25 Unique Thanksgiving Recipes You Should Try This Year

autumn pumpkin meal with pumpkin pie, butternut squash soup and pumpkin chocolate cake
25 Unique Thanksgiving Recipes You Should TryMEDITERRANEAN - Getty Images

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!

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.

grilled turkey
Delish

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.

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stuffing stuffed pumpkin
Laura Rege

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.

potato rolls
ANDREW BUI

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.

cranberry whipped feta
Delish

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.

stuffed butternut squash
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

turkey cheese ball
Delish

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.

sweet potato pudding
Delish

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.

sweet potato gratin
Delish

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.

a slice of cake with a slice missing
Delish

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.

air fried garlic herb turkey breast in a white plate
Parker Feierbach

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.

a bowl of sliced oranges
Delish

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.

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melting potatoes with herbs
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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.

fondue mashed potatoes
PHOTO; ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLIST; MAKINZE GORE

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.

carrots
Delish

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.

baked pumpkin risotto in a black bowl topped with cheese and dried cranberries
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MARY RUPP

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.

mashed potatoes
Delish

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.

a roasted turkey on a plate
Delish

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.

cake
Delish

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.

turkey wrapped in bacon
Delish

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.

a piece of bread with a piece of goat cheese in it
Delish

Pumpkin Lasagna

This next-level comfort dish brings together gooey mozzarella cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and smooth pumpkin puree. Its secret ingredient? Maple syrup.

Get the recipe from Delish.

a piece of lasagna on a plate
Delish

Apple Pie Cheesecake

If you can't decide whether to make apple pie or cheesecake for Thanksgiving dessert, why not make both? This two-in-one treat is the perfect choice for the indecisive baker.

Get the recipe from Delish.

apple pie cheesecake
Delish

Oyster Stuffing

This savory stuffing can take your Thanksgiving meal to new heights. It's made with fresh oysters, chopped sage, and parsley, and is an absolute show-stopper.

Get the recipe from Delish.

oyster stuffing
Delish

Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes

Who knew fluffy mashed potatoes prepared with a dash of toasted sesame oil would taste so amazing?

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toasted sesame oil mashed potatoes
Andrew bui

Cranberry Brie Bites

These cranberry brie bites are the perfect way to kick off any holiday meal. The recipe uses chopped pecans, but feel free to add any nut you'd like for extra crunch.

Get the recipe from Delish.

Cranberry Brie Bites
Kat Wirsing

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