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29 Alternative Thanksgiving Meals (That Just Might Be Better Than Turkey)

How do you feel about lamb chops?

alternative thanksgiving dinner recipes: pomegranate lamb chops
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

As a food editor, I’m all about rankings. When it comes to Thanksgiving, stuffing tops my recipe list—no questions asked. Turkey, however? Ehh, it’s a bit further down. If you’re like me and would rather skip it in favor of Brussels sprout mushroom pizza, cheater’s duck confit or French onion brisket, then this roundup is for you. Here are 29 alternative Thanksgiving meals that are so good, you’ll forget all about the traditional bird.

My list includes seasonal risotto, classy-yet-simple lamb chops, foolproof steak and even vegetarian and vegan mains that your plant-based relatives will love. These Thanksgiving dinner alternatives are all about minimizing effort while spicing up the usual menu. I’ll bring the wine, friend.

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1. Skillet Roast Chicken with Shmaltzy Potatoes

  • Time Commitment: 5 hours and 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: one pan, gluten free, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
  • Serves: 4 to 6

This dish is pretty enough to serve as a Thanksgiving centerpiece. "Roast chicken can sound a little meh on paper," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen admits, "or so I thought, until I tried Samin Nosrat's version, which is brined in buttermilk and comes out of the oven with a gorgeously browned, crackling skin and impossibly juicy, tender meat."

2. Winter Squash Galette with Caramelized Onions and Gruyère

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 8

The squash is pre-roasted until ultra-tender, then paired with savory caramelized onions, melty cheese and an deliciously flaky crust. "I made this dish with kabocha squash—aka Japanese pumpkin—but any squash type would work," Gillen assures.

3. 30-Minute Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Orecchiette

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

Though pasta might not normally make it to the Thanksgiving dinner table, this might be a keeper in the realm of holiday traditions for the foreseeable future. "It's salty from the bacon, savory from shallot, garlic and those sprouts, plus it has a bit of tang from a secret ingredient: apple cider vinegar," Gillen writes.

4. Split Pea Soup with Bacon and Beer

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, dairy free
  • Serves: 6 to 8

Bacon and brews? Drool. The perfect meal for a non-traditional Thanksgiving. "The beer is what gives this soup a well-rounded flavor without a ton of effort on your part, but if you want to skip it, you can use an equal amount of water or chicken stock instead," Gillen suggests.

5. Antoni Porowski’s Strip Steak with Harissa Butter and Parsley Salad

  • Time Commitment: 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Can you believe this gorgeous, brag-worthy steak comes together in 20 minutes flat? The salad will make you wonder why you've never given underrated parsley a leading role on your plate. And don't get me started on the spicy compound butter.

6. Miso-Mustard Roasted Whole Cauliflower

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegan, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

The vegans at your table are going to be thrilled to see this masterpiece. "The rub applied to the cauliflower—miso, mustard and garlic—comes together in about 30 seconds and can be used on other vegetables, or even on fish or chicken, before grilling or roasting," writes model and cookbook author Gisele Bündchen.

7. Pot Roast Chicken with Fondant Potatoes, Herby Salsa and Roasted Garlic

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, high protein, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Garlic, parsley, hazelnuts and pantry staples unite to create a chimichurri-like salsa for the chicken and spuds. The fondant potatoes (aka browned potatoes that are slow-roasted in butter and stock) are served with jammy roasted garlic, which your relatives can squeeze onto their plates as they eat.

8. Slow Roasted Shawarma-Spiced Salmon

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 8

Serve this fish dish with a big spoon for scooping and serving, which will keep the alternative Thanksgiving dinner recipe from feeling too fussy. As for plating, it would pair seamlessly with rice—tahdig, if you’re fancy—pita, cucumbers, falafel or tahini.

9. Lamb Loin Chops over Minty Pistachio Butter

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, make ahead
  • Serves: 4 to 6

Did you know pistachio butter is having a moment? "It's not exactly a sauce," cookbook author Christine Flynne explains, "but more of a creamy, nutty landing pad for the lamb. It's so good you will want to make extra and schmear it on flatbread, plunk roasted fish in it or dollop it onto charred vegetables."

10. Spicy Orange-Honey Glazed Ham

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, high protein
  • Serves: 20 to 25

Yes, it really is as delicious as it sounds. Made with just eight ingredients, this recipe is basically foolproof (and you can make the delicious sandwiches with the leftovers to boot).

11. Baked Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, one pan
  • Serves: 6

This one-pan delight looks way more high-maintenance than it actually is. The risotto is buttery, cheesy, satiating and pairs with Chardonnay like an edible soulmate. Did I mention it comes together in a single skillet? Win, win, win.

12. Pomegranate-Maple Glazed Lamb Chops

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4 to 6

Oh, you fancy. The secret to this alternative Thanksgiving recipe? Glazing the chops with pomegranate molasses to add flavor and ensure deep caramelization. This aromatic dish is served alongside a pomegranate-mint relish.

