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Non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas and themes

Nov 1, 2023 Denby

The festive season is upon us, and while fall is traditionally a time for turkey and pumpkin pie, why not switch things up a bit this year? Whether you're hosting a few smaller get-togethers, or you just feel like a change, we have plenty of non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas up our sleeve that will help you make this holiday season one to remember.

From unique Thanksgiving themes to mouthwatering Thanksgiving recipes, let these tips inspire you to host a more unconventional celebration this year.

Friendsgiving ideas

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with your nearest and dearest and celebrate all you have to be thankful for — which means it's not only a time for family, but friends too! To help celebrate the holiday season with everyone you love, why not host a Friendsgiving? This holiday is a newer addition to the calendar and is often celebrated as either an alternative to the more formal holiday or as an extra celebration in the days leading up to it. So, if you're travelling home to spend Thanksgiving with your family, but you'd still like to celebrate the season with your friends, this would be a great option for you.

Everyone has their own unique Thanksgiving traditions, so why not take this as an opportunity to try out another family's recipes? Turn your Friendsgiving party into a potluck and ask each guest to bring along their favorite Thanksgiving dish.

Since Friendsgiving is a twist on the more traditional holiday, it's also a great chance to try out something a little different with your Thanksgiving menu as well. Instead of turkey, try a roast chicken with lemon and thyme stuffing, or add a twist to your usual mashed potatoes and whip up some cheddar mash instead. Alternatively, why not opt for completely new dishes? We have plenty of Friendsgiving food ideas you could try.

A warming chicken casserole would make a fantastic alternative to your usual Thanksgiving turkey, and you can still add all your regular trimmings if you'd like. But, if you're looking for more unique Thanksgiving sides, then our roasted carrots, squash, and beetroot with feta recipe would make a fantastic alternative to the traditional green bean salad and sweet potatoes.

For dessert, switch up your pumpkin or pecan pie for a harvest apple bake, or serve up a homemade cake, such as an apple dump cake. Our pumpkin layer cake comes with a tasty chai cream cheese frosting for a delicious touch of seasonal spice that your friends will love.

 

Thanksgiving brunch ideas

Thanksgiving can be a busy holiday, so why not slow things down with a relaxing Thanksgiving brunch? This non-traditional version will take minimal prep and will allow you to pause and unwind while you think of all you have to be thankful for — whether you start your day with a Thanksgiving breakfast or switch up your usual feast for a lighter meal.

Lay your table with all your brunch essentials, such as small plates and cereal bowls, along with cups and saucers, espresso cups, and glasses ready for your coffee and fresh juice. Why not also add a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine, or a few glasses of mimosa to your brunch? It is the holiday season after all!

For a relaxed Thanksgiving brunch, lay out all your dishes on serving platters and in serving bowls in the center of the table for everyone to help themselves. Here at Denby, we have a fantastic collection of Thanksgiving serveware that would be perfect, along with a great selection of Thanksgiving brunch recipes you might like to try. Why not give one of the below recipes a go?

 

Vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving ideas

There's no denying that Thanksgiving is all about the food, so what better way to show appreciation than to host a vegan Thanksgiving to celebrate everything the Earth provides for us? Making a plant-based Thanksgiving dinner is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the harvest. Plus, it's suitable for any guests who don't eat meat.

Our roasted pumpkin soup will make a fantastic appetizer, and while turkey is usually the star of the show at Thanksgiving, there are plenty of ways to make your usual main meal meat-free. In fact, most Thanksgiving recipes are vegetarian-friendly, including mashed potato, green beans, corn, and cranberry sauce — and you can easily make these vegan by switching to plant-based butter and milk for your potatoes.

Where you may need to make some bigger substitutions for your vegan Thanksgiving dinner are your turkey, gravy, and stuffing. While you can get great plant-based turkey substitutes, you could also opt for non-traditional Thanksgiving mains that are packed full of flavor, like our butternut squash wellington. This recipe is full of all your favorite fall flavors, including squash, cinnamon, allspice, and chestnuts, making it the perfect alternative to your usual Thanksgiving turkey.

What would Thanksgiving be without stuffing? Unfortunately, many stuffing recipes aren't vegetarian or vegan, as they can include eggs or chicken stock to hold the mixture together. Luckily, if you or a guest is following a plant-based diet, you can easily make a meat-free stuffing by switching to vegetable stock instead of chicken or using a vegan butter instead of eggs.

