Turkey Alternatives: Delicious New Takes on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving traditions can be as varied as the families who celebrate it. And sometimes, stepping away from the usual, same ol’ turkey dinner can breathe some new life into your holiday spread.
The truth is, not everyone loves the turkey tradition, and there are plenty of reasons to try something new! Alternative main courses let you embrace different flavors, focus on dietary needs, or simply make a more manageable meal for intimate gatherings.
Whether you’re looking to make room for different flavors, trying to go meatless, or just want to change up the routine a little, these delicious alternative main course ideas can offer the same celebratory vibe as serving a roast turkey, while letting your creativity shine.
Alternative Poultry (i.e. What’s Wrong with Chicken?)
You might be a tad surprised to learn this, but some people simply prefer the flavor of chicken to the traditional turkey bird. On top of that, a good roasting hen tends to be juicier, faster and easier to cook, and easier to carve and serve than a whole turkey. Plus, getting your hands on a fresh whole chicken at the store is a LOT easier than finding a fresh (not frozen) turkey.
If you have a fresh 3 to 6 lb. roasting hen, simply brush the outside with ¼ cup of melted butter, then season to taste with salt, pepper, and a little garlic power. Remove any giblets (if present), then stuff the cavity with a half lemon, 4-5 cloves of garlic, and a fistful of fresh herbs like thyme, parsley and sage leaves.
Preheat the oven to 450°F, put the bird in a shallow pot or cast-iron skillet, then set it on the middle rack. Roast uncovered for 10-15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F and roast for 20 minutes per pound, until a thermometer inserted in the thick part of the thigh reaches about 165°F.
Serve with roasted root vegetables and cranberry chutney for a classic pairing.
Another great idea: Perfect for individual servings, small Cornish hens are perfect for individual servings and offer a tender, juicy alternative that your guests can enjoy as their own mini main course.
Where’s the Beef?
For a hearty, savory centerpiece to your meal, a prime rib roast can be a real showstopper. Serving prime beef offers a luxurious dining experience sure to satisfy the meat lovers in your life.
Simply season your beef roast with plenty of fresh chopped garlic, rosemary and thyme while you preheat the oven. Roast at 500°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 325°F and continue cooking for 13-14 minutes per pound. Allow the meat to rest for a good 20-30 minutes before carving and serving. It’s that easy!
Serve with horseradish sauce and a side of garlic mashed potatoes.
Seafood Lovers’ Thanksgiving
Serving fresh fish is a healthful, low-fat way to let your family and guests feast heartily without racking up unwanted excess calories. Salmon makes a light yet satisfying main course, especially for a coastal Thanksgiving celebration.
A simple, classic cooking and serving suggestion is baked salmon with lemon-dill sauce. And it’s stupid-easy, too! Just brush a couple pounds of salmon filets with melted butter mixed with lemon juice, then season with salt, dill, garlic powder and pepper. Then pop into the oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes and serve. For the sauce just mix a cup of Greek yogurt with 3 tsp Dijon mustard, a clove of minced garlic, 3 tbsp fresh dill, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp salt. That’s it!
Serve the fish with the sauce on the side, plus a wild rice pilaf and roasted brussels sprouts for a refreshing yet festive meal.
Make It an International Themed-Meal
Thanksgiving is the essential American holiday. And the one thing that we all, as Americans, hold in common is that our ancestors came from somewhere else. So why not celebrate the day and give thanks for your family heritage in the same meal?
Italian Dinner
Break out the family’s traditional recipes for hearty lasagna, spinach salad, crusty rolls and serve with a rich Barbaresco or Chianti. Mangia!
Indian Feast
Dial up the flavors with a spice-centric table featuring tandoori chicken, biryani, daal, and a cucumber salad.
Mexican Fiesta
Pull out all the stops with a big baking dish of enchiladas, plus some savory pollo asado, sweet potato casserole, and grilled corn (elotes-style).
Chinese Flavors
Why not? You can serve a menu of mouthwatering pork char siu, stir-fried bok choi, fried rice and shumai dumplings… and still have room for Hong Kong-style egg tarts.
These are just a few of the many, many ethnic heritage meals you can enjoy for your Thanksgiving celebration… feel free to plan your own Jamaican, Portuguese, Venezuelan, or Scandinavian menu with all your family favorites. Just think, you could have Turkish instead of turkey!
Try Going Meatless!
For some of us, the very best part of Thanksgiving dinner menu isn’t the bird, it’s the side dishes! Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, dressing, cranberry sauce, roasted carrots… what’s not to love? And for those of us looking to go meat-free these days, adding a vegetarian main course makes all the sense in the world.
One colorful and flavorful option, stuffed butternut squash, might just be a satisfying main course for everyone and not just vegetarians. Just hollow out some butternut squash halves, roast until tender (about 40 minutes), and fill with a mixture of cooked quinoa, cranberries, walnuts, and plenty of fresh herbs. Drizzle with a balsamic glaze for a flavorful finish.
Progressive Dinner Party, Anyone?
As long as we’re shaking things up a bit and trying new things on the most traditional day of the year, why not reinvent the idea of “hosting” Thanksgiving dinner in the first place? If you and your nearby neighbors have a close and friendly relationship, and they’re open to trying something new, you can all co-host the festivities together!
A “progressive” dinner party makes the moment more enjoyable for all by spreading out the responsibilities. One household can host round one – drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Next, every goes to neighbor home #2 for appetizer small plates. You can volunteer your own dining room for main event and the side dishes. And then you can all adjourn to the last home zone for desserts and post-meal hangout (and football viewing, of course).
With this approach, everyone shares equally in the meal prep and cleanup, so it’s not overwhelming for anyone!
Tips for Planning a Turkey-Free Thanksgiving Feast
No matter what approach you take for a non-traditional Thanksgiving feast, there are a few basics you should consider in your planning.
Seasonal Flavors
Incorporate autumnal ingredients like squash, pumpkin, and root vegetables to bring in the traditional flavors, even if the main dish is a tad unconventional.
Consider Portions
If you’re cooking smaller mains, like Cornish hens or salmon fillets, calculate portions to ensure each guest has plenty to enjoy.
Mix and Match
Don’t hesitate to combine a couple of smaller main courses (like salmon and stuffed squash) to cater to various tastes and dietary needs. The more, the merrier!
Is Your Stove Up to the Challenge?
If you are less than 100% confident that your current oven and/or cooktop are capable of tackling the task of cooking a multi-course meal for all your invitees, right now is the right time to look into an upgrade!
Kenmore’s electric and gas ranges feature turkey-ready True Convection ovens, powerful Turbo Boil® burners, Air Fry mode, self-cleaning ovens, 5 surface cooking zones, and so much more. So you can cook like a pro and serve a meal you can be proud of… no matter the occasion.
This Thanksgiving, try taking a new approach with a unique main course that’s still loaded with comfort, flavor, and holiday spirit… and make this holiday occasion one to remember. The season is all about giving thanks, gathering together, and enjoying every moment with each other – so have some fun and let your culinary creativity shine!
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