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Home » Thanksgiving

Traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas

by Beth Lee · Published: Oct 25, 2019 · Modified: Oct 31, 2024

This post includes traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas plus a planning calendar so you can create your own menu and traditions for this annual gathering. I include my best recipes, tips and tricks from years of hosting so you enjoy a delicious and stress-free holiday.

Thanksgiving table setting  with fall colors looking down the middle of the long table.

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Start your own Thanksgiving traditions

Thanksgiving tradition in our home started with my now tattered copy of The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins. We would trade off hosting Thanksgiving with my brother and sister-in-law, and we always made The Silver Palate turkey and stuffing.

Over the years, my husband and I became the Thanksgiving hosts and my brother and SIL host Hanukkah. The recipes have also evolved and occasionally a new non-traditional dinner idea finds a home, like key lime pie. But one thing always remains the same: on Thanksgiving, calories don't count and seconds are a must.

Silver Palate cookbook with miscellaneous papers sticking out of it.

Plan your menu and relax!

Hosting Thanksgiving can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to. Whether it's your first Thanksgiving or you're an experienced host, a Thanksgiving menu plan and checklist will take all the stress out of the preparation.

Prior to the pandemic, we always ran/walked a 5K race the morning of Turkey Day and still had everything ready to go by mid afternoon. And you can too!

Face down view of 3 pairs of feet with running shoes.
Angle view of a buffet table for Thanksgiving day with a giant platter of turkey in the front.

No matter what's on my Thanksgiving menu - traditional or non-traditional dishes - my general planning calendar guides me through the process with ease every single year. Sub in your specific recipes and planning details and you'll reach the Thanksgiving finish line with ease! (double click on the calendar for a printable pdf)

Thanksgiving planning calendar.

Traditional and non-traditional dinner ideas

From a non-traditional fantastic vegetarian entree to a traditional fool proof dry brine turkey plus all the sides and desserts, these recipes will help you create the Thanksgiving gathering that you want without the stress.

Traditional turkey and trimmings

Our family is definitely rooted in our traditional Thanksgiving dinner - the turkey, gravy, stuffing combo. Once we figured out how to make a moist turkey every time by dry brining, the planning became so much easier. I highly recommend this approach to preparing the turkey - no leaky wet brine solutions and perfect results every time!

I am also a big proponent of taking the time to make your own homemade turkey stock and stuffing cubes. Each one will elevate the flavor of your gravy and stuffing so much!

Roasted turkey on white platter with oranges and fresh sage.
Full jar of turkey stock with other jars in the background.
Large white bowl of seasoned stuffing cubes with fresh thyme and sage and blue striped napkin.
Homemade Roasted Turkey Stock
It all starts with the stock - better gravy, better stuffing, better leftover turkey soup afterwards. Usually you can find turkey parts in the grocery store starting a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Buy some and make this stock. I promise you'll love it.
Click for Stock Recipe
turkey stock in glass jars
Bread Cubes for Stuffing
Once you learn how to dry bread for stuffing, you'll never go back to store-bought! So easy to make your own stuffing cubes seasoned just the way you want with the bread that you love.
Click for Stuffing Cube Recipe
Large white bowl with cornbread and challah bread cubes for stuffing plus fresh herbs and an herb napkin on the side.
Foolproof Dry Brine Turkey
No more messy wet solutions or dry white meat on Thanksgiving Day. This method is full-proof and easy, delivering juicy, perfectly-cooked turkey each and every time.
Click for Turkey Recipe
whole cooked turkey on a white platter with oranges and sage
Sage Sausage Stuffing
This stuffing/dressing is layered with flavor starting with the homemade stuffing cubes which are enhanced with sage sausage, dried cherries and apricots, fresh seared apples, and toasted pecans. A mouthful of Thanksgiving flavor in every single bite.
Click for Stuffing Recipe
3 pans of stuffing on a leafy table runner
Challah Stuffing with Mushrooms
Challah stuffing with mushrooms, pecans, and dried fruit is full of the classic savory aromas of the holidays, especially for Thanksgiving. With a simple exchange of stock, this can be a vegetarian stuffing too!
Click for Challah Stuffing Recipe
Mushroom challah stuffing in a blue casserole dish on a wooden board with a spoon in the stuffing.

