Inside: Thanksgiving main course ideas from turkey and ham to beef, lamb, seafood, vegetarian and vegan options — plan ahead for a stress-free holiday.
These Thanksgiving main course ideas will help you create a memorable centerpiece. From classic roasted turkeys to elegant roasts, hams, lamb, beef, seafood and satisfying vegetarian and vegan mains, this curated collection includes dozens of tested recipes from experienced cooks and food writers.
Turkey remains the traditional favorite, so you’ll find recipes suited for large gatherings and smaller celebrations. But if you’d like to change things up, the list includes beef roasts, pork and ham preparations, grilled or oven-ready lamb, and seafood options that make an impressive buffet. Vegetarian and vegan mains here go beyond salads to deliver hearty, flavorful entrees everyone will enjoy.
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble
Classic turkey mains: festive, delicious and adaptable for either a large crowd or an intimate Thanksgiving for two.
Spatchcock Grilled Turkey with Cider Gravy
This spatchcocked turkey is lightly smoked on the barbecue, freeing your oven for sides. Spatchcocking halves cook time and yields tender, juicy meat — perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Dry Brine Roast Turkey
A simple dry brine produces extra-crispy skin and juicy slices. This straightforward method is ideal if you want reliably tender results.
Easy Marinated Roast Turkey Breast for 4-6 people
Turkey breast is great for smaller gatherings. It roasts faster than a whole bird and can feed four to six people depending on size — quick, elegant and flavorful.
Best Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
An air fryer turkey breast can be incredibly tender and juicy while freeing the oven for other dishes — ideal for smaller celebrations.
Dry Brine Turkey
This dry-brined turkey is easy to prepare and yields juicy, flavorful meat. Step-by-step photos make the process simple to follow.
Parmesan Apple Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin
These roulades are stuffed with apple-herb filling and served with homemade gravy — perfect for a smaller Friendsgiving but full of holiday flavor.
Roasted Turkey with Bourbon Turkey Brine
A maple-bourbon brine keeps the bird moist throughout. The carcass also makes excellent stock for gravy and soups.
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
A fast, straightforward roast that’s perfect for smaller gatherings — short prep and roast time make it a reliable choice.
Smoked Turkey Breasts
Smoked turkey breasts on a pellet grill are full of flavor and ideal for smaller celebrations — plus they make fantastic sandwiches afterward.
Spinach & Ricotta Stuffed Turkey Breast with Garlic Herb Sauce
A lighter roulade that’s elegant and healthy, offering Florentine flavors without the effort of a whole bird.
Whole Smoked Turkey with Cider Gravy
Smoking the holiday bird adds deep flavor while a simple brine keeps the meat juicy. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches.
Beef – It’s What’s For Dinner
Looking for a beefy main this Thanksgiving? Here are standout roasts and steak ideas that make a luxurious centerpiece.
Sous Vide Prime Rib
Sous vide prime rib ensures a perfectly medium-rare interior and lets you hold the roast at temperature until ready to serve — a true showstopper.
Cast Iron Ribeyes with Bearnaise Butter
Pan-seared ribeyes topped with a Bearnaise-style compound butter make for an elegant, intimate holiday meal.
Beef Roast
A classic beef roast — tender, juicy and full of flavor — always feels holiday-worthy.
Simple Savory Garlic Wine Braised Veal Shanks
Slow-braised veal shanks in a rich garlic-wine sauce are comforting and elegant — serve them over mashed potatoes for a crowd-pleasing main.
Italian Pot Roast (Stracotto) and Oven-Baked Gorgonzola Polenta
This slow-cooked pot roast is richly flavored and pairs beautifully with creamy gorgonzola polenta — a comforting, celebratory option.
Mouthwatering Lamb Recipes
Lamb is an elegant holiday choice. These recipes — from racks to shanks and stuffed legs — make memorable mains.
