28 Dishes for Turkey Haters on Thanksgiving
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If I’m being honest, roast turkey is my least favorite part of T-Day. What I really want is a non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner and I’ve often wondered, "What can I serve on Thanksgiving instead of turkey?" This bird is notoriously dry and bland yet has us in a culinary chokehold tighter than my pants after the big meal. Why though? If you think it's because the Pilgrims had this poultry at their first Thanksgiving, then buckle up your breeches: There's no record of turkey on the menu at Plymouth Rock! In fact, the Wampanoag people brought venison. The three-day feast also likely included lobster, clams and mussels — we're talking about coastal Massachusetts, after all.
The holiday is meant to celebrate the bounty of the harvest so we can think beyond the tired Thanksgiving dinner menu with sides like green beans (which, by the way, aren’t even considered a fall vegetable). This list of recipes has loads of comforting, soul-satisfying dishes that feel abundant. Most of them feed a crowd but if you’re planning just an intimate gathering this year, you’ll be able to swing a non-traditional Thanksgiving menu for two to four people.
The goal is to create a tablescape of many unique Thanksgiving dishes. In keeping with the spirit of the OG event in 1621, the menu can draw from the different cultures that make up these great United States. It's also a golden opportunity to serve an inclusive meal that reflects how modern folks like to eat today, whether it be vegetarian recipes, vegan Thanksgiving ideas, dairy-free or gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes. Even without the big ole turkey, these recipes are so delicious, there's guaranteed to be plenty of gobbling.
Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Sage
Pumpkin and sage come together beautifully in a luscious risotto that doesn't require constant stirring. For vegans, it's a fantastic main course that feels festive.
Get the Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Sage recipe.
Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham
There's no reason to reserve ham for just Christmas and Easter. It's lower maintenance than roast turkey and, dare we say, more juicy, flavorful and beloved?
Get the Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham recipe.
Beef Wellington
Win Thanksgiving with this absolute showstopper of a main course. Serve it with buttery mashed potatoes and simple roasted carrots and you've got a stunning holiday meal that'll have guests asking, "Turkey who?"
Get the Beef Wellington recipe.
Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon
For an impressive seafood main, roast a whole side of salmon. It cooks much more quickly than turkey and feels elegant and special.
Get the Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon recipe.
RELATED: 30+ Easy Salmon Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight
Vegetable Torte
Talk about celebrating the harvest! This beautiful vegetarian pie is layered with butternut squash, kale and potatoes and gets amazing flavor from two kinds of cheese. It looks like a laborious project but only takes 15 minutes to prep.
Get the Vegetable Torte recipe.
Lasagna with Meat Sauce
There are so many things to love about this cozy crowd-pleaser: homemade pork ragu, three types of cheese and easy no-boil noodles. Let's add one more thing to the list — it only gets better as it sits so it's the ideal dish to make ahead!
Get the Lasagna with Meat Sauce recipe.
RELATED: 50 Best Casserole Recipes for the Ultimate Comfort Food
Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce
Eyes will light up when they see this platter land on the dinner table. With a rosemary-peppercorn coating and punchy horseradish sauce, this beef tenderloin is truly wow-worthy.
Get the Peppercorn Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce recipe.
Creamy Chicken Potpies
Pies are traditional for Thanksgiving but who says they have to be sweet? Potpies are welcome at any gathering. Why? Because they bring nostalgia-filled joy and serious comfort.
This recipe is one of actress Tiffani Thiessen's many delicious creations from her best-selling cookbook, Pull Up a Chair: Recipes from My Family to Yours.
Get the Creamy Chicken Potpies recipe.
Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta
Lack of oven space is a major dilemma on Thanksgiving but you won't have that problem with these Instant Pot short ribs. Get impossibly tender meat in a deeply flavored sauce without hours of braising.
Get the Short Ribs With Creamy Polenta recipe.
RELATED: 50 Easy Instant Pot Recipes to Make the Most Out of Your Appliance
Best Ever Fried Chicken
The great thing about fried chicken is you can still serve those time-honored Thanksgiving sides, like mashed potatoes, gravy and cornbread.
Get the Best Ever Fried Chicken recipe.
