Just because tradition dictates that you eat turkey for Thanksgiving doesn't mean you have to do it every year! Try one of these delicious and different Thanksgiving main dishes to add some variety to your holiday feast.
28 Alternatives to Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner
Updated on Oct. 23, 2024
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Braciole
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Flank steak, bread crumbs, tomato sauce
Level: Intermediate
This Italian roulade dish is so festive and comforting for the holidays. Serve it with old-fashioned green beans, mashed cauliflower or red roasted potatoes.
In our family, braciole was served as a special treat for holidays. It was Grandma’s specialty and the preparation was time consuming. When the meat and sauce were fully cooked Grandma called us into the kitchen to watch her lift the roll from the sauce to the cutting board to slice it. The pinwheels of meat, laid side by side on the platter, topped with delicious sauce, made a colorful picture. —Recipe contributor Cookie Curci, San Jose, California
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Baked Spiral Ham
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Spiral ham, butter, onion
Level: Beginner
If you have any leftovers after the big feast, treat ham just like a turkey. Make Hawaiian pizza, split pea soup, cheesy ham omelettes and even more recipes using leftover ham all week long. You can even freeze it for up to two months.
This is my favorite spiral ham recipe. It will feed a crowd, or use what’s remaining in two recipes. No one groans about ham leftovers when these items are on the menu. —Recipe contributor Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon
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Cheese-Stuffed Shells
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Italian sausage, cream cheese, jumbo pasta shells, mozzarella cheese
Level: Intermediate
These stuffed shells are filled with mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan and cottage cheese. Spinach gives them a bright splash of color.
When I was living in California, I tasted this rich cheesy pasta dish at a neighborhood Italian restaurant. I got the recipe and made a few changes to it in my own kitchen. I’m happy to share it with you. —Recipe contributor Lori Mecca, Grants Pass, Oregon
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Pear and Pomegranate Lamb Tagine
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Lamb shanks, pears, pomegranate juice
Level: Beginner
D’Angou pears are available from November through late spring, so they’ll be readily available during the holidays. Want to make the dish even more elegant? Use fresh-squeezed orange juice instead of store-bought.
Pomegranate, pear and orange go together so well that I decided to use them to prepare a Middle Eastern-themed tagine with lamb. This tastes delicious served over couscous, polenta or cauliflower mashed with feta cheese. —Recipe contributor Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Glazed Cornish Hens
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Cornish game hens, apricot spreadable fruit, orange juice
Level: Beginner
If you’ve never cooked Cornish game hens at home, the idea might seem daunting. But it’s not that different from roasting a chicken. Whether you’re cooking for two or a crowd, the dish is bound to be a showstopper.
If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your holiday dinner table, our Test Kitchen experts suggest these Cornish game hens topped with a sweet apricot glaze. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Crawfish Etouffee
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Crawfish tail meat, butter, flour
Level: Beginner
Counted among Louisiana’s most famous recipes, crawfish etouffee is a fragrant, flavorful, buttery seafood dish you can make in just about one hour.
I like to serve this Cajun sensation when I entertain. Etouffee is typically served with shellfish over rice and is similar to gumbo. This dish has its roots in New Orleans and the bayou country of Louisiana. —Recipe contributor Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas
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Chicken with Sugar Pumpkins & Apricots
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Pie pumpkins, chicken thighs, Turkish apricots
Level: Beginner
Here’s a festive dish that doubles as a colorful centerpiece. If you can’t find Sugar Baby pumpkins at the grocery store, swap them for a 5- to 6-pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes.
When we have family gatherings, we give the slow cooker kitchen duty. This yummy chicken with pumpkin and apricots has the warm flavors of Morocco. —Recipe contributor Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Spaghetti squash, ground beef, mozzarella cheese
Level: Beginner
On Thanksgiving, oven space is at a premium. Pop the spaghetti squash in the microwave or slow cooker instead of baking it before adding it to the casserole. You can even make the whole dish in advance, then cover and refrigerate for three to four days.
