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Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey
Thanksgiving main dishes that aren’t turkey! These alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving are just as delicious as the whole bird.
I absolutely love the holidays! The end of the year is just something so special, cold weather, more family time, it’s all so perfect. We’ve compiled some easy, friendly recipes to cook for Thanksgiving dinner for whatever your plans may be, that are not focused on Turkey.
See below for 24 Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey!
What can I serve instead of turkey for Thanksgiving? You can really go anywhere when it comes to mains! You can opt for salmon, lamb, roasted chicken, duck breast, ham, pork tenderloin and more.
Some main highlights and my favorites including these: Moroccan Inspired Rack of Lamb , Korean Roasted Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce, Portobello Mushroom “Steaks” and more below!
If you’re looking for more, be sure to check out The Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu!
Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken
I am living for this simple; yet packed with juiciness and flavor, garlic herb roasted chicken. The spice blend is simple: a mix of parsley, thyme, rosemary, garlic and lemon and of course, unsalted butter, all tossed and roasted to perfection.
Halibut en Papillote with Green Olive Salsa Verde
I’m dreaming of this one pan halibut en papillote with a green olive salsa verde! It’s easy (like under 30 minutes), filled with flavor and is definitely going on my weeknight dinner rotation! It’s great to make for a party, as well!
Slow Roasted Salmon with Citrus and Capers
Welcome the most perfect slow roasted salmon recipe! Easy slow roasted salmon with citrus and capers: absolutely BEAUTIFUL! This set it and forget it salmon is filled with flavor, texture and cooked so delicately in the oven.
Herb Lamb Meatballs with a Horseradish Dipping Sauce
I am absolutely dreaming of these herb lamb meatballs paired with a horseradish dipping sauce. It is just the perfect, easiest, no fuss mess recipe that is filled with flavor.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
I am in a cozy winter mode with these red wine braised short ribs! Charred to perfection short ribs topped with a lil green onion, parsley and lemon zest. This would also be wonderful to braise with potatoes or sweet potatoes as well, for the perfect thanksgiving meal.
Mushroom Pot Pie
I am all over this mushroom pot pie; a dreamy filling topped with crispy puff pastry – nothing better and so cozy!
Grilled New York Steak with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette Salad
Let’s welcome this: grilled New York Steak with a sherry shallot vinaigrette salad.
Moroccan Inspired Rack of Lamb with Turmeric Couscous
This beautiful, and delicious Moroccan inspired rack of lamb is just so perfect, I am obsessed.
Cacio e Pepe Orzo
I LOVE Cacio e Pepe pasta, it is just so delicious, decadent, and easy. I will always have all the ingredients on hand.
Rosemary Peppercorn New York Strip Steak with Béarnaise Sauce
This rosemary peppercorn New York strip steak with béarnaise sauce is absolutely epic! Seasoned generously with freshly cracked peppercorns and salt, the New York Strip Steak is seared to perfection and served with a special, creamy homemade béarnaise sauce. Although we are using a NY steak, you can opt to do this with a beef tenderloin as well.
Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops
These delicious, simple & easy scallops will go in your menu this year. They come together SO quickly, and are just so perfect.
Harissa & Sumac Roasted Chicken with Tzatsiki
This harissa and sumac roasted chicken with tzatziki! It is SO good.
Korean Apple Short Ribs
One pot braised Korean apple short ribs! Served with rice and lettuce wraps. SO easy to make, minimal pantry ingredients and tastes just.. amazing. The absolute perfect roast! This would also be really good if you swap this with a leg of lamb as well.
Date Night Lamb Ragu Rigatoni
Seriously swooning over this amazing Lamb Ragu, it is so perfect for a Thanksgiving for 2, served with wine and a nice crunchy salad.
Grilled Crispy Pork Belly Wraps
This recipe is legitimately the meal of my dreams. Pork belly marinated and grilled crispy to absolute perfection – tender pork belly on the inside, with the top bite having that huge crunch.
Chicken Schnitzel
These chicken Schnitzel tenders are absolutely EPIC. A panko blend with fresh parsley & basil with dried herbs like oregano, garlic powder, ginger powder + paprika make this chicken super crispy.
