37 Alternative Thanksgiving Meals That Rethink Tradition in 2025
Thanksgiving might always feel familiar, but it doesn’t have to be predictable. While turkey, Thanksgiving sides and cranberry sauce are holiday staples, more people are turning the day into a culinary experiment. According to Innova Market Insights, “Tradition Reinvented” is inspiring cooks to keep the comfort of classic dishes while updating the flavors and formats to fit how they eat now.
These Thanksgiving food ideas follow that spirit. Whether you’re planning a smaller gathering, hosting Thanksgiving for the first time or spending the day solo, there are plenty of ways to make it feel special. From global twists to fresh vegetarian mains, these alternative Thanksgiving meals might even inspire some creative Thanksgiving leftovers ideas for the next day too.
If you’re trying out a new Thanksgiving menu or just ready to mix things up, these alternative dishes flip the script on the usual centerpiece — and prove there’s more than one way to celebrate.
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- Unique Alternative Thanksgiving Meals
- Non-Traditional Alternative Thanksgiving Meals to Impress
- Easy Non-Traditional Alternative Thanksgiving Meals
- Best Alternative Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Are Not Turkey
- Non-Traditional Alternative Turkey Meals
Unique Alternative Thanksgiving Meals
1. Artichoke Hearts Gratin
A great alternative to regular sides or as a Thanksgiving appetizer pre-meal, these cheese-drenched artichoke hearts are sure to be one of your new favorite alternative Thanksgiving meals. Make them with canned artichoke hearts, black pepper, olive oil and Parmesan cheese.
2. Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish
This sweet and spicy relish is a great alternative to regular cranberry sauce and is a great way to add a little kick to your table. To create, simply mix lime, jalapenos, frozen cranberries and lime together and a little orange for a citrusy twist.
3. Sweet Potato Rolls
A simple upgrade to the usual dinner roll, this version uses sweet potato purée instead of regular potato for a touch of natural sweetness, extra fiber and a richer, buttery flavor in every bite.
4. Carrot Gnocchi
A fresh twist on an Italian classic, these gnocchi get their sweetness and color from carrots mixed into the dough. Toss them in butter and herbs, sprinkle with pistachios for a nutty crunch and serve with a savory pumpkin sauce or add them to skillets or casseroles for a great alternative Thanksgiving meal.
5. Green Beans with Feta and Bacon
Forget the boring, old canned green bean casserole. Make your recipe a little more luxe by adding bacon and crumbled feta to your sauteed beans. You can also add cranberries for a little more tartness to the mix.
6. Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake
The ubiquitous pumpkin pie gets a playful remix with yellow cake mix, pudding and pumpkin purée for a spiced, moist fall dessert that looks as good as it tastes. Serve it warm with whipped cream and coffee.
7. Grapefruit & Goat Cheese Fennel Salad
Thanksgiving salad might not be the first thing that comes to mind when catering for the holiday, but this crisp fennel and citrus mix could change that. With olives, pine nuts and creamy goat cheese, it’s bright, refreshing and perfect topped with your favorite vinaigrette.
8. Polenta With Wild Mushroom Ragu
Fall is mushroom season, making it the perfect time for a rich, savory ragu. Sauté cremini, button or even truffle mushrooms with olive oil, red wine, garlic and vegetables, then serve over creamy polenta or pasta or potatoes.
Non-Traditional Alternative Thanksgiving Meals to Impress
9. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini
For the perfect non-traditional Thanksgiving recipes for your holiday meal that will win points with your guests, try these small baguettes toasted and topped with olive oil, garlic, goat cheese and roasted pumpkin, all drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
If you want to explore more alternative Thanksgiving meals, consider taking a cooking class to pick up new ideas and skills. Check out cooking classes near you, including cooking classes in Ann Arbor, Milwaukee or Vancouver.
10. Fancy Crusted Rosemary Scalloped Potatoes
Always a classic potato dish for any holiday, this version adds rosemary, parmesan and garlic for an herby, aromatic twist on your usual Thanksgiving mashed potatoes.
11. Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
For another potato-focused alternative Thanksgiving meal, try mixing your regular mashed potatoes with a bit of mascarpone cheese to make them that little bit more indulgent. The cheese makes them creamier and richer than the usual recipe and will have guests asking for more.
12. Roquefort Pear Salad
Another great spin on salad, this one combines blue cheese, pears, glazed caramelized pecans and a mustard vinaigrette for a delicious mix of greens for a sweet-and-savory combination that’s perfect for starting the meal.
13. Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting
These can be served either as a side or a dessert. Swap them for your usual Thanksgiving dessert or add them to the plate as a spin on the usual sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows. You can also cover them in cream cheese frosting.
14. Lobster Risotto
Lobster might not be the first thing that comes to mind for Thanksgiving, but this creamy mix of white wine, lobster, cheese and rice will change that. It’s an elegant alternative for when you want to impress guests with a rich, restaurant-quality risotto.
15. Cheese Soufflé
A dish that takes a bit of care to master, a cheese soufflé always feels luxurious. Made with a mix of cheeses and eggs, its tall, golden rise makes an impressive centerpiece or side alongside your other Thanksgiving favorites.
Easy Non-Traditional Alternative Thanksgiving Meals
16. Roasted Pumpkin Soup
If you plan on starting off your courses with a soup, this makes a great, easy alternative Thanksgiving meal that has all the flavors of fall at your disposal. Make it with fresh or canned pumpkin puree mixed with olive oil, onion, garlic and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. This creamy soup also makes a great accompaniment for next-day Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches.
17. Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuff acorn squash with apples, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon and your favorite cheese, then top with ground walnuts for a sweet, cozy dish. Add sausage if you’d prefer a savory version that works beautifully as a main or side.
18. Mashed Potato Pancakes
Instead of dousing them in gravy, fry your mashed potatoes in a mix of oil, spices and cheese to make them crispy and delicious. Add green onions or bacon bits over the top and serve with sour cream as a side dish for an easy alternative Thanksgiving meal.
19. Roasted Garlic and Pumpkin Hummus
If you're looking for a great appetizer that is easy to make this Thanksgiving, look no further than hummus. It's perfect for dipping bread, crackers and veggies into. Make the hummus seasonal by adding roasted garlic and pumpkin puree to the usual chickpea base. It works well with poultry when smeared on your leftover sandwiches.
20. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Add creamy pumpkin puree to your usual mac and cheese recipe for instant fall flavors. Make it in a pan or bake it, topped with more cheese and garlic butter breadcrumbs for a hearty side that makes a great alternative Thanksgiving meal.
21. Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
A great alternative to dinner rolls, this alternative Thanksgiving meal mixes butter, garlic and Parmesan with a gooey pull-apart bread that your guests will keep reaching for. Serve it with the meal or as an appetizer and let your guests dip it in a herb-infused butter on a charcuterie board.
Best Alternative Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Are Not Turkey
22. Tangy Honey-Glazed Ham
Ham might be more common at Christmas or Easter, but it’s a worthy swap for turkey. Brush it with a glaze of honey and citrus or cranberry juice, then bake with pineapple slices on top for a tangy, caramelized finish. It’s just as good reheated with sides as it is layered into sandwiches for a Thanksgiving brunch.
23. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions
If you are looking for a turkey alternative this holiday, try serving pork instead. Fry your pork medallions in a pan with butter, garlic, onions and herbs, then pop them into the oven for a few minutes wrapped in cooked bacon strips.
24. Chicken Pot Pie
If you love poultry but would rather avoid the traditional turkey, try this spin that uses chicken. Create a creamy sauce underneath a buttery crust filled with chicken, onions, carrots and mushrooms. Use a pie crust, puff pastry or canned biscuits to create the crispy top.
25. Pork Chops With Apples
Another way to make pork a part of your Thanksgiving meal, this simple combo of fried or baked pork chops is a delicious alternative to a turkey main course. Coat them in cider, butter and garlic for a rich, moorish flavor. Add apples and onions to the pan as they cook for a sweet, caramelized side that ties it all together.
