11 Untraditional Thanksgiving Dinner Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey

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Pulled Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Mini pulled turkey sliders topped with cranberry BBQ sauce on soft slider buns.

Sliders are the fun, laid-back main your Thanksgiving table didn’t know it needed. Sweet and tangy cranberry BBQ sauce makes turkey anything but boring.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Perfect for a casual Thanksgiving vibe.
  • Easy to make with turkey breast or leftover roast turkey.
  • Built-in portion control.

Equipment You’ll Need

  • Dutch oven or slow cooker
  • Baking sheet

Serving Suggestions
Serve with coleslaw or a simple salad for balance.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Cranberry BBQ sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Pulled turkey reheats well.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless turkey breast
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 12 slider buns
  • 2 tbsp butter

Cranberry BBQ Sauce:

  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Place turkey, onion, and broth in slow cooker. Cook 6 hours on low until tender. Shred.
  2. Mix cranberry BBQ sauce ingredients in saucepan, simmer 10 min. Toss shredded turkey with sauce.
  3. Butter slider buns and toast lightly.
  4. Fill with pulled turkey and serve.

Yield: 12 sliders

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11 Untraditional Thanksgiving Dinner Main Dishes That Aren’t Turkey

Pulled Turkey Sliders with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Mini pulled turkey sliders topped with cranberry BBQ sauce on soft slider buns.

Sliders are the fun, laid-back main your Thanksgiving table didn’t know it needed. Sweet and tangy cranberry BBQ sauce makes turkey anything but boring.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Perfect for a casual Thanksgiving vibe.
  • Easy to make with turkey breast or leftover roast turkey.
  • Built-in portion control.

Equipment You’ll Need

  • Dutch oven or slow cooker
  • Baking sheet

Serving Suggestions
Serve with coleslaw or a simple salad for balance.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
Cranberry BBQ sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Pulled turkey reheats well.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless turkey breast
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 12 slider buns
  • 2 tbsp butter

Cranberry BBQ Sauce:

  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Place turkey, onion, and broth in slow cooker. Cook 6 hours on low until tender. Shred.
  2. Mix cranberry BBQ sauce ingredients in saucepan, simmer 10 min. Toss shredded turkey with sauce.
  3. Butter slider buns and toast lightly.
  4. Fill with pulled turkey and serve.

Yield: 12 sliders