A traditional, main course for Thanksgiving—declared a national holiday in 1863—the wild turkey has long been served beautifully on dinner tables across the nation. But, in modern times with strong vegetarian culture and particular dinners, it’s not uncommon for delicious alternatives to take center stage. While we love the gobble, here are six popular turkey substitutes equally as crowd-pleasing as the usual Thanksgiving entrée.
Pork
If you get invited to a Chinese family’s Thanksgiving dinner, you may be in for a large heaping of pork rather than turkey. Pork is one of the most popular dishes in Asia, and it’s been gaining popularity among Thanksgiving dishes. Not only is pork—from chops to tenderloin—easy to cook in less than an hour (unless you go full-on slow-roasted, which can take up to 19 hours), it has health benefits like protecting the liver and cleansing the system of cholesterol. Serve it with the right fixings like persimmon, mustard greens, polenta and broccoli rabe for a complete meal.
Cornish game hen
Cornish game hen is a terrific way to replace turkey, especially when dining at a particularly swanky Thanksgiving. Yes, this exotic fowl is truly fancy (and it’s not cheap), primarily linked with British and Canadian royalty. Usually roasted, Cornish game hen is best rubbed with garlic and herbs, and you can stuff them too. Garnish with a rosemary sprig for the ultimate presentation.
Vegan whole turkey
Among the miraculous ways vegetarian products replace typical meat dishes, an entire turkey made of soy and wheat protein not only looks like a whole bird but tastes like it, too! An all-natural veggie-turkey is 100 percent vegan, convenient to prepare and doesn’t disappoint with its likeness to real wild turkey. Diners can order a whole vegan turkey from a number of reputable companies like Vegetarian Plus and It’s All Natural.
Duck breast
Whether it’s served as a French confit or traditionally roasted Peking-style, there are plenty of presentations that make the duck a beautiful dish. It’s high in protein and rich in minerals, and nothing beats that crispy, flavorful skin. Duck is surprisingly easy to find, and a “Ducks-giving” has become an exciting affair with families across the country. Like a turkey, you can stuff it, brine it and serve it whole. It’s also great with traditional Thanksgiving side dishes like mashed potatoes and greens.
Goose
Just as the turkey has been a staple for Thanksgiving dinners for centuries, the goose has been celebrated during the holidays in plenty of cultures. It’s more popular during Christmas, and it’s even arguable the Pilgrims ate goose (not turkey) during Thanksgiving, noting its relevance. Canada goose sales surge at this time, and the goose (chockfull of good fat) is roasted after being brined for almost 12 hours.
Casserole
For devout vegetarians, it’s possible to celebrate Thanksgiving with a completely non-meat, non-faux meat and fully all-natural dinner. There’s an array of entrees like pot pies and stuffed vegetables that do the trick, but nothing beats a Thanksgiving casserole. Casseroles can feed large parties and are even enjoyed by traditional meat eaters. A great casserole will typically include a plant, vegetables and delicious herbs. You can’t go wrong with a mushroom and kale casserole, or more holiday-themed casseroles like pumpkin and potato and butternut squash and sage.
