Who says Thanksgiving dinner has to revolve around a turkey? Whether you’re hosting a small gathering, craving something different, or looking for a showstopping holiday centerpiece, these 75+ alternative Thanksgiving meals include everything from juicy beef roasts and flavorful chicken to elegant seafood and hearty vegetarian favorites.
What to Make for Thanksgiving Instead of Turkey
If turkey isn’t your thing, there are so many other delicious ways to celebrate Thanksgiving! I love choosing a main dish that still feels special enough for the holiday, whether that’s a beautifully roasted chicken, a juicy pork tenderloin with cranberry sauce, or an impressive beef Wellington.
For smaller gatherings, individual Cornish hens or chicken Marsala are fantastic choices. If you’re hosting a larger crowd, prime rib, braised brisket, or a crown pork roast makes a gorgeous centerpiece. And don’t forget about vegetarian and seafood options- stuffed shells, lobster tails, and hearty pasta dishes can be just as festive as a traditional turkey dinner.
| If you’re looking for… | My recommendation is… |
| A dish for a small Thanksgiving | Cornish Hens |
| An impressive centerpiece | Prime Rib Roast |
| Best holiday flavors | Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry |
| A slow cooker option | Crock Pot Pork Loin Roast |
| An elegant dinner | Beef Wellington |
| A seafood option | Stuffed Lobster Tails |
| An easy chicken dinner | Chicken Marsala |
| Vegetarian comfort food | Stuffed Shells with Ricotta |
Chicken Dinners
From cornish game hens to stuffed chicken breasts, these chicken dinners will be a welcome addition to your spread on Thanksgiving day.
Spatchcock Chicken Recipe
Spatchcocking a chicken is an easy and ingenious way to break down a bird that guarantees gorgeous results every time.
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Stuffed Chicken with Apple Gravy
Award winning Stuffed Chicken with Apple Gravy uses pine nuts, spinach, currants and garlic to flavor the chicken. A savory apple gravy finishes off this easy dinner recipe!
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Braised Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs braised in a white wine Dijon sauce and caramelized shallots, crispy bacon and tomatoes.
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Chicken Marsala Recipe
This Chicken Marsala recipe is made in 1 pan in less than 30 minutes! Whip up this EASY dish with a rich creamy mushroom sauce on top of juicy chicken.
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Crispy Duck a l’Orange Recipe
Classic crispy duck a l’orange makes for a perfect holiday or special event dinner. Super juicy and flavorful meat with a crispy, seasoned skin.
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Baked Chicken Thighs in Oven
Flavorful and crispy baked chicken thighs basted with a garlic lemon butter sauce. An easy chicken dinner in the oven.
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Crock Pot Apple Balsamic Chicken recipe
Fork tender chicken breasts in a rich sweet sauce with less than 10 minutes of prep! Serve over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.
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Breaded Chicken Cutlets
Breaded chicken cutlets with a roast tomato and garlic topping and balsamic sauce served over arugula.
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Chicken Caprese Recipe
This Caprese Chicken is sure to be one of your favorite grilled or baked chicken recipes. Juicy & delicious, it comes together with only 6 ingredients!
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Instant Pot Whole Chicken
Instant Pot Whole Chicken is so EASY! With a simple cooked chicken, you can make yourself a main dish or cooked chicken for multiple other recipes!
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Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Garlic Parmesan Chicken is an easy weeknight meal option that kids love! Just 6 ingredients and dinner is made!
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Chicken Cacciatore
Easy Chicken Cacciatore uses tender chicken in a tomato sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, olives and herbs. Only takes 30 minutes from stove to plate!
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Easy Chicken Kiev
Thin chicken breasts stuffed with compound butter and covered in a light Panko breading, this Chicken Kiev is an easy dinner the whole family will enjoy!
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Creamy Asiago Chicken
Creamy Asiago Chicken is a tasty and easy chicken recipe that is perfect for a weeknight meal. Mushrooms, shallots and thyme flavor this delicious dish.
