbs and spices such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic. You can also use a dry brine to enhance the flavor and ensure a juicy bird. Simply rub the turkey with a mixture of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and let it sit in the fridge for 24-48 hours before cooking.
Cooking the Turkey
The Perfect Temperature
To achieve a perfectly cooked 26 lb turkey, you'll need to pay close attention to the temperature. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and place the turkey in a roasting pan on a wire rack. Cover the turkey with foil and cook for 3.5-4 hours. After this time, remove the foil and cook for an additional 45 minutes to an hour until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Basting and Glazing
To keep your turkey moist and flavorful, baste it with a mixture of melted butter and honey every 30 minutes. This will also help give the skin a beautiful golden color. For an extra touch of flavor, you can also glaze your turkey with a mixture of orange juice, honey, and Dijon mustard in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Serving the Turkey
Once your turkey is cooked, let it rest for at least 20 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a moist and juicy bird. Serve your Thanksgiving 26 lb turkey with your favorite sides such as mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce for a complete and delicious holiday meal.
Leftover Ideas
If you have any leftovers, don't let them go to waste. You can use the leftover turkey for sandwiches, salads, or even make a turkey pot pie with your favorite vegetables and gravy. Get creative and enjoy the deliciousness of your Thanksgiving turkey for days to come.