26. Prime Rib
For a luxurious swap from turkey, serve a perfectly cooked prime rib as the star of your table. If the weather’s nice, try grilling it for extra flavor. Pair it with mashed or scalloped potatoes, soft rolls and a crisp salad for a feast that feels both classic and fresh.
27. Classic Lasagna
Always a classic favorite for any family meal, create this luscious layered dish with gooey layers of cheese, meat and noodles. You can also add a little fall flavor by including pumpkin puree or other fall veggies like squash in your layers. It's an easy dish to prepare before the night before and refrigerate overnight.
28. Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs
Glaze chicken pieces in a mix of cider, herbs and butter for one of your alternative Thanksgiving meals. It’s a great option if you want something easy since everything cooks together in one pot with sweet potatoes, onions and apples.
29. Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington makes a show-stopping centerpiece for alternative Thanksgiving meals. Wrap tenderloin in flaky puff pastry with layers of paté, prosciutto and duxelle mushrooms, then bake until golden. It pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes and sautéed carrots for a rich, hearty main that feels just as celebratory as turkey.
30. Seafood Paella
If you love seafood, this paella is full of flavors of the ocean, including clams, shrimp, fish and squid mixed with delicate rice. It makes a great soup course, main dish or side, depending on what you serve it with. It’s a great alternative to turkey and a unique alternative Thanksgiving meal for a more coastal celebration of autumn’s bounty.
31. Vegetable Torte
A hearty vegetarian pick for alternative Thanksgiving meals, this torte layers butternut squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes, kale and plenty of cheese. You can mix in eggplant, zucchini or tomatoes too, if you want to make it satisfying enough to stand on its own.
32. Chimichurri Cauliflower Steaks
Another great plant-based alternative for your holiday table, this Thanksgiving meal takes ordinary cauliflower and roasts it with garlic before topping it with a chimichurri made from parsley, olive oil, lime juice and spices.
33. Pumpkin Chili
This hearty chili makes a satisfying centerpiece for alternative Thanksgiving meals, whether you’re cooking for one or bringing a pot to share. Add pumpkin purée and a dash of cinnamon to your usual recipe for a cozy fall twist — it works just as well with meat or vegetarian ingredients.
Non-Traditional Alternative Turkey Meals
34. Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts
If you’re cooking for one, two or just a small group, this alternative Thanksgiving meal delivers all the same flavors with far less effort. Make a savory cranberry stuffing with berries, bread cubes, spices and celery, then bake it inside turkey breasts for a simple but festive main.
35. Chicken Fried Turkey
For another great whole-bird alternative for smaller dinners and celebrations, fry up turkey cutlets in a rich egg and flour batter. Serve it with turkey gravy over mashed potatoes for the same great flavors without all the work.
36. Bacon-Wrapped Turkey
For an easy alternative Thanksgiving meal that adds a subtle bacon flavor to the exterior and keeps the inside of the turkey nice and moist while cooking. Wrap your turkey in a latticework of bacon strips before cooking, which will crisp up in the oven. The dippings make a perfect salty and smoky gravy for your mashed potatoes and sides.
37. Honey-Chipotle Glazed Turkey
This alternative Thanksgiving meal adds just a little heat and kick to your usual main course. Glaze your turkey with honey and chipotle for a sweet-smoky kick, and stir a spoonful of chipotle in adobo into the gravy to keep that warmth running through the whole meal.
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to look the same every year, and that’s the beauty of it. The heart of the holiday isn’t tied to one recipe or even one type of meal. It’s about connection, comfort and a table full of food made with care. Even if you get a spark of inspiration on Turkey Day and don't have the ingredients, there are plenty of stores open on Thanksgiving for you to get what you need.
These alternative Thanksgiving meals prove there’s more than one way to celebrate tradition. Whether you’re swapping turkey for prime rib, adding global flavors or trying your hand at something new altogether, you’re still honoring what makes the day meaningful — just in your own way.
For even more great things to try this Thanksgiving, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
