Turkey or no turkey? Thanksgiving feast alternatives your family may not hate

By Gina Matsoukas
Getting family and friends together over food should be a wonderful time, but Thanksgiving has a way of bringing up conflict. Differing opinions, cherished traditions and family feuds – everyone has thoughts on Thanksgiving food. If you are considering the unthinkable this year and changing up the traditional turkey-based menu, here’s how to navigate the battlefield.
Many people look forward to the spread on the Thanksgiving Day table all year long. They anticipate turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes and pie, as well as the leftovers in the following days. There is space for disagreements here – should you roast or deep fry the turkey? Do you serve mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes? Is homemade or canned cranberry sauce best?
But what if you want to leave these traditional foods off the menu altogether? Removing turkey from the Thanksgiving feast has been known to tear families apart – leading to a fight of epic proportions for some. Forgetting potatoes could cause months of silent treatment. Neglecting to serve pie might require writing family members out of the will.
If you still dare to change up your Thanksgiving menu, these entrees and sides are worthy competitors to the turkey. They might even become your new favorite holiday dishes.
Marca reports that approximately 88% of households in the United States eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Despite the bird’s popularity, several other delicious entrees make for equally show-stopping main dishes for a holiday feast. If you are not a fan of turkey yourself, need to meet dietary restrictions or simply looking for something different, try these alternatives instead.
Duck is a wonderful alternative to turkey. With a rich taste, tender meat and crispy skin, it can be a luxurious treat. You can roast or smoke a whole duck as you would a turkey. For a smaller serving or faster preparation time, pan-seared duck breast is simple yet lavish enough for a Thanksgiving entree.
A turkey roulade is an excellent choice if you prefer not to cook an entire bird. You get to serve the traditional turkey stuffed with seasonal flavors in a beautifully presented dish, but it takes less time and effort to prepare. The smaller dish is also perfect if you have a more intimate gathering or don’t want a lot of leftovers.
You can also forgo poultry altogether. A prime rib roast is flavorful, festive and sure to please the meat lovers at your party. It is also often big enough to serve a larger group and provide leftovers.
A centerpiece vegetarian entree should be satisfying and packed with seasonal flavors. The best entrees may even surpass turkey as a favorite among your guests.
Stuffed squash with grains, nuts, cranberries and herbs brings together fall flavors in a hearty and filling dish. A mushroom wellington, offering a spin on a classic beef wellington, combines a delicious mushroom filling with flaky vegan puff pastry for an attractive Thanksgiving entree.
Since Thanksgiving celebrates community and coming together, serving global specialties can uniquely mix up the menu. French coq a vin, your favorite pasta dish or an Indian curry brings exciting new flavors. You can also choose a coastal-inspired Thanksgiving and serve salmon, shrimp, lobster or your other preferred fish. The luxury of seafood is sure to reduce any complaints about missing turkey.
When it comes to sides, there are dozens of ways to break from tradition. You may also have a bit more leeway. Adding an extra side or two might be less likely to get you ostracized from future holidays, especially if you serve them along with a few traditional sides.
International dishes, beloved recipes from other holidays or untested recipes you’ve been waiting to try can all fit on the Thanksgiving table. Go extremely untraditional with appetizers like tamales or fried wontons or improvise on classic sides. Serve roasted fresh green beans instead of casserole or pair homemade apple butter with the dinner rolls.
Pie might be the traditional Thanksgiving dessert, but don’t limit yourself to plain pumpkin, apple or pecan pie. Try a chocolate pumpkin pie or add cranberries to an apple pie for extra flavors. Or tempt your guests with a delicious chocolate pie, banana cream pie or blueberry pie for something completely different.
You can also stick with traditional flavors, yet serve them in new ways. Pumpkin pie bites, apple crisp or pumpkin cheesecake ice cream give those familiar fall vibes without a pie’s standard crust and filling.
Even if you have the most delicious Thanksgiving menu planned, not everyone will necessarily welcome a break from traditional foods. Nostalgia and dishes reserved for the holiday can leave people anticipating Thanksgiving dinner all year.
You can try a few tactics to reduce the chance of conflict as you mix up the menu. Preparing a small turkey alongside another entree like duck or mushroom wellington can satisfy everyone at a large party. Likewise, keep a few favorite sides on the table in addition to new ones. Relying on classic flavors in inventive dishes will also help ease the transition.
Getting the entire party in on non-traditional Thanksgiving cooking can help as well. Make your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving a potluck and encourage guests to prepare a recipe. In addition to getting guests excited to try new foods, you’ll have less prep work yourself and plenty of people to blame if dinner is missing someone’s favorite dish.
Planning a Thanksgiving menu can be a complicated dance of choosing traditional favorites while avoiding the same tired flavors. With many people so passionate about their Thanksgiving meal, these decisions may leave you feeling like you’re about to start the next family war. Fortunately, the right delicious dishes and a little bit of persuasion will convince your friends and family to start some new Thanksgiving traditions this year.
Gina Matsoukas is the writer, photographer and recipe creator of Running to the Kitchen. Focusing on healthy, seasonal, whole-food recipes, her work has been featured in various online and print publications including Food Network, Prevention Magazine and Women’s Health. Gina lives in central New York, where she enjoys an active outdoor life.