20 Thanksgiving Recipes With a Modern Twist

Deep-Fried Stuffing

Deep-fried stuffing, bumped up with poultry seasoning and Parmesan cheese, then breaded and dipped. Dip these perfect, crispy globes in gravy. Or cranberry sauce. Or peanut butter. It doesn't matter what.

Olive-Brined Air-Fryer Turkey Breast

Here's an alternative to roasted turkey that isn't too far from tradition. "Using olive brine gives the breast flavor and also keeps it tender. I use spicy Tabasco Olive brine for extra kick," recipe creator Buckwheat Queen says.

• Our Best Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes

Quinoa Stuffing

This recipe takes regular stuffing and just blows it up. It features quinoa, yes; plus an all-star supporting cast that includes butternut squash, zucchini, cranberries, and dried apricots. And did I mention it's vegetarian and gluten-free? Boom!

• 15 Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Sides

Fiesta Pear Dessert

If you're an apple pie person, we think you'll be pleasantly surprised by this alternative, which would also work with apples. Fried tortilla shells hold cinnamony pears and ice cream coated with graham cracker crumbs and pecans. Need we say more?

Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins

"Sweet, salty, creamy. All the flavors and textures come together nicely. The sage sausage paired with the sweet potato was reminiscent of Thanksgiving flavors," says reviewer France C. "Very simple to put together."

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Garlicky Green Beans with Shallot

Green bean casserole? What green bean casserole? Caramelized shallots, garlic, and Parmesan pack a punch of flavor — no cream of mushroom soup or fried onions needed.

• Our 15 Best Veggie Side Dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mascarpone cheese gives this make-ahead casserole a terrific buttery texture and helps develop the golden-brown crust.

• Our 15 Best Thanksgiving Potato Recipes

Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Pecan Pie

Dark chocolate chips (or even chunks of your favorite dark chocolate bar) are just what pecan pie needs to get your guests excited about seeing this classic dessert at yet another Thanksgiving.

• 22 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Pies to Try This Year

Roasted Honey Cinnamon Acorn Squash

Coated with honey and cinnamon and topped with almonds and blue cheese, this caramelized acorn squash puts your standard squash dish to shame.

Grilled Turkey Breast with Fresh Sage Leaves

Lemon juice brightens up this tender turkey, but crispy fried sage is the real MVP here.

• A Thanksgiving Menu for Two

Spiced Apple Chutney

Let fall's favorite fruit sidle up to your turkey and say hello. This spiced apple chutney — fragrant with ginger and star anise — is the perfect partner for roasted meats. After Turkey Day, try it with grilled or broiled pork chops. It's a winner all year long.

Orzo with Mushrooms and Walnuts

This twist on traditional mushroom stuffing replaces bread with orzo. Reviewers compare its texture to risotto (though it's a dairy-free dish) and love the crunch of the toasted walnuts.

• 15 Dairy-Free Thanksgiving Sides

Sweet Potato and Coconut Bread

This is the sweet, spiced bread the pilgrims wanted to make with their leftover sweet potatoes. Did they have cinnamon and nutmeg? Questionable. Coconut? No. But you can certainly get your hands on these ingredients.

• Favorite Fall Breads Made Without a Pumpkin in Sight

Tender Breaded Turkey Cutlets

"The sour cream seals in the moisture and no one would ever guess that it's in there. A great new way to try turkey," recipe creator Tanya Belt says.

Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad

Look no further than this raw Brussels sprout salad for a fresh side dish. "A perfect combo of sweet, tangy, and salty, with a nice crunchy texture," reviewer Kym Cox Surridge says.

• 15 Best Brussels Sprout Dishes for Thanksgiving

Carrot-Zucchini Cake

Have your cake, and eat your veggies, too, along with a sensational cream cheese frosting. Nom nom nom.

Potato and Pumpkin Gratin

"A bit of a twist from your standard au gratin potatoes," recipe creator Kim's Cooking Now says. "Layers of thinly-sliced potatoes and pumpkin combined with Swiss Gruyere and a hint of thyme make for a tasty and elegant side dish."

Tangy Cranberry Sauce

Do the unexpected: Liven up cranberry sauce with horseradish. "Yes! Finally, a cranberry sauce that isn't sickly sweet," Clare Fisher says. "Love it."

• 10 Quick and Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauces

Grandma's Apple Pie 'Ala Mode' Moonshine

Do not try this at home! I'm sorry, DO try it at home. This homemade 'shine is completely legal and safe (when consumed within reason). But flavored with cloves and cinnamon sticks, it tastes like apple pie, so watch out.

Spiralized Brown Butter Sage Sweet Potato

Spiralizing sweet potatoes may not change their taste — that's what brown butter and sage are for — but it sure makes them more interesting. "This is officially on our Thanksgiving menu! Too easy and delicious to pass up," reviewer Buckwheat Queen says.

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• See our entire collection of Thanksgiving Recipes.