Thanksgiving Alternative Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey
on Oct 10, 2023, Updated May 19, 2025
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These Thanksgiving Alternative Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey are just as delicious as serving the whole bird. We’ve compiled some easy, friendly recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, for whatever your plans may be, that are not focused on Turkey as the main dish. You can go from anywhere; from a roast chicken, salmon, or something vegetarian, and we have you covered below.
Our Top Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey
For Thanksgiving, turkey is normally front and center, however, you don’t always have to cook a turkey! Below are some of our alternative favorites.
- For a seafood main, Garlic Lemon Butter Seared Scallops is the way to go.
- If you’re looking for salmon, Honey Ginger Glazed Salmon is just what you need to spice up your Thanksgiving spread.
- To go vegetarian, our favorite is our Mushroom Pot Pie, a savory choice for Thanksgiving.
Fish and Seafood
Slow Roasted Salmon with Citrus and Capers
Welcome to 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.
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) and filled with flavor. In addition, for the chunky salsa verde, we’re mixing assorted herbs, citrus zest, castelvetrano olives (which are everything for this recipe!), vinegar, and garlic.
Garlic Lemon Butter Seared Scallops
You’ll start by searing your scallops and then making your lemon garlic butter sauce, topped with chopped parsley. This recipe has fewer than 10 ingredients, and the flavors come together simply.
This honey-glazed salmon is a blend of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy, and is a wonderful and quick dinner. This honey garlic and ginger mixture is just so beautiful and flavorful! I love how easy this is to put together, served alongside some fluffy rice and scallions.
Vegetarian Dishes
I LOVE this Cacio e Pepe Orzo pasta recipe, it is just so delicious, decadent, and easy. I will always have all the ingredients on hand. Love the salty notes from the Parmigiano and the creaminess it all brings together. What is also so special about this recipe is that it is so creamy, can be made in one pot, and tastes just divine!
We are all over this mushroom pot pie recipe; a dreamy filling topped with crispy puff pastry, nothing better, and so cozy!
Stuffed Squash with Vegetables
The most EPIC vegetarian main: this roasted squash with a loaded vegetable stuffing. Think celery, mushrooms, carrots, shallots, and squash all cooked down to perfection and tossed with some toasty panko breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. Then stuffed in squash with twine, roasted, and sliced into rounds. Let me just say, DELICIOUS.
Beef Recipes for Thanksgiving
Steak with Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms
Dinner just got an upgrade – introducing Steak with Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms! Pan-seared steak basted with butter, then finished with mushrooms in a fig balsamic and Worcestershire glaze. This dinner comes together in under 30 minutes all in one skillet.
Traditional Jewish Beef Brisket (In the Oven)
This Traditional Jewish Beef Brisket is rich, flavorful, and slow-roasted in the oven to absolute perfection. You can serve this brisket for any holiday. We specifically love to make this for Shabbat, Passover, Hanukkah, or Rosh Hashanah, but it has a place at your table for any occasion.
I have fully entered cozy mode with this red wine braised short ribs recipe! Charred to perfection, fall-off-the-bone short ribs topped with green onion, parsley, and lemon zest. One of my favorite stews.
Tender, juicy, Prime Rib with Au Jus! This prime rib recipe has an incredible depth of flavor and needs just 15 minutes of prep time- it’s the perfect holiday dinner that’s elegant, stunning, and foolproof! Don’t forget the Creamed Spinach with Parmesan.
Chicken and Lamb Mains
This herb roast chicken spice blend is simple: a mix of parsley, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lemon. It’s a great main dish for any occasion.
Paprika & Mustard Spatchcock Chicken
Dreaming over this paprika and mustard spatchcock chicken. Pair with dinner with roasted vegetables and greens or rice. The options are endless!
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. You need this for your next weeknight dinner ASAP.
Moroccan-Inspired Rack of Lamb with Turmeric Couscous
This beautiful, and delicious Moroccan-inspired rack of lamb with turmeric couscous is just so perfect, I am obsessed. This is hands down one of my favorite racks of lamb recipes. It’s a marinade made with herbs and spices, tossed over the lamb, seared, and finished in the oven – it is filled with so much flavor.
Alternative to Turkey for Thanksgiving FAQs
Vegetarian options for Thanksgiving can include stuffed squash, whole portobello mushrooms, pot pie, Mushroom wellington, or even a baked ziti, or baked pasta will work (use squash for a seasonal twist!)
You can consider alternative recipes shared in this post, but something the most similar would be a roast chicken.
For guests who don’t eat meat or chicken, you can serve dishes like seared scallops or salmon.
Even More Thanksgiving Recipes
Find all our Thanksgiving recipes in our index!
If you do make any of these Thanksgiving Alternative Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey, leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, we would love to hear what you think! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, we love to see what you’re making! If you’d like to stay in touch and get the latest in your inbox, sign up for our Newsletter. We can also be found on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest!
