Enjoy cozy Thanksgiving turkey recipes for smaller celebrations without stressing about cooking up an entire turkey. Simply decide how much you need, whether for two, four, or slightly more. Then pick one of the 14 turkey recipes below to personalize your holiday feast.
Have you noticed that families are getting smaller? And many of us are living farther apart. It’s time to stop lamenting change and just roll with it. Besides, cozy celebrations for a smaller group can be even more enjoyable, definitely less stressful.
How Much Turkey Do We Need?
The typical calculation is about one pound per person because it includes a lot of bone. A bone-in turkey breast usually weighs about 5-6 pounds, and a boneless one weighs 2-3 pounds. That covers 5-6 people, enough for a standard family.
Some people like the white meat of the breast because it has a lower fat content and a milder flavor. And since you’re only cooking the breast, you don’t have to worry about it getting dry before the thighs cook through.
On the other hand, the darker meat of the legs and thighs is much juicier and more forgiving if you accidentally cook it too long. One medium turkey leg, thigh, or wing per person should be enough. Of course, sizes vary, so they might serve two people if they run large.
Enjoying Just the Breast
1. Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Really take the stress out by cooking a boneless turkey breast in an Instant Pot. Tender, juicy turkey has never been faster. Cook it with the carrots and potatoes for an easy side.
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
The perfect solution for the most tender, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone turkey breast you've ever served. And even better, creating this delicious main course for the holidays takes less than an hour. Super tasty and fast for a stress-free dinner.
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2. Roast Turkey Breast
If you want the traditional roasted turkey, here is the recipe for you. Prep it, season it with aromatic herbs, light the oven, and enjoy the wonderful turkey aromas wafting through the kitchen.
Roast Turkey Breast
Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with roasted turkey breast. Perfect for small gatherings or a hassle-free holiday without having to carve a whole turkey. The aroma of flawlessly baked goodness from a mouthwatering, perfectly seasoned, juicy centerpiece will draw everyone in.
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3. Turkey Tenderloin
Chicken tenders are popular because they’re the part of the breast that is the most tender and juicy. That carries over to turkeys, too. A package usually comes with two, so dinner for four is a cinch. Spice it up and bake it for a cozy Thanksgiving meal.
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
Juicy, tender, and flavorful treat perfect for a small holiday dinner or an easy weeknight dinner idea. Plus, the fabulous marinade will deliver a turkey tenderloin bursting with umami that will bring in the praise.
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4. Roast Turkey Crown
For those who love just the white meat, a turkey crown will give the breast and back. Weight can vary, but calculating one pound per person should help you find the right one. The same simple seasonings also work great here.
Roast Turkey Crown
Tender, juicy turkey breast bursts with flavor from herbed butter for an easy holiday dinner! Stress-free deliciousness and room in the fridge to spare! And no more dry turkey for Thanksgiving!
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5. Smothered Turkey Chops
Slow simmering in the mushroom gravy instead of making it for the side is a great way to keep the turkey breast juicy. The flavor penetrates to the very center.
Smothered Turkey Chops
Fork-tender turkey bathed in a rich, flavorful gravy is Southern comfort food at its best! Serve it over creamy mashed potatoes for the ideal weeknight meal. Plus, this luxurious Southern staple comes together in under an hour!
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6. Smoked Turkey Breast
Fire up the smoker for extra smoky goodness. I’d be tempted to smoke an extra breast for sandwiches next week. The slow-cooking from smoking delivers the juiciest breast meat possible.
Smoked Turkey Breast
Moist, flavorful, and perfectly tender Smoked Turkey Breast makes a simple and incredibly tasty meal, down to the bone! The best part about it is that it's super easy to make! This fantastic recipe will surely steal the show, whether it's for a summer cookout or a holiday feast.
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Preparing Other Turkey Cuts
7. Roasted Turkey Legs
One leg per person is a straightforward calculation. The darker meat is juicier and more forgiving in the oven. Choose your favorite seasoning mix and go for it.
Roast Turkey Legs
Give your next party an upgrade with these juicy, flavorful roasted turkey legs! Tender dark meat coated in savory herbs and spices with buttery and crispy skin is incredible. Satisfying and versatile, turkey legs are perfect for snacks, game nights, or small-scale holiday dinners.
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8. Smoked Turkey Legs
If you thought roasted turkey legs were juicy, you have to try smoked. Walt Disney World has been serving them since the 1980s. There’s something cavemanish about walking around knawing on a giant drumstick.
Smoked Turkey Legs
Tender, juicy, and mouthwatering for an easy fix when you don't want to smoke a whole turkey. Bite into smoky goodness that works for weekends, special occasions, and small family Thanksgiving dinners.
