When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner there is no better centerpiece for your table than the main dish. It is the dish you will share with everyone at the table, the dish everyone will be talking about.
(Original post date Oct 24, 2019 / Links and post updated Oct. 20, 2021)
Whether you are having a simple thanksgiving family meal, a traditional crowd-pleasing thanksgiving dinner, a pescatarian seafood thanksgiving feast or a vegan thanksgiving banquet the main dish deserves to be front and center.
Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dish
There are more and more people converting to a plant-based, vegetarian, vegan lifestyle. But! That doesn’t mean that they can not enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving.
"This broccoli vegetarian pot pie is a healthy variation of chicken pot pie, without the meat of course… Broccoli and almonds replace the chicken in this easy vegetarian recipe. This pot pie is filled with colourful veggies, smooth béchamel with a nutty flair, enveloped in a flaky filo crust."
"Juicy mushrooms take center stage in this vegan mushroom wellington – a fun spin on the classic beef wellington. "
"This is the best vegetarian and vegan meatloaf! This easy lentil loaf is stuffed with veggies and lentils, and is even better than the classic!"
"Portobello mushrooms, butternut squash, spinach, and a mushroom pate mixture are wrapped with puff pastry in this elegant vegetarian and vegan dinner entree. Vegetarian Wellington is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. "
"This Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf is packed with carrot, celery and onion and features the flavors of thyme and sage, making it the perfect vegan main course for the holidays."
"With all the traditional seasonings of the original this vegan meatless meatloaf with chickpeas, peppers, and onions is big on flavor topped with a tomato maple glaze. Perfect as the main dish at your next dinner party, or easy enough to pull together for a weeknight meal."
No time to plan, make sure you check out our pre-planned plant-based Thanksgiving menus. Vegan Thanksgiving Feast, Pescatarian Thanksgiving Supper Menu
Thanksgiving Turkey
There is nothing better than the smell of slow-roasting Turkey on a brisk fall day. If this is your first year cooking a turkey and you are looking for an amazing recipe this post is for you. From bringing your turkey to old fashion basting, we got you covered.
"Juicy and easy Thanksgiving turkey recipe! Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy is made in under an hour and has all the holiday flavours everyone loves"
"Enjoy this Instant Pot Turkey Breast Potato Dinner for Thanksgiving, or any time of the year. This is a one-pot meal that you can make in your Instant Pot. Pressure cooker turkey breast is juicy and tender, the potatoes cook perfectly, and I didn’t forget the gravy!"
"Recipe for super juicy Turkey baked in cheesecloth and white wine with a herb butter rub from Serena Simply From Scratch."
"Mom’s Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe is the only one I make! It’s stuffed with citrus, onions and garlic, basted with a butter and wine sauce and topped with gravy!"
"This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast is perfect for a small family or Thanksgiving dinner and the easiest way to make a juicy turkey with minimal prep and flavors of garlic, onion, and herbs."
"The easiest turkey ever made. This Citrus and Herb Butter Roast Turkey Recipe is moist, tender and juicy. So simple to make and will definitely steal the show at your Thanksgiving dinner. "
"Impress everyone with your turkey skills this family gathering with this amazing brined turkey method. You'll have a moist, succulent bird and everyone will fight over the leftovers."
"Our recipe for juicy, succulent, MAPLE BUTTER TURKEY is roasted on the grill, giving it a smoky flavor. Learn how to spatchcock, brine and grill the best turkey you’ve ever had!"
"A deliciously crispy butter basted turkey with fresh thyme and garlic. A perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey! Butter Basted Roast Turkey Recipe"
"Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is a bone-in turkey breast half, brushed with herbed butter and olive oil, and baked to perfection. This juicy number with slightly crispy skin is perfectly sized for smaller meals. Serve roast turkey breast for holiday meals or weeknight dinner!"
"Roasting a turkey need not be a stressful affair, all it takes are a few simple steps and some basic aromatic ingredients for a delicious and flavourful Easy Roast Turkey with Gravy."
"Roasted Turmeric Spiced Turkey Breast is a succulent bone-in turkey breast cooked with turmeric, cardamom, spices and a very fun twist for a holiday gathering."
"The best, most simple turkey brine recipe I have found is this one. The flavor this brine gives the bird is amazing and the meat is REALLY juicy!"
"A juicy, succulent, flavorful Sage and Rosemary Slow Roasted Turkey Roulade that will be a great alternative to a whole turkey for your Thanksgiving spread!"
"Juicy, moist and super flavorful, this Herb Roasted Turkey should be at the center of your Thanksgiving table!"
"Brown Sugar Date Roast Turkey is a sweet way to serve up your next holiday dinner. Find out tricks to keep your turkey moist and flavorful and get this recipe for a sweet, gingery turkey baste."
"Here is my juicy turkey recipe secret. Together with my turkey brine recipe, I show you how to cook the perfect turkey. Follow these step-by-step instructions for the best Thanksgiving turkey ever."
"The juiciest, tastiest turkey you will ever eat. I promise."








No time to plan, make sure you check out our pre-planned Thanksgiving menus. Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, Just the Family Thanksgiving Meal Menu.
