Turkey Substitutes to Mix Up Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Wouldn’t it be lovely to treat your Thanksgiving dinner guests to one of these turkey substitute recipes? TABLE Magazine loves to break with tradition almost as much as it loves tradition itself. Under the right circumstances, the unexpected can be absolutely delightful.  Dream of the possibilities for sides with a new palette of flavor profiles. We have, and now we’re really hungry!

Turkey Substitutes to Mix Up Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Cider-Glazed Pork Loin with Roasted Apples and Potatoes

An aerial shot of Cider-Glazed Pork Loin with Roasted Apples and Potatoes in a roasting tray.

Pork is an easy substitute for those who aren’t too keen on turkey. While you may be thinking this dish belongs to New Year’s Day, the simple cider glaze might just change your mind. Plus, the roasted apples and potatoes add some of fall’s best flavors. 

Rack of Lamb with Traditional English Mint Sauce

rack of lamb

This delicious rack of lamb will impress your special holiday guests. It’s simple to make and starts with fresh ingredients that’ll make a turkey green with envy. This is the kind of Sunday dinner your grandmother used to make, so there is bound to be a glow of nostalgia around the table.

Cauliflower Steaks with Curry Leaf Oil and Red Wine Cherry Sauce

Cauliflower Steaks with Curry Leaf Oil and Red Wine Cherry Sauce sit on a blue plate to the left of the frame.

Hearty cauliflower steaks are an excellent turkey substitute. The curry leaf oil and red wine cherry sauce bring a savory and sweet taste that’s much more interesting than the same old cranberry sauce you’ve had since childhood. A vegetarian option on the sideboard means that everyone at your table will have an opportunity to feast no matter their food preferences.

Pollo in Umido (Braised Chicken with Potatoes)

Various dishes on a dark grey countertop show chicken and potatoes in large groups.

This home-cooked Braised Chicken with Potatoes make for a great meat dish to set the stage for a unique Thanksgiving table. Ditch the American traditions and go Italian this Thanksgiving with a Venetian way of enjoying meat.

Beef Wellington with Crosshatched Potatoes and Roasted Carrots

This Beef Wellington is an elegant upgrade to your holiday main course…with a British touch. Tender steak filets combined with a crispy puffed pastry make for a decadent new tradition. Not to mention the potatoes and roasted carrots which give this dish a hearty and homey feel. 

Seared Salmon with Borscht Risotto and Horseradish Crème Fraîche

Seared Salmon with Borscht Risotto and Horseradish Crème Fraîche sits in a grey plate with high edges. Seared Salmon recipe

Pair salmon with borscht risotto and horseradish crème fraîche for an earthy and tangy knockout dish. This fish is delicate and often takes on the taste of whatever it’s cooked with, so the addition of earthy, beet-y risotto and sharp horseradish crème fraîche takes the salmon to a whole different level.

Story by Kylie Thomas and Gabe Gomez

A footer photo with a black background and subscribe info and button

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Subscribe to TABLE's email newsletter

We respect your privacy.

spot_img

Related Articles

Where to Get Thanksgiving To-Go Meals in Pittsburgh 

Skip the cooking, don't skip the quality.

You’ve Got a Friend at Dish Osteria

The dish on Dish, from the chef himself.

Generations of Hands Bake Up Holiday Dessert Recipes

Hands of children and grandparents come together to create delicious desserts.