15 Delicious Thanksgiving Turkey Alternatives

Think Thanksgiving has to mean turkey? As a vegetarian of 22 years, I beg to differ. To me, Thanksgiving means sides, sides and more sides — oh, and plenty of desserts. But this year, I may have to trade in the tried-and-true mashed potatoes, salad, stuffing (cooked outside of the turkey), hors d'oeuvres and cookies from some of these delicious turkey alternatives. (And for the meat lovers out there, not to fear: there are plenty of meaty turkey alternatives, too! Think fish, ham, chicken — you name it.)

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You'll be keeping with the seasonal theme — and giving this decidedly American holiday an Italian flare — with these mouthwatering ravioli. If you make your pasta yourself, they'll be extra special. Pro tip: Save the pumpkin seeds to roast later and offer your relatives and friends another treat to snack on while the meal's cooking.

Total prep and cook time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Move over, Tofurkey. This homemade version will please your pickiest guests. If you have time, make your own stuffing — it will be worth it. And it's vegan!

Total prep and cook time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Beef up your Thanksgiving dinner with this meaty turkey alternative. Keep in mind that it can be prepared and refrigerated up to a day before roasting it.

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Butternut squash and pumpkin make this lasagna worthy of your Thanksgiving table. You and the other guests will also enjoy the flavors of arugula, sage and fontina. It's all topped with a no-cook pumpkin purée and tangy crème fraîche sauce. Anybody else feeling hungry right now?

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These fancy tarts can be made with a variety of tasty fillings, but butternut squash is perfect for Fall. The caramelized onions give the galette a nice flavor, too.

Total prep and cook time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Who says ham is just for Christmas? Chef Jonathon Sawyer, the recipe's creator, suggests making the glaze and red pepper jelly ahead of time (a few days) for easy "game day" prep.

Total prep and cook time: 20 minutes

Could gnocchi get any better? Fried up with veggies like baby spinach and mushrooms and herbs like basil, this dish is an ideal turkey alternative.

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Duck is increasingly making its way onto Thanksgiving tables (turducken, anyone?). Make this mapley, orangy, balsamic version and serve with a yummy spiced cranberry-persimmon chutney (recipe included below) for a beautiful feast.

Total prep and cook time: about 1 hour

A favorite comfort food gets a Thanksgiving spin. The pumpkin is complemented by kale, beans, carrots and other healthy ingredients. Plus, it's completely vegetarian.

Total prep and cook time: 30 minutes

This Thanksgiving Salmon is ready in no time. Think its not Thanksgiving enough for your feast? The cranberry sauce topping, mixed with dijon mustard and shallots, would beg to differ.

These tasty pastries work well as appetizers or hors d'oeuvres — or, made a little bigger, they can serve as the perfectly flakey turkey substitute. Make them ahead of time and pop them in the oven for just 20 minutes — they're best served hot.

Get the recipe. 

Total prep and cook time: 1 hour

Loaded with farro, walnuts, apples, currants and onions and packed with flavors like garlic and thyme, this vegan recipe will make the perfect healthy substitute for the traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece. Just make sure there are enough for everyone!

Total prep and cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Despite their fancy look, these cornish hens are deceptively easy to make — they require just 15 minutes of prep time. As an added bonus, they require zero carving, but you'll still satisfy your poultry craving,

Total prep and cook time: 1 hour 35 minutes

A vibrant, healthy, vegan alternative to the classic, this recipe includes just 10 ingredients and requires only 15 minutes of prep time to make. Topped with fluffy mashed sweet potatoes, you'll also taste lentils, balsamic mushrooms and maple syrup.

Total prep and cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes

It's time to give chicken its due. For a smaller celebration, forego the turkey and serve another poultry option — surrounded by a moat of stuffing, of course. Enjoy flavors like paprika and turmeric. The stuffing is nothing to scoff at either, thanks to the sage, leeks, garlic, bacon and nuts. Plus, this bird is paleo-friendly.

I can't imagine you haven't found a tempting main on this list, but if you choose, you can forego a "centerpiece" main dish for a bountiful plate of delicious sides. Mashed potatoes, vegetables like green beans, corn, carrots and brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, rolls, cornbread, biscuits or whatever your family classics are — will you even miss the turkey? For a new favorite, try these broccoli tots — they're much healthier than their fried tater tot cousins, and they're super delicious. I've started making them for every party (and Thanksgiving dinner), and my family and friends go crazy for them. What are your top Thanksgiving recipes — turkey alternatives or not?