Hi Reader,

Let’s get something straight: I have nothing against turkey. I’ve brined it, buttered it, massaged it like a Swedish spa therapist, and once—God help me—even sous vided it. But let’s be honest. Not everyone swoons over the big bird come Thanksgiving.

Some people—clutch pearls—just don’t like turkey. Others have suffered one too many dry slices smothered in lumpy gravy at a second cousin’s folding table. And us? The One has been known to make Thanksgiving in the middle of April, and I've made a Christmas in September, so trust me when I say this: You don’t need to hew to the turkey-or-bust rule.

So if you’re craving something a little unexpected this holiday—a main dish that doesn’t involve stuffing cavities or basting every 20 minutes—I’ve got your back.

This week I’m sharing some of my favorite offbeat, show-stopping, iconoclastic main dishes that are perfect for Thanksgiving—or any day you want applause at the table. These are mains that make an entrance, strut a little, and say, “Yeah, I’m not turkey. You’re welcome.”

Whether you’re feeding a table full of traditionalists (who could use a little shakeup), a group of picky eaters, or just yourself and a second helping of sass, there’s something here that delivers big flavor without a trace of tryptophan.

So step away from the Butterball, and let’s rethink the centerpiece, shall we?

What Makes a “Signature Dish” Tick

1. It tells your story. Maybe it’s inherited (Grandma’s stew), maybe it’s discovered (your first trip abroad). But it has roots.
2. It shows up. A true signature dish never lets you down—crowds may change, but the applause doesn’t.
3. It’s a little dramatic. Whether it’s sizzling, bubbling, or carved tableside, it should make an entrance.
4. It feels like you. Comfort food? Elegant roast? Spicy showstopper? If it fits your personality, it’s yours.
5. It lingers. Long after the plates are cleared, people are still talking about it—and asking when you’ll make it again.

Join The One and Me in Lisbon!

I'll be leading an intimate week-long cooking, baking, eating, and traveling trip in my favorite city: Lisbon! I hope you can join us.

WHAT'S INSIDE...

• ​Slow Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb​
• ​Beef Tenderloin Roast With Shawarma Spice Rub​
• ​Vietnamese-Style Caramelized Pork​
• ​Garlic Butter Steak Bites​
• ​Classic Shrimp Scampi​
• ​One Pot Pasta With Sausage Meatballs​
• ​Grilled Beef Short Ribs With Bourbon BBQ Sauce​
• ​Roast Pork Butt​
• ​Pan Seared Scallops​

​Slow Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb​

This applause-worthy roasted boneless leg of lamb is easy to make with just four ingredients--lamb, oil, garlic, and rosemary--and 15 minutes of effort.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Beef Tenderloin Roast With Shawarma Spice Rub​

This easy beef tenderloin roast is crusted with a fragrant, vibrant shawarma-inspired spice blend and quickly cooked in the oven. It's the easiest holiday main you'll ever make.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Vietnamese-Style Caramelized Pork​

This Vietnamese caramelized pork is sticky, sweet, salty, and savory. The combination of braised pork shoulder, chiles, shallots, lemongrass, and a sweet-salty sauce is completely irresistible.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Garlic Butter Steak Bites​

Tender pieces of sirloin steak are pan-seared and finished in a garlicky herb and butter sauce. It's an easy, yet truly impressive weeknight meal.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Classic Shrimp Scampi​

This version of shrimp scampi keeps the shells on for maximum flavor and moisture, slowly infuses the garlic into the butter and oil for a gentler, deeper flavor, and doubles the sauce—because, let’s be honest, you come for the shrimp, but stay for the sauce.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​One Pot Pasta With Sausage Meatballs​

This one-pot sausage pasta is loaded with tender meatballs and pasta that cooks in a homemade tomato sauce. It's easy to make and requires just one pot.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Grilled Beef Short Ribs With Bourbon BBQ Sauce​

Tender grilled beef short ribs are smothered with tangy bourbon barbecue sauce to make this showstopping meal.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Roast Pork Butt​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.79 from 431 votes

This roast pork butt, coated in a simple rub of brown sugar, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes, is an easy recipe to make and yields enough pulled pork to feed a small army. Perfect for Super Bowl, weekend bashes, and weeknight dinners. Best of all, it can be roasted in the oven.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Pan Seared Scallops​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.88 from 24 votes

The secret to these pan-seared scallops in butter is to cook them in a hot skillet with ripplingly-hot oil and occasionally baste them with butter. That's it. Simple, quick, and impressive. Twenty minutes from fridge to table.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​