Modern Takes on Thanksgiving Menus

Updated October 27, 2008
Credit: Laurie Black; Styling: Chelsea Fuss

If you're tired of the same old fare, mix it up with this collection of menus chock full of new flavors for the holidays.

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A Turkeyless Thanksgiivng

Credit: Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell and Melanie J. Clarke

A Turkeyless Thanksgiivng Menu

Be thankful on Thursday for some new serving ideas. Contemporary ingredients turn up in Greens with Roasted Corn and Pepper Salad, Blue Corn Bread Dressing, and sautéed duck, yet this whole menu is grounded in tradition, moving smoothly from Mushroom Turnovers to Mincemeat Charlottes. It's familiar enough to feel friendly, but adventurous enough to impress even the most jaded palate.

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Hawaiian Thanksgiving

Credit: Lisa Romerein

Hawaiian Thanksgiving Menu

Add some Hawaiian flair to your Thanksgiving table with these island-inspired Turkey Day recipes.

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Delta Roasted Turkey Thanksgiving

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Delta Roasted Turkey Thanksgiving Menu

Ditch your usual cooking method this year and try a two-temperature method that guarantees a crispy outside and super moist inside for your main dish. Pair with delicious sweet potato cups and Grand Mimosas for a festive midday holiday meal.

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Just-Us Thanksgiving Menu

Credit: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Just-Us Thanksgiving Menu Menu

This easy—yet impressive—menu features traditional ingredients in innovative ways. The star is turkey tenderloins stuffed with a savory mushroom filling and sides include a Roasted-Corn Bread Stuffing and frozen Apple and Ice Cream Pie.

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Thanksgiving on the Beach

Credit: Shelly Strazis; Styling: Valerie Aikman-Smith

Thanksgiving on the Beach Menu

Food photographer Shelly Strazis shares recipes and planning tips for an incredible Mexican-inspired Thanksgiving meal.

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Thanksgiving with a Korean Twist

Credit: Dana Gallagher

Thanksgiving with a Korean Twist Menu

Thanksgiving in Korea, called Chusok, celebrates the new rice harvest, and dessert is always made from the new crop. Fuse American and Korean traditions by serving Maple Roasted Turkey as the main course and Pumpkin Rice Pudding for dessert.

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Hold the Turkey

Hold the Turkey Menu

Keep tradition—no turkey required. Pork loin stars in this classic Thanksgiving meal complete with cornbread dressing and roasted vegetables.

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New Flavors for the Holiday

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro

New Flavors for the Holiday Menu

For a change of pace, give this Italian-inspired menu a try. It features beef tenderloin rather than traditional turkey and polenta instead of mashed potatoes.

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Cajun-style Turkey Feast

Credit: Randy Mayor

Cajun-style Turkey Feast Menu

Serve an economical, efficient and sure-to-please menu flavored with great Cajun spice. This casual menu of Cajun Turkey with Dirty Rice Stuffing, Roasted Turnips, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, and Dried Cranberries, and Pumpkin-Streusel Cheesecake will make guests serve up seconds.

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A Southwest Thanksgiving

Credit: Lisa Romerein

A Southwest Thanksgiving Menu

Denver chef Sean Yontz's Thanksgiving feast balances traditional Thanksgiving flavors with fresh Latin twists. Chiles heat up sweet potatoes in Chile-Spiced Sweet Potato Tamales and give mashed potatoes an extra kick in Chipotle-Corn Mashed Potatoes. Mexican cheese gives new life to cauliflower and green beans while a Guajillo-Tamarind glaze transforms the classic turkey.

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Spice Up Thanksgiving

Credit: Randy Mayor

Spice Up Thanksgiving Menu

Here's a quicker, spicy alternative to Thanksgiving–Jerk Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry-Habanero Salsa. This main dish is particularly great for small gatherings; the cutlets cook quickly and serve four people. We guarantee no one will say, "Turkey again?" after this meal.