Korean Roasted Chicken with Ginger Scallion Sauce
This roasted spatchcocked korean chicken is absolutely breathtaking. The marinade is made with soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, gochujang, garlic chili oil, paprika + spicy bean paste. Served with a blended ginger scallion sauce and white rice, the perfect Thanksgiving Korean themed meal.
Paprika & Mustard Spatchcock Chicken
Dreaming over this paprika and mustard spatchcock chicken. Serve with roasted potatoes and a gem salad and you are golden! If you want to make any smaller portions, opt to do a few cornish game hens also.
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Tzatziki Sauce
One pan dreaming! This one skillet chicken thighs with tzatziki sauce is the perfect main.
Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with Grilled Avocados
This seared ahi tuna with grilled avocados are a perf appetizer and side for Thanksgiving! It’s tossed in a ginger ponzu sauce, it is beautiful. If you want to go exciting and untraditional without the meat or poultry, this main is for you.
Thai Beef Skewers with a Spicy Homemade Red Chili Sauce
Thai beef skewers with a homemade chili sauce is my go-to favorite thing to make right now. I love to wrap these up in lettuce with cucumbers and shiso leaf.
Portobello Mushroom “Steaks”
Portobello mushrooms “steaks”. An amazing + delish vegetarian main, serve with your favorite greens, protein and nom! Although not classic, any one that doesn’t eat meat may enjoy this as a main, served with a salad on the side.
Broccolini Pesto & Sausage Orecchiette
All about this broccolini pesto & sausage orecchiette! Switch your pesto up using blanched broccolini that is to DIEEE for, promise.
Sake Shrimp Scampi
Buttery, garlicky goodness is this shrimp scampi! with a twist: SAKE instead of white wine. It adds a little bit of a sweeter touch but still tastes like the scampi we know and love.
Stuffed Squash with Vegetables
The most EPIC vegetarian main: this roasted butternut squash with a loaded vegetable stuffing. Think celery, mushroom, carrots, shallots and squash all cooked down to perfection and tossed with some toasty panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, lemon juice and fresh parsley.
Want even more Thanksgiving recipes?
Find all our Thanksgiving recipes in our index! Thanks for reading along to these alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving! You are all set for the most amazing Thanksgiving feast.
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Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Watch one of our favorite recipes for Thanksgiving mains!
Thanksgiving Main Dishes that Aren’t Turkey
Ingredients
For The Steak
- 1 New York Strip Steak
- 1 large sprig rosemary
- Freshly cracked peppercorns and kosher salt to taste
- 1 tablespoons neutral oil
For The Béarnaise Sauce
- 1 shallot minced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tarragon chopped
- 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoons water
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- lemon juice to finish
Instructions
- Season your steak generously with salt and pepper on all sides of the steak.
- In the meantime, make your béarnaise sauce. In a saucepan, add diced shallot, and chopped tarragon with sherry vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Bring this mixture to a boil, and then at a low simmer until the liquid has absorbed. Set aside and cool.
- Once your vinegar mixture has cooled, on low heat, add in your egg yolks and water. Whisk continuously for 5-7 minutes until the yolks have doubled in size and it is a creamy and frothy texture.
- Tips: *Make sure your heat is on low so you don’t scramble the eggs, and every couple minutes, remove from heat and keep whisking, controlling your heat. At this point, you shouldn’t leave your stovetop, keep whisking on and off the heat. (You can also do this on a double boiler but I prefer this method).
- Once that is creamy, melt your butter in a separate pot or the microwave and slowly start adding the melted butter in sections in the egg yolk mixture. Do not add the butter all at once. Keep whisking so the butter melts in the mixture and emulsified without breaking the sauce for another 5-8 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, adjust for seasoning and add a splash of lemon juice to finish off. At this point, it should be the texture of a thick creamy dressing. Set aside.
- In a cast iron, heat a drizzle of oil until piping hot. Cook and sear your steak on all sides until cooked to your desired doneness. When you flip the first time, add in a sprig if rosemary. Remove, slice and serve with your béarnaise sauce!
