Who doesn’t love traditional Thanksgiving foods? Those reliable festive recipes might be great, but there are so many alternative appetizers, sides, and desserts to put on your festive dinner table.
It’s time to spice it up and cook some non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes! Ditch the tired green bean casserole and mashed potatoes and make a savory galette and a fall-flavored salad instead, or turn a bland pumpkin pie into a pumpkin cheesecake!
You don't even have to stick with the classic roasted turkey - make it interesting and go for an unconventional main dish like a perfectly glazed ham or an impressive turkey roulade.
No matter what kind of dinner spread you decide on, you will definitely find the best non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipe ideas in our roundup. Let’s make Thanksgiving 2022 truly special!
Appetizers before the main dinner are not just a tradition. Serving appetizers or a Thanksgiving charcuterie board can help keep the guests at bay while you are finishing up in the kitchen, and they can buy you more time in case of any kitchen mishap or emergency.
Grilled brie is always a hit. This appetizer is out of this world - it's creamy, sweet, and tangy.
The best part about this recipe is that it's easy to tweak. You can make it on a stove or bake the brie instead; if you have no strawberries, use any other sweet berries - it will still make an impressive, delicious appetizer.
Sweet apples and melted savory gruyere cheese stuffed in meaty mushrooms make for a unique festive appetizer.
You might want to double the recipe cause these disappear off the platter at the speed of light.
Add these fun savory cheese balls drizzled with honey onto your appetizer platter or charcuterie board.
You will be surprised by how quick and easy this recipe is. In under 30 minutes, you can have the most delicious festive-looking bite-sized appetizer ready to go!
This creamy pumpkin pie dip comes together in minutes, requires no baking time, and is a beautiful non-traditional twist on the classic flavors. Serve it with your favorite cookies or apple slices.
These crispy, cheesy delights will be ready in 20 minutes and are guaranteed to be a hit with your guests.
This is a fun way to serve a traditional appetizer everyone loves. The jalapeno cheese dip takes the dish to a whole different level - crunchy, spicy, creamy, and perfect.
This elegant appetizer could not be simpler to whip up, and all the flavors go so well together. Sweet notes from the honey meld perfectly with the smooth and creamy goat cheese, which is then topped with fresh thyme – all complimented by the crunch from the pecans.
This mouth-watering combination of traditional Southern fried green tomatoes and an Italian classic will leave your guests in awe.
Thanksgiving might be called Turkey Day, but it doesn't mean you must make it every single year. Plenty of non-traditional Thanksgiving mains fit the mood and add an exciting, delicious twist to the celebrations.
Ham is always a popular choice - it's easy to prepare and full of flavor. Or go for something a little more adventurous, like a turkey roulade. This is an excellent option if you're short on time since it's a rolled-up turkey breast stuffed with stuffing or other flavorful ingredients. Another fun option is the cranberry rib roast - a rack of ribs glazed with cranberry sauce.
Choose from our selection of not-so-classic Thanksgiving main dishes and get cooking!
This delicious glazed ham is a true holiday delight! The recipe is easy to follow and only takes about 2 hours from start to finish - a fantastic main dish option if you haven't done your Thanksgiving menu planning and grocery shopping in time.
Just take a look at this glorious golden color! This creamy risotto is an excellent vegetarian option for any festive dinner table.
If you don't have a crowd to cook for, then roasting a whole turkey will leave you with enough leftovers to last till Easter.
Making a simple sheet pan chicken roast is a quick and practical option for a small Thanksgiving gathering.
This pork rib roast is a stunning centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. The meat turns out juicy and flavorful with apples and cranberry sauce, adding the perfect sweet holiday flavors. It's easy to carve and perfect for a crowd.
This Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast with Mustard Maple Glaze Recipe is the perfect solution if you're looking for a smaller, more convenient holiday turkey alternative. This recipe is easy to follow and makes a juicy, tender, and flavorful main dish. The key to success is in the seasoning - a mixture of herbs gives this turkey breast a beautiful flavor that is perfect for the holidays. And the maple mustard glaze not only makes this dish look stunning on the table and adds a delicious festive touch.
This tender, juicy turkey tenderloin is perfectly complemented by the savory parmesan apple stuffing and sage wine gravy and is bursting with flavor. And it's ready in just over an hour! This is a worthy alternative to a demanding Thanksgiving turkey. So go ahead and enjoy your holiday without all the stress.
An excellent vegetarian main full of fall flavors - sweet apples, creamy roasted acorn squash, and pecans.
Another superb non-traditional main dish for a small Thanksgiving celebration - this roasted balsamic chicken with cranberries is succulent, tender, and perfect for your holiday dinner table.
