Friends, there are no rules that say you must serve turkey for Thanksgiving. While turkey might be traditional, I’d like to offer up a few non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas that are equally delicious for that showstopping main dish.
On the fourth Thursday of November, most Americans will be roasting a turkey for Thanksgiving. And while my roast turkey and turkey breast recipes are consistently top-ranked (across both Google and YouTube), I understand that not everyone absolutely loves turkey the same way I do. So, whether it’s due to personal preference (turkey’s just not your thing), flavor (maybe you prefer red meat over white), or dietary restriction (like my friend who can’t eat high purine foods,) I wanted to offer up several alternatives that are just as delicious and worthy of taking center stage on your festive holiday table. And remember, no matter which main dish you choose, it’s really all about the myriad of Thanksgiving side dishes anyway—at least that’s what my mom always tells me!
Prime Rib
This garlic crusted prime rib makes for one wow-worthy centerpiece. Not only is it big and commanding, but the meat is fall-apart tender, and that garlicky herb crust is the pièce de résistance.
Roast Chicken
This roast chicken recipe is so incredibly simple—there’s only 3 ingredients! So if you want a very simple, no-fuss chicken main that resembles turkey in shape (albeit much smaller), this is the recipe for you.
Beef Tenderloin
If you’d like a red meat main dish that delivers on elegance, this beef tenderloin recipe was made for special occasions. Serve it up with my homemade horseradish sauce that’s wonderfully creamy and perfectly spicy.
Pork Tenderloin
The dry spice rub plus honey garlic sauce makes this one flavor-packed pork tenderloin dinner that’s sure to impress. Serve it up with creamy mashed potatoes and your favorite veggies.
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is comfort food at its finest, which is what Thanksgiving dinner is all about! This cozy meal combines ground lamb, diced veggies, and fluffy mashed potatoes, though you could swap in ground beef to make a cottage pie.
Filet Mignon
This gorgeous filet mignon serves up 5-star restaurant vibes in your home kitchen. I love it cooked to a rosy medium-raw, but you can cook it to your liking. Just don’t forget the bearnaise sauce or herbed compound butter to finish it off!
Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp scampi is a great option for a lighter and healthier Thanksgiving dinner idea that still delivers on flavor. With all the calories you save on this main dish, you can indulge in a few more Thanksgiving sides!
Tuscan Chicken
Tuscan chicken is a reader favorite recipe that combines juicy chicken breast with a creamy, cheesy sauce punctuated with sauteed spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. And for your Thanksgiving dinner table, it’s a bonus that the colors are very fall-appropriate!
Ratatouille
If you’re planning a vegetarian Thanksgiving, my beautifully layered ratatouille is perfect for a dinner party. I love to combine this with my sweet potato salad and falafel (see below) for a delicious, veggie-forward filling meal.
Falafel
Falafel are little balls of chickpea and herb goodness with a golden, crispy crust. They’re surprisingly filling and packed with fresh flavor. Serve them with my homemade tzatziki sauce for the perfect creamy drizzle.
Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a fall veggie superstar, and you can make it shine even brighter with an apple sausage cranberry filling. Just half of this stuffed butternut squash served on a plate is a dazzling, all-in-one main dish.
Braised Short Ribs
These red wine braised short ribs are incredibly juicy and meltingly tender. Personally, I love that this recipe is totally foolproof and hands-off for about 2 hours. That means you can get it started, enjoy Thanksgiving appetizers with your guests
(hello deviled eggs), then serve it up over any kind of mash, from mashed sweet potatoes to mashed butternut squash.
Honey Baked Ham
Honey baked ham is a classic holiday main. And with how easy it is to make at home, there’s no need to order it from the store. Plus, that sticky-sweet glaze is “chef’s kiss!”
Chicken Marsala
Chicken marsala is a cozy, comfort food dish with beautifully golden chicken breasts served up in a luxurious marsala wine sauce layered with mushrooms and fresh herbs. This one-pan dish is perfect for a more intimate Thanksgiving dinner idea.
Meatloaf
A classic meatloaf dinner always hits the spot. It’s moist, filling, hearty, and easily sliced for guests. It’s a great option for a budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner with a deliciously sweet glaze. And while I’m keeping this list turkey-free, just know that I do have a turkey meatloaf recipe as well.
Chili
For an easy, make-ahead Thanksgiving dinner, a large pot of chili never disappoints. Ground beef and veggies simmer with warming spices that will make your whole house smell amazing. And if you’re vibing on chili for a main dish but not sure about beef, I’ve got several chili recipes to choose from!
Baked Pork Chops
These large bone-in baked pork chops cook in the oven in under 30 minutes! The dry spice rub has a phenomenal smoky-sweet flavor, and I love that the top becomes lightly caramelized under the broiler.
Beef Stew
Beef stew is the quintessential fall recipe for when the weather starts to cool. It warms you up from the inside out and combines hearty beef chunks with potatoes and veggies for a cozy, all-in-one dinner.
Honey mustard Chicken
While I have several chicken thigh recipes on my website, these honey mustard chicken thighs are my favorite in the fall and winter. They’re casual enough for a weeknight dinner (of which Thanksgiving is) yet so tasty that I guarantee your guests will be going back for seconds.
Orange Glazed Salmon
While salmon might not be the first thing that comes to mind for Thanksgiving dinner, this orange glazed salmon coated in a citrusy, sticky-sweet sauce will certainly change your mind. The orange-thyme combination is super delicious and fall appropriate!
Complete Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Once you’ve chosen your non-turkey main dish, don’t forget to plan out the rest of your Thanksgiving menu, including:
- Appetizers: You can opt for traditional Thanksgiving nibbles like deviled eggs and stuffed mushrooms or non-traditional (though equally delicious) nibbles like cowboy caviar served with tortilla chips or even jalapeno poppers. Check out my full list of Thanksgiving appetizers.
- Side Dishes: My sweet potato casserole, honey glazed carrots, and Thanksgiving peas are reader favorites, though I personally always make my balsamic bacon Brussels sprouts and creamed corn. Pro tip: opt or a variety of colors! Check out my list of more than 50 Thanksgiving side dishes.
- Desserts: Pumpkin pie is the expected dessert, though if you want to shake things up, I’ve got several Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie. Since we’re on a non-traditional theme, we might as well continue that through dessert!
- To help reduce stress for the big holiday, make sure to also check out my Thanksgiving game plan with timelines and tips. And grab my free downloadable Thanksgiving Guide (in PDF format) that will help you serve up your best Thanksgiving dinner yet!
If you make any of these Thanksgiving dinner ideas, I’d love to hear how they turned out in the comment box below! Your review really helps give confidence to other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
