Turkey and More on Thanksgiving: Picking Your Main Dish

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Some of the links below are affiliate links meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you purchase something using the link. Read the full disclaimer policy here.

Originally published November 18, 2020. Updated on November 2, 2022.

Turkey has long held the top position as the family favorite for Thanksgiving. There are many ways to prepare a great turkey.

Some favorites might include:

Barbequed Turkey

We put everything else on the grill, why not a turkey too? Grilling a turkey gives it a unique flavor and texture much like chicken parts grilled to perfection for a family outing. The difference is that here we are grilling an entire turkey at once. Instead of putting the turkey on the grill slats, it is placed in a baking pan over the flames. This way, the turkey can be basted and seasoned prior to and during the cooking process. As the turkey nears doneness, add your favorite sauce to it for an extra kick.

Fried Turkey

Who would have thought you could ever fry a turkey? I don’t know who thought of it, but let me tell you I’m glad they did. A deep-fried turkey is delicious.

Many people think there is not a pan big enough to fry an entire turkey and up until several years ago, they were right. Not that long ago we started to see turkey fryers everywhere. Using peanut oil in a large frying pot, once the oil reaches a certain temperature, a clean and dry turkey is slowly lowered into it. The turkey can be seasoned beforehand or injected with a marinade to seal in flavor. It takes at least an hour to cook a turkey thoroughly. Depending on your marinade on the outside, the skin will be crispy and dark, but don’t worry. That crunchy and tasty skin hides the most tender, perfectly cooked meat beneath.

Smoked Turkey

If you want a turkey fresh off the coals, try a smoker to cook your turkey this year. The bird is cleaned and seasoned. It can then be injected with a marinade if the cook so chooses. Once the coals have burned hot and come to a temperature that is not so hot it will burn the outside skin, and place the turkey on the smoker. It will take several hours for this turkey to cook, but placing a pan of water on the smoker will help hold in moisture and create a juicy yet well-smoked turkey for everyone to enjoy.

Turducken

What the heck is a turducken? It sounds like something that rises out of the graveyard on Halloween night. Actually, it is a combination of various de-boned fowl: turkey, duck, and chicken. They are all put together and layered with stuffing to create this newest addition to the Thanksgiving table. The turducken looks like a turkey on the outside, but all you have to do is cut into it to see that it is anything but. Those who have tried them, say that turduckens taste great.

While turkey is a staple, there are people who don’t care for it or simply want a change. It won’t break any etiquette rules to forgo turkey for something fun and new this year.

If you’re looking to stress less this Thanksgiving, consider an alternative to a traditional turkey dinner. You can easily choose a theme, or simply go with a family favorite that you don’t typically serve. Here are a few ideas to try:

Go International

Why not try something out of the ordinary for your Thanksgiving meal? Though the holiday is American or Canadian, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the cuisine from another country. How about an Italian feast of lasagna or another pasta dish? Why not enjoy the tastes of Mexico with trays of enchiladas or tamales?

Host a Virtual Cookoff

Why not make Thanksgiving competitive? Try hosting a chili cookoff or salsa challenge. Encourage virtual guests to bring their best dish and have a prize for the meal that gets the most votes. Obviously, everyone can’t taste all of the foods but be creative. This is supposed to be fun, right?

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Some climates are mild during Thanksgiving. Why not try something fun like a backyard BBQ or try roasting a pig in the ground? There are lots of meals that can be enjoyed outside and make Thanksgiving an outdoor affair.

Surf and Turf

There’s nothing wrong with poultry, but some people love beef and fish. Try a combo of steak and seafood as a fun alternative to the traditional meal. If you can’t bear to pass up the sides you love from Thanksgiving, make them to go along with your surf and turf fare.

Who said turkey has to be a mainstay at Thanksgiving? If you feel uninspired by the thought of roasting another turkey this year, shake things up and go a different way. You may find that your holiday gets a boost from your exciting changes. If you can’t stand the thought of eliminating poultry altogether there are plenty of ways to include it in your meal. Try a rotisserie chicken or smoked turkey breast for a small portion of turkey to satisfy your traditional cravings.

Thanksgiving can be anything you’d like, and your meal can reflect your mood or your unique tastes. Don’t feel confined by tradition. Enjoy foods you love and branch out from turkey now and then to keep things fun!