Nothing beats Thanksgiving dinner complete with your traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, buttered corn, and whatever else you and your family normally have. This year, consider stepping out of the box and surprising guests by whipping up the unique Thanksgiving recipes we've rounded up for you below. From fondue mashed potatoes to a sweet potato cake, you'll catch the most innovative ways to bring seemingly familiar dishes to your table. Go ahead, study up, and get your ingredients ready to create concoctions that you and your guests may have never had before. We bet they'll be crowd favorites before you know it—happy cooking and eating!
1
Grilled Turkey
Yes, grilled turkey is a thing. This easy, peasy recipe takes just 20 minutes of prep time and can be whipped up using your barbecue. This is the perfect dish, especially if you're celebrating the November holiday in a beachy setting—no more hot kitchens from using an oven.
Get the recipe from Delish.
2
Stuffing Stuffed Pumpkins
Pumpkins are used for pies, carving, and...stuffing? This stuffed pumpkin recipe is packed with delicious homemade filling that everyone will keep coming back to.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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3
Thanksgiving Rolls
Swap out boring old bread and butter this holiday season with tasty Thanksgiving rolls made using whole milk and flaky sea salt.
Get the recipe from Delish.
4
Cranberry Whipped Feta
This intriguing appetizer swaps out cranberry's usual accomplice, goat cheese, for salty feta. It's perfect for spreading on crackers, toast, and crostini.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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5
Stuffed Butternut Squash
Put seasonal produce to good use with this colorful stuffed butternut squash recipe made using dried cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds, brown sugar, and quinoa. Delicious!
Get the recipe from Delish.
6
Turkey Cheese Ball
This turkey cheese ball recipe provides the perfect amount of excitement to any holiday table setting. All you need is goat cheese, cream cheese, seasoning, and various chips and crackers.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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7
Sweet Potato Pudding
Serve something unexpected like sweet potato pudding that calls for just a handful of ingredients. This pick can be plated as a side, dessert, or breakfast—the options are endless.
Get the recipe from Delish.
8
Sweet Potato Gratin
Speaking of sweet potatoes, this sweet potato gratin incorporates soul-warming ingredients like ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg. Meanwhile, the cheesy parmesan and gruyere topping adds another flavor dimension. Yum!
Get the recipe from Delish.
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9
Sweet Potato Cake
You may be familiar with carrot cake, but how about sweet potato cake? This fragrant dessert combines some of the best fall flavors, including ginger, cloves, and vanilla extract. Be sure not to skip out on the marshmallow fluff frosting.
Get the recipe from Delish.
10
Air Fryer Garlic Herb Turkey Breast
Air fryers for the win. This handy kitchen gadget can also be used to cook a Thanksgiving turkey, as you can see here.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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11
Harvest Punch
This punch is pretty to look at and tasty, too. It's made with chilled Prosecco and ginger beer and takes only 15 minutes to throw together.
Get the recipe from Delish.
12
Melting Potatoes
Butter, extra-virgin olive oil, and chicken broth come together to create these melt-in-your-mouth potatoes that are good enough to serve year-round.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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13
Fondue Mashed Potatoes
So long dry, bland potatoes, and hello cheesy goodness! This recipe, part fondue, part mashed potatoes, may become your new go-to.
Get the recipe from Delish.
14
Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots
Carrots get an exciting update in this garlic-parmesan carrot dish that can be roasted in the oven or air fryer.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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15
Baked Pumpkin Risotto
Put your leftover pumpkin to good use by giving this simple risotto recipe a try. Each batch takes under an hour and yields up to four servings.
Get the recipe from Delish.
16
Mashed Potato Casserole
Give green bean and corn casserole a break this year, and instead, add this mashed potato casserole to your holiday menu. It only takes 20 minutes of prep time and is a great addition to turkey, cranberry sauce, and buttered corn.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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17
Apple Cider Brined Turkey
Did you know you can use fall's favorite drink, apple cider, to brine your turkey? The recipe is also packed with flavorful ingredients like cinnamon sticks, fresh rosemary, and whole peppercorns.
Get the recipe from Delish.
18
Apple Cider Donut Pound Cake
And if you want to make something sweet with apple cider, look to this apple cider donut pound cake with a sugar-cinnamon coating.
Get the recipe from Delish.
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19
Bacon-Wrapped Turkey
Bacon lovers gather around. This out-of-this-world recipe uses bacon to create a moist, flavor-filled turkey with the perfect amount of salty crunch.
Get the recipe from Delish.
20
Goat Cheese-Stuffed Rolls
Tangy goat cheese instantly elevates any dish it's added to. These goat cheese-stuffed rolls call for just ten minutes of prep time and are the perfect snack to leave on the table when guests are waiting for the turkey to come out.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Brittany Natale
Freelance Writer
Brittany is a freelance writer based in her hometown of New York City. She writes about everything from fashion and beauty to food and wellness. When she's not writing, she can often be found at her local library, playing with her cats, or exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art.