28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan
With the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.
Read articleWith the right plan and the right discipline, you can get seriously shredded in just 28 days.
Read articleAt age 62, "Big Bill" shares his wisdom to dominate one of the ultimate strength marks.
Read articleFollow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation.
Read articleThis Thanksgiving, be sure to get creative with your protein-packed main attraction—the turkey, of course. There’s tons of reasons why you should look forward to gobbling down some turkey, even though most people show up for the pies and side dishes.
Turkey’s chockfull of essential vitamins and minerals (and yes, the essential amino acid tryptophan that will give you a sleepy feeling), and if you know how to prepare it properly it provides more than 20 grams of protein with minimal fat content. Of course, if you’re a legs and thighs person (we’re still talking poultry here so get your mind out of the gutter) you’ll be consuming a bit more fat, but hey you all need a treat every once and a while.
On some feast tables, an entire turkey might be just too much food, while others are craving a new way to dress up the classic roast whole turkey. After all, we’re pretty sure you’ve eaten more than your fair share of roasted turkey with gravy — it’s not that there’s anything wrong with that but why not do something a little more exciting for this special occasion?
Here are nine ways you can shake up your Thanksgiving turkey using different parts of the bird—or just some new ideas on how to make a whole turkey. You don’t even need to be a Michelin-rated chef to pull these off.
Toby Amidor is the owner of Toby Amidor Nutrition and best-selling author of Smart Meal Prep for Beginners, The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook, The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook, and The Greek Yogurt Kitchen.
1 of 9
Bochkarev Photography / Shutterstock
Apple and herb turkey brine infuses wonderful flavor into the meat and helps keep it juicy while roasting. Plus, it’s easy to prep ahead!
Skill level: Intermediate
Serves: 10
Start to Finish: 10 hours+
Prep: 10 hours
Cook: Varies (see chef’s notes)
Ingredients:
To make the brine mix
To brine a 20-pound turkey*
Instructions:
Chef’s notes:
*To brine a turkey breast (6-7 pounds) instead of a whole turkey, halve the recipe and reduce brining time to 5 hours.
**The turkey needs to be totally submerged in the brining liquid. Any non-reactive deep vessel (a huge bowl or deep pot) covered with plastic wrap will work for this.
***A 20-pound turkey should be cooked in a 325°F oven between 4 1/4 and 4 3/4 hours until the minimum internal cooking temperature reaches 165°F.
Recipe courtesy of Amanda Biddle of Striped Spatula.
2 of 9
Magrig / Shutterstock
This year, serve this mouthwatering turkey breast drizzled in a decadent red wine soaked cherry sauce. The extra sauce also compliments the mashed potatoes and stuffing.
Skill level: Beginner
Serves: 6-8
Start to Finish: 1 hour
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Turkey
For the Red Wine Soaked Cherry Sauce
Instructions:
*Chefs notes: Ask your butcher to butterfly the turkey breast for you.
**Chefs notes: Find roasted and shelled chestnuts usually by the nuts/raisins section of your grocery store or sometimes in the aisle by the register in plastic pouches.
***Chefs notes: You can add a cornstarch slurry to the mixture at the end right before removing it from the heat if you’d like it a bit more “saucy” (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water – stir to dissolve then add to pot).
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 300; Protein: 42 grams; Fat: 7 grams; Carbs: 14 grams
Recipe courtesy of Gina Matasoukas of RunningToTheKitchen.com on behalf of the Cherry Marketing Institute.
3 of 9
sarsmis / Shutterstock
With this light and healthy turkey recipe, you’ll have plenty of room in your appetite for all your favorite side dishes!
Skill level: Intermediate
Serves: 6
Start to Finish: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
*For two 3-pound breasts, cook for 1 1/2 hours
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 283; Protein: 21 grams; Fat: 13.7 grams; Carbs: 19.6 grams
Recipe courtesy of Layne Lieberman, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN, an internationally recognized registered dietitian-nutritionist, and author of the award-winning lifestyle cookbook, Beyond the Mediterranean Diet: European Secrets of the Super-Healthy.
4 of 9
Benoist / Shutterstock
If you’re looking for a more classic turkey on your holiday table, this four-ingredient recipe is a perfect fit. Just a little salt, black pepper, and butter for flavor allow the delicious flavor of the turkey to shine.
Skill level: Intermediate
Serves: 10-12
Start to Finish: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Recipe courtesy of The Fresh Market.
5 of 9
Natallia Harahliad / Shutterstock
Hosting a smaller Thanksgiving? Opt for a turkey breast instead of a whole bird. Using only a breast frees up a lot less oven space and takes a lot less cooking time.
Skill level: Beginner
Serves: 6-8
Start to Finish: 1 hour, 40 minutes, plus marinating time
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Recipe courtesy of Prep Dish.
6 of 9
Liliya Kandrashevich / Shutterstock
Some guests prefer dark meat only like in this turkey wing recipe slathered in spicy Mexican-inspired flavors and served with a tequila-flavored cranberry sauce on the side.
Skill level: Beginner
Serves: 8-10
Start to Finish: 25 minutes, plus marinating time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Recipe courtesy of the National Turkey Federation.
7 of 9
Lisa Lotts / Garlic and Zest
If you’re not feeding an army, do you really want to saddle yourself with an 18-pound bird? Probably not. You can get all the flavors of the holidays you crave in this tender, juicy turkey tenderloin with a savory parmesan apple stuffing and sage wine gravy—ready in just over an hour.
Skill level: Intermediate
Serves: 4
Start to Finish: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
For the gravy:
Instructions:
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 356; Protein: 12 grams; Fat: 22 grams; Carbs: 23 grams; Sugars: 5 grams
Recipe courtesy of Lisa Lotts of Garlic and Zest.
8 of 9
freeskyline / Shutterstock
No Thanksgiving holiday would be complete without a turkey. This version has an Italian flair to the preparation method, but still fits perfectly into your turkey day spread.
Skill level: Intermediate
Serves: 8-10
Start to Finish: 3 hours, 25 minutes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:
For the turkey
For the stuffing
For the trimmings
Instructions:
Recipe and photo courtesy of Cooking with Nonna: A Year of Italian Holidays by Rossella Rago. The Quarto Group (2018).
9 of 9
National Turkey Federation
This Thanksgiving add some BBQ to your feast by making these simple turkey breasts. The flavor comes from a variety of dried spices which you rub over the breast right before firing up the grill. Serve the turkey breasts with a pico de gallo and corn on the cob.
Skill level: Beginner
Serves: 16
Start to Finish: 1 hour, 30 minutes, plus marinating time
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Recipe courtesy of the National Turkey Federation.
Any of these underrated protein heavyweights are what should be for dinner tonight.
Read articleGreat for gut health or an expensive jar filled with failed promises? Here's what you should know.
Read articleLiving life in the Blue Zone just might help you live healthier and longer.
Read article