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23 Thanksgiving Mains That AREN'T Turkey
23 tasty alternatives to Thanksgiving turkey
By loveFOOD Staff · November 21, 2023
Originally published on loveFOOD
Going cold turkey
If you’re not a fan of turkey (too dry, we hear you cry!) or just fancy mixing things up with your Thanksgiving main course this year, our recipe collection is here to help. From impressive vegan or vegetarian roasts and flavorsome fish dishes to perfect pork-based mains and classic roast goose, these sensational alternatives mean you can serve up a centerpiece to be proud of – with not a turkey in sight.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most delicious turkey-free Thanksgiving recipes ever.
Mushroom and lentil Wellington
Proving once and for all that vegan and vegetarian centerpieces can be just as indulgent and utterly delicious as their meat counterparts, this mushroom and lentil Wellington is a guaranteed hit. This riff on the much-loved British dish is rich with umami flavors, thanks to a filling made from sautéed mushrooms, deglazed vegetables, and braised lentils. Served with roast potatoes and seasonal sides it’s a real winner.
Orange and cranberry roast wreath
Packed with texture from the walnuts, zesty notes courtesy of the citrus fruit and zingy cranberries, this delicious plant-based roast is just the thing for a luxurious, meat-free Thanksgiving meal. The wreath shape adds to the festive feel – and is sure to impress guests – and you can make things even more special by glazing the cooked dish with cranberry sauce and chopped nuts. Green beans and a rich brandy sauce make the ideal accompaniments.
Nutty pithivier with watercress and pistachio pesto
This vegetarian pithivier – a round, enclosed pie made with puff pastry that originated in France – is packed with a bounty of beautiful seasonal flavors, including chestnuts, clementines, dried fruits, and aromatic herbs. This dish does take a little time and requires attention to detail to prepare, but the end result is more than worth it. It'll look particularly pretty on your table, and works well with all the usual Thanksgiving trimmings.
Get the recipe for nutty pithivier with watercress and pistachio pesto here
Roasted cauliflower shawarma with pomegranate and tahini
Vegetarian mains don't get much prettier than this dish, which takes the humble cauliflower to the next level, Middle Eastern style. The whole cauliflower is coated in spiced butter and roasted, then it's topped with a garlicky tahini sauce, pomegranate seeds, chili, parsley, and toasted pine nuts. It's best served hot from the oven, though you can make the sauces ahead of time.
Get the recipe for roasted shawarma cauliflower with pomegranate and tahini here
Mushroom and spinach en croûte
This stunning vegetarian dish is ready for the oven in just 30 minutes. Store-bought puff pastry encases a mix made from mushrooms, spinach, ricotta, and Gruyère cheeses (use mature vegetarian Cheddar for strict veggies – Gruyère is made with animal rennet). The filling can be made in advance too, meaning all you need do on the big day is assemble it and bake.
Butternut squash and mushroom Wellington
This twist on a classic beef Wellington makes a scene-stealing vegetarian main. Sweet and earthy butternut squash is paired with nutty mushrooms and encased in a rich, buttery pastry. It takes a few hours to cook, but that's mostly due to roasting the squash; meanwhile, you can get on with preparing the rest of your Thanksgiving extravaganza.
Get the recipe for butternut squash and mushroom Wellington here
Roast leg of lamb with pecorino and garlic
The idea of stuffing lamb with cheese might sound strange, but trust us – it really works. Flavorful and decadent, this is a perfect main dish for your Thanksgiving feast, and just so happens to work brilliantly with all the traditional sides you might serve with turkey, too.
Get the recipe for roast leg of lamb with pecorino and garlic here
Beef Wellington
A fitting recipe for a celebration, beef Wellington incorporates a number of luxurious ingredients into one lip-smacking dish. It does take a bit of skill and quite a lot of patience to make, but it'll be well worth it once the dish commands pride of place on your Thanksgiving table.
Roast pork loin
Cooking pork loin can be tricky, but this fail-safe recipe yields flawlessly crisp crackling and tender, melt-in-your mouth meat. It works really well with a range of side dishes, from roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes to green beans and even cranberry sauce.
Roast pork belly with garlic potatoes
With its crisp, golden skin and succulent meat, roast pork belly is one of the most comforting and delicious main meals imaginable. Rolled up in the style of classic Italian porchetta, this recipe sees the pork belly filled with a nutty stuffing and cooked on top of garlicky roast potatoes and fennel.
Orange-glazed ham with mango and orange salsa
This recipe sees a joint of smoked ham gently roasted in the oven with orange juice until tender. Once cooked, it's coated with a sticky orange glaze and slices of orange. The fruity, slightly spiced salsa goes brilliantly with the meat, cutting through the richness perfectly. The ham will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator, meaning you’ll have delicious leftovers to tuck into (should the whole thing not be devoured on the day).
