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Roasting A Turkey Feeling Like Too Much This Year? Make One Of These Turkey Alternatives Instead

Thanksgiving self care = taking yourself off turkey duty.

By and
whole roasted cauliflower
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Listen, I love leftovers as much, or more, than the next person, but if I'm being honest, the week following Thanksgiving makes me never want to eat turkey—fresh or leftover—ever again. We've all fallen victim to a giant, dry turkey at least once, and its enough to get me thinking: Is there a better way to go about celebrating Thanksgiving this go around? As it turns out, there is. We've explored vegetarian Thanksgiving and non-traditional on Thanksgiving before, but this year I'm quitting whole turkey cold turkey. So go ahead and shake things up this Thanksgiving with one of these flavorful alternatives, like our mushroom, Gruyère, & spinach-stuffed pork tenderloin, our sheet-pan miso chicken & sweet potatoes, or even a Thanksgiving cauliflower (meatless guests rejoice!).

Don't get us wrong, a traditional Thanksgiving spread has a warm and fuzzy place in our hearts, but there are so many other delicious alternatives to roasting turkey that are both easier and just as impressive. You can even stick with the turkey theme! Our sheet-pan Thanksgiving dinner, roasted turkey leg, and stuffed turkey breast all take the big bird and break it down to more manageable proportions.

We're not sure how it happened, but Team Delish is all about a Thanksgiving lasagna. And we're not mad about it. We've got plenty of spins on the Italian classic, but we're especially fond of our tricolore skillet lasagna or our pumpkin lasagna for feeding your crowd. It adds a nice bit of festivity to the table with a lot less time in the kitchen.

Now all you need to do is round out your jazzed up holiday table with all the best Thanksgiving sides. For even more ideas, check out our full collection of Thanksgiving recipes, including our best Friendsgiving recipes. Whatever you decide to cook on the big day, keep your crowd happy with Thanksgiving punches and Thanksgiving desserts too.

1

Thanksgiving Cauliflower

whole roasted cauliflower
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Skip the turkey—this Thanksgiving cauliflower is the vegetarian Thanksgiving centerpiece your holiday needs. A whole-roasted cauliflower is a favorite holiday centerpiece of ours when we're serving a vegetarian crowd, but this recipe is filled with warming herbs that bring to mind the fall holiday. Complete with a homemade vegetarian gravy, this roasted cauliflower is satisfying enough to be your main dish.

Get the Thanksgiving Cauliflower recipe.

2

Roasted Turkey Leg

seasoned turkey legs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Slow-cooked turkey legs are this year’s ultimate Thanksgiving hack. No basting, no inevitable dry meat—no fuss at all. All you have to do is make an easy festive herb butter, wrap everything in foil, and let them roast unsupervised.

Get the Roasted Turkey Leg recipe.

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3

Sheet-Pan Miso Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

bone in chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and shallots get smothered with miso chili sauce and baked until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and the chicken is juicy and golden brown
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Bone-in chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and shallots get smothered with miso-chili sauce and baked until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and the chicken is juicy and golden brown. The whole thing is topped with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, then served with a little extra chili crisp to make sure this really packs a punch.

Get the Sheet-Pan Miso Chicken & Sweet Potatoes recipe.

4

Turkey Roulade

swirls of garlic and herb inside sliced turkey
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Sometimes, roasting a whole turkey is just too much of an undertaking. A roulade, though? It's surprisingly easy (we swear!), super-flavorful, and much easier to carve. Perfect served with a side of mashed potatoes and some tart cranberry sauce.

Get the Turkey Roulade recipe.

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5

Roast Chicken

roast chicken tied in a skillet with rosemary
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The perfect centerpiece to any holiday dinner, the steps to make this chicken are simple: You season the bird (just salt & pepper!), then roast it at high heat until the skin is bronzed and crisp and the flesh juicy.

Get the Roast Chicken recipe.

6

Sheet-Pan Roasted Red Onion Chicken

paprika dusted chicken roasted on a bed of herby sliced red onions and whole garlic cloves then topped with an umami rich, spoonable sauce made from chicken fat roasted, charred onions, butter, sweet white vinegar, and crushed red pepper
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Here paprika-dusted chicken is roasted on a bed of herby, sliced red onions and whole garlic cloves until the onions are jammy and sweet with a little char and the chicken is cooked through and juicy. The real magic is in the savory-sweet, umami-rich, spoonable sauce made by blending the chicken fat-roasted, charred onions with butter, sweet white vinegar, and crushed red pepper.

