7 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe Alternatives You Should Try

A classic roasted turkey is a safe dish, but it can also feel a little tired.

Liven up your feast by flavoring your bird in an unexpected way by trying a nontraditional Thanksgiving turkey recipe.

Here are seven recipes that will take your meal from ho-hum to yum.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #1: Wine smoked

Who says you can’t fire up the grill in November?

Soak some wine-infused wood chips or shavings in water for at least 20 minutes.

Then mix in olive oil, sage, parsley, majoram and pepper, like My Recipes suggests. Prep your turkey and add one cup of your chips to the grill’s metal smoking box.

The entire recipe should take around four hours.

Don’t forget the glass of vino to wash down the delicious meal.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #2: Coconut milk and pomegranate marinated

Call on flavors from a place where the sun is shining and trees are green all-year long.

This island-inspired marinade calls for 2 cups of coconut milk, 2 cups of buttermilk and 1 cup of pomegranate juice.

Food Republic recommends brining the turkey in a saltwater mixture the day before.

Then pour in the flavorful marinade the day of to seal in the moisture.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #3: Chili rubbed

For those of you who enjoy a little heat, this turkey-prep is the way to go.

Epicurious first suggests making your own chili paste, which allows you to control the intensity.

Next, the key is in the brine: Combine beer, brown sugar, 1 bunch oregano, 1 cup salt, 3 cups chili paste and 8 cups water in a very large stock pot.

Add the turkey, cover and chill for 12 to 14 hours.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #4: Cajun deep fried

Why not put your fryer to use?

Real Cajun Recipes says adding in some Cajun spices to Italian dressing is an easy way to ramp up the taste factor.

After injecting your seasoning, dip the turkey in the hot oil (if you don’t have a fryer, use a large pot).

Cook the turkey for 3 minutes per pound, plus 5 minutes per bird.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #5: Orange roasted

A can of concentrated orange juice infuses citrusy good taste to your turkey.

Grandmother’s Kitchen blends OJ with some brown sugar.

This mixture is used in the turkey’s basting pan for a sweet-and-savory sauce.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #6: Southwest flavored

Take your turkey to the southwest by stuffing it with jalapenos, corn and mole sauce.

Food Network suggests using Dijon mustard to create a flavorful crust.

 

Turkey recipe alternative #7: Dry brined

Food 52 deems this cooking technique the simplest possible way to serve up a succulent turkey.

Sprinkle a few tablespoons of kosher salt on your turkey; you can begin the brining process on a frozen bird as it defrosts in the fridge.

Unlike wet brining, this method will always produce a crispy skin, because the bird soaks up the salt to add moisture to the meat.