Our 5 Most Popular Main Dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner—Other Than Turkey

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Dotdash-Meredith Food Studios

When we think of Thanksgiving, we think of a beautiful, roasted turkey at the center of the table as our main dish. But does it have to be that way? If turkey’s not your thing, if you want to go plant-forward this holiday, or you’re simply in the mood to try something different, we’ve rounded up our 5 most popular main dishes for Thanksgiving that are turkey free. Who knows? One of these recipes might lead to a whole new Thanksgiving family tradition!

01
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Slow Cooker Ham

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Turkey usually steals the show at Thanksgiving, but this slow cooker ham recipe with an average rating of 4.6 stars is so hands off, you might not be able to resist. The recipe only requires two ingredients, brown sugar and a picnic ham. “Easy way to free up the oven at holidays,” comments Allrecipes user Bytland. “I put some pineapple rings on the ham [for] the last 90 minutes.” Some cooks also like to add a pinch of cloves as well as pineapple, but either way, this is one of the easiest (and tastiest) holiday recipes you’ll ever make.

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02
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Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary

Dotdash-Meredith Food Studios

This recipe is a great option if you’re celebrating with a smaller crowd. Cornish game hens are often sold individually and are generally single serving, so you can buy as many (or as few) as you need. The aromatic combination of garlic, fresh rosemary, and lemon tastes delicious and pairs well with traditional Thanksgiving sides.”I didn’t want to make turkey (again) when no one in my household will eat it,” comments Allrecipes user Mona Chuculate. “It was fantastically E A S Y and super moist.”

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03
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Spaghetti Squash

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Packed with flavor (and cheese!), this spaghetti squash dish is a vegetarian main that will impress even the pickiest meat-eaters. “I made this just as written and it was a huge hit, my husband loved it,” comments Allrecipes Community member Teresa Little. “It was even more special because I grew the squash myself for the first time.” The squash roasts until tender and then the noodle-like pulp is scooped out and mixed with a savory combination of vegetables and feta. As a variation, some cooks recommend substituting mozzarella or Parmesan.

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04
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Super Easy Egg Casserole

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For something completely different, this versatile egg casserole recipe can be a unique Thanksgiving main dish. It’s easy to swap in ingredients depending on your guests’ preferences and what you have on hand and it’s ready in 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to actually enjoy the day. “If I could give this 10 stars I would,” raves Allrecipes Community member Josette. “Made this and everyone loved it, no leftovers!”

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05
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Roasted Duck

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If you want to stick with a poultry dish, give this roasted duck recipe a try. “This recipe is [the] best way to cook a whole duck… And so simple!” says Chef T. “It was a big hit for our Christmas dinner this year.” Best of all, the recipe only calls for a handful of ingredients and is perfectly cooked in just about two hours.

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