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!”
I tried Tofurkey last year for the first time and wasn’t that crazy about it. I would just as soon eat skip the meat and eat only the veggies and dessert.
There are a lot of those that I would skip such as bison or duck but I’d go with the shrimp
I like turkey but like ham even more. My family would be very upset if I made ham instead of turkey.
Good alternatives, but I’ll stick with the turkey! 🙂
These are all such great alternatives other than Turkey for Thanksgiving! Most people would just do a ham or something but this gave everyone a lot more to think about. Thank you!
Picture after picture of beautiful food! We aren’t big turkey fans in our house so this post is perfect. Especially love the lobster tails.
This is looking good and tasty
These are nice ideas, good for any holiday. Most people like turkey, and like it traditional, but other holidays people aren’t as set on what they expect!
The picture of the Rack of Lamb brings back happy memories of my childhood, as my Mother made this every Christmas. It is such an impressive dish and seems to be coming in vogue again. Certainly my choice for turkey replacement.
These are some great ideas. But, I think my family would fight me if I didn’t make a turkey too, at least! 🙂
I love salmon
Sound pretty good but give me my turkey
Lobster! For Thanksgiving?!?! Genius!
I would rather have shrimp and steak any day than turkey! However, I am the only one in my family who thinks that way, so turkey I shall bake :/
My family had a turduckhen once…it was NOT tasty…but, I hate duck, so that’s probably why. LOL
salmon is a great option. we all love it. it would be a yummy alternative to traditional meat for turkey day
These are some really good ideas, and look really yummy, too. With my family we usually have both turkey and ham, because only half the people like each one. I bet I could get away with the bison though, and that looked really good!
You have listed some great alternatives to turkey! One year we made a ham and cheese roll, another we went out for mexican food!
My family doesn’t really celebrate Thanksgiving, but it would nice to have a Thanksgiving dinner once in a awhile!
I like having ham. Last year we had cornish hens.