42 Things You Can (Probably!) Serve Instead of Turkey This Thanksgiving

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Americans roast roughly 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving, a figure made possible by an industry built on selectively bred birds raised for rapid growth, assisted reproduction, and the kind of scale that turns a holiday symbol into a supply chain.

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With annual production bouncing around 6 billion pounds, and the environmental weight of feed crops and land use adding up, it feels like as good a year as any to let the turkey take the day off. And honestly, the moment you entertain the possibility of a turkey-free table, everything else suddenly becomes fair game—far more fun, far more interesting, and definitely more you. We’ve got some suggestions.

1. We keep thinking maybe the whole meal could be simpler this year, like starting with a giant roasted cauliflower that looks dramatic but takes almost no emotional labor.

2. And once you go there, suddenly a lentil-mushroom Wellington feels completely reasonable—like a couture gown made of pantry staples.

3. Then again, the idea of stuffing squash and calling it a day is deeply appealing.

4. Especially if the stuffing involves wild rice, herbs, and those cranberries everyone swears they don’t like until they’re eating them.

5. Maybe a pot of luxurious vegan mac and cheese becomes the real anchor—the kind of dish that makes people forget what the “main course” even means.

6. Or a silky pumpkin risotto, stirred in a meditative way that makes you feel competent.

7. There’s also tofu cutlets glazed in maple-mustard, which have the energy of someone who arrives late but impeccably dressed.

8. Or a giant tray of caramelized Brussels sprouts, because caramelizing is free therapy.

9. And while we’re on therapy, mashed potatoes could just… be the main?

10. You could build an entire table around charred broccolini, tahini, lemon, and swagger.

11. Or go big with a coconut chickpea curry that quietly tells tradition, “You good?”

12. A towering pile of roasted root vegetables would make the house smell like you’re trying.

13. And a cozy vegan pot pie will always have that “wrapped in a blanket” vibe.

14. Same for a smoky mushroom gravy poured over every horizontal surface.

15. You could even pretend that green beans are glamorous—they are, when glossy.

16. A kale salad with delicata rings is chic in the way a turtleneck is chic.

17. Or maybe you put out focaccia and let the carbs do the talking.

18. A mezze spread could take over the whole table before anyone notices the absence of turkey.

19. Falafel arranged like ornaments, a whole aesthetic.
    

20. Stuffed mushrooms that disappear before you even sit down.

21. A huge tomato-garlic eggplant moment that feels vaguely European.

22. You could even turn the day into a soup-and-bread ceremony—very November.

23. Pasta al limone would shock no one and delight everyone.

24. Or a mushroom Bolognese so rich it whispers seductively.

25. Vegan lasagna layered like a secret.

26. Cauliflower steaks wearing chimichurri like jewelry.

27. Roasted acorn squash filled with quinoa and optimism.

28. A sweet-potato biscuit basket that earns applause.

29. A bowl of ginger-scallion noodles that goes down like a deep breath.

30. And here’s where the creeping chaos sets in: honestly, why not a peanut-butter sandwich and some popcorn?

31. Or you go classic with a plant-holiday-icon: the Tofurky roast.

32. And if not that, then why not stuff some scallion pancakes? Gimme.

33. A rice-and-chickpea pilaf would give “quiet confidence.”

34. Crispy smashed potatoes? You’re a legend.

35. A vegan cheese board is icon status.

36. Caramelized cabbage wedges? Is Martha Stewart here? 

37. Use a veggie paella to finally tell everyone about your summer Basque vacation.

38. Chickpea cutlets: protein, darling, protein.

39. And a sweet potato pie served before dinner? Diva behavior.

40. You could also do garlicky sautéed greens and pretend it’s a cleanse.

41. Or wild rice stuffed into portobellos and call it rustic-romantic.

42. And finally, a bowl of hummus the size of your emotional bandwidth this season? Honestly, it might be the truest main dish of all.