Friendsgiving is a less traditional celebration of thanks where friends, neighbors, or strangers gather around the table. Not bound by tradition, the main dish isn't reliant on turkey. Here are two of our favorite non-traditional turkey recipes, plus three alternatives to the bird, including a smart vegetarian option.

Yes, you can cook a turkey on the grill — and if you're celebrating Thanksgiving early enough in the season, the weather will be perfect for it. Spatchcocking means breaking the turkey into pieces before cooking, so there's also very little carving to be done when you'd rather be celebrating with your friends.

This is hands-down my favorite Friendsgiving turkey. It's good for first-time turkey roasters, as the bacon seasons the turkey and keeps it from drying out. It also doesn't hurt that it looks so good on the table (every single one of my siblings posted a picture of it on Instagram last November).

A true departure from tradition, lasagna can easily feed a crowd — including any vegetarian friends in your party. Lasagna at Thanksgiving has Italian-American roots and can be as special as any big ol' bird can be.

A slow cooker ham is another wonderful way to serve your friends with minimal effort. Buy a fully cooked ham and create your own glaze for warming it in the slow cooker and you'll actually make the ham better tasting and more tender. Plus, you'll have leftovers for ham sandwiches.

A pumpkin stuffed with Thanksgiving staples like bread, sausage, and savory herbs makes a show-stopping centerpiece for a small gathering. You can slice right into the pumpkin to serve up portions that are beautiful and satisifying.