20 Thanksgiving Mains So Good You Might Skip The Turkey
Turkey has been the star of Thanksgiving dinner for generations, but maybe it’s time to shake things up a little.
Serve something equally delicious, maybe even more exciting, that gets everyone talking around the table.
Tired of the same old bird or craving something new? Plenty of mouthwatering mains can steal the spotlight this holiday season.
1. Maple-Glazed Ham
Picture a glistening, golden-brown centerpiece that makes everyone’s mouth water the moment it hits the table. Ham brings a sweet and savory flavor combination that feels fancy without requiring hours of complicated prep work.
Brushing on maple syrup creates a sticky, caramelized coating that tastes like autumn in every bite. Leftovers make incredible sandwiches, so you’ll be enjoying this delicious decision long after the holiday ends.
2. Herb-Crusted Prime Rib
Nothing says celebration quite like a perfectly cooked prime rib that’s tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. A coating of fresh herbs and garlic forms a savory crust that locks in all the natural juices while roasting.
Slicing into that beautiful pink center feels like opening a present on Thanksgiving morning. Your guests will think you spent all day in the kitchen, but the oven does most of the heavy lifting here.
3. Brown Butter Roast Chicken
When regular roast chicken gets a brown butter makeover, magic happens in the most delicious way. Nutty, rich brown butter seeps into every crevice, creating crispy skin that crackles when you bite into it.
Chicken might seem simple, but this version tastes anything but ordinary or boring. Plus, it cooks faster than turkey, giving you more time to hang out with family instead of babysitting the oven all afternoon.
4. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Comfort food reaches new heights when you swap regular mashed potatoes for a sweet potato topping that’s naturally creamy and slightly sweet. Underneath lies a savory filling packed with vegetables and seasoned ground meat that warms you from the inside out.
Baking until the top gets crispy and golden creates textural contrast that makes every forkful interesting. It’s basically a hug in casserole form, perfect for chilly November evenings.
5. Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin soaked in apple cider brings together two autumn favorites in one incredibly tender main course. Marinating the meat infuses it with subtle sweetness and tang that pairs beautifully with traditional Thanksgiving sides.
Cooking this cut is surprisingly quick and foolproof, making it ideal for cooks of any skill level. Each slice practically melts in your mouth, and the apple cider reduction drizzled on top adds restaurant-quality flair to your home-cooked feast.
6. Butternut Squash Lasagna
Vegetarians will be delighted by this lasagna, showing that meatless mains can absolutely steal the show at any holiday gathering. Roasted butternut squash adds natural sweetness while creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella provide all that gooey, cheesy goodness everyone craves.
Layering everything together feels like creating edible art, and the final result looks as stunning as it tastes. You might just convert a few meat-lovers with this colorful, flavor-packed alternative that celebrates fall produce.
7. Garlic Butter Salmon
Seafood brings an elegant twist to Thanksgiving dinner that feels both special and surprisingly light compared to heavier meat options. Salmon’s rich, flaky texture pairs wonderfully with garlic butter that adds depth without overwhelming the delicate fish flavor.
Cooking salmon takes less than twenty minutes, which means less stress and more time enjoying your guests’ company. Omega-3s make this choice as healthy as it is delicious, letting you feel good about your holiday indulgence.
8. Mushroom Wellington
Beef Wellington’s vegetarian cousin deserves just as much admiration and applause at your Thanksgiving table. Earthy mushrooms mixed with herbs and wrapped in buttery puff pastry create layers of flavor and texture that impress even the pickiest eaters.
Cutting into that golden, flaky crust to reveal the savory filling underneath feels incredibly satisfying. It looks fancy enough to serve at a five-star restaurant but comes together easier than you might think at home.
9. Honey-Balsamic Short Ribs
Braising short ribs low and slow transforms tough meat into fork-tender bites that practically fall apart when you look at them. Honey and balsamic vinegar create a sweet-tangy glaze that caramelizes beautifully, coating each piece in sticky deliciousness.
Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing while this cooks, building anticipation for the incredible meal ahead. Warning though, people might start camping out near the oven waiting for dinner to be ready!
10. Cranberry Glazed Meatloaf
A holiday makeover turns classic meatloaf into a celebration-worthy dish with a tangy cranberry glaze. Ground meat mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings stays moist and flavorful, while the fruity topping adds brightness and color.
It’s nostalgic and familiar yet different enough to feel special for Thanksgiving dinner. Kids and adults alike appreciate how easy this is to eat, and leftovers make fantastic next-day sandwiches everyone fights over.