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Fresh Flavors for Thanksgiving

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Cari South

Fresh Flavors for Thanksgiving Menu

Change the pace of Thanksgiving dinner with updated Southern family classics like Grilled Bourbon-Cranberry Turkey Tenderloin. Old-school dressing is converted into fluffy Pecan-Buttermilk Dressing Cakes and traditional green bean casserole replaced with Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans.

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Small Kitchen, Big Thanksgiving Feast

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Small Kitchen, Big Thanksgiving Feast Menu

This traditional feast is big on style and flavor, but features time- and space-saving tricks.

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Dine Outside On Turkey Day

Dine Outside On Turkey Day Menu

By: Shirley Harrington, Senior Food Editor

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Southern California Thanksgiving Menu

Credit: David Tsay; Styling: Dani Fisher

Southern California Thanksgiving Menu Menu

Turkey Day gest a SoCal twist: It's on the grill with lots of sunshine!

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Casual Texas Thanksgiving Menu

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Casual Texas Thanksgiving Menu Menu

Chef Maiya Keck of Marfa, Texas, shares her relaxed feast with family and friends.

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New Traditional Thanksgiving Menu

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

New Traditional Thanksgiving Menu Menu

Put the spark back in Thanksgiving with seven fresh recipes we promise will mingle beautifully with your family's time-honored dishes.

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A Smokin' Good Thanksgiving

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Scott Martin

A Smokin' Good Thanksgiving Menu

Join this family in their deliciously untraditional tradition.

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Host A Unique Potluck Thanksgiving

Credit: William Dickey; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Host A Unique Potluck Thanksgiving Menu

By: Shirley Harrington, Senior Food Editor

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An Asian-inspired Thanksgiving

An Asian-inspired Thanksgiving Menu

Bring bright Asian flavors to your dinner table with a fun-filled holiday menu.

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An Inspired Vegetarian Thanksgiving

An Inspired Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu

This vegetarian menu can take center stage at any Thanksgiving table. You'll never miss the meat.

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Thanksgiving by the Sea Menu

Credit: Luca Trovato

Thanksgiving by the Sea Menu Menu

The perfect feast starts with seasonal favorites and just a dash of creative coastal flavor. The secret is in the clever additions–and making enough for seconds.

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A Seaside Feast Menu

A Seaside Feast Menu Menu

Gather around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner that is big on coastal flavor but simple to prepare.

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A Diner Thanksgiving Menu

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Robyn Valarik

A Diner Thanksgiving Menu Menu

Tired of the same old holiday thing? Shake off tradition with this fun, casual menu.

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Deep South Meat 'n' Three Menu

Deep South Meat 'n' Three Menu Menu

Consider this our upscale version of the classic, Southern-style blue-plate special (complete with blue china!)

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Texas Meat 'n' Three Menu

Texas Meat 'n' Three Menu Menu

This Texas-inspired meal includes the perfect blends of spices and pungent flavors to bring you an unforgettable, crowd-pleasing feast.

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Lowcountry Meat 'n' Three Menu

Lowcountry Meat 'n' Three Menu Menu

Love an authentic lowcountry meal? Then this meat 'n' three is a must-make this holiday.

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Warm and Rustic Texas Thanksgiving Menu

Credit: Jody Horton; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Warm and Rustic Texas Thanksgiving Menu Menu

Classic flavors with a rustic Texan twist make for an elevated Thanksgiving menu. We can't wait to get our hands on that Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart!

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A Side-Centric Thanksgiving

Credit: Aya Brackett; Styling: Amy Wilson

A Side-Centric Thanksgiving Menu

Award-winning cookbook author Deborah Madison's Thanksgiving tradition is to buck tradition! Instead, each year she creates a new menu featuring the beautiful produce native to her home in New Mexico.

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Thanksgiving Sideshow Menu

Credit: Laurie Black; Styling: Chelsea Fuss

Thanksgiving Sideshow Menu Menu

We don't want to dismiss the turkey on Thanksgiving Day, but after a helping of these flavorful sides you may not have any room for it!

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