Non-traditional main course ideas

Now let's look at some non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas. Feeding non-meat eaters? My vegetable Wellington, inspired by a Melissa Clark recipe, will please your vegetarian eaters, I promise.

Don't like traditional turkey? What about your favorite roast chicken dish? Sure, it's a non-traditional dinner idea but who cares. Eat what you love. I enjoy the clementine chicken shown below because it's so flavorful and uses seasonal citrus. Perfect for November.

Other non-traditional ideas? Maybe you have a small crowd and don't like a lot of leftovers, use a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey! Not too far from tradition, but a turkey breast is a bit easier to wrangle and quicker to cook.

A non-traditional Thanksgiving main course - the Vegetable Wellington on parchment with two slices cut and fresh thyme on the side.
Vegetable Wellington
Want something all together different than turkey or just need to please some non-turkey eaters? This is the perfect recipe. I've never had any leftovers when I serve this and even the carnivores gobble it up!
Click for Vegetable Wellington Recipe
vegetable wellington with 3 slices cut off by a black-handled serrated knife
Roasted Chicken with Clementines
Looking for an alternative to turkey? This roasted chicken with clementines recipe takes advantage of seasonal citrus and it just tastes fantastic. You can create a fantastic centerpiece platter as you might with a turkey using the citrus as your wow factor.
Click for Clementine Chicken Recipe
Chicken thigh with roasted clementines and fennel on a tan plate with a fork and a cut-open clementine in the background.
Dry Brine Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving or Year-round
A dry brine turkey breast finished with a delicious and unexpected pomegranate gravy will wow your Thanksgiving guests. A turkey breast is the perfect solution for a smaller crowd or anytime you are craving a taste of Thanksgiving year round.
Click for Turkey Breast Recipe
Dry brine turkey breast sliced and plated on a white plate with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Pomegranate Gravy
Pomegranate gravy wows your tastebuds with deep flavors. This pomegranate sauce, made even more complex with the ruby port, offers an easy but exciting alternative to a traditional gravy for your turkey (or other proteins!).
Click for Pomegranate Gravy Recipe
Pomegranate gravy in a white gravy boat with a white handled spoon with pomegranates in the background.

Traditional side dishes

I love to use seasonal vegetables and pick dishes that I can prepare ahead. Any roasted vegetable, especially root vegetables and squashes lend themselves to roasting, a great technique for holiday vegetable side dishes. Use some pomegranate arils to decorate the top for flavor and color.

Cranberry jam can also work as sauce and can be prepared ahead and even frozen. And cornbread can be used to make stuffing cubes or serve as a side dish. And don't forget the dinner rolls and mashed potatoes cuz there are never enough carbs on Thanksgiving right?

