Alternative Thanksgiving Meals

Thanksgiving is about togetherness, and the food and wine you serve at Thanksgiving dinner should be as well. Whether you’re preparing an entire menu or a few simple side dishes, creating foods that all guests can enjoy is important. Since many traditional Thanksgiving dishes aren’t suitable for guests with alternative diets, consider cooking one of the dishes listed below to create an all-inclusive meal that everyone will be able to enjoy.

Click the links below to explore alternatives for thanksgiving dinner:

Thanksgiving Alternatives

family clinking glasses over table with turkish cuisine of lamb chops beans vegetable salad and babganush

When preparing Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd, consider the following types of diet restrictions guests may abide by and prepare one of these alternative Thanksgiving dinners.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu

Stuffed mushrooms on a white platter

A vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat, as well as some additional animal products. While some vegetarian diets allow for eating eggs and varieties of butter, many others don’t. If you are unable to confirm your guest’s exact restrictions, simply stick with menu selections full of grains, dairy, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Check out the following vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes to create the perfect vegetarian Thanksgiving menu!

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Appetizers

  • Stuffed mushroom caps
  • Pumpkin soup
  • Spinach and artichoke dip

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes

pear cake in cast iron pan drizzled with caramel and course sea salt

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Entrees

  • Pumpkin gnocchi
  • Pumpkin ravioli
  • Stuffed acorn squash

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Desserts

Vegan Thanksgiving Menu

roasted squash slices with red onions

Vegans refrain from consuming any food products produced by an animal. This means that along with meat, vegans avoid foods like eggs, honey, dairy, and any other animal byproducts. If you plan on preparing vegan Thanksgiving meals, it’s important to stick to dishes rich in plants and grains. Additionally, you’ll have to find alternative sources of plant-based protein, such as nuts, legumes, and beans for your vegan Thanksgiving recipes.

Vegan Thanksgiving Appetizers

  • Apple chips
  • Olive tapenade
  • Corn fritters

Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dish

Squash stuffed with Israeli couscous and vegetables
  • Vegan shepherd’s pie
  • Cauliflower steak
  • Mushroom and lentil loaf

Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

  • Chocolate dipped pear
  • Sweet potato casserole
  • Pumpkin mousse
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Gluten-Free Thanksgiving

potatoes al gratin topped with cheddar cheese and jalapanos

Some people choose to adopt a gluten-free diet to reduce their intake of grains and carbs, while others must refrain from eating gluten due to gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. Because gluten is not as obvious to detect as meat or dairy, it’s important to be on the lookout for the potential allergen. Sources of gluten that are commonly found during the holidays include pasta, gravy, pie crusts, biscuits, stuffing, cream sauces, beer, salad dressing, and some meat substitutes.

To embrace gluten-free cooking and baking methods, consider preparing the following gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes:

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Appetizers

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes

  • Burrata salad
  • Swiss chard with bacon
  • Twice-baked potatoes topped with sour cream and bacon

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Entrees

Spinach and artichoke dip with pita bread
  • Green bean and mushroom casserole
  • Grilled leeks with brown butter and spiced hazelnuts
  • Spinach and artichoke dip

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Desserts

Dairy-Free Thanksgiving

sweet potato casserole topped with crispy marshmallows

Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream. If someone is lactose intolerant, it means that their body has difficulty digesting lactose. Because of this, many lactose-intolerant people must adopt dairy-free diets, or at the very least limit their consumption of dairy by using dairy-free alternatives.

Traditional Thanksgiving dishes that may be an issue for lactose-intolerant guests include mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, frosting, and vegetables cooked in butter. Below are great dairy-free recipe ideas for a dairy-free Thanksgiving:

Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Appetizers

  • Pumpkin cornbread
  • Squash and apple salad
  • Pumpkin tarte

Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes

  • Sweet potato casserole
  • Maple-glazed winter vegetables
  • Pumpkin pasta

Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Entrees

Whole ham with five slices cut

Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Desserts

  • Pumpkin spice pudding
  • Chocolate orange torte
  • Apple pie bars

Low-Carb Thanksgiving

sliced turkey on white oval platter

An emerging trend in recent years has been low-carb and keto diets. Because you could be serving guests who are looking to stick to their diet over the holidays, it’s important to identify what foods to avoid when creating your Thanksgiving meal alternatives.

Common carbohydrate culprits include dinner rolls, cornbread, macaroni and cheese or other kinds of pasta, anything breaded, gravy, cranberry sauce, and desserts which should be avoided when preparing keto Thanksgiving recipes. When cooking low-carb Thanksgiving recipes, try to create dishes that are high in fat and protein. There may be some differences for guests who are looking for keto Thanksgiving meals versus those who are just following a low-carb diet, so be sure to label all of your alternative Thanksgiving dishes.

