40 Thanksgiving Dinner Alternatives to Turkey
Tired of whole turkey? Try one of these 40 alternatives for Thanksgiving! From turkey tenderloin to stuffed squash and more.
There’s nothing as classic as a whole turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Even though I have the perfect recipes for Thanksgiving turkey (my Cheesecloth Orange Herb Whole Turkey), I totally understand that Turkey isn’t everyone’s cup of tea for a lot of reasons. Just to name a few…
- Whole turkey can be dry.
- A whole turkey takes a lot of time and oven space.
- It just gets old!
You can still enjoy classic Thanksgiving sides like apple cranberry sauce and slow cooker applesauce without having to make the whole bird.
These 40 main dishes are perfect meals to be the star of the show on Thanksgiving without cooking up a whole Turkey! They’re all gluten-free, and many can be made dairy-free.
40 Thanksgiving Dinner Alternatives to Turkey
1
French Onion Pot Roast
This French Onion Pot Roast is everything you love about the classic soup but in pot roast form. It’s gluten-free, dairy-optional, and cooked to perfection in the oven.
Check out this recipe
2
Orange Glazed Turkey Cutlets
These orange-glazed turkey cutlets are the perfect easy autumn dinner, or main dish for Thanksgiving! They're quick-cooking and have the perfect sweet and sticky glaze.
Check out this recipe
3
One Pan Oven Spatchcocked Chicken and Vegetables
This one-pan oven spatchcocked chicken and vegetables is the fastest way to cook a whole chicken in the oven! This recipe is paleo, whole30, and AIP-friendly.
Check out this recipe
4
Oven Baked Turkey Tenderloin
This baked turkey tenderloin is juicy, flavorful, and simple to make. It's made with a simple garlic and herb marinade and baked to perfection.
Check out this recipe
5
Dutch Oven Beef Stew (Gluten Free)
This Dutch oven beef stew is braised to perfection in the oven! It's made with beef chuck roast & hearty vegetables for the perfect easy dinner on cooler nights.
Check out this recipe
6
Salisbury Steak Meatballs
These Salisbury Steak Meatballs are a comforting meal to enjoy on a weeknight. They’re gluten-free, paleo, whole30, and AIP friendly.
Check out this recipe
7
Easy Apple Pork Chops
This easy apple pork chop skillet is the perfect autumn dish! It’s made in one pan, and is paleo, gluten-free and can be made whole30 and AIP.
Check out this recipe
8
French Onion Shepherd’s Pie
This French onion shepherd's pie is a comforting take on a classic! This version is gluten-free, nightshade-free, and can be made dairy free.
Check out this recipe
9
Butternut Squash Baked Ziti
This butternut squash baked ziti is the perfect weeknight comfort food! It's an authentic recipe with a fall twist.
Check out this recipe
10
Orange Cranberry Balsamic Chicken Thighs (Paleo, Whole30, AIP)
These orange cranberry balsamic chicken thighs are a decadent dish that is sure to impress any dinner guest! They’re paleo, AIP, and easy to modify for Whole30.
Check out this recipe
11
French Onion Chicken & Rice
This French Onion Chicken & Rice is the one pan meal of your dreams! This version is gluten-free, and so simple to make.
Check out this recipe
12
The Easiest One Pot Baked Chicken And Rice
This one-pot chicken and rice is an incredibly easy meal and wholesome weeknight meal! It's gluten and dairy-free.
Check out this recipe
13
One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice
This One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice is a comfort food classic! It's an incredibly easy and delicious weeknight meal, or meal prep option to add to your rotation!
Check out this recipe
14
One Pan Salmon & Orzo {gluten free}
This salmon and orzo is the perfect one pan meal that's simple to make, but feels like a restaurant quality dish! You'll need salmon filets, gluten free orzo, vegetables, broth, and herbs to make this one pan wonder.
Check out this recipe
15
One Pan Chicken Sausage and Orzo Bake
This one-pan chicken sausage and orzo bake is creamy comfort food perfection! Chicken sausage, gluten-free orzo, butternut squash, and goat cheese for the ultimate fall dish.
Check out this recipe
16
Wild Rice Stuffed Pumpkin
This wild rice-stuffed pumpkin is the perfect savory fall dish! It's made with ingredients like roasted pumpkin, turkey, wild rice, and Brussels sprouts.
Check out this recipe
17
Gluten Free Lemon Shrimp and Orzo
This Gluten Free Lemon Shrimp and Orzo is full of fresh flavors! It's made with gluten-free orzo and can easily be made dairy-free.
