6 Reasons Not to Cook a Whole Turkey This Year

Hi, it’s us, here to check in on you as Thanksgiving approaches. How are you hanging in? Is the whole roasted turkey and the, oh, one million sides feeling like a bit much?

If so, we’re here with a gentle reminder that you can opt out of cooking a whole bird. Sure, some will roll their eyes, saying, “Yes, of course, it’s always 'optional'!”

For the rest of us who need to be reminded to take a step back, here is your permission: You do not need to do a 1950s, Norman Rockwell–style roasted whole turkey for Thanksgiving. Yep, there are many reasons why you might not want to cook a turkey this year and we are here to shout the reasons from the rooftops. Alt-Thanksgiving for the win. Here are some reasons why you might avoid the bird: 

1. TURKEY BREAST IS SO MUCH EASIER

File this one under: Why didn’t we know this 10 years ago? A turkey breast is a completely centerpiece-worthy way to celebrate Thanksgiving. In fact, our recipe for Buttery Turkey Breast With Cornbread "Croutons" and Roasted Cipollini offers a whole celebration in your HexClad Small Roasting Pan, combining a dry-brined turkey with a melted herb butter underneath the skin, easy cornbread “croutons” that take the place of stuffing, and cute-as-heck cippolini onions. Serve this as your entire holiday meal or as one of many recipes to celebrate the day.

2. TURKEY IS OVERWHELMING

If practice makes perfect, then handling a gigantic raw bird once a year isn’t exactly a recipe for success. If the ordering, defrosting, brining, and roasting schedule has you feeling a bit overwhelmed (and fearful of turning out seriously dry meat), there’s no need to commit to turkey at all. Why not go with the arguably tastier pick of chicken (or adorable Cornish game hens)? Our foolproof recipe for roast chicken can be doubled for a larger crowd who will appreciate the tender, succulent meat it turns out.

3. YOUR OVEN IS TOO SMALL

Just as there can be too many cooks in the kitchen, there can be too many dishes in the oven. If you’re still scarred by remembering that one T-Day of kitchen jenga that left your dad shouting and your sister-in-law swearing off your family, then you won’t need convincing that sometimes there’s just not enough room in the stove for a whole turkey. Instead, opt for a menu that centers side dishes. If people insist on having poultry, buy rotisserie chickens, order a cooked turkey or sous-vide whole legs) that won’t lay claim to precious oven space.

4. YOU'RE A VEGETARIAN OR A VEGAN

Things vegetarians and vegans know: the sides were always the main event. Sure, you can churn out a tofurkey and call it dinner, but we propose leaning into the best parts of the meal and eschewing the meaty main entirely. We’re talking Classic Sourdough Stuffing, Crunchy Green Bean Salad, Skillet Dinner Rolls and Pan-Charred & Orange-Glazed Carrots. (That sounds like a pretty mouth-watering lineup, right?)

5. YOU'RE HOSTING A MICRO-THANKSGIVING

Unless you’re some kind of poultry masochist, roasting an entire 14-pound bird is just not the thing to do for a couple (or even a family of four). Roast chicken offers a perfectly acceptable, more-tender alternative to turkey and is easier, to boot. (If you're set on roasting a turkey, why not buy a single, small breast and enjoy leftovers for a day or two, instead?)

6. THANKSGIVING WAS NEVER REALLY ABOUT TURKEY, ANYWAYS

Our final reason is perhaps the most important: The reason people gather on the fourth Thursday of November is not because they’re there to dig into a roasted bird, no matter how big nor how brined. They’re there to engage in a holiday that centers upon community and connection. So consider this an excuse to put together the meal that best reflects the food you, your family and your friends like best. As long as you've got each other, the rest, as they say, is gravy.