Thanksgiving is a great time to indulge in delicious food, but not everyone wants to stick to the usual turkey dinner. For home cooks, it’s the perfect excuse to get creative in the kitchen and surprise family and friends with something new. That’s why I pulled together this list of the best Thanksgiving food ideas that are not turkey. From classic comfort dishes to fun modern twists, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make your holiday table extra memorable!
1. Golden, Flaky, and Holiday-Ready Salmon Wellington
Seafood can be a great option when you want something impressive for the holidays. This one is no ordinary seafood recipe, though! Salmon Wellington layers tender salmon with garlicky spinach and a creamy filling, all wrapped in golden puff pastry. It’s inspired by the classic Beef Wellington but with a lighter, fresher twist. If you have a pastry wheel, you can even create a gorgeous lattice pattern on top.
2. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup for a Cozy Thanksgiving Starter
A warm, hearty soup is the perfect starter for a Thanksgiving feast. Butternut squash gives this recipe its rich color and naturally sweet flavor that pairs well with fall spices. Each spoonful is loaded with soothing fall flavors like nutmeg and cinnamon. An immersion blender will save you the hassle of transferring hot soup to a blender, and it’s one of those tools I always keep on hand for holiday cooking.
3. Bite-Sized Stuffing Muffins for Your Holiday Table
Why settle for a big dish of stuffing when you can make it fun and portable? These stuffing muffins have all the flavor of the traditional side but come with crisp edges in every bite. Plus, they’re already portioned for guests. For a quick recipe upgrade, mix in dried cranberries or cooked sausage. Don’t forget to line your muffin tin with a light coating of cooking spray or use a nonstick muffin pan so they pop out perfectly golden.
4. French Onion Pot Roast That Melts in Your Mouth
Pot roast already defines cozy comfort food, but this French onion version levels it up. The caramelized onions melt into the broth, creating a deep, savory flavor that soaks into the tender beef. It’s slow-cooked until the meat practically falls apart with a fork, making it one of the coziest Thanksgiving food ideas that are not turkey. For a finishing touch, add a layer of melted Gruyère cheese on top.
Related: 21+ Delicious Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas on a Budget
5. Caprese Mushrooms for a Vegetarian Thanksgiving
Mushrooms can be turned into a classy Thanksgiving side or even a main for veggie lovers. This recipe stuffs portobello caps with gooey mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil, then finishes with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. I recommend pre-roasting the mushrooms for a few minutes to release extra liquid and keep the filling from turning soggy. A wide fish spatula works great for lifting the mushrooms off the baking sheet without breaking them.
6. One-Pot Comfort: Tuscan Ravioli Soup
If rich, cozy soups are your thing, you’ll fall hard for this Tuscan ravioli version. It’s a rich one-pot soup loaded with cheese-filled ravioli, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and plenty of herbs. The flavors are bold yet cozy, making it perfect for a chilly Thanksgiving evening. For something extra special, use a ravioli press to make your own pasta from scratch. It’s easier than you’d think and gives the soup a homemade touch that store-bought pasta can’t beat.
7. Comfort Food Without the Turkey: Cauliflower Au Gratin
This cauliflower au gratin is a lighter twist on the classic potato version. I like it even more than the traditional gratin because the cauliflower soaks up all that cheesy sauce without feeling overly heavy. Each serving is creamy, rich, and indulgent, but still perfect for Thanksgiving. Using a ceramic baking dish helps it stay warm and bubbly until it hits the table.
8. Juicy Chicken with Bright Holiday Flavors
Cranberry orange chicken is a festive Thanksgiving dish that brings bright, juicy flavors to the table. It’s a perfect alternative to the usual turkey, with tangy cranberries and citrusy notes that feel fresh and seasonal. For best results, sear the chicken in a heavy skillet before roasting so the skin turns golden and crisp. A fine zester is also handy for adding fresh orange zest before serving. It gives the dish a pop of flavor and a beautiful finish.
9. A Thanksgiving Salad Packed with Seasonal Flavors
Your favorite fall produce comes together in this delicious Thanksgiving salad! It’s filled with hearty kale, crisp honeycrisp apples, juicy pomegranate seeds, and crunchy pumpkin seeds, with crispy prosciutto adding a salty, indulgent touch. Tossed with a caramelized shallot vinaigrette, it looks fancy but is simple to put together. A mandoline slicer is especially handy for getting paper-thin apple slices that look gorgeous on the plate.
Related: 37+ Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas To Make This Year
10. Pear and Brie Skewers for an Elegant Starter
Pears are in season during fall, and what better way to show them off than with these pear and brie skewers? A unique Thanksgiving appetizer, they combine juicy pears, creamy brie, peppery arugula, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. To make your own version, simply thread the ingredients onto a short bamboo pick. It’s a refreshing twist that stands out from the standard cheese board but stays just as irresistible.
