13 Christmas Turkey Dinner Recipes

Christmas is just around the corner, and for many of us, it’s a time to come together with family and friends, enjoy great food, and create lasting memories. A traditional Christmas feast isn’t complete without a mouth-watering, slow-cooked Christmas turkey at the center. To help you make this year’s Christmas dinner truly unforgettable, we’ve put together 13 delicious Christmas turkey recipes that are sure to delight both kids and adults. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, these recipes are easy to follow and will help you create a truly magical Christmas feast.

From classic herb-roasted whole turkeys to creative twists like maple bacon-wrapped turkey, we’ve got it all covered. Our recipes use a variety of ingredients and cooking methods to ensure that each dish is bursting with flavor. Whether you prefer the simplicity of roasted vegetables or the excitement of deep-fried turkey, there’s something for everyone in this collection of 13 Christmas turkey dinner recipes.

Herb Roasted Whole Turkey

Herb Roasted Whole Turkey is a classic and aromatic Christmas dinner recipe that never fails to impress. This recipe involves rubbing a whole turkey with a mixture of herbs, olive oil, and spices, then roasting it to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy turkey with a deliciously fragrant aroma that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Equipment

– Large roasting pan
– Meat thermometer
– 12-inch piece of kitchen twine

Ingredients

– 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Servings

This recipe serves 8-10 people

Garlic Butter Turkey Breast

Garlic Butter Turkey Breast is a simple yet flavorful recipe that’s perfect for a quick and easy Christmas dinner. This recipe involves rubbing turkey breast with a mixture of garlic butter and chopped herbs, then baking it to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy turkey breast with a rich, savory flavor.

Equipment

– Large baking dish
– Meat thermometer

Ingredients

– 1 (1.5-2 pound) boneless, skinless turkey breast
– 2 tablespoons butter, softened
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste

Servings

This recipe serves 4-6 people

Cajun Deep-Fried Turkey

Cajun Deep-Fried Turkey is a spicy and mouth-watering recipe that’s perfect for a unique and exciting Christmas dinner. This recipe involves marinating a whole turkey in a mixture of spices and herbs, then deep-frying it to perfection. The result is a crispy, golden turkey with a flavorful and aromatic taste.

Equipment

– Large pot or deep fryer
– Thermometer
– Heavy-duty paper towels

Ingredients

– 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1/2 cup hot sauce
– 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
– 2 tablespoons garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon paprika

Servings

This recipe serves 8-10 people

Honey Glazed Turkey with Herbs

Honey Glazed Turkey with Herbs is a sweet and savory recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and impressive Christmas dinner. This recipe involves brushing a whole turkey with a mixture of honey, olive oil, and herbs, then roasting it to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy turkey with a sweet and tangy glaze.

Equipment

– Large roasting pan
– Meat thermometer

Ingredients

– 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
– 1/4 cup honey
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
– 2 cloves garlic, minced

Servings

This recipe serves 8-10 people

Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing

Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing is a classic and flavorful recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and impressive Christmas dinner. This recipe involves stuffing a whole turkey with a mixture of cranberries, bread, and herbs, then roasting it to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy turkey with a sweet and tangy stuffing.

Equipment

– Large roasting pan
– Meat thermometer

Ingredients

– 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
– 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
– 2 cups cubed bread
– 2 tablespoons butter, softened
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
– 2 cloves garlic, minced

Servings

This recipe serves 8-10 people

Maple Bacon Wrapped Turkey

Maple Bacon Wrapped Turkey is a sweet and savory recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and impressive Christmas dinner. This recipe involves wrapping a whole turkey with maple-glazed bacon, then baking it to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy turkey with a sweet and smoky flavor.

Equipment

– Large baking sheet
– Meat thermometer

Ingredients

– 1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 6 slices of bacon
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced

Servings

This recipe serves 8-10 people

Apple Sausage Stuffing

Apple Sausage Stuffing is a delicious and savory recipe that’s perfect for a unique and exciting Christmas dinner. This recipe involves mixing sausage, apples, and herbs with cubed bread, then baking it to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy bread with a deliciously flavorful filling.

Equipment

– Large baking dish
– Meat thermometer

Ingredients

– 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
– 1 large onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 large apple, diced
– 2 cups cubed bread
– 2 tablespoons butter, softened
– 1 teaspoon dried sage
– Salt and pepper to taste

Servings

This recipe serves 6-8 people

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes are a rich and creamy recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and comforting Christmas side dish. This recipe involves boiling potatoes until tender, then mashing them with butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The result is a smooth, creamy potato dish with a savory and aromatic flavor.

Equipment

– Large pot
– Potato masher
– Grater

Ingredients

– 3-4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
– 1/4 cup butter, softened
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– Salt and pepper to taste

Servings

This recipe serves 6-8 people

Turkey Gravy from Drippings

Turkey Gravy from Drippings is a savory and aromatic recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and comforting Christmas side dish. This recipe involves cooking turkey drippings in a skillet until reduced, then whisking in flour and milk to create a smooth, creamy gravy. The result is a rich and flavorful gravy that pairs perfectly with roasted meats.

Equipment

– Large skillet
– Whisk

Ingredients

– 2 tablespoons turkey drippings
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1 cup milk
– 2 tablespoons butter
– Salt and pepper to taste

Servings

This recipe serves 6-8 people

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest

Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest is a tangy and refreshing recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and flavorful Christmas side dish. This recipe involves cooking cranberries and orange zest in a saucepan until the cranberries have popped, then whisking in sugar and water to create a smooth, tangy sauce. The result is a sweet and tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with roasted meats.

Equipment

– Medium saucepan
– Whisk

Ingredients

– 12 oz (340g) fresh or frozen cranberries
– 1 orange, peeled and grated
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup water
– Salt to taste

Servings

This recipe serves 6-8 people

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips are a delicious and savory recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and comforting Christmas side dish. This recipe involves tossing carrots and parsnips in a mixture of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roasting them to perfection in the oven. The result is a tender, juicy vegetable with a sweet and earthy flavor.

Equipment

– Large baking sheet
– Meat thermometer

Ingredients

– 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
– 2 large parsnips, peeled and chopped
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 cloves garlic, minced

Servings

This recipe serves 6-8 people

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Classic Pumpkin Pie is a rich and creamy recipe that’s perfect for a delicious and comforting Christmas dessert. This recipe involves mixing pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, and spices, then baking it in a pie crust until set. The result is a smooth, creamy pie with a sweet and aromatic flavor.

Equipment

– Large mixing bowl
– Electric mixer
– Pie crust
– Pie dish

Ingredients

– 1 cup pumpkin puree
– 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
– 2 large eggs
– 1 pie crust

Servings

This recipe serves 8-10 people

Turkey Pot Pie (with leftovers)

Turkey Pot Pie is a delicious and comforting recipe that’s perfect for using up leftover turkey and vegetables. This recipe involves mixing diced turkey and vegetables in a mixture of flour, butter, and milk, then topping it with a pie crust and baking until golden brown. The result is a hearty, comforting pie filled with tender turkey and vegetables.

Equipment

– Large mixing bowl
– Electric mixer
– Pie crust
– Pie dish

Ingredients

– 1 cup diced leftover turkey
– 1 cup mixed vegetables (e.g. carrots, peas, onions)
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 cup milk
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Pie crust

Servings

This recipe serves 4-6 people