These oven-roasted, flavourful, and juicy turkey legs are for when a whole turkey is just too much food, or you are cooking for a smaller party where everyone enjoys dark meat and wants a turkey leg all to themselves.
Don't be surprised - a traditional homemade lasagna is a smashing non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner idea!
Packed with a showstopper meat sauce full of flavor from tomato and wine layered in everyone's favorite noodles, this savory dish will make everyone at the table grateful.
This turkey roulade stuffed with homemade pork sausage dressing is a deserving rival to classic Thanksgiving turkey. It might even win if you ask us - it takes less time to cook, turns out moist and flavorful, can be made ahead of time, and if you have any leftover dressing, it becomes an extra side dish! It might just be the perfect alternative Thanksgiving main.
There is a reason people say that Thanksgiving is all about the sides. You may have the most perfect roasted turkey, but it is the side dishes that bring everything on the plate together.
You don't have to ditch every beloved Thanksgiving classic for a new dish to make this celebration special. But it can sure make it more exciting if you shake it up and swap a couple of sides or add a new one altogether.
Swap the tired mashed potatoes for these cool and hip smashed potatoes. It is a foolproof recipe that only takes 30 minutes. The potatoes turn out tender, crispy, buttery, and garlicky - everything you'd want them to be.
Add this crunchy and colorful salad to your Thanksgiving spread. It's full of fall flavors like apple and cranberries and is a nice contrast to the usual heavy holiday side dishes.
These Crispy Parmesan Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are a breeze to make. Tossed in some savory spices and parmesan cheese, pop them in the air fryer, and in just a few minutes, you'll have a guaranteed crispy and delicious side dish for your holiday spread.
A galette is like a pie's free-spirited cousin. It's rustic and relaxed, with a beautifully imperfect ruffled crust. The salty pancetta balances the sweet caramelized leeks, and the whole thing is enveloped in a flaky, buttery crust. This is the perfect dish for your non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner. And the best part? It's so easy to make!
Persimmons are a breathtaking seasonal orange food bursting with flavor and color! This beautiful persimmon fennel salad drizzled with pomegranate seeds is a superb addition to your Thanksgiving dinner spread.
This is an excellent alternative to classic mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole. The flavor of the sweet potatoes and guacamole together will blow your mind. And it makes for an impressive visual presentation with everyone at the table getting their individual sweet potato side.
This salad is chock-full of holiday goodness, with crunchy pecans, tart cranberries, and blanched green beans, bringing flavor and texture to the table. And since you can serve it at room temperature, there is no need to worry about the precious refrigerator space. This Thanksgiving, ditch the tired green bean casserole and mix things up with this delicious green bean salad.
You've had ribs, but have you ever tried Parmesan Corn Ribs? These vegetarian delights are a fantastic idea for a non-conventional Thanksgiving side. The colorful little "riblets" burst with flavor from spices and parmesan, and they are so fun to eat!
This recipe will only take 25 minutes of your time and is a surefire hit for any occasion. The asparagus fries get super crunchy thanks to the air fryer, and when dipped in the heavenly lemon aioli, they make for a great holiday side.
This is a nice twist on traditional Thanksgiving casseroles - you can't go wrong with creamy cheese and delicious bacon.
Pumpkin mac and cheese may not be a revolutionary idea, but this recipe definitely puts a nice twist on the Thanksgiving classic.
There are many delicious possibilities to play with seasonal flavors and create something exciting for your Thanksgiving dessert spread.
You could tweak the classics like pumpkin pie and turn it into a pumpkin cheesecake instead. Or go entirely against tradition and make an exquisite apple tart or a rich chocolate sheet cake.
This Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding is made with just a few simple ingredients and only takes 30 minutes. They are infused with the rich flavor of cinnamon, making them the perfect holiday treat for any cinnamon lover.
These luscious bars are bursting with the classic flavor combination of rich chocolate and zesty orange. This non-traditional Thanksgiving dessert will indeed become a pleasant surprise for everyone at the table.
Banana Cream Pie is one of the most famous desserts in American food culture. A sweet, crunchy crust, creamy filling, and fluffy whipped cream pair perfectly with bananas. This from-scratch version is an excellent dessert idea for the holiday spread.
These decadent rolls marry pistachio and chocolate to take a beautiful twist on a traditional sweet roll. We promise the proofing is worth the wait.
Take your Thanksgiving dessert to another level with this twist on traditional pumpkin pie: smooth, rich, and delicious pumpkin cheesecake in a super easy-to-make homemade gingersnap crust!
Apples scream fall season - the smell of this simple apple tart baking in the oven is intoxicating and tastes even better.
Making a giant chocolate chip cookie in a skillet is a guaranteed win for any holiday. This is a kind of fun dessert everyone can get excited about!
These rich and nutty Coconut Pecan Blondies are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner!
