73 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas, from Apps to Dessert (Because Not Everyone Loves Turkey)

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 8

PSA: They’re glazed with honey and topped with chives. You might want to make a double batch—even the kids' table will get in on this irresistible starter.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6 to 8

Just think of these cheesy bites as a classed-up, less-spicy version of jalapeño poppers. The recipe allows for using store-bought filling for convenience, but you can go the extra mile by making Rodney Scott’s pimento cheese if you're feeling ambitious.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: low sugar, vegetarian, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

Hello, adult mozzarella sticks. Pair the halloumi (which is tangy, squeaky and hardy enough to keep its shape when heated) with a medium-acidity white wine, like chenin blanc, to get really fancy.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, <500 calories
• Serves: 6 to 8

Face it: No one's turning down a plate of melted cheese. It's a textural smorgasbord, thanks to tart pomegranate arils, crispy whole-wheat crackers, crunchy pecans and sweet-tart cranberry sauce.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 40 pieces

Your traditional relatives might not approve of cocktail wieners wrapped in Crescent dough at Thanksgiving…but these are made with carrots, so they’re kinda healthy. They won't be able to stay away from the green goddess dipping sauce, trust.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, dairy free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

The roasted veg are pretty standard, but the dipping sauces are anything but. Both the Spanish-inspired romesco, rich with roasted red peppers and studded with bits of cashew, and the savory miso aioli come together quickly in a blender.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Complete with tender bits of sweet potato and plenty of white cheddar cheese. Make a second batch on Black Friday topped with shredded leftover turkey, and sub kettle-cooked potato chips or tater tots for tortilla chips if you'd prefer.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 10

Tangy goat cheese is the ultimate match for tart, crisp, sweet apples. The crusts are made with store-bought puff pastry, so you won't have to stress much over this non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner idea.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8

What does pineapple have to do with Thanksgiving? I'm not sure it matters; all I know is these tartlets are delicious and they make an excellent, photogenic addition to your alternative Thanksgiving menu.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
• Serves: 14

Nothing against regular cheese and crackers, but I'm upping the ante this year. Once again, store-bought pie crust (and ready-made cranberry sauce) saves the day. No one will notice under the fresh thyme.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, low sugar
• Serves: one 12-inch loaf

Betcha can’t eat just one piece of this savory, soup-inspired, monkey bread-like appetizer. Serve it warm straight from the oven and everyone will feel the same. Try these fancy appetizers also!

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, keto-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 12

Bring the ~spice~ to the family gathering in more ways than one. Hey, maybe a few of these cheesy bites will distract your confrontational aunts enough to keep the peace this year.

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

The trick to a gorgeously golden brown chicken is part buttermilk marinade and part knowing your oven’s hot spots. "Since the back corners of the oven tend to run hotter than the center, position the chicken with its legs in the corner," former PureWow senior food editor Katherine Gillen advises. "That way, the breast meat—which has a tendency to dry—will come out perfectly cooked at the same time as the thighs and drumsticks."

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

"It’s creamy, comforting and big enough to feed a crowd, but still feels modern thanks to dollops of ricotta and plenty of spinach," Gillen explains. "Even better, it freezes like a dream." That means you can make it ahead of the big feast and reheat right before serving.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, gluten free
• Serves: 4

If you knew how easy it is to cook steak at home, you’d never make turkey for Thanksgiving again. You'll also want to drench everything you ever eat in spicy compound butter. And that side salad? Parsley is so underrated.

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

Lighter on the stomach than beef Wellington (you can't get full before dessert, right?), but just as comforting. Store-bought puff pastry makes this vegetarian's dream a cinch to master, although a few crimps in the dough will lead your guests to believe you made it yourself.

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

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to appreciate the beauty of these gourds, teeming with corn, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, hazelnuts and herbs. To make them vegan, just skip the Gruyère cheese (perhaps in favor of some nutritional yeast).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, dairy free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 20 to 25

It’s just as good fresh as it is for leftovers (mmm, sandwiches), plus it’s easier to make and ready in less time than a turkey. Did I mention you'll only need eight simple ingredients to pull it off?

