New Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

It's the time of year when many people are looking for new Thanksgiving dinner ideas to spruce up their fabulous holiday affair. Are you tired of turkey and stuffing? Or maybe you love these dishes, but are hoping to change them up a bit? Here are lots of great ideas for making your Thanksgiving dinner something special.

Looking for something new for dinner?

What's the best way to come up with new ideas for your holiday meal? First off, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:

• Do you want to stay with turkey and stuffing, or move away from that altogether?
• What foods do you like and how do you see them becoming a part of your dinner?
• What finds of foods do your guests like? Are they open to trying new things?
• Does anyone who's coming to dinner have any sort of dietary allergies or other types of restrictions?
• How much time do you want to spend in the kitchen preparing dinner?

Once you answer these questions, it's time to start planning.

If you want to stick with tradition, you can still try some of your new Thanksgiving dinner ideas on good old Turkey Day staples. Shake things up a bit by looking at turkey and stuffing in a new way, or even mixing them together!

• Turkey and Stuffing Casserole Recipe – this could either serve as an entrée or a side, but regardless of how you feature it, this dish is definitely something to be thankful for.
• Turkey Gumbo doesn't have to include leftover turkey. Use freshly roasted dark meat for the big night and your guests will be clamoring for more more more!
• Thanksgiving side dishes come in all shapes and size. These non-traditional recipes are not only delicious - they'll also help you to enjoy autumn's seasonal produce and keep you eating local.

If you're tired of the same old song and dance, ditch the turkey and try something new. There are many things you can make in place of poultry – one particular favorite is a honey-roasted spiral ham. There are many meat options that don't include turkey, such as:

• Leg of Lamb with Raspberry sauce – this is a hearty dish that is sure to please your guests. Lamb goes well with fruity sauces, and raspberry is the perfect pairing for this meat's signature flavor.
• Ham with Bourbon, Molasses and Pecan Glaze – this recipe is surprisingly simple because you're cooking an already prepared ham. If you're thinking pork for Thanksgiving, since your ham a sweet twist.
• Beer Brisket – Dad always has beer around for the big Thanksgiving Day game, right? Why not pilfer a can to make something interesting and tasty for dinner.

Why not shake it up a bit?

Are you thinking of skipping the meaty entrée in favor of a vegetarian dish? Whether it's a moral, stylistic or health-based choice, you need delicious ideas that will tempt even the most discerning carnivore:

• Artichokes Braised in Lemon and Olive Oil – this dish is so tantalizing that you might just have to make double the amount. If there is indeed a bird on the table, don't be surprised if it ends up playing second fiddle!
• Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew – stew might not be a standard Thanksgiving dish, but this hearty entrée will fill you up and leave you satisfied for hours after dinner's over.
• Check out these ideas for a fully vegetarian Thanksgiving, from a vegetarian blogger.
• If all else fails there is always Tofurkey, a popular vegetarian Thanksgiving dish that is super easy to prepare and serve.

Regardless of what you decide to serve, Thanksgiving is supposed to be a day of gratitude. Don't stress over coming up with new Thanksgiving dinner ideas; instead, be thankful for the food you're preparing and the loved once you're sharing it with.

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