Turkey is a lean, flavorful protein that deserves a spot on your table all year long. Our curated list of recipes helps you stretch leftovers, save time, and create delicious meals—from cozy comfort food to quick, protein-packed lunches. With its versatility and rich nutrition, turkey pairs perfectly with bold spices, creamy sauces, and seasonal produce.
FarmHER Kitchen’s Recipes for Turkey Lovers showcases dozens of easy ways to enjoy this powerhouse protein.
Turkey by the Numbers
The U.S. is the top turkey producer globally, with Minnesota leading the states, home to more turkeys than people! While about 36% of American farmers are women, it’s estimated that 350–400 women are directly raising turkeys nationwide.
One of them is Erica Sawatzke, a sixth-generation turkey producer featured in FarmHER Season Six, who led her flock through avian flu with grit and grace.
Let’s talk turkey—any time of year!
Turkey vs. Chicken: What’s the Better Pick?
Chicken may be a go-to, but turkey deserves more space in your kitchen. Here’s why turkey can be the smarter, bolder choice:
- Leaner Protein: Skinless turkey breast has fewer calories and less fat than chicken—great for heart-healthy eating.
- Nutrient-Rich: Turkey is loaded with B vitamins, zinc, and selenium. Bonus: dark meat has more iron than chicken.
- Bigger Flavor: With its rich, robust taste—especially in thighs and legs—turkey pairs beautifully with bold seasonings.
- Meal Prep Hero: A whole turkey feeds a crowd and delivers versatile leftovers for soups, sandwiches, casseroles, and more.
- Great for Bold Cooking: Turkey handles smoking, roasting, and frying like a pro—staying juicy where chicken might dry out.
Let’s dive into our list of top-notch turkey recipes!
MOUTHWATERING TURKEY MAIN DISHES
Serve up bold flavor with these mouthwatering turkey main dishes that go far beyond the basics. From crispy deep-fried turkeys to juicy roasted cuts, these recipes celebrate turkey as the star of the table. They’re perfect for holidays, weeknight dinners, or anytime you crave hearty, protein-packed comfort.
Here are six different recipes to utilize the whole bird, and five more that lean on classic cuts like turkey tenderloin, breasts, and legs:
WHOLE TURKEY MAIN DISH RECIPES
Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Recipe by Our Zesty Life
No one will be able to resist the wonderful, mouth-watering aroma of this Spatchcock Smoked Turkey. It comes out so incredibly tender with juicy meat and deliciously crisp skin! Making a spatchcock turkey in the Traeger, Big Green Egg, or Masterbuilt smoker is one of the easiest, quickest, and most delicious ways to get a holiday bird on the table. Using the smoker keeps the oven free to make an abundance of delicious side dishes for hungry holiday guests!
Spiced Honey Glazed Turkey
Recipe by Savory Spin
Looking to jazz up a roast turkey? This slightly spicy, sweet, flavor-packed recipe for Spicy Honey Glazed Turkey is for you. Smoked paprika, coriander, cumin, chili, and curry powder balance off sweet honey in this intoxicatingly delicious glaze for your turkey.
No-Brine Persian Roasted Turkey
Recipe by Unicorns in the Kitchen
Bring a new twist to your table by making this delicious No-Brine, Persian-Style Roasted Turkey recipe. It’s juicy, tasty, and filled with aromatic spices that will take your dinner to a new world! This spiced turkey is a showstopper.
Grilled Spatchcock Turkey
Recipe by Camp. Grill. Eat.
If you’ve never tried grilling a spatchcock turkey before, now is the time. It cooks up much more quickly than a traditional roast turkey, and cooks more evenly, making it less prone to drying out. A simple apple cider brine and a stint on the grill over indirect heat ensures your Grilled Spatchcock Turkey is juicy and tender, with shatteringly crisp skin. It’s guaranteed to be the star of your meal (and your leftover turkey sandwiches!)
Herb Butter Turkey
Recipe by Marathons and Motivation
This Herb Butter Turkey recipe will blow your mind. It has succulent meat and delicious flavors that won’t take all day to make. This is the turkey recipe you have been waiting for! The herbs give it an earthy flavor, and creating a compound butter helps make this turkey recipe feel extra special.
Cajun-Style Deep-Fried Turkey
Recipe by The Blackberry Babe
This Cajun Deep-Fried Turkey recipe, with a spicy dry rub and super-easy injection liquid, creates a bird with irresistibly crispy skin and so much flavor. Deep-frying a whole turkey is fast and flavorful, and it delivers unbelievably crispy skin in under an hour! This quick-cook method locks in juiciness while giving you golden, crunchy perfection every time.
TURKEY TENDERLOIN, BREAST + LEG MAIN DISH RECIPES
Sweet Tea Brined Turkey Breast
Recipe by Laughing Rooster Eats
Kansas FarmHER + Chef Chuckie Hessong developed this Sweet Tea-Brined Turkey Breast recipe inspired by a trip to Nashville. The recipe uses a sweet tea brine for juicy, tender meat with a hint of sweetness that will redefine your expectations of what turkey meat can taste like.