Check out this recipe
18
Salmon Piccata {gluten free, dairy free}
This salmon piccata is light, healthy, fresh and so simple to make! This version is gluten and dairy-free, and can be adapted to be AIP.
Check out this recipe
19
Stuffed Delicata Squash
This stuffed delicata squash is a simple and delicious dinner for fall! It's made with delicata squash, ground turkey, apples, kale and fresh seasonal herbs.
Check out this recipe
20
Turkey Stuffed Acorn Squash
This turkey stuffed acorn squash is the perfect healthy side or main dish for fall! It’s paleo, whole30, and AIP friendly.
Check out this recipe
21
Pumpkin Penne Alla Vodka {gluten & dairy free}
This gluten and dairy-free pumpkin penne alla vodka is the perfect comfort food for fall! It's rich, creamy, and topped off with crispy sage.
Check out this recipe
22
Butternut Squash Lasagna Soup
This butternut squash lasagna soup is the coziest autumn soup that also happens to be tomato-free! It's gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be modified to be AIP.
Check out this recipe
23
Butternut Squash Lasagna (Gluten & Dairy Free)
This butternut squash lasagna is the perfect fall comfort food dish. It’s nightshade-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Check out this recipe
24
Butternut Squash Stelline Pasta (Gluten Free)
This butternut squash stelline is a creamy butternut pasta, that's almost like a risotto! It's the perfect fall dish that's gluten-free and easy to make dairy free.
Check out this recipe
25
Creamy Sausage and Gnocchi Skillet
This creamy sausage and gnocchi skillet is a savory and filling one-pan meal! It’s made with Italian sausage, kale, cauliflower gnocchi, and a creamy, simple sauce. This recipe is paleo, gluten-free and AIP.
Check out this recipe
26
Authentic Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is the real thing! It’s my Hungarian mom’s recipe and is traditionally made with mushrooms and Hungarian paprika.
Check out this recipe
27
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
This slow cooker beef bourguignon is a French classic made simple. It’s made without white flour and is paleo-friendly.
Check out this recipe
28
One Pan Steak Bites & Sweet Potatoes
This one-pan meal of steak bites and sweet potatoes is nourishing, filling, and delicious! It’s paleo, whole30, and AIP-friendly.
Check out this recipe
29
Apple Chicken Sausage and Vegetable Skillet
This apple chicken sausage and vegetable skillet is an easy one-pan meal that's perfect for fall! With sausage, sweet potato, apple, and seasonal herbs, it's a balanced and simple recipe.
Check out this recipe
30
Copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl
This copycat Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl tastes like the real deal, but maybe even better! It’s packed with fall flavors and topped off with a delicious creamy dressing. It’s gluten-free and can be modified to paleo.
Check out this recipe
31
Easy Oven Braised Chuck Roast
This braised chuck roast is the best way to make pot roast! Cook it low and slow and enjoy the tender and flavorful comfort food.
Check out this recipe
32
Chicken Marbella
This Chicken Marbella is a classic recipe that you'll want to make over and over again! It's made with a rich marinade of olives, wine vinegar, capers, and more.
Check out this recipe
33
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken & Vegetables
This balsamic chicken and vegetable dish is made in the slow cooker for the perfect weeknight meal or stress-free meal prep! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, and can be made AIP.
Check out this recipe
34
Gluten Free Beef Stroganoff
This beef stroganoff is a gluten-free alternative to the comfort food classic! Steak, mushrooms, and a creamy dairy-free sauce make the perfect hearty one-pan meal.
Check out this recipe
35
Gluten Free Pastina Chicken Soup
This comforting pastina chicken soup is made with tiny gluten-free star-shaped pasta, shredded chicken breast, veggies, and egg to thicken the broth perfectly!
Check out this recipe
36
Chicken Fricassee
This Chicken Fricassee is a simple and delicious dish made with crispy chicken thighs stewed in a creamy sauce. This version is gluten-free, paleo, and can be made AIP.
Check out this recipe
37
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
This turkey shepherd’s pie is a comforting, healthy and nourishing dish! It’s paleo, whole30, and can be made AIP-friendly.
Check out this recipe
38
Pumpkin Ricotta Pierogies (gluten and dairy free)
These homemade pumpkin ricotta pierogies are about to up level your entire holiday season! This version is gluten and dairy-free, but tastes like the real thing.
Check out this recipe
39
Perfect Pot Roast with Gravy
This pot roast with gravy is comfort food perfection! It's perfectly tender and topped with the perfect gluten-free gravy.
Check out this recipe
40
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana
Comfort food heaven in the form of a soup… Zuppa Toscana made simply in the Instant Pot! Packed with sausage, bacon, a creamy base, and tons of flavor.
Check out this recipe