Spaghetti squash, like zucchini, can take over a garden. This is an excellent way to put that abundance to good use. I got the original spaghetti squash casserole recipe at a cooking class, and I’ve made it many times since. It’s unique and tasty. —Recipe contributor Mina Dick, Boissevain, Manitoba
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Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Ricotta cheese, pasta sauce, ziti, mozzarella cheese
Level: Beginner
There’s no wrong time to eat baked ziti, and Thanksgiving is no exception. If your family would rather eat carbs and cheese than turkey, this filling, no-stress dish will be a winner.
I don’t know one family that doesn’t have some crazy, hectic evening. This recipe is a quick and easy fix for a busy weeknight dinner. —Recipe contributor Christy Addison, Clarksville, Ohio
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Salmon Steak
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Salmon steaks, butter, lemon juice
Level: Beginner
Ready in just 20 minutes, this special salmon steak is flavorful and easy to make.
After our children were married and gone, I prepared salmon steaks often for my husband and myself, especially on our anniversary. It was one of our favorites. We found that one of the nicest ways to enjoy each other’s company was to have a lovely meal together. —Recipe contributor Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
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Moist Cranberry Pork Roast
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork loin roast, cranberry sauce, honey
Level: Beginner
Cranberry sauce, honey, orange zest, cloves and nutmeg come together for a tangy and colorful glaze that makes the meal extra special. While it might be tempting to slice into the roast as soon as it’s done, make sure to let it rest for 10 minutes for maximum tenderness.
I love to serve this tender, flavorful pork to guests. You don’t have to toil away in the kitchen to prepare it, yet it tastes like a gourmet meal. —Recipe contributor Kimberley Scasny, Douglasville, Georgia
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Warm Squash & Quinoa Salad
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Quinoa, butternut squash, cumin
Level: Beginner
Everything about this hearty, warm grain bowl feels cozy and decadent, from the toasted pine nuts to the cumin-spiced quinoa.
Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It’s amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don’t get me started on the browned butter! Yum. —Recipe contributor Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois
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Grandma’s Roasted Duck
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Duck, ground cloves, sugar
Level: Intermediate
If you’re up for a challenge, impress your guests by cooking a roast duck. Serve it alongside cranberry wild rice or roasted root vegetables, which complement the slightly gamey flavor of the duck.
When I was growing up, my grandma always served roast duck for the holidays, and for other family events throughout the year. I always thought it was better than turkey! —Recipe contributor Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Sheet-Pan Pork Supper
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork tenderloins, red potatoes, green beans
Level: Beginner
This Asian-inspired meal cooks in one pan, so there’s practically no clean-up (which is much appreciated on Thanksgiving). Spend less time doing dishes and more time sipping wine and eating dessert.
I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family’s needs. It’s so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Recipe contributor Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
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Louisiana Chicken
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Roasting chicken, potatoes, carrots
Level: Beginner
Meet your new secret weapon: An oven-roasting bag. Here, it keeps the bird moist and juicy. Just don’t forget the flour, which is essential to the process. The flour keeps the bag from bursting and absorbs excess moisture.
Green peppers and mint add a surprise to this Louisiana chicken recipe. A roasting bag keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. —Recipe contributor Jill Werle, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Cornish game hens, sage leaves, green onions
Level: Beginner
Thanksgiving for two? Pair these individual Cornish hens with rice pilaf, dinner rolls and glazed carrots for an intimate and elevated celebration.
If you’re looking for an elegant dinner for two, we suggest these delightful Cornish game hens. As a bonus, the crisp, tasty potatoes cook right alongside the meat. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Easy London Broil
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef top sirloin, onion, lemon juice, butter
Level: Beginner
This no-frills main is about as straightforward as it gets. Onion, butter, lemon juice, oil and a few spices come together to make the top sirloin shine.
A mild marinade prepared with lemon juice, thyme and oregano seasons this easy London boil recipe. It feeds a family of four with lots left over to enjoy in satisfying second-day dishes later in the week. —Recipe contributor Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
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Holiday Crown Pork Roast
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork crown roast, paprika, thyme, rosemary
Level: Beginner
Here’s an elegant holiday showstopper that looks tricky but is actually surprisingly simple to make. Just rub the pork crown roast with herbs, roast for two hours, then garnish with rosemary and sage.