Low-Carb Thanksgiving Appetizers

  • Pumpkin soup
  • Goat cheese and herb spread
  • Parmesan-crusted fried green beans

Low-Carb Thanksgiving Sides

  • Stuffing made with riced cauliflower
  • Almond flour biscuits with compound butter
  • Creamed collard greens

Low-Carb Thanksgiving Entrees

Biscuit cut in half with jam
  • Cauliflower onion mash with cheddar
  • Brussels sprouts gratin
  • Applewood smoked turkey

Low-Carb Thanksgiving Desserts

  • Sugar-free pumpkin pie
  • Cranberry cheesecake with an almond flour crust
  • Cranberry parfait
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Whether you're making a Thanksgiving catering menu or hosting a meal at your restaurant, creating dishes around your guests’ dietary restrictions provides an excellent opportunity to reevaluate old traditions for new Thanksgiving dinner alternatives. Use this time to play around with your favorite recipes and make some new and creative substitutions with these Thanksgiving food alternatives. Your guests will appreciate the added care that went into making their meals, and you may discover a new favorite holiday dish.

Posted in: Holidays|By Angalena Malavenda
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Kabocha Squash Flavor: Sweet, nutty, with a hint of malt Kabocha Squash Texture: Light and fluffy Kabocha Squash Uses: Soups, casseroles, curries, sauces, pies, muffins, quick bread 2. Honeynut Squash The honeynut squash is a small pumpkin, typically measuring around 4 to 6 inches in length. Despite its small size, the honeynut squash packs a big flavor punch. It offers a sweet and nutty taste laced with malty flavor notes. It has a distinct oblong shape. The skin is pale orange, and its flesh is vibrant and dense. Consider using honeynut squash puree to make a flavorful pumpkin milkshake. Honeynut Squash Flavor: Sweet, nutty, hint of malt Honeynut Squash Texture: Velvety, soft, and smooth Honeynut Squash Uses: Vegetable roasts, stuffed honeynut squash, creamy soups, desserts 3. Cinderella Pumpkin The Cinderella pumpkin is aptly named because its distinct shape resembles the iconic carriage from the beloved fairytale. With its deep orange hue and smooth, ribbed skin, this pumpkin catches the eye, but it’s also an incredible recipe ingredient. Known for its mild, sweet flavor, it can lend itself to either sweet or savory recipes. Its creamy and smooth flesh makes it ideal for purees, soups, pies, and pasta sauces. Cinderella Pumpkin Flavor: Mild, sweet pumpkin flavor Cinderella Pumpkin Texture: Moist Cinderella Pumpkin Uses: Pasta sauce, risotto, soup, pies, quick bread, muffins 4. Hubbard Squash The Hubbard squash is a winter squash variety that originated in South America. Typically weighing between 10 and 20 pounds, this squash can grow to be quite large, making it perfect for feeding a crowd. Its skin is thick and rough, often displaying a vibrant orange or green color, and its bumpy texture adds to its rustic charm. When it comes to texture, the Hubbard squash has dense and firm flesh that holds its shape well during cooking, making it ideal for roasting, baking, or steaming. Its flavor profile can be described as sweet and nutty, with subtle earthy undertones. This unique combination makes it a versatile ingredient that pairs well with both sweet and savory dishes. Hubbard Squash Flavor: Sweet, hazelnut essences Hubbard Squash Texture: Dense and firm Hubbard Squash Uses: Roasted side dish, pies, muffins, tempura, curry, mashed 5. Calabaza Squash Calabaza squash, also known as West Indian pumpkin, is a popular variety of winter squash that originated in the Caribbean. This large, round pumpkin typically grows to about 10-20 pounds and has thick, pale orange skin. When it comes to taste, Calabaza squash has a mildly sweet and nutty flavor. The skin is thick and hard, providing excellent protection and a long shelf life. Inside, the flesh is a vibrant orange, dense, and firm, but it easily breaks down when cooked, resulting in a smooth consistency. This makes Calabaza squash a great choice for creating velvety soups or creamy pumpkin pies. Calabaza Squash Flavor: Nutty, mild sweetness Calabaza Squash Texture: Firm Calabaza Squash Uses: Tempura, stew, pies, enchilada filling, roasted side dish 6. Red Kuri Squash Also known as Japanese squash or Hokkaido squash, red kuri squash is a type of winter squash that originated in Japan but has gained popularity worldwide for its exceptional taste and beautiful appearance. It typically has a tear-drop shape and vibrant red-orange skin. Red kuri squash offers a smooth and sweet flavor profile that is often likened to chestnuts. When cooked, the flesh of this type of pumpkin becomes tender and velvety, making it a dream ingredient for purees, bisques, and creamy sauces. Its soft texture also lends itself well to being roasted or baked, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Red Kuri Squash Flavor: Mild, sweet, earthy chestnut flavor Red Kuri Squash Texture: Tender, velvety Red Kuri Squash Uses: Bisques, pasta sauces, curries, risotto Back to Top 7. Jarrahdale Pumpkin Named after the small town of Jarrahdale in Western Australia, the Jarrahdale pumpkin is a unique Australian heirloom