13. Foolproof Cheater’s Confit

  • Time Commitment: 3 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 4

Slow-cooked in fat and browned, these duck (or chicken) legs are super crispy and fall-off-the-bone tender. Pair them with a refreshingly bitter endive salad to offset all the richness. And to top it off, a simple lemon-mustard dressing. Yes, please.

14. Butternut Squash Risotto with Crispy Leeks

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occassion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

Risotto is comforting and luxurious, even when it's served plain. This version leans on puréed butternut squash to infuse every grain of rice with creamy, autumnal splendor. And that crispy leek garnish? Swoon.

15. Pistachio-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Escarole Salad

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

Forget everything you know about pork. This recipe makes for a tender, delicate and buttery main that practically melts in your mouth. A crust of verdant ground pistachios and spices adds a special, festive touch.

16. French Onion Brisket

  • Time Commitment: 4 hours and 15 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 8

Tons (and tons) of caramelized onions provide the same sweetness as the tomatoes that you expect from a traditional brisket recipe. A glug of sherry wine imparts the acidity you need to cut through the richness of the meat, too.

17. Stuffed Butternut Squash

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 25 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

I don’t know about you, but this sounds like heaven to me. Not to mention, it’s healthy and hearty, so you won’t mind going back for a second—or third—helping.

18. White Turkey Chili with Avocado

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, Paleo-friendly
  • Serves: 8

Yes, turkey is still involved in this tasty alternative Thanksgiving dinner recipe, adding spice and beans into the mix. But you could easily substitute ground beef, pork or chicken if you'd prefer.

19. Vegetable Wellington with Mushrooms and Spinach

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
  • Serves: 6

Yet another veggie-friendly turkey alternative that won't leave you missing the meat. It's easier to prepare than you may think, since the recipe calls for wrapping the herby filling in store-bought puff pastry.

20. Piri Piri Chicken

  • Time Commitment: 4 hours and 55 minutes
  • Why I Love It: high protein, low sugar, Paleo-friendly
  • Serves: 4

This alternative Thanksgiving dinner recipe spices your holiday up with red chiles and smoked paprika, in case your argumentative uncle can't make it this year. Spatchcocking the bird ensures a drool-worthy, crisp exterior.

21. Carrot Gnocchi

  • Time Commitment: 50 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

Everyone and their mother will be floored that you made your own festive pasta for Thanksgiving dinner this year. (Come on, that color has fall written all over it.) Even better, it's only nine ingredients away, and that's including salt and pepper.

22. Cheater’s Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

  • Time Commitment: 8 hours and 20 minutes
  • Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, slow cooker recipe, high protein, make ahead
  • Serves: 6

On a cold fall night, this gem will keep you feeling cozy until it's time for pie. Serve it with make-ahead mashed potatoes that you can prepare the night before, or 15-minute microwave mashed potatoes right before dinner if you're pressed for time.

23. Brussels Sprout Mushroom Pizza

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, one pan, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

I'd invite myself over to any house serving pizza at their holiday table. The dough is slathered with sweet apple butter, while the crispy prosciutto and cheese offer just the right amount of salty and savory magic to every bite.

24. Vegetarian Spinach Pumpkin Lasagna

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 12

You didn’t think I'd write this whole list without including at least one pumpkin dish, did ya? Ideal for vegetarians, this lasagna packs a punch with its smooth, creamy, autumnal filling. If you’re serving it for Thanksgiving dinner, don't count on leftovers.

25. Butternut, Apple and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why I Love It: gluten free, high protein, beginner-friendly
  • Serves: 4

This stuffed pork tenderloin is essentially your entire Thanksgiving meal wrapped in one. It’s filled with wild rice, butternut squash, bacon, spinach, sage and goat cheese. All that’s missing is the mashed potatoes and gravy, if you ask me.

26. Spatchcocked Roast Chicken with Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why I Love It: dairy free, Whole30, gluten free
  • Serves: 6

A bed of hearty, rich, bacon-kissed shredded Brussels sprouts makes this roast chicken worthy of a special occasion. The spatchcocking technique, which calls for the bird to be flattened before cooking, ensures it's ready to devour in a flash.

27. Braised Lamb Chops with Cranberry-Harissa Chutney

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 4 to 6

Not nearly as overwhelming as a 16-pound turkey, these chops are the optimal Thanksgiving dinner portion. That means everyone will still have room for pumpkin pie (and every other dessert) once they're done.

28. Vegetarian Quinoa Bake

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why I Love It: one pan, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser
  • Serves: 6

I promise even your meat-obsessed dad will love this bake. It's loaded with grains, beans, charred corn and plenty of melty cheese for good measure. (Shredded rotisserie chicken would make a great addition, though.)

29. Smoked Sausage and Apple Sheet Pan Dinner

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
  • Why I Love It: one pan, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe
  • Serves: 6

Who doesn't love a sheet pan meal? This one is begging to be plated with sweet potatoes and gravy. Bonus points if you go apple picking and use your farm-fresh spoils for this alternative Thanksgiving meal. Don't have a fancy appetizer to go with these meals?! Look no further!


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