As much as you love a traditional Thanksgiving meal, sometimes you want to try something new. If you wonder where to begin, look no further – this selection of amazing non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner ideas is exactly what you need. From Spinach Dip Puff Bites to Instant Pot Turkey Breast With Garlic-Herb Butter, these unconventional Thanksgiving dinner recipes are the perfect way to take your Thanksgiving menu from boring to the most memorable dinner your guests will ever have. Enjoy!

33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe Ideas

1. Cranberry Nut Cream Cheese Balls

eatwell101.com
33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

These super festive cheese balls won't last long on your table - definitely a crowd pleaser!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

2. Pepperoni Basil Tomato Puffs

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Bite-sized with big flavor! Perfect for Sunday brunch.
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

3. Bacon Jalapeño Popper Cheese Balls

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

These super festive bacon jalapeño popper cheese balls make for a real crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

4. Spinach Dip Puff Bites

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

These spinach dip puff appetizers made into a muffin tin are the perfect party appetizer for the holidays
Cooking time: 20 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

5. Honey-garlic Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Crisp and sticky - The ultimate last-minute appetizer!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

6. Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

These bacon and Brussels sprouts bites are a perfect addition to your snack table for a festive dinner!
Cooking time: 30 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

7. Cheddar Corn Dog Mini Muffins

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Super cute and adorable - A great brunch snack or the perfect appetizer for the big Thanksgiving dinner coming up!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

8. Grilled Shrimp and Chorizo Appetizers

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Crispy Shrimp and Chorizo drizzled in an irresistible Roasted Pepper sauce so easy and incredibly delicious. This is one MUST make appetizer for any special occasion!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

9. Succulent Shrimp Shooters with Mango Sauce

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This grilled shrimp shooters appetizer is the easiest and flavor-packed shrimp tapas!
Cooking time: 10 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

10. Baked Bacon-Wrapped Dates

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Trust us, these tiny bacon appetizers will disappear from the buffet table before you can say "Come on in."
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

11. Spicy Deviled Eggs

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This spicy deviled eggs recipe is a classic, bite-size hors d'oeuvre for an elegant Easter buffet.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

12. Garlic Butter Herb Roast Beef

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Tender and juicy Roast Beef - Your guests will go crazy for this garlic butter herb roast sirloin!
Cooking time: 75 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

13. Garlic Balsamic Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This slow cooker pork shoulder recipe is a crowd pleasing dinner with very little effort that will yield leftovers for days.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

14. Juicy and Tender Pork Tenderloin Roast

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This roasted pork tenderloin is rich with holiday flavor - Incredibly tender, juicy and delicious. The best baked pork tenderloin recipe ever!
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

15. Roasted Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Butter

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

These roasted turkey breasts with herb butter make an epic Thanksgiving holiday meal loaded with flavor.
Cooking time: 90 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

16. Crockpot Creamy Garlic Pork Loin

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

An easy, comforting and tender crockpot meal everyone will love.
Cooking time: 240 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

17. Creamy Chicken Pot Pie

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Best. Comfort. Food. Ever.
Cooking time: 50 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

18. Roasted Lemon Garlic Butter SpatchCock Chicken

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This roasted spatchcock chicken is crisp and juicy at the same time.
Cooking time: 35 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

19. Oven Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Crisp and tender, this roasted chicken recipe is packed with spicy flavors.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

20. Easy Chicken Cacciatore

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Easy, nourishing and delicious with fantastic Italian flavors
Cooking time: 65 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

21. Roasted Pork Loin with Green Beans

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This roasted pork loin with green beans is easy enough for a weeknight meal and fancy enough for your holiday dinner parties!
Cooking time: 45 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

22. Baked Tuscan Chicken Casserole

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This baked Tuscan chicken casserole recipe is so quick to make and flavorful. Everyone will love it!
Cooking time: 35 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

23. Puff Pastry Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Pork tenderloin in puff pastry is the perfect main dish for a festive dinner with family and friends.
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