variety of edible pumpkin. With its blue-grey skin and flattened shape, the Jarrahdale pumpkin is a true showstopper. One of the standout features of the Jarrahdale pumpkin is its smooth and creamy consistency. Pair its melt-in-your-mouth texture with its sweet, nutty flavor profile, and the Jarrahdale pumpkin is a dream ingredient for creating silky-smooth dishes. Jarrahdale Pumpkin Flavor: Sweet pumpkin flavor Jarrahdale Pumpkin Texture: Velvety Jarrahdale Pumpkin Uses: Bisques, pies, muffins, quick bread, cookies, cheesecake, scones 8. Buttercup Squash Buttercup squash is a winter squash known for its sweet flavor and creamy mouthfeel which intensifies when roasted. Its flesh is dense, mildly sweet, and has nutty undertones that add depth to both savory and sweet recipes. This makes it a great choice for soups, stews, casseroles, and even desserts. You can roast it, steam it, bake it, or puree it to use as a base for sauces and soups. Its natural sweetness pairs well with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, making it a perfect ingredient for comforting fall recipes. The squash is characterized by its dark green skin and distinctive turban shape, making it a visually appealing addition to any farmer's market stand. Buttercup Squash Flavor: Sweet and creamy Buttercup Squash Texture: Dense, firm, and non-fibrous Buttercup Squash Uses: Pies, muffins, soups, casseroles, curry, risotto, pasta sauce, salads 9. Carnival Squash Carnival squash is a small- to medium-sized winter squash. Its name comes from its beautiful, carnival-like appearance, featuring a blend of colors that can include orange, yellow, green, and cream. This eye-catching exterior makes it a popular choice for decorative purposes during the fall season. However, carnival squash is not just aesthetically pleasing. It also offers a delicious flavor that is often described as sweet, nutty, and buttery. Its soft texture easily absorbs flavors from herbs and spices, resulting in flavorsome dishes. Carnival Squash Flavor: Maple, butter, and nut undertones Carnival Squash Texture: Creamy and buttery Carnival Squash Uses: Vegetable roasts, stuffed carnival squash, cheesecake, cupcakes, custard 10. Fairytale Pumpkin Fairytale pumpkins are a variety of winter squash that originated in France and are also known as Rouge Vif d’Etampes. They are vibrant orange, round, and deeply ribbed, just like the pumpkin carriage from the classic fairy tale. In terms of taste, fairytale pumpkins offer a sweet and nutty flavor. When roasted, their natural starches caramelize and turn to sugar, producing a scrumptious base for fall desserts. Additionally, their dense and creamy flesh is fine-grained, making them one of the best types of edible pumpkins for baking applications like our pumpkin creme brulee recipe. Fairytale Pumpkin Flavor: Rich, very sweet, buttery Fairytale Pumpkin Texture: Smooth and dense Fairytale Pumpkin Uses: Creme brulee, cupcakes, cheesecake, mousse, pie, frosting, ice cream 11. Sugar Pie Pumpkin The sugar pie pumpkin, also known as sugar pumpkin, is a small pumpkin that is prized for its sweet and smooth flesh. This variety is specifically cultivated for its culinary uses, making it the go-to choice for homemade pumpkin pies, custards, and other delectable treats. What sets the sugar pie pumpkin apart from other varieties is its ideal balance of sweetness and texture. Its flesh is fine-grained and dense, offering a creamy smooth, consistency. It’s packed with natural sugars, giving it a rich and indulgent flavor. When cooked, the sugar pie pumpkin transforms into a velvety puree that adds depth and sweetness to any dish it graces. But the sugar pie pumpkin isn't just limited to desserts. Its mild and slightly nutty flavor makes it a great addition to soups, stews, and roasted vegetable medleys. Sugar Pie Pumpkin Flavor: Rich, buttery, sweet Sugar Pie Pumpkin Texture: Creamy, tender, smooth Sugar Pie Pumpkin Uses: Pies, quick bread, vegetable roasts, salads, casseroles, soups 12. Long Island Cheese Pumpkin The Long Island cheese pumpkin is known for its distinct shape and pale orange color. It has a flattened appearance, similar to a wheel of cheese, hence its name. Its smooth skin and deep ridges give it an attractive and rustic look, but this pumpkin isn't just for show. It's also highly regarded for its culinary uses. The Long Island Cheese Pumpkin has a sweet and nutty flavor, making it perfect for baking, roasting, or pureeing. Its flesh is dense and creamy, making it ideal for pies, soups, and other pumpkin-based dishes. Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Flavor: Mild, pairs sweet with earthy Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Texture: Tender, creamy Long Island Cheese Pumpkin Uses: Curries, sauces, soups, stir-fries, tarts, quick bread, pies Back to Top The edible pumpkin possibilities are endless. Whether you're looking to make a delicious pumpkin pie, a pumpkin tempura appetizer, or a creamy bisque, there's a type of edible pumpkin that's perfect for your dish. Reference this guide as you update your fall menu to find the perfect edible pumpkin for every application.

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