Get the Sheet-Pan Roasted Red Onion Chicken recipe.

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7

Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyère Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

mushroom spinach and gruyere stuffed pork tenderloin
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We adore fast-cooking pork tenderloin, but that doesn’t mean we let it become so routine that it doesn't dazzle come holiday time. Instead, we mix it up with a variety of different flavors and preparations, like this ultra-stuffed mushroom, spinach, and Gruyère version.

Get the Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyère Stuffed Pork Tenderloin recipe.

8

Thanksgiving Cabbage

thanksgiving cabbage
Joel Goldberg

This gorgeous, whole-roasted stunner is the perfect holiday substitute for vegans. It's savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super-tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.

Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.

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9

Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and green beans on a sheet pan
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If you're hosting a small gathering or simply craving the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving any time of year, then this sheet-pan dinner is a solid choice. It’s 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 one pan, making cleanup a breeze.

Get the Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner recipe.

10

Perfect Prime Rib

prime rib sliced with rosemary
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

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.

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11

Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs

cider glazed chicken thighs with apples and sweet potatoes
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Don't let turkey have all the fun! Chicken thighs are super flavorful, easy to cook, and SO delicious with sweet potatoes and apples. Try it for your chill Thanksgiving, you won't regret it.

Get the Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe.

12

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

whole roasted cauliflower sliced up in a cast iron skillet
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: BEN WEINER

If you’re looking for a vegetarian dinner centerpiece, then you can’t beat a whole roasted cauliflower. Gorgeously browned outside and meltingly tender in the middle, its stunningly simple goodness can’t be topped at any vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner.

Get the Whole Roasted Cauliflower recipe.

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13

Turkuterie

charcuterie board shaped like a turkey
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Try a bird of a different feather this year, and serve this festive and impressive fruit and cheese display as the centerpiece of your holiday table. We’ve packed this cheese board with fall fruits like apples, pears, and grapes, and cheeses appropriate for an autumnal charcuterie that everyone will want to gobble up!

Get the Turkuterie recipe.

14

Stuffed Turkey Breast

gouda, mushroom, and bacon stuffed turkey breast with lemon cream sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A savory mushroom and bacon filling keeps this roasted turkey breast juicy while making it fancy and hearty enough to take the place of a whole bird on the holiday table. If you end up with leftover filling, you can even use it as a pre-dinner snack!

Get the Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe.

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15

Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie

vegan mushroom pot pie
Andrew bui

When it's cold out, a steaming hot pot pie filled with creamy, flavorful gravy, sweet and tender veggies, and topped with a shatteringly flaky crust is EVERYTHING. Here, mushrooms replace chicken or beef and are every bit as satisfying as their meaty counterparts.

Get the Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie recipe.

16

Krispie Turkey

rice krispie treats shaped into a turkey filled with candy
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, turkey. But this year, why settle for the usual when you could elevate your holiday game with a turkey sculpture made entirely out of Rice Krispies treats? A Rice Krispies turkey sculpture is a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Kids? Check. Adults? Double check. Grandma? She’ll love it.

Get the Krispie Turkey recipe.

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17

Best-Ever Vegan Meatloaf

best ever vegan meatloaf
Andrew bui

This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting Thanksgiving meal.

Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.

18

Garlic Bread-Topped Chicken Pot Pie

garlic bread topped chicken pot pie
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Nothing is more comforting than chicken pot pie topped with a buttery crust. Swap out the crust for garlic bread, though, and now we are really talking. This is a killer unexpected addition to any Thanksgiving meal (and is especially great for potlucks!).

Get the Garlic Bread-Topped Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

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19

Apple Cider Braised Brisket

apple cider braised brisket with carrots and potatoes
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Apple cider adds a subtle sweetness to a classic brisket, and after letting it braise low and slow, it will be SO tender. Letting the potatoes and carrots cook with the brisket flavors them from the inside out, and the whole dish will be deeply savory.

Get the Apple Cider Braised Brisket recipe.

20

Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata

extra lemony seitan piccata
Joel goldberg

Most piccata sauces use only lemon juice; we opt for whole pieces of the fruit to make use of every last bit of bright citrus flavor. This piccata is great spooned over pasta or vegan mashed potatoes, or accompanied by plenty of crusty bread.

Get the Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata recipe.

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