Seafood Thanksgiving Main Dish
Whether you have dietary restrictions or just watching what you are eating. And believe it or not, there are people out there that do not like Turkey or Ham. Seafood is the way to go when you want something with traditional flavor but isn’t the standard tradition.
"Air fryer salmon is one of the easiest ways to cook salmon. The salmon turns out juicy, flaky, with a perfectly crispy exterior. As it cooks in the air fryer, prepare a simple but rich and buttery lemon sauce to cover the salmon before it’s served."
"This Roasted Mahi Mahi with Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes is an easy sheet pan dinner that you'll make over and over again! "
"There is no fishy taste with this Soy Maple Glazed Salmon recipe. Thanks to the wonderful combination of maple syrup, soy and garlic, this salmon recipe is guaranteed to convert even the pickiest of fish eaters. You have to taste it to believe it!"
"Busy work week got you thinking a homemade healthy dinner is going to be impossible. What if I told you it can be done in 20 minutes or less? Spicy Garlic Salmon is a delicious satisfying quick fix dinner your whole family will enjoy. "
"This best ever crusted salmon recipe will knock your socks off! The crispy, smoky, and slightly spicy crust matches the soft, flaky salmon flesh perfectly. It’s hands-down the best recipe for a crusted salmon"
"This simple Pistachio Crusted Salmon recipe is elegant enough for a dinner party and easy enough for a weeknight dinner."
"This spice rubbed oven baked salmon recipe is smokey, peppery, sweet, and a little spicy. Ready in 15 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Make this today!"
"We love this Panko Herb-Crusted Dijon Salmon recipe! Flaky salmon slathered in creamy dijon mustard and topped with crispy panko and fresh herbs. Skip the boring salmon and add some serious oomph to your weeknight dinner routine with this tasty seafood dish."
"This oven roasted salmon is cooked with a spicy harissa sauce and lemon wedges then served with fresh dill and potatoes for a simple and easy dinner."
"Grilled salmon served with a delicious tamarind and honey glaze, makes for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner"
"Melt in your mouth, flaky, savory, and zesty Buttery Parmesan Lemon Herb Baked Halibut is the perfect weeknight dish. The main course that takes less than 15 minutes to make, with minimal cleanup. This dish fits into everyone’s busy schedule, and is also fancy enough to serve on a special occasion or as a holiday meal!"
"A sheet pan recipe for 3-ingredient maple mustard salmon. Easy to prepare and easy to clean up"
"These scallops are pan seared in a brown butter sage sauce served with orecchiette pasta. A delicious meal for way less than the price at a restaurant. Pair it with a glass of white wine and you’ve got yourself a cozy date night."
"Oven baked basa fish fillets marinated with butter, sweet paprika and dried basil. Easy, quick and healthy dinner party idea."
"This Cranberry Pecan Crusted Salmon makes a perfect post-Thanksgiving lunch or dinner! Snag some yummy leftover cranberry sauce to whip up this sweet and savory salmon!"
"Zesty, fresh, simple and quick grilled lemon herb salmon is perfect for those crazy busy days! "
"This New England Baked Haddock Recipe is so comforting, delicious, and easy to make! This easy, family-friendly dinner uses only THREE ingredients and requires only FIVE MINUTES of hands on time."
"Lightly spiced fish biryani made with a yogurt biryani sauce and cooked in one pot with layered fish, rice and saffron. Served up with fresh coriander and yogurt dip topped with chilli flakes and oil"
No time to plan, make sure you check out our pre-planned Seafood based Thanksgiving menus. Pescatarian Thanksgiving Supper Menu
Thanksgiving Ham
Most ham’s we buy for the Holidays are precooked pre-cured and just have to be warmed through. If you don’t have room in the oven feel free to place it in a crockpot or instant pot, or even wrap it in foil and place it on the grill until it is warmed through.
If you want to add more than just that packet of glaze for flavor check out some of the recipes below.
"Coca Cola Ham is a holiday classic at our place. Which holiday? All of them! Usually a Christmas Ham, Thanksgiving and an Easter Ham, but this is the way we usually eat ham, any occasion will do!"
"Baked ham with a quick and easy glaze."
"Bourbon Cherry Drunken Ham is a simple ham shank with a ton of flavor. A little sweet, a little tangy, mixed up with a little smoky flavor. This simple holiday ham can be made to please a big crowd or just a small family get together, and can be fully cooked in under 90 minutes!"
"Slow Cooker Ham is a classic and iconic meal, yet there’s so many variations on this recipe. Here is my go-to for the best Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham ever, easy to make with just 5 ingredients – and so delicious!"
"Sweet and flavorful, this Hatfield pineapple ham and clove recipe is sure to please!"
"This is the most amazing Instant Pot ham done in just 20 minutes! If you want an easy honey ham recipe you’ve gotta’ try it in your pressure cooker. "
"Kahlua Pineapple Glazed Ham is the BEST spiral-cut baked ham recipe to serve a crowd on a budget. The pineapples bake in the same pan. A huge hit for holiday parties, brunch or dinner!"
More Thanksgiving Recipes
No time to plan, make sure you check out our pre-planned Thanksgiving menus. Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, Just the Family Thanksgiving Meal Menu.
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