Crown roast makes a regal Christmas dinner. Flavored with rosemary, sage and thyme, it’s elegant and simple, a real blessing during the hectic holidays. —Recipe contributor Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Citrus-Herb Roast Chicken
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Roasting chicken, lemon, orange
Level: Intermediate
This one-pot meal is easy enough to cook anytime, but it looks fancy enough to be front and center at the Thanksgiving table. Best of all, it serves eight, so you’ll feed the whole family and maybe have leftovers to spare.
This dish is one of my all-time favorites. The flavorful, juicy chicken combines with the aromas of spring in fresh herbs, lemon and onions to form the perfect one-pot meal. I make the gravy right in the pan. —Recipe contributor Megan Fordyce, Fairchance, Pennsylvania
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Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef tenderloin roast, garlic, basil
Level: Beginner
Sometimes you just have to keep things simple. Here, a 3-pound beef tenderloin roast is seasoned with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, basil and…that’s it.
You don’t need much seasoning to add flavor to this tender beef roast. The mild blend of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Recipe contributor Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
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Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Ducklings, oranges, cranberries
Level: Beginner
Soy sauce, ginger and orange marmalade really make this marinade something special. Use the leftover cranberries you have on hand to whip up a tasty cranberry sauce from scratch.
I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn’t a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe. —Recipe contributor Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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California Roast Lamb
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Leg of lamb, garlic, tomato sauce
Level: Beginner
With fresh artichokes and lemon, this low-maintenance dish will impress your guests. Add fresh oregano and thyme for an extra touch of elegance.
This recipe is very easy to make and requires little attention. It goes well with any rice dish, and it’s perfect for just about any occasion. —Recipe contributor Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California
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Sweet Potato Tortellini with Hazelnut Sauce
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, wonton wrappers, ricotta cheese, hazelnuts
Level: Advanced
While making tortellini from scratch might sound time-consuming, this recipe has a secret weapon: store-bought wonton wrappers. Once you get the hang of folding them, you’ll be a pasta-making pro. Try this flavourful Turkish pasta, too.
Using wonton wrappers instead of fresh pasta dough makes homemade tortellini easy to prepare. For more formal dinners, this makes an impressive vegetarian entree. —Recipe contributor Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
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Duck Breasts with Apricot Chutney
Total Time: 1 hourMain Ingredients: Duck breasts, dried apricots, orange juice
Level: Advanced
Dried apricots, cherries and golden raisins take this dish into “special occasion” territory. Plus, you’re going to want to drizzle the orange sauce (made with Marsala wine, orange zest and basil) on everything.
When serving this entree as part of a buffet, try using chafing dish to keep it warm. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Baked Salmon
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Salmon, butter, white wine
Level: Beginner
We know a sheet-pan meal sounds more like a weeknight dish, but hear us out. It’s delicious, it feeds a crowd and aside from the sheet pan, there’s almost no clean up. Sounds like a Thanksgiving win to us.
I often make this very moist and flavorful baked salmon for company because I can have it ready in less than half an hour. This salmon with lemon is well complemented by rice or a green vegetable and a tossed salad. —Recipe contributor Emily Chaney, Penobscot, Maine
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Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Cheese tortellini, mascarpone cheese, Italian sausage
Level: Beginner
A pretty pasta dish on the table won’t make anyone complain. Don’t forget to reserve a cup of cooking water to complete the sauce.
When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don’t have a lot of time to cook, this dish is a lifesaver. It’s fast and yummy and starts with a premade jarred sauce. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Recipe contributor Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California
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Shrimp and Scallop Pasta
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Shrimp, scallops, angel hair pasta
Level: Beginner
As a 30-minute pasta recipe, this dish is perfect when you want to cook your guests something special without being stuck in the kitchen for hours on end.
I created this tempting seafood pasta for my wife. It’s a terrific meal served with crusty sourdough. If you don’t like spice, skip the red pepper flakes. —Recipe contributor George Levinthal, Goleta, California
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Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Mushroom Sauce
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Frenched racks of lamb, mushrooms, rosemary
Level: Intermediate
It doesn’t get more festive (or delicious) than a tender rack of lamb. Serve with rice pilaf and lemon broccolini.
With this easy, surefire recipe, you don’t have to be afraid to prepare a rack of lamb for a holiday dinner. Rice pilaf and roasted asparagus are a lovely way to round out the meal. —Recipe contributor Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