roasted delicata squash on white plate
Square piece of cornbread on a blue plate with melting butter on top.
Jar of jam with sliced orange and spoon of jam in the background.
Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower marries so well with other flavors and colors and can even be prepared ahead of time. So grab any color of cauliflower you find at the market and make a beautiful side for your Thanksgiving buffet.
Click for Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
cooked cauliflower on parchment with lemon
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Molasses
Pomegranate molasses will be your new favorite kitchen staple if you don't have it already. Then top this dish with fresh pomegranate arils and your guests will not be able to take their eyes off this gorgeous side dish.
Click for Brussels Sprout Recipe
roasted brussels sprouts with yogurt topping and purple cauliflower on a white plate
Roasted Delicata Squash with Pomegranate Molasses
Delicata squash is easier to cut than a large butternut squash and you don't have to peel it. Marry it with some pomegranate molasses and date syrup or sub in balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. You've got another make ahead wow-factor side dish.
Click for Delicata Squash Recipe
roasted delicata squash on white plate
Cranberry Orange Jam
Cranberry Orange Jam is a perfect addition to your holiday table and a great gift-giving idea. So easy to make - using fresh cranberries, apple, sugar, and orange - this will become a fall tradition in your home!
Click for Cranberry Jam Recipe
Straight down view of jar of jam with sliced orange and a spoon in the background.
Honey Cornbread with Olive Oil and Sage
Honey cornbread with olive oil and sage is the perfect recipe to make cornbread stuffing cubes or as a side dish on the holiday buffet. And with one ingredient substitution this cornbread is dairy-free!
Click for Cornbread Recipe
Square piece of cornbread on a blue plate with melting butter on top.
Soft Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls
If you love to make bread and adore a soft dinner roll with your Thanksgiving dinner, Jenni's roll recipe will be a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving feast.
Click for Dinner Roll Recipe
Garlic pull apart rolls in a bread basket with a seasonal napkin drape.
Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese
At our house, no matter how many carbs are on the menu, mashed potatoes are a must. This recipe uses cream cheese for an extra level of velvety goodness.
Click for Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Top down view of mashed potatoes in a white casserole with butter on top.

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Non-traditional side dishes

Do you love to serve soup but it's just one too many dishes with all the other food on the buffet? Try serving the soup in shot glasses! It's a fun way to transition from appetizers and announce the main course is coming. You can use a traditional seasonal soup but serve it in a non-traditional format.

Or how about rice? My Persian friend said they love to serve basmati race with their Thanksgiving meal. My husband insists on a pot of rice because it's such a great way to enjoy his gravy and it's what he grew up eating.

Small copper pot with saffron barberry rice in it and a rust colored scarf laying around it.
category image for soups and side dishes
Side view at an angle of challah rolls on a white plate.
Acorn Squash Soup
Make this luscious soup recipe from Maria Speck and surprise your guests by serving it in a shot glass (the non-traditional approach). It's so much fun and allows you to serve an extra fun course without filling everyone up too soon.
Click for Acorn Squash Soup Recipe
squash soup
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Pomegranate Molasses
Why is this non-traditional? This soup has a hidden ingredient: hummus. It adds texture and protein and also replaces the garlic in the recipe. You can make this soup vegan by using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
Click for Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
soup in purple bowl with copper spoon and dukkah and arils
Hasselback Butternut Squash
This creative dish can serve as a side dish or even a main for vegetarians and vegans. And my beloved pomegranates make a showing here too.
Click for Hasselback Squash Recipe
Top down view of hasselback butternut squash on a white rectangular plate.
Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
A non-traditional approach to a traditional dish - this cranberry sauce uses pomegranate juice and arils in a simple and delicious variation of cranberry sauce.
Click for Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce Recipe
A bowl of cranberry pomegranate sauce on a white and black leaved napkin with a wood background.
Mini Challah Rolls
Make my challah roll recipe, leave out the filling and make them half the size. You will have the perfect dinner roll recipe or roll for making leftover turkey sandwiches.
Click for Challah Roll Recipe
Side view at an angle of challah rolls on a white plate.
Basmati Recipe with Barberries
I'll be honest, we make rice to go with our turkey along with stuffing and mashed potatoes. So think outside the box further, and make this basmati rice, with or without the barberries. The flavors would marry beautifully and rice is a great receptor for gravy!
Click for Basmati Rice Recipe
landscape view of saffron rice in copper bowl with gold scarf

Traditional desserts

We like pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving because we love to eat it for breakfast the next day! Really! Traditional desserts for Thanksgiving are rooted in the seasonal offerings - pumpkins, persimmons, pecans, or even cranberries or creative combinations of a few of them. Here are a some ideas to get you started.

