Non-traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving meals doesn’t include turkey or traditional side dishes.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I love that it’s about getting together with the people you love and having a meal. That’s really all that is involved. Many people will have their traditional fare: Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. My grandmother was very traditional when it came to her holiday menus; therefore, a big turkey always graced her Thanksgiving table.
Since I cook for a living and own The Southern Lady Cooks, I’m asked yearly about hosting a traditional Thanksgiving. Many people feel pressured to have all the southern side dishes and the big turkey. However, please know you don’t need to feel pressured about this menu. At the end of the day, it’s about enjoying a meal with your friends and family, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it must be a traditional dish or menu. My advice has always been to serve what you and your guests enjoy.
SKIP THE TURKEY
You’ll be happy to hear that one of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving meals doesn’t involve turkey or dressing. Can you believe it? Mom started making a non-traditional holiday menu when we were kids, and honestly, I would much rather have it than turkey. Anne and I begged her to make this meal when we were little. When we left for college, it was this meal we wanted whenever we came home. So, if you’re struggling to even want to make a turkey, you might want to give this non-traditional Thanksgiving menu a try!
NON-TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING DINNER MENU
Crockpot Roast Beef and Potatoes
This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving! First, it’s made in a crockpot, so there’s no need to stand in the kitchen watching the oven to see if the turkey is done. You place everything in a slow cooker and go about your day. Second, it cooks the potatoes and the gravy at the same time. That’s super handy when preparing a holiday meal. If you’re cooking for a larger group, get two slow cookers going simultaneously!
Cornbread Muffins
Most people will serve rolls on Thanksgiving. I like rolls as much as the next person, but being a Southerner, I’ll always choose cornbread. Mom always made them to go with the roast. These simple muffins come together quickly and are so good. My favorite is to butter a hot cornbread muffin and then pour some gravy over it. Seriously….DELICIOUS!
Funny story, one time Anne and I came home from college for a visit and of course, we brought friends along. Mom made this meal and when we loaded up for the five hour drive back to college, my friend Amy took a ziplock bag of cornbread muffins for the road.
When we got in the car, Ed yelled from the back seat, “How about one of those muffins, Amy?” to which she replied, “You should have gotten your own muffins, Ed; these are mine.” They are THAT good!?
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Macaroni and Cheese
I’ve often told our readers that we have macaroni and cheese on Thanksgiving, and someone always says, “Macaroni and cheese?” Yes, macaroni and cheese! It’s one of our favorite side dishes, so why would I not serve it? I don’t care that it’s not considered traditional. It’s what we like, and that is the entire point when you create a meal to share with family and friends.
Snickers Apple Salad
Cranberry sauce is the one traditional side on our table for this meal because I love the sweetness of the cranberry sauce with the onion gravy from the roast. They go together wonderfully. But maybe cranberries aren’t your thing! If not, you serve another sweet, like this old-fashioned Watergate salad or praline fluff.
Southern Maple Pecan Pie
Not everyone likes pumpkin, so if it’s not your thing, try this simple pecan pie made with maple syrup. It gets better the next day, so it’s the perfect dessert to serve during the holidays. You can make it ahead of time! You can also make these simple pecan pie muffins…only five ingredients and your guests will want the recipe!
Mississippi Mud Cake
Cake is always a good idea, and THIS cake never disappoints. It’s not a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but it’s delicious, and that’s the point! It’s shown up on our table many times. You might want to make these Mississippi Mud Brownies. They are so easy and always a hit!
Carrot Cake Loaf Cake
Carrot cake is always a great idea for Thanksgiving! This loaf cake is perfect for a smaller gathering. Not every event needs a large dessert.
THANKSGIVING DISHES WITH A TWIST
Perhaps you want to serve a few traditional dishes, but you’d like them to be a bit different? Here are several recipes you might want to add to your holiday!
Sausage Biscuit Dressing
Most people will serve a traditional southern cornbread dressing, but this twist is absolutely delicious!
Pimento Cheese Hash Brown Casserole
Potatoes are a must for so many. Instead of mashed potatoes, try this hashbrown casserole made with pimento cheese!
Pumpkin Praline Poke Cake
Of course, a pumpkin pie is the traditional choice, but let me tell you…this simple poke cake will be the star of your dinner!
STRESS-FREE MEAL
Remember, preparing a delicious meal for our family and friends should be fun and as stress-free as possible. If making a turkey and all the sides stresses you out, don’t do it. Prepare what makes you comfortable because a happy host is much more enjoyable than a host who has put too much pressure on themselves to deliver.
Putting a meal on the table that brings back nostalgia means more than anything. For me, I would rather enjoy the dishes that take me back to my mother’s or grandmother’s table than anything else. Food holds memories. I talk about that here and here. It’s important to remember those dishes and bringing them out on a special holiday is the perfect time to do it!
Oh, and don’t forget about Christmas! If you are a fan of vintage Christmas desserts, we’ve curated our favorites, and here, you’ll find our 80-year-old holiday tradition!
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Try just typing in Where to buy the movie Christmas in the Wilderness on your search engine, you’ll get a bunch of hits!
My favorite Christmas movie is “Christmas in the Wilderness”. I can’t find it anywhere!! It was on Turner network in 1988 or 1989. The story depicts life in the Wild West with hostile Indians. But such a sweet ending! If you know where i can find it, please share!
Vicki Glasscock
Inverness, FL