First of all – don’t fret! There are plenty of amazing options to fill your Thanksgiving table and create a bountiful feast for your family and friends.

Cornish Game Hens

I personally adore game hens and cook them pretty often. In fact, I think I first made them when I was about 12 years old and the recipe had something to do with a flaming cherry sauce. I vividly remember trying to flame the sauce, while my mother stood by, fire extinguisher in hand, in a bit of a panic! Flaming just wasn’t something we did in our house! Oops

Not sure whatever happened to that recipe, but I’d love to find it and try it again now that I’m a bit more of an experienced cook

Anyhow, I think game hens are perfect because each one of those cute little hens is an individual portion! I mean, you could certainly split them and get two portions out of each hen, but I honestly never do! I kind of like serving each person their own tiny hen – it just feels a little special to me! What’s even better about game hens, though, is they cook pretty quickly, making getting that holiday meal on the table a breeze. More time for football, family or perusing those Black Friday ads, right?

The folks over at Taste and See shared a wonderful recipe for Cornish Game Hens with Wild Rice, Mushroom and Sausage Stuffing perfect for the holidays! Add a few of your favorite sides and you’ll be all set with the perfect meal!

Duck

If you’ve never cooked with duck, don’t be afraid to expand your horizons and give it a try. Not only does duck taste amazingly rich, serving duck provides a wonderfully upscale dining experience for your holiday guests.

I would personally recommend 2 ducks to serve 6-8 people, primarily because duck isn’t quite as meaty as some of the other choices.

This luxurious Slow Roasted Duck with Crispy Skin from the folks over at Just a Little Bit of Bacon could be the answer to your ‘no turkey, now what’ dilemma. The warm, delectable flavors of orange and raspberry combined with the rich Ruby Port create an amazing glaze that will perfectly flavor your duck and leave you wanting more.

Roast Chicken

One of the easiest and most practical substitutions for that lack of turkey might be just be the perfect roast chicken. It’s familiar enough for the picky eaters in your group and easy enough to prepare for the chef in the family. If you’re feeding a large group of people, roast multiple chickens to feed your flock.

For your reference, a 3-4 pound chicken will feed approximately 4-6 people, obviously depending on their appetites. If you’ve got big eaters or want leftovers for later, I’d definitely double up!

This Cast Iron Roast Chicken with Apple, Onion and Sage, featured over on Ciao, Chow Bambina not only looks amazing, but would be a fantastic replacement for that traditional bird on the Thanksgiving table. All the flavors and warmth of fall are evident in this amazing recipe. C’mon – who needs a turkey?

Just imagine the oohs and aahs you’ll hear when you put this beauty this crispy roast chicken in front of your guests.

Pork Loin

Perhaps not a traditional Thanksgiving offering, don’t overlook the tasty pork loin, as it would be a great alternative to the turkey. The folks over at The Cookie Rookie shared an amazing Orange Cranberry Pork Loin recipe that would add an elegant and festive touch to your holiday happenings.

Any recipe that combines the tartness of cranberries with that wonderful orange citrus screams fall to me and I’m pretty much sold.

When purchasing your loin, you should aim for 1/2-3/4 of a pound of loin per person.

Lamb

Pistachios and lamb go together like, well, like turkey and Thanksgiving. This recipe for Pistachio and Pesto Crusted Rack of Lamb with Pomegranate Sauce from Gastro Senses will make you forget all about the missing turkey.

Not only does the rack of lamb look modern and amazing when presented, it tastes even more scrumptious when served!

When planning your meal, allow for 2-4 chops per person.

Standing Rib Roast

If you’ve never tried your hand at a standing rib roast, the folks over at recipetineats offer a tantalizing recipe and even more helpful walk-through of exactly how to achieve the perfect bite. Give their Standing Rib Roast a try – not only will taste delectable, it will provide a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table.

For serving purposes, allow for one rib for every two guests, as not every guest will actually get a rib bone.

If you don’t already have one in your bag (or drawer) of culinary gadgets, be sure to get a meat thermometer for the perfect cook every time. I honestly couldn’t live without mine – I always use it to ensure I achieve the right temperature for serving.

So, don’t be afraid to enjoy something new this holiday season and break out of that traditional turkey rut! Combine a tasty new staple with a comforting favorite for an entirely new holiday experience.

Most of all though, enjoy the priceless memories made around the table with your family and friends. That is what it’s truly all about!

Happy holidays and bon apetit!

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