11. Stuffed Acorn Squash
An edible bowl takes shape when acorn squash is filled with a savory mixture of grains, nuts, and dried fruit. Roasting brings out the squash’s natural sweetness, perfectly balancing the savory stuffing tucked inside each half.
Each person gets their own squash boat, making serving easy and presentation absolutely adorable. Vegetarian guests will love having a substantial main that’s just as satisfying and filling as any meat-based option on the table.
12. Cajun-Spiced Roast Duck
Duck brings sophisticated flavor to your holiday table with rich, dark meat that tastes completely different from chicken or turkey. Adding Cajun spices creates a crispy, flavorful skin with just enough kick to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming them.
Rendering the fat while roasting results in incredibly crispy skin that crackles satisfyingly with each bite. It’s bold, adventurous, and perfect for families ready to break free from traditional Thanksgiving expectations this year.
13. Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
Alfredo sauce gets an autumn upgrade when you blend in pumpkin puree for color, creaminess, and subtle seasonal flavor. Pasta becomes the perfect vehicle for this velvety sauce that clings to every strand and delivers comfort in every twirl of your fork.
It’s surprisingly filling despite being meatless, and the orange hue looks festive on your Thanksgiving table. Kids who normally avoid vegetables often devour this without realizing they’re eating squash, making it a sneaky parenting win.
14. Apple-Brined Turkey Breast
Sometimes you want turkey tradition without committing to a whole twenty-pound bird that takes all day to cook. Brining a turkey breast in apple cider keeps the meat incredibly juicy while infusing subtle fruity sweetness throughout.
Cooking just the breast means faster prep time and less leftover meat taking up precious refrigerator space afterward. You still get that classic Thanksgiving turkey experience but in a more manageable, stress-free package that’s easier to carve perfectly.
15. Bourbon-Glazed Pork Loin
Brushed with a bourbon glaze, this loin caramelizes into a sticky, slightly sweet coating. Roasting keeps the lean cut tender and juicy while developing deep, complex flavors that taste way fancier than the effort required.
Bourbon adds sophisticated depth without making the dish taste boozy or overwhelming for younger diners. Slicing reveals perfectly cooked meat that looks restaurant-quality, guaranteed to earn you compliments from every single guest at the table.
16. Wild Rice and Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Edible containers are created by filling bell peppers with a hearty mixture of nutty wild rice and savory sausage seasoned to perfection. Baking until the peppers soften and the filling turns golden on top adds textural variety that keeps every bite interesting.
Each pepper is essentially a complete meal in itself, containing protein, grains, and vegetables all in one convenient package. Colors ranging from red to yellow to orange make your Thanksgiving table look vibrant and inviting before anyone even takes a bite.
17. Maple-Mustard Salmon Fillet
A sweet and tangy glaze of maple syrup and grainy mustard transforms salmon when baked. High heat caramelizes the coating, locking in moisture and layering flavor.
Cooking fish might seem intimidating, but salmon is actually pretty forgiving and hard to mess up completely. It’s an elegant alternative that feels lighter than traditional Thanksgiving fare while still being substantial and satisfying enough to serve as the main event.
18. Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce
Few things impress dinner guests quite like perfectly cooked beef tenderloin that’s tender, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Searing the outside locks in juices while roasting brings it to your preferred doneness, and the red wine sauce adds restaurant-level sophistication.
It’s surprisingly simple to prepare despite looking and tasting incredibly fancy and expensive. Slicing reveals that beautiful pink center that makes meat-lovers’ hearts skip a beat, guaranteeing this will be the most talked-about dish on your Thanksgiving table.
19. Three-Cheese Baked Ziti
Comfort food reaches its peak when you combine three different cheeses with pasta and bake everything until bubbly and golden. Ricotta adds creaminess, mozzarella brings that satisfying cheese pull, and parmesan contributes sharp, nutty flavor that ties everything together beautifully.
It’s crowd-pleasing in the best way possible, appealing to picky eaters and adventurous diners alike. Making this ahead and just popping it in the oven on Thanksgiving Day saves you precious time and sanity during the holiday rush.
20. Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts and develop incredibly crispy skin when roasted at high heat until golden brown. Brushing on a cranberry-orange glaze during the last few minutes creates a fruity, tangy coating that screams Thanksgiving in every single bite.
Dark meat has more flavor than white meat, making this option incredibly satisfying for those who find turkey bland. Budget-friendly and delicious, this proves you don’t need expensive ingredients to create a memorable, impressive holiday main course everyone loves.