Check out this recipe
9. Stuffed Turkey Legs
Include one of the sides in your turkey main dish by stuffing them. I stuffed them with mac and cheese, but you can totally use mashed potatoes.
Stuffed Turkey Legs
What happens when succulent roast turkey meets creamy mac and cheese? Comfort food magic right in your oven! Previously smoked turkey legs are slow-cooked for fall-off-the-bone goodness, then stuffed with gooey mac and cheese. Are you looking for a new twist on a classic? Then these stuffed turkey legs totally fit the bill.
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10. Smothered Turkey Wings
Comfort food is turned into a holiday main course. If you want a non-traditional way to fix turkey, here you go. Just add mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, and homemade cornbread for an easy menu.
Smothered Turkey Wings
Slow-cooked to perfection and smothered in a rich, savory gravy, these succulent turkey wings are the ultimate. Each bite is a burst of flavor that will have you smacking your lips in delight. A comfort-food twist perfect for the holidays or any day.
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11. Baked Turkey Wings
Another wings recipe that takes the traditional holiday turkey to the other side of conventional. Figure on one wing per person, and concentrate on the sides for a spectacular dinner.
Baked Turkey Wings
Munch on these amazing jerk-spiced baked turkey wings with an incredible spicy honey soy garlic sauce. Perfectly baked to golden, crispy, and tender, they're economical and super easy. Ideal for date night and a hassle-free Thanksgiving turkey dish suitable for small families!
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12. Fried Turkey Wings
Hey, it’s the holidays. Forget healthy and go for mouthwateringly delicious with these fried wings. Enjoy twice-baked potatoes and a big black-eyed pea salad for a traditionally non-traditional holiday feast.
Fried Turkey Wings
Loaded with savory spices, juicy in the middle, and fried to crispy, golden-brown perfection on the outside, it’s amazing that fried turkey wings aren’t on more people’s radars. One bite in, and you’ll be hooked. You may like them better than fried chicken wings, which are hard to beat!
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13. Roasted Turkey Thighs
My favorite part of the turkey just became a holiday main course. Save time, money, and leftover stress with this recipe for ultra juicy turkey.
Perfectly Roasted Turkey Thighs
Turn your traditional holiday dinner into an unforgettable memory with deliciously juicy roasted turkey thighs. The tastiest part of the bird cooked to tender perfection. It conveniently holds a fair amount of fat while offering a lean high-protein portion! Flavor and tenderness all in one. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?
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14. Smoked Turkey Necks
Do you know anyone who is the first to grab the turkey neck? My friend’s mom always loved the chicken neck because it had the most flavor. Now, grabbing that turkey neck makes all the nibbling worth it.
Smoked Turkey Necks
Tender, flavor-packed, fall-off-the-bone turkey goes beautifully with all the Southern fixins for a non-traditionally traditional holiday meal. Turkey necks are totally underrated but great on their own. And they add loads of flavor to your favorite stews, soups, and veggies.
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How to Brine a Turkey
Add juiciness by brining the breast. While the legs and thighs are already juicy, you can get the flavor into the white breast meat easily with brining.
How to Brine a Turkey
It's time to learn how to properly brine a turkey for a moist and flavorful Thanksgiving turkey. Let the zingy, herby, and fresh flavors infuse your turkey to the bone while making it super juicy!
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Turkey Seasoning
There are just some herbs that pair well with poultry. Sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano are classics. And don’t just use it on turkey, because it also goes great with chicken and duck.
Turkey Seasoning
A mouthwatering mix of aromatic herbs and spices that transforms plain turkey into a flavor-packed feast! The perfect balance of earthy sage, fragrant rosemary, and smoky paprika will make your taste buds dance with every bite. This versatile spice mix also kicks up other recipes for a great flavor party.Makes about ½ cup
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Giblet Gravy
Don’t waste those giblets that come with a whole turkey. In fact, you can buy giblets separately in some stores. They make great gravy, and my family loves the giblets more than the rest.
Giblet Gravy
Gravy made entirely from scratch with pan drippings and giblets is a game-changer. Enhance Thanksgiving dinner with creamy, flavorful, and aromatic giblet gravy. It's super easy and makes mashed potatoes, roasted turkey, and holiday stuffing so much better.Makes about 3 cups
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Injector Marinade
Get that marinade all the way to the bone with a turkey injector. Save brining time with this easy recipe. So whatever cut you decide to serve on your Thanksgiving celebration, max it out on flavor.
Turkey Injector Marinade
Try this unconventional turkey seasoning method for the juiciest, tastiest turkey. Quick and easy, it makes a huge difference in the final results.Makes about 1½ cups
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