8 Delicious Non-Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes to Try This Year

Thanksgiving is a time for traditions – family, friends, football, and of course, turkey For many, a Thanksgiving dinner just isn’t complete without a perfectly roasted turkey as the centerpiece However, after years of the same old bird, even turkey lovers may be ready for a change.

Luckily, there are lots of delicious non-Thanksgiving turkey options to try instead. By venturing beyond the traditional roasted turkey, you can experience new flavors and cooking techniques while still enjoying turkey meat. Whether you want to grill, smoke, or even deep fry, there are creative recipes to break you out of your Thanksgiving rut.

Here are 8 mouthwatering non-Thanksgiving turkey recipes to try this year

Sweet Thai Chili BBQ Turkey

This recipe from Grillseeker combines sweet Thai chili sauce and your favorite BBQ rub to give turkey a flavorful boost. Simply coat the turkey with the sauce and rub, then grill over indirect heat for 2-3 hours until the meat reaches 165°F. The resulting turkey is moist and infused with sweet, spicy and smoky flavors – a nice change from the usual Thanksgiving fare.

Cedar Plank Turkey Breast

Cooking turkey on a cedar plank imparts a delicious hint of woodsy flavor. In this recipe from Food Network, the turkey breast is marinated in brown sugar, spices and orange juice before roasting on a soaked cedar plank. The plank helps keep the turkey extra moist and gives it that signature smoky taste.

Fried Turkey with Old Bay and Celery Seed

Fried turkey is a popular alternative to roasted, and coating it in Old Bay seasoning and celery seed adds delicious flavor. As shown by Food & Wine, you’ll brine the turkey first before dredging it in flour and Old Bay seasoned oil and frying it up. The crust comes out crispy and full of flavor.

Thanksgiving Chicken Over Roasted Vegetables

For a smaller Thanksgiving gathering, Food Network suggests roasting a whole chicken instead of turkey. It’s coated in a homemade poultry seasoning blend before roasting over a bed of vegetables like potatoes, carrots and parsnips. The veggies soak up all the delicious chicken juices for amazing flavor.

Thai Turkey Burgers with Peanut Sauce

These Thai turkey burgers from Food & Wine are full of flavor, with turkey mixed with ginger, chiles, fish sauce, lime and cilantro. They’re served on buns with crunchy pickled veggies and a creamy peanut sauce. You’ll forget all about dry, bland turkey burgers after tasting these!

Cinnamon Apple Turkey Breast

Cooking Light created this recipe that pairs turkey breast with the classic fall flavors of apples and cinnamon. Slices of apple are tucked under the turkey skin along with a brown sugar and cinnamon rub. As it roasts, the apples soften and infuse the turkey with sweetness.

Jerk Turkey Legs

Jerk seasoning transforms turkey legs into a more exciting dish. This recipe from Delish features a homemade blend of spices and herbs massaged into turkey legs before baking. The jerk turkey legs come out tender on the inside with a flavorful, slightly spicy crust.

Turkey Roulade

For a pretty presentation, Food Network rolls up a turkey breast like a roulade. After pounding it thin, the turkey is layered with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto and provolone before being rolled up, tied, and roasted. When sliced, the beautiful spiral design is revealed.

So whether you fry, grill, bake or smoke it, there are lots of tasty ways to prepare turkey for your non-Thanksgiving dinner. With over a dozen delicious recipes to choose from, you can serve up a turkey feast with exciting new flavors your guests will love. Forget the same old roasted bird this year – be adventurous and give one of these creative recipes a try for a Thanksgiving dinner that’s anything but boring!