27 Thanksgiving Dinner Alternatives to Turkey
Honestly, anything can make for an alternative Thanksgiving dinner—one of our colleagues swears by nachos on the fourth Thursday of every November. It’s our house, our rules (or your house, your rules, as it were). But if we could interject one piece of advice: We do think a holiday meal should be festive, fun, and at least a little decadent.
Maybe you’ve planned a roundup of mostly traditional Thanksgiving foods? It’s gonna be a classic cheese ball and some cranberry chutney for the appetizer course. You’ve decided you do want marshmallows on the sweet potato casserole this year (and cornflakes too, thank you very much). The brussels sprouts will be roasted simply with olive oil…and balsamic vinegar. Dessert is BA’s Best Pumpkin Pie, of course, but a big bloomin’ bird just isn’t ca-caw-caw-calling your name this year. It’s also entirely possible that you want to go completely rogue and have spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread for your Thanksgiving main dish. You can do that. Here are our favorite stand-ins for Thanksgiving turkey, no matter why you’re considering them.
Photograph by Jenny Huang, Food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Martha Bernabe1/27Char Siu Wellington
British beef Wellington meets Cantonese barbecue-style boneless pork loin in a fusion dish that’s so very American, it should become everyone’s Thanksgiving turkey alternative this year.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist2/27Lobster Pasta
There’s nothing like pasta to stretch a spendy ingredient (hello, lobster). Serve with a big crunchy salad with Italian dressing and one of those long loaves of garlic bread diners can rip into and pass around for Thanksgiving party vibes.
Alex Lau3/27Roast Beef Tenderloin With Garlic and Rosemary
You need a cast-iron skillet to get a good sear on this beef tenderloin; getting it well-browned means deeper flavor for both the mean and the pan sauce.
Photograph by Isa Zapata. Food Styling by Cyd McDowell. Prop Styling by Paige Hicks4/27Spicy Skillet Lasagna With Ricotta and Spinach
Christopher Testani5/27Porchetta-Style Roast Turkey Breast
An alternative Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to mean there’s a turkey alternative. Maybe it’s the whole-roasted bird that’s the problem. If your holiday table would be happy with a version that involves juicy, boneless turkey breasts rolled up with bacon and pancetta, this would quite fit the bill.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Stying by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua6/27Fried Chicken With Cranberry-Mustard Sauce
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by D'mytrek Brown, Small Bowls by Meilen Ceramics7/27Whole Fish Ssam
Presenting a whole fish at the holiday table is wildly celebratory. And roasting one—skin, bones, and all—is surprisingly easy. The flesh stays moist and flavorful, even if you overcook it a touch. Serve with lettuce wraps, kimchi, and various toppings so your Thanksgiving guests can make each bite a little more interesting than the last.
Photograph by Chris Simpson, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Gözde Eker8/27Pumpkin and Cheddar Strata
A make-ahead casserole, like this pumpkin-infused strata scented with nutmeg and herbs and balanced by salty sharp cheddar cheese, is just what your busy holiday schedule needs.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Stying by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua9/27Pomegranate-and-Honey-Glazed Duck With Rice
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Leslie Garetto, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon10/27Texas Chili
This Texas-style chili recipe, a comfort food to say the least, comes packed with brisket, Ancho chiles, butternut squash, and a flurry of spices. If you’re feeling more French than Texan, try this Pork Shank Garbure.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni12/27Cheesy Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Judy Kim, prop styling by Beth Pakradooni13/27Brisket Bourguignon
This impossibly tender, holiday meal-worthy brisket is begging to be served with mashed potatoes and buttery milk buns with garlic butter. Give it what it wants, won’t you?
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacuqua15/27Chile-Vinegar-Marinated Cornish Game Hens
Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, Food Styling by Simon Andrews17/27Risotto With Mushrooms and Thyme
The Italian word for the ideal risotto texture is all’onda—literally, “like a wave.” In other words, risotto should spread and move and undulate, so if you can stand a spoon up in it, it needs more liquid.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Taneka Morris19/27Pork Tenderloin With Jam-and-Mustard Glaze
In this alternative dinner for Thanksgiving, sharp Dijon and your jam of choice (truly any flavor works) make up the base of a topping for pork tenderloin.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Emilie Fosnocht, prop styling by Emma Ringness20/27Stuffing-Crusted Fish
With some finely grated Parmesan, lemon zest, parsley, and butter, humble boxed stuffing instantly transforms into a tangy, mustardy crust for white fish fillets.
Photograph by Doan Ly, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Christina Allen21/27Pumpkin Lasagna Roll-Ups
Photograph by Joann Pai, food and prop styling by Rebekah Peppler23/27Seven-Hour Braised Leg of Lamb
Maybe you want to save the brown sugar-glazed ham for Christmas? If so, this whole leg of lamb makes for a centerpiece that’s just as showstopping. (And, like ham and turkey, leftover lamb can be deliciously repurposed in sandwiches.)
Marcus Nilsson24/27Cast-Iron Roast Chicken With Crispy Potatoes
You just need to make green beans, because this Thanksgiving recipe is already a two-in-one: Thinly sliced potatoes cook and crisp up in the same amount of time it takes for the chicken to roast to perfection in the same cast-iron skillet.
Photograph by Eva Kolenko. Food styling by Susie Theodorou. Set design by Kira Corbin. On set producer: Jennifer Thomas.25/27Prime Rib Roast With Habanero Crema
This prime rib roast is inspired by the flavors in Jamaican braised oxtails. If you prefer a simpler approach (garlic, rosemary, salt), try this Low-and-Slow Rib Roast.
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Styling by Claire Saffitz26/27Slow-Cooker Roast Pork Sandwiches
Maybe you’re so alternative that you don’t even sit at a table for your Thanksgiving feast (!). You can take these juicy pork and broccoli rabe sandwiches to go and eat them under the stars.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones and Thu Buser, prop styling by Sean Dooley27/27Dark and Stormy–Braised Pot Roast
This alternative Thanksgiving dinner is for those who just want a cozy night in. While sweatshirts are encouraged, a holiday cocktail—such as, the inspiration for this recipe—is required.