Turkey Tenderloin Crock Pot Recipe
Recipe by The Feathered Nester
This easy Turkey Tenderloin Crock Pot Recipe is an ideal alternative for a small Thanksgiving gathering or family dinner any time of year. Enjoy the classic big flavors you love, but with the convenience of cooking the smallest, juiciest, and tender part! Simply add turkey tenderloins into the slow cooker with an aromatic marinade, and in just a few hours, you’ll be ready to serve a centerpiece-worthy dish for any occasion.
German-Style Turkey Schnitzel
Recipe by My Dinner U.K.
This easy Turkey Schnitzel is the lean brother of the German pork schnitzel. It is much easier to make from scratch than you think! Turkey Schnitzel is a tenderised cut of meat typically from the turkey breast. In English, schnitzel always refers to meat cuts with breadcrumbs, whereas in German, it includes any meat flattened with a steak hammer or meat tenderizer (Fleischklopfer). Tenderizing the meat in this way helps soften the muscle and makes it easier to chew and digest. In German, turkey schnitzel is called “Putenschnitzel.” “Pute” means “Turkey” in German.
Juicy Sliced Turkey Breast
Recipe by Laughing Rooster Eats
Utilizing a simple method crafted by the one and only Julia Child, this Juicy Sliced Turkey Breast recipe yields turkey breast as good as advertised: juicy meat, full of flavor, and ready when you are!
Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Recipe by The Fresh Cooky
Golden brown on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, these easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs are perfectly rubbed with a smoky seasoned butter and air fried in no time! Yielding tender, juicy and crispy skinned turkey legs.
TASTY TURKEY LUNCH RECIPES
Upgrade your midday meal with these tasty turkey lunch recipes that are anything but boring. From savory sandwiches to easy, protein-packed dishes, you’ll love this list of recipes, perfect for meal prepping or whipping up quick and healthy weekday lunches.
Turn up the flavor with these six tasty turkey lunch recipes:
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry
Recipe by Mommy Evolution
Turkey Sliders with Cranberry use all of your great holiday leftovers, creating a delicious homemade meal that’s as easy to make as it is to share. Some folks even prefer these sliders to a traditional turkey dinner!
Ground Turkey Taco Bowls
Recipe by A Grateful Meal
This Ground Turkey Taco Bowl recipe is a super easy lunch or dinner, and an excellent choice for meal prep. This tasty recipe uses ground turkey, which is flavored with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce giving it a delicious smoked flavor that the whole family will love. You can also swap the ground turkey for leftover turkey meat from Thanksgiving dinner.
Turkey Ciabatta Sandwiches with Pesto
Recipe by Camp. Grill. Eat.
This Turkey Ciabatta Sandwich with Pesto has all of the classic caprese flavors, conveniently packaged into a delicious handheld meal. For this easy sandwich, roasted turkey, fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and garlicky pesto are loaded onto ciabatta rolls, then toasted in your cast iron skillet until golden.
Toasted Turkey Bagel Sandwich
Recipe by Emily Leary
This is a super simple recipe for Toasted Turkey Bagel Sandwiches is a delicious way to help reduce food waste and make the most of your leftovers. Reheating the turkey in chicken stock is a great way to make sure the turkey is beautiful and succulent in your bagel. If you have a grill or sandwich press, that would be ideal for toasting your bagels. You can achieve great results simply by heating them in the oven or using a griddle pan.
Egg Roll in a Bowl with Ground Turkey
Recipe by Coconuts and Kettlebells
This Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe is made with ground turkey, coleslaw, and all the flavors of an egg roll without the wrapper! It’s incredibly delicious, easy to make, and cooks up in one pan in only 15 minutes!
Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels
Recipe by FarmHER Deanne Frieders of This Farm Girl Cooks
FarmHER Deanne Freiders‘ recipe for Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels is easy to make and a perfect appetizer or festive, handheld lunch idea. Cranberry sauce brings tart sweetness to each bite, paired with decadent cream cheese. Roll the whole thing up in tortillas and you have the perfect holiday favorite!
QUICK + EASY TURKEY DINNERS
Get dinner on the table fast with these quick and easy turkey recipes! From one-pan bakes and skillet meals to simple stir-fries and super-quick stews, these flavorful dishes make the most of lean, protein-rich turkey without sacrificing taste. Perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly meals.
Dig into these seven, super-simple turkey dinner recipes:
Mediterranean Baked Turkey Meatballs
Recipe by A Cedar Spoon
Mediterranean Baked Turkey Meatballs are turkey meatballs mixed with the warm, rich spices of cumin, cinnamon, allspice, and cayenne pepper. These lean meatballs are baked to create a healthy meal option. Pair these with fresh Mediterranean ingredients to create a rice bowl for dinner!
