Thanksgiving Turkey and Ham Recipes

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My ultimate collection of Baked Ham and Roast Turkey recipes for Thanksgiving! Includes ideas for leftovers and dinner for a small group.

Sometimes you want an easy classic recipe to make for Thanksgiving, other times you’re ready for a bit of a change. I’ve got a collection for both that includes classic ham and turkey recipes as well as delicious new ways to make your holiday main dish! From copycat HoneyBaked Ham to tasty Deep-Fried Turkey, to using slow cookers and electric roasters, there’s something for everyone. I’ve included recipes to use up your holiday leftovers at the end and ideas to make Thanksgiving for a small group!

Turkey Recipes for Thanksgiving

From my classic Roast Turkey (great for beginners!) to using an electric roaster to using the fancy spatchcock method, no matter how you want to make it, I’ve got the perfect Thanksgiving Turkey recipe for you. I’ve also got my tried and true brine recipe and make-ahead turkey gravy recipes at the end.

Turkey in roasting pan after cooking
Roast Turkey
Make Perfect Roast Turkey this holiday season with our handy guide. Classic keeper-recipe for juicy roast turkey with buttery crisp skin!
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Turkey with slice removed in roasting pan with breast sliced open
Roast Turkey from Frozen
Roast Turkey From Frozen is perfect if you forgot to thaw your turkey! It takes more time, but you can still get crispy and tender turkey.
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cooked turkey in electric roaster
Roast Turkey (in Electric Roaster)
Roasting Turkey in an electric roaster is the best way to make Thanksgiving turkey! Fool-proof results, no basting and saves on oven space!
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sliced, and flattened turkey on a baking sheet
Spatchcock Turkey Recipe
Spatchcock Turkey is flattened for even cooking. Seasoned with herbs and spices, cooked until golden and juicy, and ready in just 90 minutes!
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Deep Fried Turkey
Deep-Fried Turkey
This Thanksgiving it's time to finally try deep frying your turkey. It's fast, easy and this recipe has tips to safely make the best Deep Fried Turkey ever!
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Dry Brined Turkey sliced on roasting dish
Dry-Brined Turkey
Dry-Brined Turkey makes a juicy bird with incredibly crispy, golden skin. It’s a less messy brining process and you don’t have to leave the turkey in water.
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Roasted Turkey (No Baste Method)
No-Baste Turkey Recipe
No-Baste Turkey is the easiest turkey recipe you'll make, and it's guaranteed to make a crispy-skinned and moist interior holiday main course!
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Turkey on serving platter being carved showing interior 4x3
Butter Blanketed Turkey Recipe
Butter Blanketed Turkey is roasted with fresh herbs and topped with a buttered basting blanket for perfectly golden brown, juicy turkey.
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Roasted Turkey in a large baking pan
Cajun Roasted Turkey Recipe
This recipe is the perfect twist on a turkey, adding a burst of flavor and a touch of heat that sets it apart from the traditional roast!
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Turkey Brine
Turkey Brine
Turkey Brine made with savory herbs, sea salt and broth only takes a few minutes to make and is the PERFECT way to prep your turkey before roasting on Thanksgiving this year!
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Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy in pot
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy is perfect to serve with classic holiday dinners. Smooth, and flavorful gravy made with veggies, turkey drippings, and black pepper.
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wings on a platter wish garnishes
Baked Turkey Wings Recipe
Easy Turkey Wings recipe for tasty juicy oven baked main dish with crispy skin, tender meat and lots of flavor. A great weeknight meal!
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Whole cooked holiday bird on a baking pan
Slow Roasted Overnight Turkey Recipe
Slow Roasted Overnight Turkey cooks low and slow while you sleep, giving you juicy, tender meat and crispy skin with no effort.
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Mouth-Watering Ham Recipes

If you are a baked holiday ham family, look no further for delicious recipe ideas! From the classic honey baked ham to a Bourbon Glazed Ham to a sweet peach ham glaze, there is a recipe you are sure to love. And if you just need a ham glaze recipe, I’ve got my go-to easy glaze included on this list too.