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: one pan, dairy free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 4

It’s almost entirely hands-off, thanks to your trusty cast iron skillet. "If you can’t find fresh cranberries, it’s completely OK to use frozen ones," recipe developer Erin McDowell assures. "Just thaw and drain them first."

• Time Commitment: 11 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 12

Yep, it’s turkey—but just presented in a non-traditional format. The inside is stuffed with, well, stuffing, and the outside is slathered in a warming, zippy mix of harissa and Dijon mustard. Yum.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, sheet pan recipe
• Serves: 4

The pretty pistachio crust is both festive *and* tasty, and best of all, the dish cooks from start to finish on a single baking sheet. You can thank me for the tip later, friend.

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

I promise that lamb chops are as simple to cook as chicken (and way easier to prepare than a whole turkey). Pomegranate molasses, a Middle Eastern ingredient that's deserving of a permanent spot in your pantry, offers plenty of sweetness and tang.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes (plus marinating)
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 8

Sheet pan dinner for Thanksgiving? You bet. The chicken is brined in buttermilk for extra tenderness and a golden-brown crust. The carrots cook alongside the poultry, and their tops make a stunning garnish.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

If you have any vegetarians at the table, they'll be psyched over this non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner idea. It’s dramatic, delicious and surprisingly effortless to make. Simply slather the veggie in a spiced yogurt marinade and roast to perfection.

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

I have a good feeling that no one will complain about having pasta instead of turkey, especially when it's slicked with butternut squash sauce and dappled with bits of crispy pancetta. Substitute bacon if you can't find any—your guests won't mind.

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

Winner, winner, non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Proof that a one-skillet meal can be as gorgeous and holiday-ready as it is easy to make. It's the side and main cooking in the same pan for me.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 10

According to the Barefoot Contessa herself, this main is actually better if you assemble it in advance, because the filling flavors—prosciutto, fennel seeds, garlic, fresh sage and rosemary—all permeate the meat with time. Ingenious, if you ask me.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

You only think frying fish at home is a chore. Don't worry: It’s actually really simple to pan-fry your choice of catfish, flounder, trout or grouper to crisp, flaky deliciousness. Serve it with plenty of lemon wedges and hot sauce.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4

Wrap a piece of fish in bacon and suddenly it’s holiday-ready. (It’s also done in 40 minutes, no big deal.) You'll only need nine ingredients to make this stunner a reality.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6 to 8

This classic French recipe requires little more than butter, salt and spuds once you grasp the technique. "Use a well-seasoned skillet so the potatoes don’t stick," Gillen urges. "I prefer carbon steel because it holds heat like cast iron but has sloped sides and is easy to flip. A mandoline will give you uniform thin slices, essential for even cooking."

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

"I made this dish with kabocha squash—aka Japanese pumpkin—but any squash type would work," Gillen assures. "The pre-roast might seem like a nuisance, but it will ensure the squash is fully cooked by the time you slice into your savory pie. And FYI, the pie crust can be made a full day in advance."

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 4 to 6

Instead of the usual sweet, sticky mush (no offense, frozen veggie medley), these carrots are steamed until *just* tender and coated in a balsamic vinegar reduction for tangy flavor. They're easy on the eyes to boot.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegetarian
• Serves: 10

All the nostalgic flavors, minus the canned cream of mushroom soup. Instead, a mix of your choice of mushrooms is cooked down with garlic, cream, butter and fresh herbs, then topped with crispy fried shallots for good measure.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, <30 minutes
• Serves: 6 to 8

It's like mac and cheese in vegetable form. Even picky eaters won't be able to complain about all that Pecorino Romano. I'll take seconds of this eight-ingredient delight, please and thank you.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, vegetarian, gluten free, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 6

In my humble opinion, the Turkey Day feast could benefit from something zingy and spicy. Enter these taters, which are only six ingredients and ten minutes of prep away.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

Onion who? Swap in this stripy gourd for a seasonal twist on a classic. Don't worry about peeling the squash before slicing it; the skin is totally edible and pretty.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

It tastes a lot like traditional stuffing, but without the bread. It's naturally gluten free, as well as refreshing and crunchy. To make this dish vegetarian, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Allergic to nuts? Leave them out, or trade them for pumpkin seeds.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <500 calories, kid-friendly
• Serves: 4

