Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Meal Ideas
For the turkey and stuffing weary
For many reasons, I am often sick of Thanksgiving food by the time Thanksgiving day arrives. By the end of November, I’ve spent months testing turkey and dinner rolls, and all I really want is a big salad or perhaps a nice juicy bowl of cereal.
You might not a be food writer, but I’m guessing some of you have your own reasons for wanting something other than a traditional Thanksgiving menu. Maybe you have multiple family gatherings to attend, and you don’t want to eat the same thing at each one. Maybe you’re grieving the loss of someone and the thought of having a “normal” Thanksgiving without them turns your stomach. Maybe you’re exhausted by the thought of cooking a huge dinner. Or maybe you just really hate turkey and stuffing. I respect a hot take (but stuffing is the bomb).
I’m hosting my family’s Thanksgiving on Friday this year. Many of the guests will have already eaten a traditional dinner the day before, so I’m planning to make Cottage Cheese Lasagna and shrimp scampi. The guests are filling in with garlic bread and salad, and we’ll have an Italian feast that any pilgrim would surely envy.
However you’re choosing to gather, I hope you find a couple of recipes here that feel like exactly what you need this holiday.
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Easy Elevated Main Dishes
For some reason making one of these dishes on a weeknight feels like pulling out the fine china on a Tuesday, but all of these are totally doable any day of the week. They’re a little fancier than the norm, but won’t take you all day to make.
This Mediterranean Stuffed Pork Tenderloin is really a stunner and has so much flavor! Feta and sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and balsamic?? You can’t go wrong.
Steak and Shrimp Scampi- This would be PERFECT for a small family gathering or dinner for two. It feels so fancy but is surprisingly easy to prep.
Steak Pasta Gorgonzola- Yes, it’s an Olive Garden copycat recipe. What can I say? Sometimes OG just hits.
Garlic Herb Salmon and Potatoes- Classy, easy, super flavorful but light. What I’m learning from this list is that I really like garlic.
Creamy Shrimp Pappardelle- I’m not sure why a wide noodle feels fancier to me than a skinny noodle, but I can tell you this silky shrimp pappardelle tastes luxurious.
Panko Crusted Chicken Piccata- My whole family loves this crispy pan fried chicken paired with a bright lemon sauce and capers.
Slow Cooker Steak Bites- Here’s what you make when you still want to enjoy traditional comfort foods, but you don’t want to eat turkey. Serve these juicy steak bites over a pile of creamy mashed potatoes, and you’ve got the perfect in-between feast.
Side Dishes You Could Turn Into a Meal
Here’s an idea! What if you just had a whole bunch of side dishes? That’s everyone’s favorite part anyway, right? This option can work really well, particularly if you have vegetarians or other dietary restrictions in your group. There’s a little something for everyone!
Sweet Potatoes with Goat Cheese- I finally cracked the code for crisp, browned sweet potatoes and it involves extremely high heat and plenty of oil. Here, I paired them with goat cheese and maple pecans for a dish that feels festive and cozy.
Autumn Salad with Pear and Goat Cheese- A salad fit for the season. It appears that along with garlic, I also really enjoy goat cheese.
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips- Let’s give parsnips some love! Paired with honey and roasted until caramelized, these root veggies are determined to get the praise they deserve.
Ritz Cracker Broccoli Cheese Casserole- Roasting the broccoli makes this classic dish so much better!
Ultimate Four Cheese Mac and Cheese- Don’t sleep on the blue cheese in this! It’s a sleeper hit!
7 Layer Salad- Why is this so good and why does everyone love it? (It’s because of the sneaky good mayo and sugar dressing).
Cheesy Broccoli Orzo- A side dish that could easily pass for a main, this cheesy pasta number is always a hit with the kids in my family.
Baked Mushrooms with Red Wine- We don’t make enough mushrooms in this country. Mushrooms are delicious and when they’re paired with red wine and thyme and topped with breadcrumbs, they’re the damn star of the show.
Lemon Rosemary Melting Potatoes- These potatoes are so buttery and lemony, they literally melt in your mouth. What a treat!
Would You Like a Sweet Treat?
Cranberry Apple Crisp- CRISPS ARE BETTER THAN PIE AND I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL. They’re unfussy, delicious, and have the best crumbly buttery texture. This one is gorgeous, warmly spiced, and extra festive.
Maple Caramel Apple Tart- Tarts are also better than pies, because this crust is a dream and the maple caramel sauce is my emotional support companion for the season.
Cap’n Crunch Bars- Trust me, the children yearn for a cereal bar and they’re so stinking easy to make. Why not?
Apple Cider Cake- If you would like to feel like you’re at the apple orchard enjoying fresh cider donuts, this cake is for you.
Carrot Sheet Cake- This is one of the most beloved recipes on my site. It is moist and flavorful and filled with pineapple. We’re a no-raisins kind of family, but you can add those, too.
Soft Pumpkin Cookies- The best fluffy spiced pumpkin cookies with the dreamiest brown sugar penuche frosting. One of my son’s absolute favorite desserts!
What are some of your favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving dishes? Share in the comments!