8 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, Side, & Dessert Recipes

Are you ready? It is almost Thanksgiving. What is going to be on your dining table this year? I have a few easy non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner recipes that you may not have considered making.

A traditional Thanksgiving holiday meal may consist of a salad, roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, cornbread and pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving table setting idea to serve Non Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

Over the years I have broken from this traditional Thanksgiving menu and served recipes that my family loves instead. After all, not every one likes their potatoes mashed, their corn creamed, or traditional pumpkin pie.

So if you are asking yourself, “What’s an alternative to traditional Thanksgiving dinner?”, then you’re in the right place!

Organizing behind the scenes for Thanksgiving where I am going to serve Non Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes. — French White Oven to Table Serveware

Easy Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas

While what I server alongside the turkey may not be the traditional Thanksgiving fare, I promise these dishes are all easy, delicious and worth trying.

Mostof the non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideasincluded in this list can be made ahead of time so that you won’t need to spend all of Thanksgiving Day in the kitchen. You will have time to enjoy your family and guests.

Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Appetizers

1. Sweet & Spicy Bacon Skewers

Everyone seems to like bacon – and when you season it with garlic, pepper, brown sugar and a few other spices and put a piece on a skewer, Sweet & Spicy Bacon Skewers make for festive finger food appetizer.

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Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes

2. Fast Fire Flank Steak

Fast Fire Flank Steak is one of the most popular recipes I have. It’s always requested and enjoyed by my guests so it’s my go-to if want to serve a red meat as the main dish instead of turkey. This one is a true crowd pleaser.

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Non Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes that include fast fire flank steak .being served

Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

3. Herbed Canned Potatoes

If mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes with marshmallows are not your jam when it comes to spuds, these herbed canned potatoes, browned in butter, are fast and easy to make, plus they taste delicious with turkey. They are a family Thanksgiving recipe favorite at my house.

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4. Baked Mozzarella Orzo

Pasta dishes are something that usually don’t make it to a Thanksgiving spread, but this recipe for Baked Mozzarella Orzo complements turkey so well. The creamy texture and gooey cheese will melt in your mouth. It may become a new Thanksgiving tradition in your house.

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baked mozzarella orzo can be served as a Non Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes

Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

When you need a little sweetness to end Thanksgiving dinner, try making one or more of these delicious dessert recipes served warm with a big mound of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream.

5. Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp

For those who don’t like pumpkin pie, I always make an Apple Crisp. The flavor of the spices with the apples taste so good. Another reason to make this is that it can be made ahead of time. In fact, the leftovers taste better the day after baking. Topped with a big mound of whipped cream – double yum!

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The-best-Old-Fashioned-Apple-Crisp-recipe

6. Baked Apple Dumplings

This Baked Apple Dumpling recipe has a fun story behind it (click the link for the story). They do have to be served warm, so you can make them ahead of time and then warm up in the oven right before serving will have everyone at the table ooohing and aaahing… “these are so good“.

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Image of a plate filled with delicious baked apples wrapped in pie crusts called Cannon Ball apple dumplings. They make delicious Non Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes.

7. Old-Fashioned Lemon Pound Cake

This recipe for Old-Fashioned Lemon Pound Cake has been in my recipe box for over 35 years. I always have all the ingredients on hand and don’t even need the recipe anymore when I make it.

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Old Fashioned Pound Cake Recipe and Wrapping loaf cake on a white plate

8. Cinnamon Crumb Cake

Individual Thanksgiving Desserts are great when you are hosting a large crowd and serving dinner buffet style. I usually make this Cinnamon Crumb Cake recipe into muffins, but for Thanksgiving it can be made into a cake form.

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