Thanksgiving is the ultimate celebration of food, family, and gratitude, and the star of this feast is always the main dish. While traditional turkey often takes center stage, there are plenty of other show-stopping options for a Thanksgiving table that will satisfy everyone’s taste. From classic roasted turkey with a twist to mouthwatering vegetarian mains, I’ve curated a collection of Thanksgiving main dishes that blend comfort with creativity. These recipes focus on bold flavors, vibrant ingredients, and easy-to-follow techniques, so you can serve up a meal that’s memorable without being stressful. Whether you’re hosting a cozy gathering or a full-scale family reunion, these main course ideas will add a little something extra to your Thanksgiving spread. Let’s dive in and find your new holiday favorite!
Golden Garlic Roast Turkey with Golden Turkey Gravy
This is my easy version of a roast turkey that’s highly unfussy. The turkey is brined in a mixture of kefir that contains lots of garlic and turmeric, which gives it a wonderful fragrance and color. The brined turkey is then brushed with olive oil, coriander, and pepper before being roasted slowly at a very low temperature in the oven. The result is a juicy, tender, and flavorful bird.
Veg-Table/Chana Masala Pumpkin Pots
Orange and black! Visually, everything about this dish screams Halloween to me and I even considered carving these little pumpkin pots into jack-o’-lanterns. In this recipe, roasted sugar pie pumpkins are filled with chana masala and then served over a bed of warm forbidden rice. For Thanksgiving or any fall dinner, this makes a delicious and seasonally spectacular entrée.
The full recipe for this dish is available in my cookbook, Veg-Table
The Flavor Equation: Baked Sweet Potatoes with Maple Crème Fraîche
I love sweet potatoes put it in a savory or sweet situation, I’m game to eat it. This was one of the most popular recipes as scored by my recipe testers and also featured by Eater , and I think you will love it!
Diana Henry’s Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marinated Feta And Black Olives
I’m up for any excuse to eat sweet potatoes, especially the orange-yellow fleshed variety. This simple yet powerful combination of savory, briny, and sweet puts this recipe by legendary cookbook author Diana Henry from her classic Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons (Aster, 2024) in the comfort food category.
Roasted Romanesco With Garlic Yogurt
The combination of pistachios and poppy seeds adds texture to the Romanesco, while the final drizzle of melted ghee gives it that extra edge of nutty flavor. You can make this dish with a whole cauliflower, too; remember to cook it till the outside is crispy while the inside is thoroughly cooked and soft.
This recipe first appeared in my column at The San Francisco Chronicle (November 2018)
Veg-Table/Royal Cauliflower Roast with Almond Cream
This is an elegant entrée based on the creamy shahi (which means “royal”) dishes of the Moghul empire. It commands attention on a swanky dinner table. Bring it out after all the guests are seated, and use your best serving platter to present it as dramatically as possible.
The full recipe for this dish is available in my cookbook, Veg-Table