24. Carrot Mushroom Turkey Hand Pies

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Portable for lunch and quick to reheat, these turkey hand pies are also a great way to remix your Thanksgiving leftovers!
Cooking time: 30 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

25. Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Butter

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe with garlic Herbed butter is the best way to save time preparing Thanksgiving dinner! Yum!
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

26. Tuscan Baked Chicken

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Crisp and juicy, these Tuscan baked chickens make for a marvelous main course that is sure to impress on your holiday table.
Cooking time: 50 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

27. Mayonnaise Roasted Whole Chicken

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Crisp and juicy, roasted to perfection with an incredible mayonnaise rub everyone will love.
Cooking time: 60 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

28. Blackened Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

THE salmon recipe of your dreams! This delicious blackened salmon recipe is fool-proof and ready in under 30 minutes!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

29. Honey Balsamic Instant Pot Chicken

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Fall-off-the-bone chicken legs make for an effortless dinner ready in 30 minutes or less!
Cooking time: 15 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

30. Baked Teriyaki Chicken

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

An easy chicken dinner baked in the oven with a sticky homemade teriyaki sauce.
Cooking time: 40 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

31. Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Butter Sauce

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This Instant Pot pork loin has a special cranberry butter sauce that gives it incredible flavor!
Cooking time: 7 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

32. Spicy Roasted Pork Loin

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Deliciously spicy and so easy to throw together for a family dinner.
Cooking time: 120 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

33. Balsamic Pork Tenderloin in Oven with Fall Veggies

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

A spot on family dinner on the table in 35 minutes.
Cooking time: 25 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

34. Roasted Bacon Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Glaze

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This roasted bacon pork tenderloin recipe has superb flavor and is very easy to cook – A must for your Holiday menu.
Cooking time: 0 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

35. Honey Mustard Roasted Pork Loin Sheet Pan Dinner

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Effortless yet impressive—This pork loin recipe is perfect for a dinner party or a weeknight special.
Cooking time: 60 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

36. Roasted Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter

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33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

This oven-roasted chicken with garlic and herbs infused butter is crips, juicy, delicious, and worthy of an elegant holiday dinner!
Cooking time: 80 minView recipe >> Save to recipe box

33 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas: Cranberry Nut Cream Cheese Balls

by eatwell101
Yield: Makes 12    Prep Time: 10 min     Cook time: 0 min

These super festive cheese balls won't last long on your table - definitely a crowd pleaser!

PIN TO SAVE PRINT RECIPE Meal plan

Ingredients you need for the Cranberry Nut Cream Cheese Balls

16 oz (450g) cream cheese 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, plus extra for garnish 1 1/2 cups nuts (walnut, pecan…) divided 1 cup chopped dried cranberries 1/2 cup minced fresh chive

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, cinnamon and honey (or maple syrup) until fluffy. Add 1/2 cup pecan chips, and mix well combine. Set aside.

2. Line a plate or cookie sheet with parchment paper. Toss together remaining nuts, dried cranberries, and chopped chives.

3. Using a cookie scoop, scoop out one ball of cheese filling and toss into the nut mixture. Continue until all cheese balls have been rolled in the coating.

4. Refrigerate the cranberry nut cream cheese balls until ready to serve. Enjoy! ❤️

• Serve with crackers, toasted bread or as is with a toothpick.
• You can make these up to three days before, store them in the refrigerator sealed in an airtight container.

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More ideas for a non-traditional Thanksgiving menu

• Non-traditional Thanksgiving meats: Turkey is not necessarily the Holy Grail of Thanksgiving – some actually hate it! Try some lighter poultry like roast chicken, duck legs, or a nice cut of beef for a festive roast. Pork loin or tenderloin are also great alternatives for a modern take on Thanksgiving.
• Try fish for Thanksgiving: A roasted whole king salmon fillet will make an impact for sure! It makes a great alternative to Turkey for a smaller family or gathering of friends. Plus, salmon being lighter, you’ll enjoy more of the Thanksgiving sides!

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