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How to Roast Chicken
Easy steps on how to roast chicken plus the mostly frequently asked questions about baking a whole chicken answered! Moist and flavorful chicken and vegetables in under 2 hours.
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Cornell Chicken (Fireman Chicken)
Fireman Chicken, also known as Cornell Chicken BBQ, is a classic BBQ chicken marinade that originated in upstate New York, but is making its way through the states!
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French Baked Chicken
Orange Marmalade with orange, tarragon and olives make this delicious, sticky crust for French Baked Chicken. Use on chicken halves or chicken breasts for a delicious French dinner recipe.
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Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken is an easy dinner recipe made with garlic and honey to make this sauce bright and tasty! Serve lemon chicken over pasta, rice or toasted couscous.
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Walnut Crusted Chicken Recipe
Walnut Crusted Chicken is a crunchy, oven-baked chicken with a zesty yogurt dipping sauce. Perfect for those craving crispy chicken cutlets, but without the fat.
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Chicken Piccata Recipe
Classic Chicken Piccata is an easy Italian recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes and explodes with flavors of lemon, caper and shallot.
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Lemon Chicken Recipe
Lemon Chicken with Zucchini is a meal with classic, all-American flavors perfect for even the pickiest of eaters. Serve with long grain wild rice for a full meal.
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Beer Can Chicken Recipe
This Beer Can Chicken Recipe is made with a special blend of spices and a touch of sugar to make a zesty bark. Serve with Cola BBQ Sauce.
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Pesto Baked Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe
Pesto Baked Stuffed Chicken Breasts are chicken breasts stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes and spinach. Marinated in a yogurt and basil pesto sauce, they are moist and flavorful.
See The Recipe! Chef Tip
If you’re hosting a smaller Thanksgiving dinner, Cornish hens make a beautiful presentation because guests can enjoy their own individual portions. For a crowd, spatchcock chicken is a great option because flattening the bird promotes more even roasting and crispier skin.
Pork Dinners
With recipes like a crown roast of pork on your dinner table, I promise no one will even be missing the turkey! Alternative Thanksgiving meals don’t get much better than this!
Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Sauce
Spiced Pork Tenderloin is tender pork rubbed with spices and roasted to perfection. The amazing aroma coming from the oven is just a holiday bonus!
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Crown Pork Roast
Crown Pork Roast is the perfect special occasion or holiday meal to serve for a crowd. Tasty and impressive presentation make this a winning pork recipe!
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Pork Tenderloin with Apple Stuffing
Apple Spiced Pork Tenderloin is a pork tenderloin recipe that will blow you away with aromatic spices and an apple jelly glaze, surrounding with fresh apple and ham stuffing, all cooked on the same baking sheet.
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Crock Pot Pork Loin Roast
Use your slow cooker to make a tender pork loin roast. Serve with onion gravy and mashed potatoes for a hearty comfort meal.
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Herb Garlic Pork Tenderloin
One Pan Garlic Herb Pork is an easy weeknight meal that roasts juicy pork with vegetables all on one pan and in just 30 minutes!
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Creamy Pork Chops with Apples
Creamy Apple Pork Chops are a wholesome meal your whole family will enjoy. Mushrooms, apples, juicy pork chops in a savory cream sauce.
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Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Loin (Crock Pot Pork Loin)
Juicy crock pot pork loin with pineapple, onion, and a savory-sweet soy glaze—make it sliceable or slow-cook it longer for Hawaiian shredded pork.
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French Onion Pork Loin
This French Onion Pork Loin with potatoes, carrots, parsnip and onion is the perfect one-dish weeknight meal!
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Pineapple Balsamic Pork Chop Recipe
Pineapple Balsamic Pork Chops are a quick and easy meal that combine sweet balsamic vinegar and pineapple with garlic and onions for a well-balanced and easy meal!
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Butter Sage Cast Iron Pork Chop Recipe
Butter Sage Pork Chops are pan seared pork chops in a simple butter, garlic and sage sauce. Sear in cast iron and then finish in the oven for the best pork chop recipe ever!
