Sure, you can just roast your turkey in the oven. But where’s the fun in that?
If you want to take your Thanksgiving turkey up a notch, we’ve got some creative cooking tips that will make this year’s meal extra memorable. Who knows, it may just turn into a new annual tradition.
Whether you spend the holiday with family, close friends, or serving the community, your guests will surely be thankful for these alternatives to typical turkeys.
First things first: order your turkey now from the Prime House Direct while supplies last to get the best price and avoid the grocery store frenzy.
Deep Fried Turkey
Deep fryers make everything easier on Thanksgiving day — except that you’ll have to stop people from stealing bites of the crispy skin before dinner is served. Take your turkey prep outside to the deap fryer for faster cooking, less mess, and one of the tastiest turkeys you’ve ever eaten.
Deep-fried turkeys get a bad rap for causing grease fires, but the key to preventing them is taking every precaution. The most important thing to keep in mind: it’s crucial to completely thaw your turkey. Any leftover moisture in frozen turkey will react with the hot oil, which can quickly cause a fire.
To prevent a fire (which really puts a damper on celebrations), make sure to review these safety guidelines and strictly adhere to them. And keep your fire extinguisher handy!
Smoked Turkey
Smoking a turkey low and slow leaves you with a juicy, flavorful turkey that nearly falls off the bone — a far cry from the dried-out turkeys that you might be used to. You won’t need to douse this turkey in gravy to make it edible (but how could you pass up on gravy?).
And, of course, this is a prime opportunity to pull out your smoker and show it off to your guests. Make sure everyone comes outside to see your pride and joy before they’re allowed to make a plate.
Learn to smoke your Thanksgiving turkey.
Cajun-Style Turkey
If you don’t have a deep frying pot or a smoker, you can still get creative with the brine and seasonings for a roasted turkey with some extra kick. No need to pick yours up from Popeye’s, you can make your own at home!
Cajun cooking is best known for its bold flavors and heat, and Cajun turkey is no exception. Using classic Cajun spices and lots of butter will make your turkey a hit.
Try out this recipe from one of our favorite seasonings, Toni's.
If your family can’t handle much spice, swap out the cayenne pepper for a milder, herb-forward approach based on Creole cooking. It’ll taste just as rich and crispy, without the heat.
Turkey on a Beer Can
Hear us out on this one.
Rather than grilling your turkey on a stand, using a beer can as your stand makes for a juicier, flavor-rich turkey that will surprise and thrill your guests.
All you need is indirect heat from a grill, a half-full beer (treat yourself to the other half), and your favorite brine. The heat from the grill warms the can, ensuring an even cook throughout the bird, while the liquid from the beer keeps your turkey moist.
Don’t believe us? Check out how the folks from the National Turkey Federation do it and try it for yourself.
No matter how you cook your turkey, the best part of Thanksgiving is sharing a meal with your nearest and dearest. Our team at the Prime House Direct wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving!
If you decide to try out any of these recipes, we’d love to see how they turn out! Share pictures of your turkey with us on social media and we may feature you.