Each year, we all go about the usual Thanksgiving dishes. But what if you're not feeling the usual traditional Thanksgiving food spread? We think it's high time to kick that dry bird (and holiday routine) to the curb and serve up some of these 33 Delish-approved non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes, like a tender prime rib, classic lasagna, and perfect bite roast chicken. And don't worry, we've got plenty of worthy fall side dishes that highlight all the best seasonal produce, like shredded Brussels sprouts, sweet potato salad, and miso roasted carrots to complete your unique feast!
We're not entirely sure how it happened, but lasagna is one of our all-time favorites when we're a bit tired of the ol' stuffing and turkey show. And we're definitely not complaining. Our classic lasagna recipe is a classic for a reason, and we even have a pumpkin lasagna if you need to use up some of your canned pumpkin stockpile. Let's be honest: No one is disappointed when they see lasagna on the table.
Ditto for these luscious, buttery grilled lobster tails! Nothing is more impressive than serving up fancy-seeming (but easy-to-cook!) lobster. We'll be surprised if lobster (in the form of our lobster risotto and harvest caesar salad on the side) doesn't become your new favorite Thanksgiving tradition.
Turkey is notoriously tricky to roast. It's often too dry and bland, which is why we love highlighting other cuts of meat that are foolproof to cook. Our beef bourguignon is wildly tender and goes incredibly well with our grapefruit & goat cheese fennel salad. This recipe for Korean fried chicken is our ultimate pick when we want a bird on the table, especially with toasted sesame oil mashed potatoes on the side. And if you simply must have a bird on the table (but want to shake things up), look no further than our grilled turkey!
Classic Lasagna
Seeing a lasagna on the Thanksgiving table is always a welcome sight, as far as we're concerned. We took a couple shortcuts for this recipe by using store-bought marinara and boxed pasta sheets. Trust us, it saves a ton of time without sacrificing any flavor.
Get the Classic Lasagna recipe.
Perfect Prime Rib
Prime rib, also referred to as standing rib roast, is a beautiful piece of meat. Whenever we need a truly showstopping holiday roast, we turn to it. A well-cooked prime rib is juicy, full of flavor, and not at all difficult to make.
Get the Perfect Prime Rib recipe.
Butternut Squash Steaks
If you're tired of cauliflower steaks, then you should turn to butternut squash. It's a great plant-based ingredient because its texture is quite meaty yet tender, and it works with a variety of seasonings and recipes, whether blended into a soup or roasted in planks (and brushed with smoked paprika oil) for a dreamy Thanksgiving main on your hands.
Get the Butternut Squash Steaks recipe.
Thanksgiving Cauliflower
Forget turkey—this impressive whole roasted cauliflower is the only centerpiece you'll need this Thanksgiving. We've included a mushroom gravy recipe here as well. It's so good, no one will miss the meat.
Get the Thanksgiving Cauliflower recipe.
Grilled Turkey
Grilled turkey is going to be your next best idea for Thanksgiving. It frees up oven space and lends itself to some delicious char marks that you don’t get from oven roasting. This turkey will complement just about any side. In case you need them, our green bean casserole, classic stuffing, and homemade biscuits are a win-win-win.
Get the Grilled Turkey recipe.
Beef Wellington
The roast turkey is a Thanksgiving classic, but if you’re really looking to impress your holiday guests this year, beef Wellington is the centerpiece you should present. Beef Wellington is a classic on holiday spreads for very good reason. With four components—tender beef tenderloin, a savory duxelle, prosciutto, and flaky puff pastry—this is the centerpiece that will wow from the very first slice. While this dish may seem daunting, we've broken it down step-by-step so you can serve up this holiday staple with all of the flavor and none of the stress.
Get the Beef Wellington recipe.
Lobster Risotto
When you think of decedent dinners, there are few that can outshine the rich, creamy, seafood-stuffed glory that is lobster risotto. A simple combination of fresh aromatics, white wine, and seafood stock transforms humble Italian rice grains into the dreamy, cheesy, luscious rice porridge that we’ve all come to love. And adding fresh, faintly sweet lobster meat is all that’s needed to take your risotto over the top.
Get the Lobster Risotto recipe.
Grilled Green Beans
No grill or grill pan? A cast-iron skillet works well for these too!
Get the Grilled Green Beans recipe.
Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
This sheet-pan dinner is a feast that’s as cozy as it is convenient, bringing together the classics with a few flavorful twists. The beauty of this meal lies in its simplicity—everything roasts together on just one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Get the Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner recipe.
Beef Bourguignon
Homemade beef bourguignon is so comforting, albeit a labor of love – nothing you can't handle. It's certainly not a quick weeknight dinner, but that doesn't mean it's too difficult to make at home. Here's the basic rundown: Sauté bacon, sear beef in bacon fat (yum!), add veggies and stir to coat with flour, add wine and broth, transfer to oven, bake until beef is super tender, make Julia Child proud.
Get the Beef Bourguignon recipe.
Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes
We can all agree that roasting potatoes is the best way to cook 'em up, right? Right. Crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, and seasoned to absolute perfection, these onion soup mix roasted potatoes are going to be your new favorite easy-peasy dinner side dish. And if roasting potatoes in the oven wasn’t simple enough, we’ve made seasoning even simpler by using a flavor-packed packet of onion soup mix. Seriously, potatoes don’t get any better or easier than this.
Get the Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes recipe.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts
We love classic sautéed Brussels sprouts, but sometimes we crave something with a bit more kick. These slightly spicy salty-sweet sprouts make for a unique and easy fall side dish.
Get the Shredded Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs
In this one-pot dinner, filled with sweet potatoes, apples, and juicy chicken thighs. These apple cider glazed chicken thighs are full of spiced, warming flavors, making this recipe a perfect fall dinner, whether you’re looking for a weeknight chicken dinner staple or a holiday dinner party stunner.
Get the Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe.
Vegan Meatloaf
This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Pair it with some pre-prepped vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting meals ever.
Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.
Grapefruit & Goat Cheese Fennel Salad
Crisp licorice-y fennel is best from winter to early spring, so we paired it with some more winter-friendly ingredients: juicy grapefruit, briny Kalamata olives, creamy goat cheese, and some rich toasted pine nuts. This salad would pair nicely with roasted fish or a beef stew.
Pork Chops With Apples
Delicious pork chops that aren't dry can very much be a thing! These easy pork chops get cooked with apples and onions that provide tons of flavor and then simmered in apple cider for a little sweetness and keeps them from drying out.
Get the Pork Chops With Apples recipe.
Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad is the perfect way to lighten up any fall dinner or even your Thanksgiving spread. It's packed with all the things we like to pair with sweet potato—feta, dried cranberries, and red onions pair really nicely with the earthy sweetness of the orange superfood. We can't get enough!
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
Sweet & Sour Braised Red Cabbage
One of our favorite ways to prepare cabbage is to braise it. The best part about braising? You can impart a TON of flavor into your cabbage. We love pairing this sweet and sour cabbage alongside creamy mashed potatoes and a pork chop.
Polenta With Wild Mushroom Ragú
Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms also work perfectly. If serving for a dinner party or event, the ragú can be made up to three days in advance; just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.
Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes
Vegan mashed potatoes that are just as creamy and delicious as the real thing? You bet. Toasted sesame oil adds tons of flavor and creaminess. Green onions and extra sesame seeds round them out for some of the best mashed potatoes we've ever made.