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Honey Ginger Short Rib Recipe
Honey Ginger Short Ribs are a zesty and sweet, fall off the bone short rib recipe, braised to perfection and served with the best fried rice ever!
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Pork Chops in the Crock Pot
These Crock Pot Pork Chops are the perfect family dinner. Super tender, cooked in BBQ sauce and a special spice rub, then smothered with bacon and cheese!
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Shake and Bake Pork Chops
If you've never made pork chops in the oven, this shake and bake Crispy Baked Pork Chop recipe is the best! It's even better than shake and bake!
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Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops
Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops are an easy grilled pork recipe. Herb marinated pork is stuffed with bread crumbs, herbs and Parmesan cheese and grilled to flavorful perfection in just 15 minutes!
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Pair pork with apples, cranberries, sage, rosemary, or thyme for a flavor profile that fits right into a traditional Thanksgiving spread. Pork tenderloin is particularly useful for smaller celebrations, while crown pork roast makes an impressive centerpiece.
Beef Dinners
As a turkey alternative, these beef recipes will take center stage. Perfect for special occasion of any kind, they’re a delicious alternative to making a whole bird.
Best Prime Rib Rub and Classic Prime Rib Recipe
This is my best prime rib rub and foolproof prime rib recipe for holidays and special occasions. A simple garlic herb prime rib rub creates a flavorful bark on bone-in or boneless prime rib, with step-by-step cook times, internal temperatures, and chef tips for juicy, tender slices every time.
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Easy Beef Wellington
Beef Wellington a classic dish for a special occasion. Tender beef tenderloin is smothered in Dijon mustard, mushroom, shallot and proscuitto before being baked in a delicate puff pastry.
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Cranberry Glazed Beef Tenderloin
This easy cranberry-glazed beef tenderloin is the perfect celebratory meal, coming together in a snap with fall spices and cranberry glaze.
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Braised Brisket
A slow, red-wine Braised Brisket is the perfect EASY dinner with minimal effort. A prime cut of beef, slowly roasted and fall apart tender!
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Crab Stuffed Beef Tenderloin
Crab Stuffed Beef Tenderloin takes a tenderloin and fills the center with buttered crab and caramelized onions, then baked to perfection with a black pepper bark.
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Reverse Sear Beef Tenderloin with Blueberry Sauce
Stunning Reverse Sear Beef Tenderloin recipe with a savory Blueberry Sauce and toasted Hazelnuts is the perfect celebratory roast for your holiday table!
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Garlic Butter Sirloin Steaks
This Garlic Butter Sirloin Steak recipe is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Juicy sirloin with homemade garlic herb butter for ultimate flavor!
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Mini Beef Wellington Recipe
Mini Beef Wellington is one of the best party appetizers out there! Mini pieces of beef tenderloin seasoned with mushrooms, thyme, Dijon and bacon, all tucked into puff pastry and topped with a creamy mustard sauce.
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Steak Frites Recipe
Classic steak frites made easy at home with juicy pan-seared steak, crispy fries, and melting garlic herb butter. This French bistro-style steak and fries recipe is perfect for date night, dinner parties, or a fancy-feeling weeknight meal.
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Baked Eye of Round Roast
This Baked Eye of Round Roast is the easiest way to make delicious roast beef in your oven! Slice your roast beef and serve with a flavorful gravy made from the drippings.
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Pan Fried Steak
How to make a Pan Fried Steak at home is easier than you think with my step-by-step instructions and easy steak seasoning!
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Oscar Style Steak Recipe (Filet Oscar)
Make Oscar style steak with seared filet mignon, lump crab imperial and beurre blanc or clarified butter for a special occasion dinner at home.
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Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin Recipe
Coffee Crusted Beef Tenderloin will add a whole new flavor dimension to your roast! Serve with delicious whipped horseradish sauce.
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Cranberry Glazed Tri-Tip Roast Recipe
Cranberry Glazed Tri-Tip is a tender piece of beef that pairs perfectly with a sweet cranberry-orange glaze for a perfect roast on the grill, smoker or even in the oven.