Don't worry, because you won't need to skip the delicious gravy for your vegan Thanksgiving dinner either. Just switch the meat juices for a 'no chicken' chicken stock and the butter for a plant-based spread. Some people have also found that they can replicate the turkey taste by using vegetable stock and a touch of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.

Thanksgiving cocktail party ideas

The holiday season is always a time to celebrate, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a Thanksgiving cocktail party? While unconventional, this kind of get together is perfect if you're thinking of having a smaller, non-traditional gathering this year. It's also ideal for a relaxed Friendsgiving. By serving up some drinks and nibbles, you can keep the festive spirit up all night long.

Create seasonal tipples or add a fall twist to your usual favorites. Some Thanksgiving cocktail recipe ideas include:

  • Apple cider with a twist: This delicious fall drink is perfect for the holiday season. Mix up a pitcher of spiked apple cider and pour into glasses prepared with apple slices and a stick of cinnamon. For a non-alcoholic version, serve up tall glasses of mulled cider.
  • Mulled wine: Wine always has a place at the Thanksgiving dinner table, so why not add a little twist by serving up mulled wine at your cocktail party? Made with apple cider, red wine, honey, spices, and orange, this recipe is a must-have for the festive season.
  • Hot toddies: Another lovely seasonal warmer, a hot toddy is the perfect drink to serve up at your Thanksgiving cocktail party. It's also super simple to make. Simply fill a mug with hot water, add two teaspoons each of honey and lemon, and a dash of whiskey to taste.
  • Cranberry mimosas: Bring the sweetness of cranberry sauce to your cocktails by switching out the orange juice in your usual mimosa recipe for cranberry juice. For an extra Thanksgiving touch, garnish with a couple of fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
  • Pomegranate French 75: A mixture of gin and champagne, a French 75 is bound to bring some holiday cheer to your cocktail party, and a non-traditional Thanksgiving calls for a unique twist, with jewels of pomegranate added to the glass. Simply pour one ounce of gin, an ounce of pomegranate juice, and half an ounce of simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake it up and pour into champagne flutes. Top your drink off with a little champagne, prosecco, or any other sparkling wine, and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds.

A Thanksgiving cocktail party is a time to eat, drink, and be thankful, so don't forget to lay out trays of snacks. A charcuterie board would make a fantastic addition to your celebrations, and our guide to making the best charcuterie board includes plenty of great ideas for Thanksgiving. Other nibbles such as our minted broad bean tartlets and spiced cookies would also be perfect.

 

International Thanksgiving ideas

Thanksgiving is a classic American holiday, but that doesn't mean you can take inspiration from other cuisines for an international Thanksgiving dinner menu. Here are some unconventional Thanksgiving dinner ideas you might like to try:

Italian Thanksgiving: Add a European twist to your Thanksgiving dinner and serve up an Italian-inspired menu. Our roast squash and ricotta tortellini recipe includes classic fall flavors that are perfect for Thanksgiving. Alternatively, add a non-traditional touch to your usual turkey and wrap your bird in prosciutto before cooking. The ham will go crispy and will make a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving dinner alongside some sweet potato gnocchi.

Indian Thanksgiving: Another way to inject a little unique twist into your non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner is to opt for an Indian-inspired menu. Try out a classic chicken curry, or add a holiday twist by using turkey, sweet potato, and squash instead of chicken. Serve with a side of raisin and almond rice and ramekins of mango and cranberry chutney.

Moroccan Thanksgiving: Take inspiration from Morocco this Thanksgiving with a menu featuring plenty of North African spices. Why not try our Moroccan chicken with chickpeas This recipe works extremely well when served with green vegetables, along with a big bowl of tabbouleh. Fancy something sweet? Our Moroccan citrus cake will make the perfect finale to your Moroccan-inspired Thanksgiving dinner.

Asian Thanksgiving: Add a little kick to your Thanksgiving menu with some Asian-inspired dishes. Honey and ginger glazed turkey, spicy stir-fried Brussels sprouts, and ginger and garlic carrots will make a lovely twist to your traditional menu. Or try something a little different by serving up our prawn laksa noodles — a hearty seasonal warmer that your family and friends will love.

 

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to come together with your nearest and dearest and enjoy great food, so why not try out something new this season? Our non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas should give you plenty of inspiration to help you plan the perfect fall menu.

Don't forget to take a look at our Thanksgiving table decor tips. We have plenty of tableware, glassware, and serveware here at Denby that will help you dish up a Thanksgiving meal to impress. All Denby stoneware is handmade in Derbyshire, England to our exacting standards, making it perfect for both everyday use and entertaining.

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