Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with family, and also enjoy foods that you might not serve the rest of the year. However, as much as we all love our holiday traditions, there’s nothing wrong with trying something new and different this Thanksgiving. Give some of these unique Thanksgiving recipes a try and see if you can add some new family-favourite dishes to the dinner table for years to come!

Peach Stuffing

No turkey is complete without some good stuffing, so why not give this peach stuffing a try? 

• 1/2 c. of orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 can peach halves, drained with syrup reserved
• 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken stock if using a baking dish
• 1 loaf Italian bread, cubed
• 1 stick unsalted butter, with extra for greasing the baking dish
• 2 diced medium onions
• 4 tsp. minced garlic
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 bunch chopped fresh sage
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

Let the bread stand overnight in a baking dish at room temperature or bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees when you are preparing the stuffing. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the garlic, celery, and onions with the salt and pepper. Cook about 5 minutes before adding the herbs, then cook for another 2 minutes.

Add the cooked mixture to a large bowl with the bread and toss. Whisk the syrup from the peaches into the orange juice concentrate, then add to the bread with the peaches. Bake in a 9 by 13 buttered baking dish, covered with parchment and foil, at 375 for 20 minutes for best results.

Bacon-Wrapped Tender Turkey Breast And Wild Rice Stuffing

Entertaining a smaller group? This easy turkey recipe is just what you need! 

• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 rib of celery, chopped
• 6 oz. package wild rice
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries
• 1/2 c. low fat sour cream
• Butterflied turkey breast tenderloins (1 per each 2 people)
• Salt and pepper to season

Sauté the shallot and celery in butter until they’re tender, about 5 minutes. Add the wild rice mix with water according to preparation instructions on the package. Mix in the sour cream and dried cranberries once the rice has softened. Use salt and pepper to season the turkey breasts before placing stuffing on one side and folding the breast over. Wrap 6 strips of bacon around each turkey breast. Roast at 375 for 40 minutes.

Cranberry Apple Chutney

This festive chutney recipe is recommended as a side to the bacon-wrapped, wild rice-stuffed turkey breasts that will liven up your meal even more.

• 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 chopped Granny Smith Apple
• Juice from 1 orange
• 1 lg. shallot, chopped
• Garam masala, red chili pepper and ginger to taste
• Apple cider vinegar to cover the mixture

Combine all ingredients together in a saucepan, then bring to a boil. Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes after reducing the heat. Place in the fridge to chill before serving. 

Now that you have some unique Thanksgiving recipes to add to your spread this year, let’s talk about those leftovers you’ll be sure to have. They’re almost better than the main meal! But turkey sandwiches and reheated plates can get boring… especially if you’re having them every day of the week until it’s gone. 

Here are some delicious and creative ideas for using up most of your Thanksgiving leftovers in different meals.

Grilled Turkey Sandwich With Brie, Arugula And Apple Butter

Turkey sandwiches are a staple of Thanksgiving leftovers, but it is likely you haven’t tried a sandwich quite like this one! Use rye bread for the best flavour, spread the apple butter on the bread, and load it with turkey, brie, and arugula before grilling to perfection. 

Frittata With Extra Veggies

Frittatas are always a fun breakfast suggestion right after Thanksgiving, and a good use for leftover vegetables. All you need are eggs, cheddar cheese, the leftover veggies and bread cubes, and you’re in business. 

Vegetable Curry Puffs

If you’re looking for something different with a spicy kick, why not give these vegetable curry puffs a try? This Indian dish is a perfect way to use leftover veggies and cranberry sauce, with yummy infusions of curry, ginger, and turmeric.

Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

This twist on the classic Shepherd’s Pie is perfect for using up your leftover turkey and vegetables. There’s also a recipe included for making ice cream sundaes with your unused cranberry and apple sauce!

Stuffing-Filled Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms are always a great treat, and you won’t go wrong filling them with leftover stuffing from Thanksgiving. Use portobello mushrooms for the best flavour and be sure to sprinkle the tops with Parmesan cheese.

Turkey And Vegetable Soup

When all else fails, turkey makes a nice, lean meat ingredient for soup. Some shreds of turkey, combined with small elbow macaroni, green beans, and diced carrots will make a light meal option after Thanksgiving. The aroma of the turkey bones simmering in a pot as you make the soup is a nice touch, too, and you’ll feel the holidays in your home a little longer.

Now you have a few new recipes to try for your Thanksgiving feast and plenty of others for using up all those delicious leftovers. Share this article with your friends and family to give them some new ideas too – they’ll be glad you did!

Originally posted Oct 5, 2017; updated Sep 30, 2022

Author: Sereena S.

Mom of two, wife to one, and a dog lover. Although cats can be okay too, but only sometimes...