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Balsamic Whiskey Sirloin Steak Marinade
5 minutes and 5 ingredients for flavorful and tender sirloin steaks. Make them on the grill or in the oven.
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Stuffed Flank Steak
Mushroom Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak is a delicious and succulent main dish with cheese, mushrooms and garlic.
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Capital Grille Porcini Rubbed Steak
Copycat Capital Grille Porcini Rubbed Delmonico is the perfect home date night dinner. An easy recipe filled with robust steak flavors and sweet balsamic reduction sauce.
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For a holiday roast, use a meat thermometer rather than relying on cooking time alone. Resting large cuts before carving also helps preserve their juices. Beef Wellington should be assembled with a relatively dry, cooled filling to help protect the pastry from becoming soggy.
Seafood Dinners
Lobster and crab are sure to get your family in the holiday spirit! It’s the perfect way to add a festive touch to your big day. They take the cake when talking about alternative Thanksgiving meals.
Stuffed Lobster Tail
Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails is the ideal dinner for a special occasion. You won’t beleive how easy they are to make!
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Whole Stuffed Lobster
If you're looking for an elegant yet easy dinner, this Whole Stuffed Lobster recipe is for you! Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's sure to impress!
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Baked Cod with Lobster Topping
Tender Bake Cod topped with buttery lobster chunks in a creamy topping and finished with velvety beurre blanc sauce.
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Classic Seafood Paella
If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll adore this paella. My Classic Seafood Paella recipe gives you an easy, step-by-step paella for the paella novice.
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Seafood Fra Diavolo Recipe
Sweet and spicy tomato-based sauce simmered with tender seafood like shrimp, scallops, calamari and more.
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Italian Seafood Stew Recipe
Italian Seafood Stew is a quick seafood recipe using couscous, tomatoes, currants and capers. This Italian stew comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish!
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Seafood Mac and Cheese
This Seafood Mac and Cheese is super creamy with two types of cheese, seasonings, your favorite seafood and crunchy topping.
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Lobster Mac and Cheese
Sweet lobster, creamy cheese & a crunchy panko topping come together to make the BEST Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe! Perfect for any elegant or casual meal!
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Best Broiled Lobster Tail Recipe
Broiled Lobster Tails are seasoned and basted with lemon butter (and a secret ingredient!) Ready in just 10 minutes!
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Crab Imperial
Baked Crab Imperial is a creamy and buttery masterpiece made with lump crab meat, fresh lemon and topped with bread crumbs.
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Many seafood dishes cook quickly, which makes timing especially important. Prepare your sides in advance and cook delicate seafood closer to serving time to avoid overcooking. Lobster tails are excellent for smaller gatherings because portions are easy to plan.
Game and Wild Meats
Sweet Roast Goose with Cumberland Sauce
Brined, brandy-glazed roast goose with a tangy orange Cumberland sauce. A rich, glossy Christmas centerpiece with juicy dark meat.
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Braised Wild Boar Shanks Recipe
Braised Wild Boar Shanks are a sophisticated and exotic meal, ideal for special occasions and dinner parties. Lean and healthy with loads of rich flavor.
See The Recipe! Crispy Duck a l’Orange Recipe
Classic crispy duck a l’orange makes for a perfect holiday or special event dinner. Super juicy and flavorful meat with a crispy, seasoned skin.
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Garlic Herb Cornish Hens Recipe
Roasted Cornish Hens are basted with a fresh herbs olive oil, roasted for browned crispy skin and finished with a zesty butter garlic sauce.
See The Recipe! Vegetarian Dinners
You don’t need meat to make a memorable Thanksgiving dinner! These vegetarian Thanksgiving meals are hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor, with comforting options like cheesy stuffed shells, zucchini lasagna, and creamy pesto tortellini that are sure to make everyone feel included in the holiday feast.
Stuffed Shells with Ricotta
If you're craving hearty Italian food but also a quick and easy recipe, these classic stuffed shells are what you're looking for.