Cheesy Ground Turkey Pasta
Recipe by The Forked Spoon
This Cheesy Ground Turkey Pasta Recipe is super-easy, super-cheesy, and super-flavorful! Made with lean ground turkey and pasta smothered in a creamy tomato sauce, this easy weeknight dinner recipe is guaranteed to have the whole family begging for seconds!
Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes
Recipe by The Cooking Duo
Upgrade your sloppy Joe game with this easy recipe for Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes! This healthy twist on the classic sandwich brings rich flavor and is high in protein and lower in fat. Plus, it’s easy to whip up, making it an easy and delicious family-friendly dinner to complement your favorite side dishes!
Tater Tot Turkey Casserole
Recipe by The Feathered Nester
Looking for an easy one-pan meal the whole family will love? Try this turkey casserole! This delicious dish is the perfect comfort food for families on the go. And it’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. This family favorite Tater Tot Turkey Casserole is loaded with protein, potatoes, and veggies, all baked in one dish or skillet for an easy weeknight casserole.
Caprese Turkey Burgers with Basil Vinaigrette
Recipe by Heavenly Spiced
These Caprese Turkey Burgers with Basil Vinaigrette are simple to prepare, come together quickly, and are SO flavorful. It’s a twist on the classic caprese trio (basil, tomato, and mozzarella cheese), and I’m quite confident this recipe will become a part of your regular rotation! The grated (or blended) onion is the secret to keeping the turkey burgers from drying out, and it adds so much flavor throughout the entire burger!
One-Pan Turkey Breast with Veggies
Recipe by Like Hot Keto
Make a moist and juicy turkey breast roasted with garlic and butter on a bed of flavorful and colorful low-carb veggies, as an easy one-pan, high-protein dinner! This One-Pan Turkey Breast with Veggies is the perfect dish to make on special occasions so that you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time in the kitchen. Just cook the turkey main and the veggie side dish at the same time!
Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Recipe by A Cedar Spoon
Instant Pot Turkey Chili is a protein packed healthy chili recipe. This cooks quickly in the pressure cooker and is great for game day and family meals. It also freezes nicely for later. Garnish with your favorite chili toppings!
FRESH LEFTOVERS: TURKEY RECIPES
Give your leftovers new life with these fresh and flavorful turkey recipes perfect for post-holiday cooking or anytime you have extra turkey on hand! From homemade stock to zesty sandwiches and creative casseroles, these easy ideas transform extra turkey into satisfying meals the whole family will love and help you show respect to the animal by utilizing all the parts of the bird.
Here are five amazing ways to create fresh, new meals from leftover turkey:
How To Make Turkey Stock
Recipe by The Forked Spoon
One of the best parts about cooking a whole bird is knowing you’ll have a leftover carcass to make homemade stock. Turkeys are amazingly generous. They provide us with a delicious day-of meal, extra meat to enjoy in all our favorite leftovers, and an entire picked-apart carcass to make flavorful homemade stock. Learn How to Make Turkey Stock using the leftover bones, carcass, neck, and giblets to use in nourishing soups and stews or freeze it for later.
Turkey Salad Sandwiches
Recipe by Spend with Pennies
Move over, chicken salad! This recipe for homemade Turkey Salad Recipe is a must-save to use the next time you have leftover turkey meat! All you need is juicy, pre-cooked turkey, crunchy celery, tart dried cranberries, and nutty pecans mixed with a creamy Dijon dressing, and you’re ready to enjoy!
Shredded Turkey Tacos
Recipe by The Fresh Cooky
Looking for a fresh way to use leftover turkey? These Shredded Turkey Tacos are the answer! The secret is a quick, flavorful marinade with citrus juices and classic taco spices that transform your leftovers into something extraordinary. These tacos are so good that your family won’t even realize they’re eating leftovers. Quick, zesty, and delicious—perfect for an easy post-holiday meal!
Turkey Stroganoff
Recipe by Recipes from a Pantry
Turkey Stroganoff is the perfect way to use up leftover turkey! It’s a satisfying, easy-to-make dish that’s chock-full of flavor. The combination of butter, mushrooms, white wine, and Dijon mustard creates a complex and rich flavor profile that elevates the dish. No matter if you’re serving loved ones from your household or a house full of guests, this recipe is for you.
Turkey Pot Pie
Recipe by Recipes from Leftovers
Using up leftover turkey is as easy as…Turkey Pot Pie! This comforting dish combines flaky crust, tender turkey, and a creamy filling—perfect for a cozy family meal. With a short prep time and basic ingredients, this recipe lets you make the most of your leftover Thanksgiving turkey in a flavorful, satisfying way.
Long story short? When it comes to cooking with turkey, there’s nothing to fear!
Here in the FarmHER Kitchen, we are total TURKEY LOVERS! We can’t get enough of this lean, protein-packed poultry.
Have a special farm family recipe to share? Submit a Recipe to the FarmHER Kitchen for a chance to be featured!
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