I know someone will ask where the Brussels sprouts are. Surprise them with these crunchy latkes. Even though they aren't spuds, they'll taste divine dunked in sour cream and apple sauce, or spicy yogurt dip instead.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, gluten free, vegetarian
• Serves: 8

The typical marshmallow-studded casserole has nothing on these gorgeously complex charred sweet potatoes. The chiles and nuts are bloomed in olive oil before being transformed into pesto.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes (plus soaking time)
• Why I Love It: vegan, dairy free, gluten free
• Serves: 6

Wait, this creamy dressing is dairy free? It had me fooled—cashews will do that. You can even drizzle it over pasta or bread if you have leftovers. The bitter greens will be a welcome addition to your mega-rich menu.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, gluten free, vegetarian
• Serves: 4

Don't toss the pumpkin seeds: If you bake them for a few minutes in the oven, they'll turn into a great crunchy topping. This non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner idea is also crowned with kale pesto for a pop of color.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, <30 minutes, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Mashed potato lovers, consider this your invitation to join team crispy. The horseradish cream is spicy and pungent, so serve it on the side if you’re hosting picky eaters. If not, drizzle it on with abandon.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, sheet pan recipe, gluten free, vegetarian
• Serves: 6

Cabbage isn’t just for coleslaw—it happens to make an excellent side dish of its own. Bonus, this recipe requires just five ingredients, including fancy-looking caraway seeds.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 8

Want to know a little secret? I'll take any excuse to serve ranch dressing at a fancy holiday dinner. This version is combined with nutty, earthy tahini for an elegant twist on the bottled stuff.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, gluten free
• Serves: 4

Looking for a show-stopping non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner idea? These vegetarian beauties look like a dish you’d spend all day working on, but they’ll actually be ready in a just about an hour.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pan, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 9

No feast is complete without some kind of bread on the table. This one has a little heat from Fresno chiles, and it has impossibly crunchy edges, courtesy of a cast iron pan. If you can’t find Fresnos, feel free to swap with another hot pepper, like jalapeños.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4

Get ready for the oohs and ahhs when you set a tray of baked cheese on the table. Serve this briny, mouth-puckering side with toasted pita or any crispy cracker you have on hand. (Baguette or pita work, too.)

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

It’s dreamy and creamy like macaroni and cheese, only a million times more impressive. “You roast butternut squash, then puree it with chicken broth and use that as the liquid to make the risotto,” McDowell tells us. It’s an extra step, yes, but worth it when the final result is so creamy and savory-sweet.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, gluten free, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6

Perfect for when you’re in need of a simple, quick side that offers a punch of green to your Thanksgiving dinner spread. Scatter the salad with sliced apple, pomegranate seeds or fresh figs to give it a sweet-tart edge.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients, <30 minutes, gluten free
• Serves: 4

It never hurts to have a little Ina on your holiday menu, no? Best of all, it takes less than 20 minutes to make and calls for just five ingredients. This is a no-brainer, IMO.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, gluten free
• Serves: 6

Short, savory and filling everyone's plates with low-carb, gluten free pseudo-grains. Use your pick of basil, cilantro, scallions or parsley, or a combination of whatever herbs you have on hand.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: 6

Seriously, who wouldn't want fries? Regardless if it's a traditional or non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner, they'll be a hit. I'll bring ketchup for the kids' table.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 6 to 8

Creamy, crunchy and secretly kind of healthy, this bake offers gratin vibes and a real vegetable. Make the caramelized onions in advance and keep them in the fridge to partially prep this non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner idea ahead.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours and 25 minutes
• Why I Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 30

Whether you forgot to make dessert or save room for dessert, these impossibly simple, just-rich-enough truffles have your back. Don't worry about molding them into perfect spheres; just work quickly to keep your hands from over-melting the truffles.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 6 to 8

The ingredient list is short, but the outcome is a silky custard that decorates itself with caramel as it makes its way to the table. Sweetened condensed milk is responsible for its creamy, rich custard and milky sweetness.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6 to 8