11. Sweet, Spicy, and Tangy Holiday Appetizer
Cheese balls are a mainstay in most Thanksgiving spreads. This year, why not give it a unique twist with these hot honey and cranberry goat cheese balls? Rolled in cranberries and pistachios, then drizzled with warm honey, they’re sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. It’s perfect for grazing tables where guests want a quick, flavorful bite. Serve them with toothpicks or mini skewers for a no-fuss holiday snack.
12. Pumpkin Wild Rice Soup for a Cozy Holiday Meal
Another feel-good Thanksgiving recipe, this pumpkin wild rice soup combines creamy pumpkin with nutty wild rice and fresh herbs for the perfect fall flavor. Serve it in rustic bowls and top with toasted pepitas for a little crunch. It’s a cozy choice for families who want something comforting but meat-free. A deep-bowled ladle makes it easy to scoop up both the rice and broth, so every serving feels hearty and balanced.
13. Crostini with Burrata and Steak to Impress Guests
Burrata and steak crostini are next-level delicious. Crostini make the perfect base for juicy steak slices and creamy burrata, creating a bite that’s rich but easy to eat. Pick a crusty baguette and toast the slices until crisp so they can hold all the toppings without falling apart. A serrated bread knife makes slicing the baguette much easier and keeps the edges neat. This recipe is proof that Thanksgiving food ideas that are not turkey can be just as show-stopping.
14. A Flavorful Thanksgiving Stew Without Turkey
Another excellent non-traditional alternative for turkey is beef bourguignon! Slow-cooked beef and red wine meld into a rich sauce, while vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, and pearl onions soak up all that flavor. This is also an ideal dish to prepare in advance since the flavors get even better the next day. A Dutch oven is the best tool for simmering it low and slow, and serving it with crusty bread makes it extra hearty.
15. Apple Cider Cheesecake for a Fresh Take on Dessert
This apple cider cheesecake is guaranteed to be the new star of the dessert table! It’s wonderfully creamy with a caramel-like tang, thanks to reduced apple cider that’s simmered into a syrup before being folded into the batter. The result is tangy and tart, bursting with that nostalgic fall flavor everybody craves. For best results, bake it in a springform pan. It ensures even cooking and gives you those clean slices that are made for showing off at Thanksgiving.
Related: 25+ Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas to WOW Your Guests
16. Pumpkin Whipped Feta Dip for Easy Hosting
Pumpkin whipped feta is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet when topped with honey, walnuts, and fresh thyme. I love that this recipe can be made in advance, perfect for busy Thanksgiving hosts who want to prep ahead. This spread also tastes amazing with toasted sourdough or pita chips. A food processor makes it super easy to blend everything until smooth.
17. Bite-Sized Pecan Pie Cookies for Thanksgiving
The best Thanksgiving dessert doesn’t always have to be a full pie. These pecan pie cookies capture all the flavor in a bite-sized form, with a buttery sugar cookie base topped with gooey brown sugar pecan filling. Use a muffin tin lined with parchment circles to keep the cookies neat and uniform. Pretty sure they’ll be gone faster than the pie itself!
18. Flavor-Packed Pork Dish for Your Thanksgiving Spread
When it comes to Thanksgiving food ideas that are not turkey, oven-baked pork with Dijon cream sauce definitely deserves a place at the table. The juicy pork tenderloin gets perfectly seared in a cast iron skillet before finishing in the oven, locking in all its flavor. The tangy, velvety Dijon cream sauce is so good you’ll want to pour it over mashed potatoes, too. This dish is so versatile and delicious that guests will be asking for it long after Thanksgiving is over.
19. A Plant-Based Take on Classic Meatloaf
Lentil loaf is a vegetarian-friendly star for your holiday menu. I love how hearty and flavorful it is, packed with lentils, veggies, and spices that make it feel just as filling as meatloaf. The trick to keeping the loaf firm (not crumbly) is to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing, so it holds its shape. A loaf pan lined with parchment paper also makes it easy to lift out.
20. Southern Corn Pudding Casserole for Thanksgiving
Looking for a Southern-inspired dish to make for Thanksgiving? Corn pudding casserole is one of the best comfort food sides. It’s creamy and pillowy soft, but don’t mistake it for plain cornbread! This version has a silky texture that’s more like a cross between soufflé and pudding. The best hack to keep it fluffy is whipping the eggs before folding them in. Bake it in a deep ceramic casserole dish so it stays warm throughout dinner.
21. Festive Fruit Dessert That’s Surprisingly Easy
An indulgent Thanksgiving dessert like these red wine-poached pears is the perfect way to end the celebration! A dry Merlot works best for this recipe, but you can also use Cabernet Sauvignon for a deeper flavor. The cinnamon sticks and vanilla infuse the syrup with warmth, giving the pears that festive holiday aroma. It looks like a fancy restaurant dessert that costs a fortune, but you can easily make it at home with just a saucepan!
Final Thoughts
The heart of Thanksgiving is always the warm, comforting food we gather around. As someone who loves to cook, I’ve found that trying out Thanksgiving food ideas that are not turkey makes the holiday feel more exciting. I hope this list inspires you to whip up something new this year and make your feast unforgettable!