Stuffed Rotisserie Leg Of Lamb With Spinach, Feta & Walnuts
A rotisserie leg of lamb stuffed with feta, spinach and walnuts makes a dramatic, approachable centerpiece — use an instant-read thermometer to get the perfect doneness.
Cabernet Rosemary Grilled Rack of Lamb
Grilled racks of lamb make a striking presentation. A wine and herb marinade gives the chops vibrant flavor.
Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb
A boneless leg is tender, juicy and perfect for holiday gatherings — elegant without being complicated.
Oven-Roasted Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb
This rack of lamb cooks quickly and delivers decadent flavor with a simple herb crust — a great shortcut to an impressive entree.
Wine Braised Lamb Shanks
Braise lamb shanks slowly in wine until the meat falls off the bone — serve over mashed potatoes for a comforting holiday entree.
Pork and Ham
Pork can be elevated into stunning roasts, smoked loins and roulades — perfect for a festive table.
Brined Smoked Pork Loin
A good brine is the secret to a juicy smoked pork loin — just a few hours and a low smoke yield tender, flavorful meat your guests will enjoy.
Ham with Ham Gravy
Elevate a baked ham with a rich ham gravy — a comforting, classic centerpiece that pleases a crowd.
Smoked Pork Butt
Smoked pork butt is an economical way to feed a crowd. Slow-smoking yields ultra-tender pulled pork — great for a more casual Thanksgiving.
Baked Ham Shank Recipe
Baking a ham is easier than you think — calculate cooking time by weight and finish with a brown sugar-mustard glaze for a beautiful presentation.
Surprising Meaty Mains
Branch out from the usual with game, duck, pheasant or other unique meats — ideal for showcasing a special harvest or a hunter’s prize.
Venison Backstrap
Seared venison backstrap with a flavorful rub offers a lean, elegant alternative to traditional roasts.
Oven Roasted Crispy Whole Duck & Orange Maple Glaze
A whole roasted duck with a sticky citrus glaze delivers rich flavor and a show-stopping presentation.
Seafood? Eat It!
Fish, shellfish and seafood boils add an unexpected, luxurious touch to a holiday table — they can stand alone or complement a larger spread.
Florida Stone Crab Claws
Cold stone crab claws with mustard sauce make an elegant starter or main. Since the fishmonger prepares them, they’re also a convenient no-cook option.
Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Lobster tails with garlic butter are a luxurious, celebratory main — perfect when you want something truly special.
Crawfish Étouffée
A Cajun-style etouffée with crawfish or shrimp adds bold spice and Louisiana flair to your holiday menu.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Entrees
Meatless mains can be hearty and festive. These vegetarian dishes stand proudly as centerpieces for any Thanksgiving table.
Incredible Mushroom Lasagna
Mushroom lasagna with béchamel and duxelles is a hearty vegetarian main that satisfies like a traditional roast.
Butternut Squash Lasagna with Sage
Butternut squash lasagna layered with ricotta and sage offers comforting, seasonal flavors that work as a satisfying vegetarian centerpiece.
Rutabaga & Butternut Squash Casserole
A cheesy gratin of root vegetables provides rich texture and flavor — a great meatless main for the holiday table.
Vegan Thanksgiving Main Courses
Plant-based mains can be inventive and crowd-pleasing. Find vegan Wellingtons, roasted vegetables and other showstopping options here.
The Best Vegan Mushroom Wellington with 8 Ingredients
A vegan Wellington uses savory mushrooms and nuts for umami and texture — an elegant, plant-based centerpiece.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tomato Pesto
A boldly seasoned whole roasted cauliflower makes a dramatic, vegan-friendly centerpiece — layered with miso, chili paste or tomato pesto for depth.
More holiday recipes you’ll love:
- Amazing Stuffing Recipes
- Holiday Appetizers and Hors D’oeuvres
- Vegetable Side Dishes For Thanksgiving
- More Holiday Dishes
- Homemade Thanksgiving Bread, Rolls & Biscuit recipes
- Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
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