Get the recipe for orange-glazed ham with mango and orange salsa here
Blueberry and mustard-glazed ham
For something a little different, try cooking your ham in blueberry juice. The sweet tartness of the fruit contrasts so well with the saltiness of the ham, you'll wonder why it's not a more common combination. In this recipe, the ham is accompanied by lentils braised with cardamom, more blueberries and a hint of chili. For ease, the lentils can be served at room temperature, rather than piping hot from the stove.
Porchetta with dried peaches and thyme
A fantastic alternative to any bird or beef roast, this delicious porchetta main comes complete with salty, sticky crackling and pleasantly sweet peach stuffing. It's wonderfully hearty and will pair well with green vegetables or a warm winter salad. It also requires a lot less work than you might think, leaving you free to cook your appetizers and sides (or simply relax).
Get the recipe for porchetta with dried peaches and thyme here
Duck cottage pie
A flavorful, warming dish that's sure to win over even the most ardent turkey fans, this classic English-style cottage pie is given an update thanks to tasty, tender duck. To add extra flavor and an additional nod to Thanksgiving, you could use sweet potatoes for the topping, instead of the regular potatoes specified in the recipe.
Phyllo fish pie
This rich fish pie will fill your home with wonderful aromas. It also looks lovely, and will work equally well as the focal dish and as an alternative option for those who don't eat meat. Packed with cod, smoked haddock, shrimp, leeks, and peas, the pie is topped with phyllo or filo pastry for a satisfyingly crisp texture. Our recipe also uses cooking spray and lower-fat milk for a lighter (yet still wonderfully creamy) take on a classic that's usually heavy on butter.
Chicken with pesto, taleggio, and roasted tomatoes
This colorful dish tastes as delicious as it looks. It's also surprisingly quick and easy to make, which is perfect if you end up with last-minute guests for Thanksgiving dinner. It does taste best if you make your own pesto from scratch, but you can also use a store-bought version. To save time on the big day, the chicken can be prepared 12 hours in advance (up to the end of step 2).
Get the recipe for Mary Berry's chicken with pesto, taleggio, and roasted tomatoes recipe here
Moussaka
This traditional Greek dish does take a bit of time to make and bake, but all that effort results in a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, as most of the cooking is done in the oven, you're free to get on with other things – like whipping up side dishes and desserts. Every Greek family has its own take on moussaka, though the most common versions include eggplant and ground meat. Whether you make it with lamb, beef, pork, or a mix is up to you. You can also make a vegetarian version by substituting the meat for extra eggplant, potatoes, and other vegetables.
Skirt steak with chimichurri
Ring the changes and serve this impressive steak dish for your Thanksgiving main. Skirt, hanger, or onglet steaks are cheaper alternatives to the likes of filet mignon, and are absolutely bursting with flavor. For best results, the meat should be served rare and cooked over a high heat on a barbecue or griddle pan. Served with an Argentine-inspired chimichurri sauce, featuring an intense blend of fresh herbs, garlic, chili, oil, and lemon, this is a seriously memorable dish. The sauce works well with chicken, too.
Fondue with root vegetables
For something very different to the usual Thanksgiving menu, an oozy fondue is a fun way to get guests talking. Put it in the middle of the table (or lay out more than one fondue pot, if you have a house full) and get guests loading skewers with everything from chunks of bread to roast potatoes and vegetables. This recipe uses Cheddar, though you could also use other cheeses or a mix – Gruyère, Emmental, and Gouda all work well.
Get the recipe for homemade fondue with root vegetables here
Whole baked salmon with kale, squash and pomegranate salad
Fish makes a wonderful alternative to turkey and whole roast salmon is the ideal serve-at-the-table main. In this Norwegian-inspired recipe, the salmon is accompanied by kale, roasted butternut squash, and a pomegranate salad, though it would also work well with all the usual Thanksgiving trimmings.
Get the recipe for whole baked salmon with kale, squash, and pomegranate salad here
Pumpkin cannelloni
Creamy, filling, and packed with warming, seasonal notes, this tasty baked pasta dish could be served as a side for your Thanksgiving feast, and would also make an impressive vegetarian main. You can prepare it well in advance of serving, which is always a plus.
Lamb-stuffed eggplant with Manchego cheese
This lamb-stuffed eggplant recipe will make you forget all about turkey. Oiled and salted halved eggplants are baked until tender, before being stuffed with a ragu made from ground lamb, red bell peppers, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and the scooped-out, cooked eggplant flesh. Sprinkled with Manchego cheese and baked again, this is a dish that’ll really get people talking.
Get the recipe for Rick Stein's lamb-stuffed eggplant with Manchego cheese here
Goose with pecan stuffing
If you're keen to serve a classic main that's a touch more special than turkey, look no further than goose. This stunning whole roast goose is accompanied by pecan, bacon, and sage stuffing balls and a delicious red wine and blackberry gravy. In short, it’s absolutely perfect for an extra special, entirely memorable festive meal.
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