Baked spiral ham cooked on serving platter with garnishes
Brown Sugar Peach Baked Ham (w/ Bourbon Option)
Brown Sugar Peach Baked Ham with a Bourbon option is sweet and tender making the most flavorful main dish for your holiday or family dinner.
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Whole ham on wooden serving platter
HoneyBaked Ham (Copycat) Recipe
HoneyBaked Ham (Copycat) is the perfect crispy, sweet, smoky, and delicious center piece without the price tag! Perfect for the holidays!
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ladling glaze over spiral ham in pan
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze Recipe
Baked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze with orange juice, honey, and spices is the perfect sweet and savory flavor combo. A classic holiday recipe!
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Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham
Bourbon Glazed Ham Recipe
Bourbon Glazed Ham is an easy, flavorful ham recipe with a simple glaze of bourbon, brown sugar, and orange juice. Ready in just a few hours.
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cooked ham in black crockpot with fork and pineapple
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham is a total breeze with just three ingredients and no oven space to lose!
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Close up of ham with sprouts and potatoes
Campfire Sugar Ham with Dijon Roasted Potatoes Recipe
Campfire Sugar Ham with Dijon Roasted Potatoes is a festive, comforting main dish that blends sweet warmth with hearty, golden sides.
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ladling glaze over spiral ham in pan
Brown Sugar Ham Glaze Recipe
Brown Sugar Ham Glaze made with orange juice, honey, and spices is the PERFECT addition to a holiday ham and only takes 15 minutes to make!
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Ham on dinner plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Apple Cider Glazed Ham Recipe
Apple Cider Glazed Ham is a holiday showstopper, slow-baked until tender and juicy, finished with a glaze that balances cozy, and tangy.
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Thanksgiving for a Small Group

If you are having a smaller, more intimate gathering, here are some main dish ideas to scale back your menu while still getting those delicious holiday flavors. I also have ways to make Thanksgiving Dinner for Two!

finished ham in baking dish
Brown Sugar Ham Steak
Brown Sugar Ham Steak is a rich, sweet, oven-baked recipe so easy you don't have to wait for the holidays! Perfect for breakfast or dinner!
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Meatloaf slices in bowl with mashed potatoes and root vegetables
Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf Recipe
Thanksgiving Turkey Meatloaf is packed with holiday flavor! Extra moist turkey dinner with stuffing, sage and cranberries, ready in an hour!
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Maple Brined Pork Loin plated slice over mashed potatoes with gravy, ratio 1x1
Maple Brined Pork Loin Recipe
Maple Brined Pork Loin is an easy, flavorful roast that turns wonderfully tender and finishes with a bright, glossy touch!
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Spinach Bacon Stuffed Pork Tenderloin closeup showing interior 1x1
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Spinach Bacon Stuffed Pork Tenderloin is an easy yet show-stopping pork dish perfect for special occasions and ready in under 40 minutes!
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close-up of thigh meat
Easy Roasted Turkey Thighs Recipe
Easy Roasted Turkey Thighs are tender, juicy, and perfectly crispy! An effortless alternative to a whole turkey. Great for just a few guests!
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sliced cooked turkey plated with carrots and mini hasselback potatoes
Air Fryer Herb Butter Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Herb Butter Turkey Breast has perfectly cooked juicy meat full of rich flavor from the fresh herb and butter rub. Ready in 1 hour!
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Sliced turkey on a plate with mashed potatoes
Roasted Turkey Breast Recipe
Roasted Turkey Breast made with butter, herbs, salt, and pepper has tender juicy meat, CRISPY skin, and roasts in only 90 minutes!
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Aerial view of ham on a plate
Ham Steak Recipe
Ham Steak, pan seared in less than 10 minutes, is our new favorite EASY recipe on busy weeknights OR for tasty holiday brunch! Make it today!
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top-down view of Sheet Pan WIth Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes Stuffing and turkey
Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe
Celebrate Thanksgiving with minimal effort using a Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner. Delicious turkey and sides ready in one hour! Try Today!
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Cooked thanksgiving meal in crockpot
Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe
This complete Thanksgiving meal for two is prepared in the slow cooker, letting you enjoy Thanksgiving all year long. Plus an easy clean up!
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Turkey sliced
Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe
Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast takes all the effort and guesswork out of preparing a healthy turkey breast. Perfect for sandwiches.
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turkey thighs with veggies
Slow Cooker Turkey with Gravy, Candied Sweet Potatoes, & Green Peas Recipe
Slow Cooker Turkey with Gravy, Candied Sweet Potatoes, & Green Peas brings the flavors of Thanksgiving together in one easy, comforting meal!
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Recipes for Thanksgiving Leftovers

Turn your Turkey Day leftovers into delicious, easy meals!

