Screw Tradition! 10 Unique Thanksgiving Recipes

Some of us dread Thanksgiving dinner because family and travel can be downright stressful. Some of us aren’t so into celebrating the hairy history, but have the day off. Some of us just like to cook and will jump at any excuse to do so, regardless of what day it is. These are the recipes for you, my bitter brethren! Thanksgiving is one week away. Let’s make sure the food’s good, at least.

1. Stuffing Waffles

Thanks to this crazy kitchen hack from Serious Eats, we’ve been bestowed the glory of stuffing waffles. Use your favorite stuffing recipe, pop a few spoonfuls in a waffle iron, and enjoy a crispy, delicious, edible gravy boat. Instructions here.

 

2. Loaded Hasselback Potatoes

Skip the potatoes au gratin or labor-intensive mashed potatoes for this carb-loaded indulgence from Damn Delicious. It’s an easy to follow recipe with tons of potential for variations. Pancetta and brie! Chihuahua cheese and chorizo with salsa! Mozzarella and basil! Go nuts.

3. Pumpkin Goat Cheese Dip

Who says pumpkin’s just for pie? This dip adds just enough fall flavor to make it to the Thanksgiving table. Check out the recipe on Running to the Kitchen.

 

 

 

4. Brown Sugar Bacon Sweet Potatoes

Marshmallows are so dated. Grandma’s sweet potatoes may have been tasty when we were kids, but it’s time for a grown up sweet treat. I hereby nominate Tinselbox’s roasted sweet potato recipe.

5. Summer’s End Salad

No one likes iceberg lettuce, Karen. Salad doesn’t have to be boring. Try this recipe from our own Chef Ellie for a celebratory green note on your otherwise heavy Thanksgiving Day plate.

6. Crispy Green Bean Chips

Skip the heavy casserole in lieu of these lighter, crunchy green bean chips from Whole New Mom. Bonus: they’re vegan!

 

7. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese has about 1,429,102,943 variations. This is one I’m dying to try, and it will fit right in on your Thanksgiving Day buffet. Domestic Superhero will lead you through making this delicious sounding one-pot cheesy pumpkin pasta.

8. Roast Pumpkin with Feta

This is the last pumpkin dish I’ll force on you, I promise! ‘Tis the season, right? Plus, this one has feta. Feta, people. Check out the recipe from Not Quite Nigella.

 

 

 

9. Speaking of Feta… How about a Turkey and feta meatloaf?

Not feeling the whole bird? Try this simple recipe that uses ground turkey. Dash of Herbs gives you a great holiday main course alternative with this Feta and Sundried Tomato Turkey Meatloaf.

10. Garlic Rosemary Mashed Yuca

Low carb lovers and those following the keto craze will absolutely love this mashed yuca recipe. As Kim explains, it’s not quite the same as a potato, but this yuca mash will still have you coming back for more. Read her recipe on khnutrition.com.

What’s your favorite modern spin on traditional Thanksgiving dinner dishes? Is there a secret recipe your family and friends go nuts over? Let us know in the comments!