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Pesto Tortellini
With only 5 ingredients, Pesto Tortellini with Asiago is perfect for busy nights. Ready in only 15 minutes, it still packs huge flavor!
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Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna
Satisfy your craving for Italian with this amazing low-carb EASY Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna. It's comfort food minus the carbs!
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Parmesan Garlic Linguine Pasta Recipe
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Linguine made in 20 minutes with cream cheese, garlic, and pasta water. Easy, ultra-comforting, and totally weeknight-friendly.
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Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms Recipe
One of the best easy vegetarian recipes are Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms. A great vegetarian dinner idea perfect for meatless Monday!
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Stuffed Shells with Spinach
Classic spinach-ricotta stuffed shells with marinara and mozzarella. Exact draining, stuffing & freezer tips for perfect, non-watery shells.
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Roasted Acorn Squash with Pecans
Baked Acorn Squash with Pecan Thyme Filling is the perfect holiday side dish! Easy, verstile flavors the whole family will enjoy. Even the veggies haters.
See The Recipe! Turkey Dinners
Maybe you still want that traditional Thanksgiving meal, but aren’t feeding enough people to justify making a whole turkey? These turkey breast recipes are the answer!
Still full of all of that delicious Thanksgiving turkey flavor, making a turkey breast is a great solution to hosting a smaller crowd.
Orange Sage Turkey Breast with Creamy Sherry Sauce
Orange Sage Turkey Breast with Creamy Sherry Sauce is a flavorful and easy meal made with sherry cooking wine, fresh oranges and a sweet cream sauce.
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Turkey Breast with Stuffing
Oven roasted turkey breast doesn't get any better than this Stuffed Turkey Breast! Perfect for any weeknight, not just Thanksgiving!Oven roasted turkey breast doesn't get any better than this Stuffed Turkey Breast! Perfect for any weeknight, not just Thanksgiving!
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Herb Mayonnaise Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
Herb Mayonnaise Turkey Breast is a delicious roast turkey breast perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Easy to make in a fraction of the time of a whole turkey.
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Spicy Honey Grilled Turkey
Spicy Honey Grilled Turkey is perfect for throwing on the grill for a quick and easy meal time solution!
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Deep Fried Turkey Recipe
Have you ever wondered how to fry a turkey? Here are easy step-by-step instructions that can be used with any deep fried turkey recipe.
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How to Spatchcock a Turkey
Learn how to spatchcock a turkey in four easy steps. You remove the backbone and press the bird flat, so it roasts or smokes faster and more evenly, with crispy skin all over. It works with any compound butter, brine, or rub you love.
Check out this recipeChef Tips for Planning a Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner
Holidays can feel overwhelming, but I have some tips and tricks to make things easier.
- Choose your main dish before planning the sides. A rich prime rib or beef Wellington pairs beautifully with lighter vegetables, while roasted chicken or pork tenderloin works well with traditional stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
- Consider your guest count. You don’t need a 15-pound turkey for a Thanksgiving dinner with four people. Cornish hens, chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or a smaller roast can be easier to manage with fewer leftovers.
- Don’t forget about oven space. This is one of the biggest challenges when hosting Thanksgiving! If your main dish needs several hours in the oven, prepare side dishes in the slow cooker, on the stovetop, or ahead of time.
- Take advantage of make-ahead dishes. Braised brisket, stuffed shells, and certain casseroles are excellent options when you want to get some of the cooking done before Thanksgiving Day. Follow each recipe’s refrigeration and reheating instructions.
- Make your dinner feel festive. Even if you’re serving chicken or pasta instead of turkey, incorporating seasonal ingredients like cranberries, apples, squash, sage, thyme, and rosemary can give your meal that familiar Thanksgiving flavor.
- Don’t overcomplicate the menu. One delicious main dish, two or three sides, and a dessert can be more than enough for a memorable holiday meal.
- Plan for dietary needs. If someone at the table is vegetarian, choose a satisfying main course instead of expecting them to fill up on side dishes. Check all recipe ingredients, including broth, cheese, sauces, and garnishes.