Pumpkin pie cooling on the stove top.
Homemade Refrigerated Pie Crust
This classic butter-based pie dough is very closely adapted from a recipe called Pie Dough with Water from Emily Luchetti's book Classic Stars Desserts and has been my go-to since 2010. It will yield 2 pie crusts if using standard depth 9" pie pans.
Click for Pie Dough Tips and Recipe
Pie crust in a pie pan with a fluted edge.
Dorie Greenspan's Pumpkin Pie Filling
From Dorie's latest book, this is her perfected pumpkin pie filling. Pictured is mine but if you follow the link, you'll get her recipe which can be used with the pie crust in the link above or any crust you choose.
Click for Dorie's Pumpkin Pie Filling
Persimmon Bread
Perhaps not a typical standalone dessert but an excellent addition to a buffet and a great tradition during persimmon season.
Click for Persimmon Bread Recipe
whole loaf with slices on little plate and a cup of coffee
Pumpkin Pecan Pie
No need to choose from two classic pies, this rustic Pumpkin Pecan Pie is served with a decadent Whiskey Butter Sauce that will be the star of your holiday dinner!
Click for Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe
Side view of a pumpkin pecan pie from Family Spice blog.
Pumpkin Banana Muffins
These might sound like a breakfast item (and they could be) but prepare them as mini muffins and I can almost guarantee the kids (and kids at heart) will grab a couple with their dessert.
Click for Banana Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
Pumpkin banana muffins on a pumpkin shaped plate with a muffin tin of muffins next to it.

Non-traditional desserts

But who says you need to follow tradition? If pumpkin pie is not your thing or even if it is, feel free to diverge. We started serving key lime pie one year and now it isn't Thanksgiving without it.

My cranberry orange rugelach were born when Thanksgiving and Hanukkah overlapped. Or try cheesecake. Eat what you love and just enjoy the day!

close up of cross section of orange cranberry rugelach
No bake pumpkin rum balls in a white bowl with pumpkins in the background.
Thanksgiving Tradition
Mini Key Lime Pies
Serving multiple desserts? Avoid the trouble of small slices by making minis! Mini key lime pies lined with chocolate and a luscious macadamia nut crust will brighten up your holiday buffet every time!
Click for Mini Key Lime Pie Recipe!
Several mini key lime pies on a striped white plate with limes in the background.
Rugelach with Cranberry and Orange
A rugelach combining an orange-scented dough with dried cranberries, dark chocolate, toasted walnuts, and homemade cranberry jam - it's a burst of Thanksgiving and Hannukah goodness in every bite.
Click for Rugelach Recipe
Rugelach with orange and cranberry on a white plate.
No Bake Pumpkin Rum Balls
Pumpkin rum balls are the perfect treat for all of your fall celebrations. This version is made with graham crackers instead of the usual wafer cookies, making them reminiscent of pumpkin pie.
Click for Pumpkin Rum Ball Recipe
Non-traditional but delicious no bake pumpkin rum balls in a white bowl with pumpkins in the background.
Mini Cheesecake Bites
Cheesecake sounds too filling right? But not in mini bites! And it's so practical because you can make them ahead of time. Try these mini cheesecake bites and then top them with my cranberry orange jam and you're and set to go!
Click for Mini Cheesecake Bites Recipe
Three cheesecake bites on a white plate

Non-traditional appetizers and cocktails

One year I served cocktail cookies as part of our appetizers. What? A cookie appetizer? Yup - it's a thing and they are lovely and fun and I highly recommend them. Pair with champagne, a cocktail, an aperitif and enjoy this non-traditional approach to your appetizer course!

