The smell of turkey in the air. Football on TV. Somebody “taste-testing” the pie. Thanksgiving has its traditions, but that doesn’t mean how you cook the main attraction has to stay the same every year. There’s nothing wrong with a classic roasted bird, but if you’ve ever wondered how to cook a turkey in new and creative ways, we’ve rounded up a few fun alternatives.
From deep frying to spatchcocking and even a backyard trash can bake, these tried-and-true techniques from your friends at Food Town are sure to bring something new to your Thanksgiving table. Let’s get started!
Ask anyone who’s tried it. Once you’ve had fried turkey, it’s hard to go back. Made famous by Cajun cooks, deep-fried turkey is a Southern staple that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The idea is simple: Lower a seasoned or butter-injected bird into a pot of hot oil, let it sizzle and watch it turn golden brown in no time.
Because frying cooks faster than roasting, it’s a go-to for folks looking to save time (and oven space). When learning how to cook a turkey this way, remember that hot oil and open flames can be a fire hazard. A calm day, a flat surface and plenty of distance from the house are musts when frying turkey.
Food Town Tips:
Why You’ll Love it: Crispy skin, juicy meat and that unmistakable Southern flair
Ready to give it a go? Check out our Deep Fried Butterball Turkey recipe for step-by-step instructions and safety tips before you fire up the fryer.
For backyard cooks who love the smell of hickory smoke drifting down the street, this one’s a keeper. Spatchcocking — or butterflying — is the secret to a faster, more evenly cooked bird. By removing the backbone and flattening the turkey, you expose more surface area to the heat, creating perfectly crisp skin and moist meat. This helps it smoke evenly, giving you crispy skin and juicy meat in less time.
Spatchcocking is a great way to get that smoky, backyard flavor without spending all day over the pit. And, while the name might sound funny, the results are no joke. This method has been around for centuries and earned modern fame thanks to food writers and chefs who swear by its speed and simplicity.
Food Town Tips:
Why You’ll Love It: Shorter cook time, smoky flavor and crispy, golden skin
Want to try it for yourself? Follow the link to our Spatchcock Smoked Turkey recipe to see exactly how to butterfly your bird and get that perfect crisp.
It might sound wild, but plenty of Texas families swear by this one — and half the fun is watching the neighbors peek over the fence to see what’s cooking. Don’t let the name fool you, either. This backyard method turns out one flavorful bird.
A clean, unused metal trash can becomes your oven: The turkey sits upright on a foil-covered surface and hot coals surround the can to create even, smoky heat. Born out of camping culture and Southern ingenuity, Trash Can Turkey has become a fun family tradition for those who prefer their holiday with a little outdoor flair.
Food Town Tips:
Why You’ll Love It: Part cooking experiment, part family memory — it’s smoky, tender and frees up kitchen space for all those sides
Curious how it all comes together? Our Trash Can Turkey recipe shows you each step to safely pull off this fun, Texas-style tradition.
However you cook it, the best part of a meal is gathering around the table with friends and family. Learning how to cook a turkey in different ways is just one more way to make those moments memorable. Whether you fry it, flatten it or fire it up in the backyard, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.
Your neighborhood Food Town makes things easy, with everything you need to bring flavors to life. From fresh turkeys and marinades to charcoal, butter and more, you’ll find all your favorites for less. After all, at Food Town it’s your town — and your turkey!
Normal Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The smell of turkey in the air. Football on TV. Somebody “taste-testing” the pie. Thanksgiving has its traditions, but that doesn’t mean how you cook the main attraction has to stay the same every year. There’s nothing wrong with a classic roasted bird, but if you’ve ever wondered how to cook a turkey in new and creative ways, we’ve rounded up a few fun alternatives.
From deep frying to spatchcocking and even a backyard trash can bake, these tried-and-true techniques from your friends at Food Town are sure to bring something new to your Thanksgiving table. Let’s get started!
Ask anyone who’s tried it. Once you’ve had fried turkey, it’s hard to go back. Made famous by Cajun cooks, deep-fried turkey is a Southern staple that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The idea is simple: Lower a seasoned or butter-injected bird into a pot of hot oil, let it sizzle and watch it turn golden brown in no time.
Because frying cooks faster than roasting, it’s a go-to for folks looking to save time (and oven space). When learning how to cook a turkey this way, remember that hot oil and open flames can be a fire hazard. A calm day, a flat surface and plenty of distance from the house are musts when frying turkey.
Food Town Tips:
Why You’ll Love it: Crispy skin, juicy meat and that unmistakable Southern flair
Ready to give it a go? Check out our Deep Fried Butterball Turkey recipe for step-by-step instructions and safety tips before you fire up the fryer.
For backyard cooks who love the smell of hickory smoke drifting down the street, this one’s a keeper. Spatchcocking — or butterflying — is the secret to a faster, more evenly cooked bird. By removing the backbone and flattening the turkey, you expose more surface area to the heat, creating perfectly crisp skin and moist meat. This helps it smoke evenly, giving you crispy skin and juicy meat in less time.
Spatchcocking is a great way to get that smoky, backyard flavor without spending all day over the pit. And, while the name might sound funny, the results are no joke. This method has been around for centuries and earned modern fame thanks to food writers and chefs who swear by its speed and simplicity.
Food Town Tips:
Why You’ll Love It: Shorter cook time, smoky flavor and crispy, golden skin
Want to try it for yourself? Follow the link to our Spatchcock Smoked Turkey recipe to see exactly how to butterfly your bird and get that perfect crisp.
It might sound wild, but plenty of Texas families swear by this one — and half the fun is watching the neighbors peek over the fence to see what’s cooking. Don’t let the name fool you, either. This backyard method turns out one flavorful bird.
A clean, unused metal trash can becomes your oven: The turkey sits upright on a foil-covered surface and hot coals surround the can to create even, smoky heat. Born out of camping culture and Southern ingenuity, Trash Can Turkey has become a fun family tradition for those who prefer their holiday with a little outdoor flair.
Food Town Tips:
Why You’ll Love It: Part cooking experiment, part family memory — it’s smoky, tender and frees up kitchen space for all those sides
Curious how it all comes together? Our Trash Can Turkey recipe shows you each step to safely pull off this fun, Texas-style tradition.
However you cook it, the best part of a meal is gathering around the table with friends and family. Learning how to cook a turkey in different ways is just one more way to make those moments memorable. Whether you fry it, flatten it or fire it up in the backyard, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast.
Your neighborhood Food Town makes things easy, with everything you need to bring flavors to life. From fresh turkeys and marinades to charcoal, butter and more, you’ll find all your favorites for less. After all, at Food Town it’s your town — and your turkey!
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