Not feeling thankful for turkey dinner? No worries.
Thanksgiving is all about gratitude — not the meal itself. If you’re not a fan of traditional turkey, it’s time to buck tradition and make the holiday your own. Trust us, your guests will thank you for it when they’re cutting into a thick-cut ribeye.
When you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, there are no limits to your creativity. Treat your guests to one of these unexpected (but delicious) Thanksgiving meals to create a tradition of your own.
Appetizers
There’s nothing worse than waiting all day for Thanksgiving dinner without something to snack on — but let’s make the apps just as exciting as the meal. Skip out on deviled eggs and cheese boards in favor of something new for your guests.
Shrimp Cocktail
It’s a crowd favorite that comes together quickly. You can easily prepare shrimp cocktail ahead of time, so you can put all of your attention on the main course.
Boil a pound of P&D shrimp from the Prime House Direct, then immediately chill. Serve with fresh lemon slices and cocktail sauce.
Party Meatballs
Bite-sized and packed with flavor! Make your meatballs as spicy or as sweet as you like — just as long as you make a ton of them. You’ll have to remind guests not to fill up on appetizers with these on the table.
Follow this recipe for the easiest and most appetizing pre-dinner snack.
The Main Course
Ready to sub out turkey for something with a little more flavor? These alternatives will have you drooling.
Surf ‘n Turf
Serve guests a luxurious meal that captures meat-lovers and pescatarians alike. Pick your favorite cut of steak (or a variety of Prime House Direct’s best steaks), and serve it alongside lobster tails, crab legs, or even more shrimp. Your guests will definitely feel thankful for the steakhouse treatment!
>> Explore Prime House Direct's Top Quality Steaks and Seafood
Roasted Pork Loin
Infuse your meal with classic Thanksgiving flavors with a slight twist. Rich and juicy pork loin is an ideal substitute for your main course, as it pairs well with oranges and cranberry sauce. This dish will instantly put you in the holiday spirit — and it makes for a perfect bite with gravy and mashed potatoes.
Check out this recipe for cranberry and orange glazed pork loin.
Penne alla Vodka with Italian Sausage
Want to turn your Thanksgiving dinner into an Italian feast? Switch it up and serve this pasta favorite as the star of your meal. The comfort of a homemade (or jarred — we won’t tell) vodka sauce combined with the heat of Italian sausage is sure to warm up your chilly fall celebrations.
Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
Side Dishes
We’re not advocating against classics like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and macaroni and cheese … but we are in favor of adding some unexpected sides to your Thanksgiving lineup.
Meat Stuffing
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this is certainly not your grandma’s recipe. Beef (and sausage) up your side dishes with this protein-packed twist on a Thanksgiving staple. Ground beef and hot Italian sausage make up the base of your dish, with recognizable flavors of sage and thyme to remind you of Thanksgivings past.
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
This is probably one of your childhood favorites, so why not have it at the holidays? This creamy, rich dish needs only a few ingredients — chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, poppy seeds, and crackers — to create the ultimate comfort food. Re-imagined as a side dish, poppy seed chicken pairs perfectly with the rest of your traditional sides.
Hosting Thanksgiving this year? Get a head start on your grocery shopping — without the grocery store prices. Place your holiday order from the Prime House Direct today!