I also love this pomegranate mule because it uses seasonal pomegranate arils (seeds) and is just so festive for the whole holiday season.

close up overhead shot of cocktail in copper mug with copper spoon
Stack of orange shortbread cookies of different sizes with cocktails in the background.
Pomegranate Mule
A spin on the traditional Moscow Mule, this non-traditional version uses pomegranate molasses for a tangy twist. And it's so festive looking with pomegranate arils!
Click for Pomegranate Cocktail Recipe
partial angle shot of pomegranate molasses cocktail in copper mug
Fig Cocktail Cookies
Surprise your guests with this cookie appetizer - a decidedly non-traditional recipe that will quickly become tradition once you pair it with a cocktail and surprise your guests with this unusual and fun combination.
Click for Fig Cocktail Cookie Recipe
Fig Cocktail Cookies
Orange Shortbread Cookies with Thyme
Another version that carries the flavors of the season - orange and thyme. Make a batch of this dough ahead of time and just bake some off the day before or day of and you'll have a wow factor appetizer for guests.
Click for Orange Thyme Cocktail Cookies
Stack of orange shortbread cookies of different sizes with cocktails in the background.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies with Pistachios
Cranberry orange shortbread cookies with pistachios will be your new favorite appetizer cookie and cocktail accompaniment for the holidays. Or just relax after a day of cooking and enjoy a few with a cup of tea!
Click for Cranberry Shortbread Recipe
Cranberry orange shortbread cookies on a white plate with the cooling rack and two cocktails in the background.

What to do with those leftovers?!

Personally I love leftovers. Day after, you'll find me eating pumpkin pie for breakfast, then a turkey sandwich for lunch with cranberry sauce on a soft roll. And for dinner, we usually make a full-on replica of the big meal with whatever is left. But by Day 2, it can be fun to transform those leftovers into a new meal. Here are a few ideas.

Turkey Pot Pie
Got a leftover pie crust? Leftover turkey? Leftover veggies? Leftover gravy? Well then I think you've got a turkey pot pie!!
Click for Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
close up of single slice of turkey pot pie
Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie
This Thanksgiving Shepherd’s Pie is the ideal way to use up leftover turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and veggies!
Click for Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Photo credit: pastrychefonline.com
Slice of Thanksgiving shepherd's pie with the rest of the pie in the background.
Leftover Stuffing Stuffed Butternut Squash
This Leftover Stuffing Gluten-Free Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe is a great, tasty way to use up leftovers. Add leftover turkey, too, and make this a delicious meal!
Click for Stuffed Butternut Squash Recipe
Photo credit: fearlessdining.com
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Scones
Got leftover cranberry sauce? No worries! It will be perfect in these scrumptious whole wheat scones - just in time for Thanksgiving leftovers!
Click for Cranberry Sauce Scones Recipe
Photo credit: familyspice.com
Leftover Cranberry Sauce Scones

Have questions about any of these traditional or non-traditional Thanksgiving recipes? The OMG! Yummy Thanksgiving hotline is always open! You can reach me by:

  1. Leaving a comment on this post below
  2. Leaving a comment or message on Instagram: @omgyummy
  3. Leaving a comment on any OMG! Yummy Facebook post.
  4. Emailing me at beth (at) omgyummy (dot) com.

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Click here for a web story of traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas or one that includes some non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas as well.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

  • Pomegranate sauce in a gravy boat with a spoon and the sliced turkey breast in the background.
    Pomegranate Gravy with Port and Rosemary
  • Cranberry orange shortbread cookies on a white plate with the cooling rack and two cocktails in the background.
    Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
  • Mushroom challah stuffing in a blue casserole dish on a wooden board with a spoon in the stuffing.
    Challah Stuffing with Mushrooms
  • Dry brine turkey breast sliced and plated on a white plate with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
    Dry Brine Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving and Year-round!

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  1. Laura

    November 02, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    Loving all these ideas! I always throw in a new and unexpected dish in my thanksgiving spread, along with the traditional favorites. It's a great way to mix things up a bit! Those challah rolls are calling my name!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      November 02, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      It's fun to mix it up - keep the basics so the crowd doesn't go crazy 🙂 and then spice it up with something new.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Beth!

I'm a cookbook author, cooking teacher and preserved lemon lover. My family is a mix of Jewish, Hawaiian and Korean heritage. My virtual multicultural kitchen is always open. Let's cook together! 

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