Turkey Pie slice on plate 4x3
Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
Turkey Pot Pie is the ultimate comfort food for using up leftovers. Creamy, hearty, and baked to golden perfection in a flaky pie crust!
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finished soup in white bowl taking up entire frame
Turkey Carcass Soup Recipe
Turkey Carcass Soup is the perfect way to use up leftover holiday turkey to make flavorful, comforting turkey and rice soup for dinner.
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Plated casserole portion and view of casserole in dish.
Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
Leftover Turkey Casserole is fast, easy, and ready in under 45 minutes! The perfect dish to use up all of your leftovers from the big day!
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Thanksgiving leftovers made into a sandwich
Turkey Moist Maker Sandwich Recipe
Ross Geller's iconic Turkey Moist Maker Sandwich is the ultimate masterpiece made from leftovers! Stacked high with that famous middle layer.
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Turkey and veggies with sauce in skillet with spoon 1x1
Turkey A la King Recipe
Turkey A la King is an easy weeknight dinner perfect for leftover turkey made with mushrooms, carrots, and peas in a creamy white sauce.
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pasta with peas and turkey Served on plate with fork
Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Turkey Tetrazzini has tender turkey chunks, in pasta, smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce. A perfect way to use up leftover turkey.
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Turkey Divan scoop in baking dish showing detail
Turkey Divan
Turkey Divan is a classic creamy dish with tender turkey, broccoli, melty cheese, and a cracker topping. Perfect to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
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sandwich displayed on plate cut in half
Ultimate Turkey Sandwich Recipe
This Ultimate Turkey Sandwich recipe upgrades a classic sandwich to make the best ever deli style sandwich. Perfect for lunch, try it today!
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bowl of soup with spoon and bread
Turkey Dumpling Soup Recipe
Turkey Dumpling Soup is a hearty, comforting meal that’s perfect for using up leftover turkey, with fluffy dumplings and rich, cozy flavor.
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sandwich with apples and meat on a white plate with chips on the side
Turkey Havarti Apple Sandwiches Recipe
Turkey Havarti Apple Sandwiches are a flavorful recipe perfect for packed lunches or summer time picnics! So good everyone will love them!
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Finished green salad with turkey and cranberries
Cranberry Harvest Turkey Salad Recipe
Cranberry Harvest Turkey Salad is a vibrant salad that's sweet, tangy, and perfect for a festive meal or made from holiday leftovers!
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pasta in a yellow skillet topped with swiss cheese
Creamy Turkey and Swiss Pasta Recipe
Creamy Turkey and Swiss Pasta made with ground turkey, hidden vegetables in a creamy Swiss sauce with Penne pasta ready in just 30 minutes!
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Thanksgiving Turkey and Ham Recipes pin collage of 8 photos of recipes in post.

About the Author: Sabrina Snyder

Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.

Sabrina Snyder is a professionally trained personal and private chef of over 10 years who is the creator and developer of all the recipes on Dinner, then Dessert.

She is also the author of the cookbook Dinner, then Dessert – Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5 or 7 Ingredients, published by Harper Collins.

She started Dinner, then Dessert as a business in her office as a lunch service for her coworkers who admired her lunches before going to culinary school and becoming a full time personal chef and private chef.

As a personal chef Sabrina would cook for families one day a week and cook their entire week of dinners. All grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning was done along with instructions on reheating. As a private chef she cooked for private parties and cooked in family homes in the evenings for families on a nightly basis after working as a personal chef during the day.

Sabrina has been certified as a ServSafe Manager since 2007 and was a longstanding member of the USPCA Personal Chef Association including being on the board of the Washington DC Chapter of Chefs in the US Personal Chef Association when they won Chapter of the year.

As a member of the community of food website creators Sabrina Snyder has spoken at many conferences regarding her experiences as a food writer including the Indulge Food Conference, Everything Food Conference, Haven Food Conference and IACP Annual Food Professionals Conference.

Sabrina lives with her family in sunny California.

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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