Steeping cardamom in the cream before you begin the process adds a warm, seasonal flavor to the custard. If you don't own a kitchen torch, place the ramekins in a cold oven, turn on the broiler and cook them until the surface is golden brown.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <30 minutes
• Serves: 15

These are so good, no one will wonder where that aforementioned casserole went. (Sweet potatoes with marshmallows are arguably more of a dessert anyway.) The jumbo mallow stays chewy and makes for an Insta-worthy pull effect.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, kid-friendly
• Serves: 12+

There’s no rule that says you have to serve pumpkin or pecans (or apples, for that matter) for Thanksgiving dessert. This chocolate cake is impossible not to love, and the whole crowd will get a slice without overworking the host.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly
• Serves: 10

If you do crave a pumpkin dessert, why not make this fluffy, cream-cheese glazed masterpiece? Egg whites are the secret to the cake's light-as-air texture; the tangy glaze on top merely gilds the lily.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 12

Yep, those are vegetables on top of this cake. Don't knock it 'til you try it—odds are you’re going to make this one a new Thanksgiving tradition. Crown it with fresh whipped cream (but you already knew that).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: one 9-inch cake

The more napkins required, the more satisfying the dessert, right? "The honeycomb and butter combine in the base of the pan to create a thick, honey-flavored caramel on top of the cake," McDowell says. Serve it slightly warm for maximum effect.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 6

They're ridiculously simple (just 20 minutes of prep!) and taste fit for a royal. "This is a ridiculously easy dessert with minimal baking and big flavor," McDowell explains. "Plus, it checks every texture box: gooey caramel, soft bananas, airy whipped cream and crisp graham cracker crumbles."

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, gluten free, special occasion-worthy
• Serves: 2

It’s rich and silky like chocolate pudding, but as refreshing as a scoop of ice cream. Need more convincing? You only need seven ingredients to make it (and I'm betting most are in your kitchen already).

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
• Serves: one 9 by 13-inch cake

Fact: A sheet pan cake that’s ready in less than an hour will always beat out a complicated pie recipe. Plus, who can deny that swoopy apple cider frosting?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, <10 ingredients, gluten free
• Serves: 6

It looks and tastes like a fancy restaurant dessert (not to mention the inside of a pumpkin pie) but is secretly foolproof. If you want to make this dish ahead, just add the topping right before serving, otherwise it will get melty and weepy in the fridge.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: 12

Pecan pie, who? This tart tastes like a luxe candy bar and features a simple press-in crust. "If you want to fancy it up a little bit,” McDowell says, "you can serve it with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, either on the whole tart or on individual slices."

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy, one pan
• Serves: 8

This one-skillet situation looks impressive, but is surprisingly easy to make. The heaviest lifting you'll have to do is slice some figs and the results are sticky-sweet caramelized fruit cradled in a blanket of crisp pastry.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
• Serves: 4 to 6

A taste of summer at Thanksgiving dinner? Don't mind if I do. The 'mallows will be toasty and the chocolate melted just enough—without the need for a campfire. The kids at the party will go wild.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
• Serves: one 12-inch tart

This new take on the classic apple tart is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a bit of a project compared to some other treats on this list, but the results are delish and begging for their Instagram closeup.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: one pan, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
• Serves: one 9-inch cinnamon roll

The only thing better than a freshly baked cinnamon roll at your non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner? A giant freshly baked cinnamon roll at your non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Go ahead, dig in.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
• Serves: 10

Pumpkin? Good. Cheesecake? Great. Meringue? Oh, you fancy. This triple-threat is guaranteed to win over a crowd, and your guests will definitely whip out their phones for a photo the moment it hits the table.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: no bake, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
• Serves: one pound

These seasonal sweets feature pumpkin spice and everything nice But more importantly, you won't need to turn on your oven to pull it off. It's also a great parting or hostess gift if you already have a different dessert planned.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead, beginner-friendly
• Serves: 8 to 10

Ready thy camera, because this delicious dessert is practically guaranteed to be the most gorgeous offering at your Thanksgiving feast. To make the cake as pretty as possible, slice a small piece off of both ends before serving to show off the fluffy frosting filling.