Skipping Turkey? 3 Flavor-Packed Alternatives for Your Festive Table

Terrified of preparing turkey? You’re in the right place. You could leave the turkey to us and focus on your guests.

But if you’re planning a smaller festive feast or just looking to try something different this season, you’re still in the right place! You could switch things up with a protein that’s smaller, involves less prep, but still brings big, bold flavors. In this new Ditch the Silver episode on YouTube—a channel for die-hard food lovers—hosted by our friend and food enthusiast Arva Ahmed, we’re skipping the usual turkey for Christmas and Thanksgiving to explore three juicy, flavor-packed alternatives that are perfect for cozy gatherings.

And no, we’re not turning to chicken. Instead, we’re bringing a fresh twist to the table with duck, rabbit, and quail—three tender, bold meats that are easier to prepare than turkey but add a whole new flavor experience to your festive spread. For step-by-step visuals, check out the video, where we show Arva all our secrets for cooking up a show-stopping festive spread.

1. Dry-Aged Duck with Orange Glaze

A whole roast duck, especially dry-aged, delivers succulent, crispy skin and rich flavor. This recipe serves 3-4, ideal for smaller gatherings that want a punch of flavor without the turkey fuss.

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck (about 1.8 - 2 kg / 4 - 4.4 lbs), ideally dry-aged
• 2 tbsp coarse salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 1 orange, quartered
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 Liter beef broth
• 2 carrots
• 2 large onions

For Basting:

• 1/2 lemon zest
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey

For Sauce:

• 1-2 cups fresh orange juice (about 2 medium oranges)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh rosemary and thyme
• 2 tbsp heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Season the Duck: Pat the duck dry and generously rub salt and pepper inside and out. Score the skin to help the fat render for a crisp skin.
3. Stuff the Duck: Fill the cavity with onion, orange quarters, and thyme sprigs.
4. Prepare to Roast: Tie the legs with butcher’s twine and place the duck on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour beef broth into the pan and add duck trimmings, carrots, and onions. Cover loosely with foil and roast for 1 hour.
5. Make the Glaze: Combine soy sauce, honey, and lemon zest for extra flavor.
6. Baste and Finish the Duck: After 1 hour, collect all the drippings for the sauce. Baste the duck with the glaze and roast uncovered for another 10-15 minutes to a golden finish.
7. Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan, add drippings, rosemary, thyme, beef broth, orange juice, and lemon juice. Simmer, strain, and add butter gradually until thickened, finishing with a dash of heavy cream.
8. Serve: Carve the duck and smother with the orange sauce for a festive centerpiece.

2. Egyptian-Style Rabbit Mulukhiya

Bring a taste of Egypt to the table with rabbit mulukhiya. This comforting dish is perfect for anyone looking to bring an exotic twist to their holiday feast.

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1.5 - 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 whole rabbit, cut into pieces (about 1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs)
• 3 tbsp ghee (or substitute with olive oil)
• 2 large onions, roughly chopped
• 1 head of garlic (10-12 cloves), minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 500g frozen mulukhiya leaves
• 1 tbsp coriander
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Rice (serve with cooked rice; traditionally, vermicelli rice is used)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Rabbit: Chop rabbit into arm, leg, and body sections. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the Rabbit: Heat ghee in a large pot, add the rabbit pieces, and sear on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook the Aromatics: In the same pot, add onions, sauté until golden, then add garlic for 5 minutes.
4. Simmer the Rabbit: Add the rabbit back to the pot with chicken broth. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours, until tender.
5. Add the Mulukhiya: Remove rabbit pieces and add mulukhiya. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Combine and Serve: Ladle mulukhiya over rice and top with rabbit pieces.

3. Quail Two Ways: Egyptian-Style Grilled & Hyderabadi-Style Fried

Whether grilled over charcoal with Mediterranean herbs or fried Hyderabadi-style, quail brings an adventurous yet cozy vibe to your holiday table.

Egyptian-Style Grilled Quails

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes + 1 hour marination
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 10 quails, butterflied
• 2 large onions, juiced
• 2 large tomatoes, juiced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried thyme
• 4 tbsp za'atar
• 2 lemons, juiced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil (optional, for brushing)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Quails: Butterfly each quail for even grilling.
2. Make the Marinade: Mix onion and tomato juice, garlic, thyme, za'atar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Marinate: Coat quails in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Grill: Preheat a charcoal grill, then cook quails for 6-8 minutes per side, basting with remaining marinade.
5. Serve: Enjoy the Mediterranean flavors of this smoky, tender grilled quail.

Hyderabadi-Style Fried Quails

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 10 quails, butterflied
• 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp red chili powder (to taste)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 cups beef tallow (or oil for deep frying)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Quails: Butterfly each quail.
2. Make the Marinade: Combine ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, salt, and pepper, and rub onto quails.
3. Fry the Quails: Heat beef tallow or oil to 180°C (350°F) and fry quails for 4-5 minutes per side until golden.
4. Serve: Serve hot, with lemon wedges for a spicy, aromatic addition to the feast.

Conclusion

Whether you’re grilling, frying, or roasting, these festive alternatives will bring bold flavor to your holiday table without the fuss of a full-sized turkey. For even more tips and visuals, be sure to check out our Ditch the Silver episode, where we walk through every step to make these dishes unforgettable. Now it’s time to grab your ingredients and cook up a holiday feast everyone will remember!