Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, but not everyone is a fan of the famous holiday bird. So why not try another main attraction for your Thanksgiving table? Consider these other options:
Baked Ham. Next to turkey, ham might be the second-most popular main dish served during the holiday season. Try baking ham in champagne. This change to how you bake ham will have your guests saying “What turkey?”
![ffhamfeature[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ranchevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/ffhamfeature1.jpg?ssl=1)
Chicken Breast. Chicken is another safe bet for non-turkey Thanksgiving, because it is a dish that everyone is familiar with. The chicken breasts can even be split and stuffed.
![Flax-Herb-Stuffed-Chicken-Breast-680x450[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ranchevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Flax-Herb-Stuffed-Chicken-Breast-680x45011.jpg?ssl=1)
Cornish Game Hen. Cornish game hen provides a solution to the Thanksgiving overeating problem. With all the sides and dessert available, cooking a Cornish game hen instead of a turkey is a great way to avoid that “stuffed” feeling after you finish a big meal.
![gamehen-lg[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ranchevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/gamehen-lg1.jpg?ssl=1)
Grilled Oysters. Historians agree that some form of fish was probably on the menu at the first Thanksgiving, since the New England area is abundant with seafood. So it might be a fun to serve clams or oysters as part of an “Original Thanksgiving” party. You may want to offer this as a secondary item, though, since it will take a lot of oysters to satisfy hungry guests. Grilled oysters would be a great option for a small dinner party.
Prime Rib. Many families eat prime rib to celebrate special occasions, and since Thanksgiving is a special occasion, why not? Prime Rib will have your friends and family licking their chops before dinner is even served.
Truducken. If want to keep turkey on the menu but still change it up, try this chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey dish made famous by football analyst John Madden.
Change-Up the Sides
Side dishes can be changed, too. One element of the holiday is to celebrate the harvest. There are a lot of foods besides green bean casserole that are harvested in the fall, so this is where you can get creative. Cooked/steamed red cabbage is a great choice, as well as anything with squash. Use a little cinnamon and honey with butternut squash and you are sure to be a hit.
And if you decide you want to avoid all the muss and fuss, call Ranch Events and speak with an Event Specialist about catering your Thanksgiving celebration. Your will love our Thanksgiving menu selections.
