Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means it’s time to start planning the most important part of the meal – the turkey! As a fan of the hit animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers I wanted to recreate the Belcher family’s wacky and delicious turkey recipe. After scouring the internet, I cobbled together the ultimate Bob’s Burgers turkey recipe by combining elements from various episodes. This turkey is flavorful, juicy, and will be the star of your Thanksgiving table!

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe

In the classic Thanksgiving episode “An Indecent Thanksgiving Proposal”, the Belchers create a turducken as the centerpiece of their meal. A turducken is a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey an over-the-top delight. While turducken may be difficult for home cooks to recreate, we can take inspiration from the Belcher’s creativity.

The episode “Turkey in a Can” also provides inspiration. Even though Bob’s canned cranberry sauce turkey is a flop, it shows his willingness to think outside the box. For this recipe, we took the creative spirit of the Belchers and made something truly special yet achievable in any home kitchen.

Selecting the Right Turkey

The star of any Thanksgiving meal is the turkey. Choosing the right turkey is half the battle when cooking the ultimate Bob’s Burgers inspired feast. When selecting your turkey, look for the following:

• Weight – Plan for 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per guest. For a group of 8 people, a 12-15 pound turkey would be ideal. Go larger if you want ample leftovers!

• Fresh or Frozen – Fresh turkeys are best as they have the most flavor, but frozen works too if thawed properly. Make sure frozen turkeys are still well within their use by date.

• Free Range & Organic – Opt for free range and organic turkeys when possible for better taste and texture. The Belchers are all about quality ingredients!

Once you’ve selected the right turkey, it’s time to start the cooking process. Below are simple, step-by-step instructions for creating the ultimate Bob’s Burgers turkey.

The Ultimate Bob’s Burgers Turkey Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (12-15 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme
• 5 sprigs fresh sage
• 1 onion, quartered
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup white wine
• 1⁄4 cup bourbon (optional)
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Brining the Turkey

• In a large pot, combine 2 gallons of water, 1 1⁄2 cups kosher salt, 1⁄2 cup brown sugar, 2 heads garlic, 5 sprigs thyme, 5 sprigs sage. Bring to a boil, then cool completely.
• Place thawed turkey in brine, cover and refrigerate 12-24 hours.
• Remove turkey from brine, rinse and pat dry with paper towels.

Adding Flavor

• Place the quartered lemon, onion, thyme, and sage inside the main turkey cavity. Rub the outside of the turkey all over with the softened butter.
• In a small bowl, combine the vegetable oil, chicken broth, white wine, bourbon (if using), and seasonings. Whisk together.
• Carefully lift the skin away from the breast meat and rub half the oil mixture directly onto the meat. Smooth the skin back over the breast.
• Rub the remaining oil mixture all over the outside of the turkey. Tie the legs together with butcher twine if desired.

Roasting the Turkey

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Place turkey breast side up on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan.
• Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the bottom of the pan.
• Roast turkey for 30 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F and continue roasting until internal temperature in the thigh reaches 165°F, about 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours.
• Baste turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes. If pan gets dry, add more broth.

Finishing Touches

• Once turkey reaches 165°F, remove from oven and tent with foil. Let rest 30 minutes before carving.
• To serve, carve turkey and arrange slices on a platter. Pour pan juices into a gravy boat for serving.

And that’s it – the ultimate Bob’s Burgers turkey! With creative use of ingredients, brining, and flavors inserted under the skin, this turkey is sure to be a hit. The thyme, sage, lemon, butter, and broth mixture creates a beautiful, glistening turkey with an incredible aroma. If the Belchers served this turkey, it would get 5-star reviews!

FAQ about the Bob’s Burgers Turkey Recipe

Cooking the ultimate Bob’s Burgers turkey recipe for your Thanksgiving celebration? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What size turkey should I buy?
Plan on about 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person. For 8 guests, a 12-15 lb turkey is ideal. Go larger if you want plenty of leftovers.

Should I brine the turkey?
Yes, brining is highly recommended as it keeps the turkey incredibly moist and flavorful. Brine for 12-24 hours before roasting.

What’s the best way to thaw a frozen turkey?
Thaw frozen turkeys in the refrigerator 1 day for every 4-5 lbs of turkey weight. It can take 4+ days to thaw a large frozen turkey.

How long should I cook the turkey?
Whole turkeys take about 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours in the oven at 350°F, until the thigh meat reaches 165°F. Baste every 30 minutes for maximum juiciness.

What temperature is safe for turkey?
Cook until the thigh meat reaches 165°F. The breast may slightly exceed this temp. Let rest 30 minutes before carving.

Can I prep the turkey 1-2 days before?
Yes! You can complete the brining, seasoning, and trussing then refrigerate 1-2 days ahead. Take the turkey out 30 mins before roasting.

What are the best Turkey side dishes?
Some amazing sides are mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted veggies, cranberry sauce, rolls, and green bean casserole. Get creative!

What beverages pair well with turkey?
Pinot noir, chardonnay, amber beers, and hard ciders make excellent pairings. Offer guests a variety of options.

Have more turkey questions? Feel free to reach out! Follow me on social media @TheTrashCanTurkey for even more drool-worthy recipes and tips.

Reddit Community Suggestions for the Ultimate Bob’s Burgers Turkey

To gather even more ideas for creating the perfect Bob’s Burgers-inspired turkey recipe, I turned to the Bob’s Burgers subreddit community. die-hard fans of the show always have creative suggestions! Here are some of their recommendations for crafting a stellar Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving turkey:

u/Lindapendant

• “Definitely brine that sucker! It makes the meat so juicy even if you overcook it a bit. I like doing a brown sugar brine.”

u/TinyRuger

• “Stuff that turkey with Jimmy Pesto’s famous pesto! And baste it in hot sauce for some Tina-inspired spice!”

u/BobBunker

• “You gotta do a turducken, it’s the ultimate Bob’s creation! One year I did a turducken but with like 10 different birds, crazy stuffing it all.”

u/ MadAboutMeat

• “I tried making the turkrakenator once. It was a turkey, stuffed with a duck, stuffed with a chicken, stuffed with a cornish game hen. Never again.”

u/ YamBands

• “My favorite episode is the one where they deep fry the turkey and hide it in the toilet tank. I deep fry my turkey every year!”

u/BeefsBestie

• “Add a fried egg on top like Bob’s Finer Diner burger! And serve it between two brioche buns of course.”

u/ AwesomeAsLou

• “Make it into a burger with the works – pickles, onions, bob’s special sauce. Turkey burger bobs giving thankssss!”

Trying some of these inventive ideas could help take your Bob’s Burgers turkey to the next