25 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas (2024)

Artichoke Hearts Gratin

"Ever since I discovered these, my array of appetizers would not be complete without them," says reviewer naples34102. Artichokes aren't exactly synonymous with Thanksgiving, but that will change once you try this simple appetizer.

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

There are endless ways to incorporate pumpkin into your Thanksgiving dinner, but what better way to kick off the feast than this flavorful pumpkin soup? "The spices in this soup really marry up well and make this the tasty, flavorful soup it is," says recipe creator Pip. "I can guarantee you will impress even the fussiest of eaters."

Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini

If you're looking to start your Thanksgiving dinner with a bang, these elegant crostini are sure to impress. Sliced baguettes are topped with garlic, olive oil, goat cheese, and a roasted pumpkin-leek mixture that is then drizzled with a balsamic glaze.

Apple Pie Shot

Bring the party to the table with these shots that taste like a favorite Thanksgiving dessert. "A favorite at my Thanksgiving feast. My guests still talk about it," says reviewer MSNIAC.

Citrus Turkey Brine

With all the heavy casseroles and sides on the table, brining your turkey with this citrus-flavored brine will bring bright and fresh flavor to the table. Reviewer pkyumi says, "Really delicious moist and fragrant turkey I only got to sample a little bit because the people I made it for gobbled it up in no time!"

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions

"This is soooo good! So simple to prepare, yet it looks and tastes like it took a lot of time and effort," says reviewer Christina. Step aside turkey. These pork medallions wrapped in bacon might just be a new tradition.

Tangy Honey-Glazed Ham

For many of us, ham for Thanksgiving isn't anything new, but this pineapple-honey glaze brings a whole new flavor. Reviewer leal80 says, "I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it!"

Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts

If you still want to keep turkey on the table, these stuffed turkey breasts put a new twist on a traditional Thanksgiving main dish. "I made these once for a holiday dinner party, and they were such a hit that I started making them for Thanksgiving instead of a whole turkey," says recipe creator Esther Nelson.

Mushroom Cream Gravy Sauce

Turkey gravy is cool and all, but smother your bird in this divine mushroom gravy and you may never go back to your old recipe. "I use this sauce for everything. As a pasta sauce over chicken on mashed potatoes," says reviewer Laura Nicosia.

Cranberry-Jalapeño Relish

This spicy take on a Thanksgiving classic is sure to leave a lasting impression. "Made it for Thanksgiving and my husband, who isn't fond of plain cranberry sauce, really like this relish," says reviewer SOPHIE159.

Sweet Potato Rolls

During the holidays, dinner rolls are always on the table. But they don't have to be boring. These festive, fall rolls are made with sweet potato purée for a change from the usual. "We loved these rolls and will make them every Thanksgiving from now on," says reviewer ATHENE.

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Fancy Crusted Rosemary Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are always a crowd pleaser, but this recipe will really stand out among the rest — it uses sliced potatoes to create a crust around the edge of the baking dish.

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Sweet Potato Streusel Casserole with Coconut

"Sweet potatoes have been a holiday staple for many years and score 101 next to the regular white potato," says recipe creator lvscoffee7. "Combining them with a coconut streusel topping is simply a divine union!"

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

"Not only is this a delicious alternative to regular mashed potato recipes, but it's a very user-friendly way to serve your potato side dish. They're really decadent: not too rich, but just rich enough, and perfect for any special occasion," says Chef John.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Pistachios

Caramelizing Brussels sprouts helps to subdue their bitterness and give them a subtle, sweet flavor. "We had it for Thanksgiving and it was by far the most commented on," says reviewer Keers.

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Apple-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash has fall written all over it, but stuff it with a mixture of apples, raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cheese, and you have the ultimate fall side dish.

Roquefort Pear Salad

Skip the boring, run-of-the-mill salad this year and go for this autumn-inspired salad topped with blue cheese, pears, caramelized pecans, and a mustard vinaigrette. Reviewer Chef Q says, "I always get requests for this recipe even by salad snobs! One thing I do for ease in prep is buy the glazed pecans at the store so much easier and saves on time!"

Better-than-Boxed Vegan and Gluten-Free Stuffing

Go vegan this Thanksgiving with this stuffing that's great for those with dietary restrictions. Recipe creator fabeveryday blog says, "This vegan and gluten-free stuffing is better than the boxed stuff and very easy to make! Whether your guests are vegan, gluten free, both, or neither, this stuffing will please the whole crowd!"

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Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnuts add a special holiday touch to classic stuffing. Take it from reviewer PCASSIDY who says, "The chestnuts really add a nice flavor texture to the stuffing. And it goes GREAT with gravy. We will be adding this to our repertoire of family recipes to be used on Thanksgiving and Christmas in our homes from here on out."

Green Beans with Feta and Bacon

Green beans always make an appearance on the Thanksgiving table in some form or fashion. This new take on a classic Thanksgiving ingredient uses garlic, feta, and bacon for irresistible flavor.

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Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting

"These spiced fall cupcakes are a riff on the classic Thanksgiving casserole," says recipe creator Doughgirl8. "These days, I tend to like savory sweet potato dishes with the meal, but marshmallowy cupcakes make a terrific fall dessert! Store any leftover cupcakes in the refrigerator."

Butter Pecan Cheesecake

Few flavors are more comforting than butter pecan, but throw it in a cheesecake and you have the ideal fall dessert. "I made this cheesecake for Thanksgiving dinner and it was amazing. I followed the directions to the letter and it came out beautifully," says reviewer wozbeetle. "Did not sink in the middle like some cheesecakes tend to do and there wasn't one crack in it. The top was perfectly level."

Pecan Pie Bars

This dessert gives you the delightful sweet taste of pecan pie without the hassle of making a pie crust. Plus, it's much easier to serve to a crowd. On top of all that, it has over 450 5-star ratings.

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Maple Pecan Shortbread Squares

"These are absolutely delicious bars! The amount of pecans is perfect, the filling was just slightly gooey, and the shortbread base is so buttery and delicious," says reviewer larkspur. Two classic Thanksgiving flavors combine in this original dessert.

Upside-Down Pumpkin Cake

"This has become my family's favorite dessert at Thanksgiving, taking the place of pumpkin pie! Walnuts can be substituted for pecans," says recipe creator JCAIN2U.

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