Tired of Turkey? Meats that are Thanksgiving Turkey Alternatives
This Thanksgiving Turkey Alternatives Post is a Fashionista Events opportunity.
Sick of turkey at Thanksgiving? Want a second meat to serve? What can you make instead of the same old turkey? Here’s 10 Turkey alternatives to consider:
1. Roasted Pork Loin
Photo courtesy of the Saturday Evening Post
In the November/December 2013 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, Top Chef Masters star and Aussie chef Curtis Stone adds his signature Down Under twist to classic American holiday fare by providing a delicious recipe for Roasted Pork Loin with Rosemary salt, shallots, potatoes, carrots and Parsnips. MMMMM!
2. Salmon
Smoked salmon, cooked salmon, smoked cooked salmon all work as an alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving. It’s a luscious rich showy meat that most people love as a main course or an appetizer.
3. Shrimp
Ahh, yummy delectable shrimp! Usually served as an appetizer at Thanksgiving, it can also become the main course.
4. Crown Roast of Lamb
This is a particularly showy dish, very popular in the Victorian era and has resurfaced at holidays ever since. This would certainly be the crowing glory of your Thanksgiving feast.
5. Bison
Okay, okay. I can hear ya now. Bison? Bison? The North American bison has thrived on prairies, river valleys and scrublands of North America for thousands of years. It may not have been available in the Northeast when the pilgrims and Indians were celebrating the first Thanksgiving, but it was then, and is now, a plentiful American meat.
PSSST! In case you were wondering…What’s the difference between a bison and a buffalo?
Nothing! The American buffalo and American bison are the same animal. There is no difference between bison and buffalo. The original settlers of the American West called them “buffalo,” and the name stuck. Meat is labeled as “bison,” so consumers know they are buying a North American product.
#6 Ham
Ham is probably the most popular substitute or secondary meat for Thanksgiving.
#7 Steak and Filet Mignon Tenderloin
If you are grilling for Thanksgiving, a platter of steaks and Filet Mignon Tenderloin is sure to fit the bill.
#8 Duck, Goose or Chicken
A logical alternative to turkey is another kind of poultry, such as goose, duck or chicken.
#9 Tofurkey
Obviously not a meat at all, Tofurky is Tofu made and seasoned in such a way to mimic the taste of turkey. I have had it before. IMO, tofurkey does not taste like turkey, it takes like turkey seasoning. It’s okay but to each his own.
#10 Lobster
Ahhhh. A true delicacy, possibly the “Turkey of the Sea”.
Check out our other Thanksgiving posts, including “Turkey Humor: Turkey as it was never meant to be” and “Easiest Turkey Recipe Ever Ever!”
My Mom made a pork loin last year for Thanksgiving, instead of turkey, and it was delicious! The year before that we made reservations to Ted’s Montana Grill. I had the bison, since I had never tried it before, and it melted in my mouth. I would have to say that those were two pretty decent Thanksgiving holiday meals that were spectacular, but there is nothing in this world that can compare to my Mama’s giblet gravy and her homemade coconut cream pie.
A few years ago when I cooked for only immediate family I roasted game hens (the tiny ones). They were perfect! The taste was great and they looked like mini turkeys on our plates. I might have to give filet mignon tenderloin a go this year. It looks so delicious! Thanks for the ideas.
This sounds good maybe i will give it a try
I love turkey but my second love would be the salmon. The bison also appeals to me and I ate it when I visited South Dakota.
these are some very creative ideas that i woruld love to try . thanks for the info shelley you rock
The bison looks delicious…I would definitely like to try it!
We always have Ham on Thanksgiving it has always been a tradition in my family.
I’d totally try the Tofurkey!!
the only thing i would not eat is the lobster i ahd it and not like it
I’ve only tried lobster tails once on vacation in Maine. Didn’t care for them. Bison sounds interesting.
We had a pork loin today and it was so tender & juicy. Yum!
Go Vegan for optimum health! Vegetables and Fruits! Better for the environment too!
Lobster for Thanksgiving?? This Maine girl says “Heck ya!”
While I do like turkey, I could go with the idea of shrimp instead. I could live on shrimp!
My alternative this year? Going to the casino! 😉 Just found your blog via Jo @ My Wandering Mind. Thought I’d take a little look-see. I’ll be back. You’ve been warned. 😉
Great post.
Great site.
I’ll be glad to welcome you. Good luck at the casino!
I love seafood as an alternative. Hmmm, maybe I’ll make some shrimp as my dish this year.
Mmm I love all of these alternatives! I am not a turkey person at all, this year we are having steak. Yum. I love everything else about thanksgiving.. just not a turkey person! 🙂
Leg of lamb has always been a favorite of mine, but it’s hard to beat my grandfather’s smoked turkey- he spends almost 3 days slow cooking it!
I would love to try the Bison. I have no idea where to buy that though…I haven’t ever actually seen any in our stores. No lamb either that I recall. That doesn’t mean it isn’t there…it just means that if it is there…I missed it.
I would assume they would have it near the beef?
This might help you Elle: http://www.thebisoncouncil.com/find-bison I think it might be available more in the West. Let me know if you try it! Shelley
I really like the bison idea. I love bison and it’s so un-traditional!