Pozole Rojo
This hearty Mexican stew of pork shoulder is fit for a feast. Guests can garnish their bowls with all the fixin's: avocado, crema, white onion, sliced radishes, corn tortilla chips and lime wedges, just to name a few.
Get the Pozole Rojo recipe.
Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries and Feta
Stuffed with Swiss chard and thyme-infused quinoa, this vegetarian main feels so festive for fall. The salty-sweet combo of feta with dried cranberries really takes it over the top.
Get the Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries and Feta recipe.
Coq au Vin Rosé
Thanksgiving is a grand occasion to enjoy wine — take advantage of that by making this creamy, French-inspired stew with an entire bottle of rosé.
Get the Coq au Vin Rosé recipe.
Hasselback Potatoes
Switch up your T-Day spuds with these crispy hasselback potatoes topped with scallion butter. The presentation looks fancy but it's actually easy to achieve!
Get the Hasselback Potatoes recipe.
Spinach and Artichoke Mac 'n' Cheese
If you think combining mac and cheese with everyone's favorite party dip is outrageous, just wait 'til you try the crushed Ritz cracker topping!
Get the Spinach and Artichoke Mac 'n' Cheese recipe.
Easy Seafood Paella
There's just something about paella that says "party" with a capital P. This one's crammed full of clams, shrimp and squid, which add fantastic flavor to the rice.
Get the Easy Seafood Paella recipe.
Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Brown Butter
Really, butternut squash has no right to look this beautiful but we are thrilled for its glow-up. Hasselbacking lets the maple syrup brown butter seep into every nook and cranny.
Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash With Maple Brown Butter recipe.
RELATED: 32 Easy Butternut Squash Recipes Perfect for Cozy Fall Dinners
Chimichurri Cauliflower Steaks
Cauliflower never gets accused of being too exciting, but in this plant-based main, the cruciferous veg shows plenty of pizazz.
Get the Chimichurri Cauliflower Steaks recipe.
Steak Au Poivre
People often think of steak au poivre as a restaurant-only dish but this intimate dinner for two is pretty easy to make a home. You'll also save at least a C-note when you DIY.
Get the Steak Au Poivre recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Cheese Fondue
Bring out melty, gooey cheese with endless amounts of crusty bread and nobody will miss the turkey.
Get the Cheese Fondue recipe.
Butternut Squash Mac 'n’ Cheese
If you find it difficult to cut through winter squash, be assured that this recipe calls for canned butternut squash for faster prep. No roasting, blending or asking a strong friend for help required!
Get the Butternut Squash Mac 'n’ Cheese recipe.
Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
Zesty and crunchy, this large-format salad is how to convert those who claim to hate salad. It's loaded with mozzarella pearls, chickpeas and pickle-y pepperoncini. It also happens to be perfect for any vegetarian attendees.
Get the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad recipe.
Quinoa-Stuffed Squash
Honeynut is like butternut's super cute mini-size cousin. You can find it at farmers' markets and more and more grocery stores.
Get the Quinoa-Stuffed Squash recipe.
Tiramisu Dip
People love dips at a gathering and dessert dips are no exception. Serve this one in individual cups or family-style with lots o' lady fingers.
Get the Tiramisu Dip recipe.
Key Lime Pie
Why do pumpkin, apple and pecan have the monopoly on Thanksgiving pies? This one has a rich chocolate cookie crust so there's no fiddling with finicky pie dough.
Get the Key Lime Pie recipe.
RELATED: 40 Easy Pie Recipes Perfect for Every Celebration
Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
If you miss the traditional cranberry sauce because you decided to forego turkey, put the berries in your dessert instead. These creamy cheesecake bars are also so fun to decorate.
Get the Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Pull-Apart S'mores Sliders
When it's too chilly outside, bring the classic campfire treat indoors. Bake them pull-apart style in the oven then cue the 'mallow pulls.
Get the Pull-Apart S'mores Sliders recipe.
Coconut Cream Pie
Creamy and dreamy, this pie isn't the standard for Thanksgiving but nobody will be mad when they taste it.
Get the Coconut Cream Pie recipe.
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