Maybe instead of preparing a whole meal for yourself, just offer to bring a couple of seasonal side-dishes? I can't imagine that bringing your own meal to Thanksgiving, even if you did prepare it in advance, is likely to go over well.

Hi Becky, I posted the question. Just to clarify, I live at home so i can basically do whatever I want. My mom already knows all about this :)

It would be helpful to know more about what you DON'T like. For example, what Thanksgiving food is your mom making that you're not a fan of? Understanding that might help us make some better recommendations.

Pretty much turkey, cranberry sauce from a can, turnip.

I'm all set on the stuffing and potatoes.

I guess what i'm looking for mostly is a main course that I can substitute out for the turkey. Pasta, another meat etc.

Thanks!!

Here's a resource I turn to every holiday season, Mark Bittman's 101 Head Starts on the day.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/dining/18mini.html?pagewanted=all

Some of these are apps and desserts, and may not apply, but there are some terrific, simple, make-ahead dishes that might be able to inspire you =)

I also love The Kitchn's Meyer Lemon Grain Salad. I made it last Thanksgiving with Israeli couscous and it ended up as my main course!

i'm a vegetarian and often find that if there are enough tasty sides at holiday meals, i don't really need a main course. faith's suggestions are good - kale salad/slaw adds something green, fresh cranberry sauce is nice and fruity. why not just one more make-ahead or last minute veggie (such as green beans - you can do them quick at the last minute, or ahead of time in a salad) and rolls?

Try Eatingwell.com. They always have good, seasonal holiday recipes.

What about you and your mom making compromises about the meal you'll have so that it can turn into a nice Thanksgiving experience? Maybe she can make the cranberry sauce from scratch? Or you can do that for her. You can share with her whatever it is you end up making for yourself. You both can be grateful about the work you've put it in together.

The New York Times Well is writing about a turkey-less Thanksgiving for three weeks straight, recipes included. Maybe you can have some ideas there:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/01/a-thanksgiving-feast-no-turkeys-allowed/

Good luck!

Making your own meal is apt to cause resentment and hard feelings. I'd encourage you to take over one dish at a time and explore some options. Baked cranberry sauce (no orange!) with a bit of Chinese 5 spice powder makes everything on the table shine!

I do rolls months in advance and freeze them. For easy sides you can prep in advance- collard greens sauteed with orange juice and raisins; cubed sweet potato sauteed with rosemary and mixed with ricotta and parmesan. Just pop your turkey in the oven when you wake up Thanksgiving morning. Warm everything else up 30 minutes before meal time. Done!

yes, collard greens or even a kale salad, as faith suggested are good for some greens. maybe a veggie soup as your "main" filling meal as well, it will pair well with the mashed potatoes and stuffing.

its silly to say not liking traditional t-day food will cause resentment with your mom. besides whatever you make can be shared with everyone

What about something like this? Could be good for a main dish substitue http://www.shutterbean.com/nutstuffed-delicata-squash/

You live at home so you can do wahtever you want? hmmm, I don't really understand what this means.

I think it's not a very nice thing to make something just for yourself on a holiday meant for sharing and community and being thankful. How about just passing up the parts you don't like and contributing something of your own to the meal?

I'm laughing to myself because I once asked a similar question when my SIL asked everyone to bring a dish/she wanted us to contact her so she could keep track.

Me: "Hey, I've thought of some ideas for what I can bring for Thanksgiving - some nice roasted veggies, maybe some maple glazed carrots... (several other really awesome/fresh suggestions)."

Response: "I thought you could bring a green bean casserole."

Me: ...

[stunned silence because I don't even want to go near that glop and certainly didn't want my name attached to a completely revolting dish.]
And yes, I just brought the casserole and ate everyone else's food. Ick.

Spaghetti squash with brown butter and sage? You can roast the squash (whole! Just poke some holes in it and scoop out the seeds later) well in advance. It would just need a quick jump in the skillet with the brown butter and a little toasted sage. I love roasted sweet potatoes with pecans - those can also be made in advance and just popped in the oven to warm back up for a few minutes.

I think anything made with bacon (creamed cabbage with bacon?) would make an excellent substitute for turkey.

If you go for cranberry sauce, try stirring in some pomegranate seeds after it's chilled. It adds sweetness and an extra pop of ruby red color. So pretty!

Spaghetti squash with brown butter and sage? You can roast the squash (whole! Just poke some holes in it and scoop out the seeds later) well in advance. It would just need a quick jump in the skillet with the brown butter and a little toasted sage. I love roasted sweet potatoes with pecans - those can also be made in advance and just popped in the oven to warm back up for a few minutes.

I think anything made with bacon (creamed cabbage with bacon?) would make an excellent substitute for turkey. Or maybe some baked beans (very New England) with extra bacon? Or you could go a bit south of the border, but still seasonal, and do black beans with pumpkin. *nom*

If you go for cranberry sauce, try stirring in some pomegranate seeds after it's chilled. It adds sweetness and an extra pop of ruby red color (plus a bit of crunch). So pretty!

keltrue, that happened to me as well! I offered to bring mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, butterhorn rolls.... and was assigned chips and dip and green bean casserole! What really sent it over the top for me was the fact that the mashed potatoes on the table were from a box and the cranberry sauce was from a can. Also, my made-over green bean casserole (sans cream of mushroom) was received with complete confusion. But I ate up happily and smiled all the way through--it's Thanksgiving after all, it's about sharing the experience with loved ones.
I'm with the other folks here who believe that bringing your own meal to Thanksgiving dinner, even when it's in your own house, puts a damper on the spirit of the holiday. If I were in your boat, I'd contribute a hearty side (heavy on the squash or grains or something meaty like mushrooms) that could fill you up as a main, and be sure not to sneer at the turkey!

I love this recipe from Rachel Ray - Portobello Mushroom Shepard's pie. I use mostly parsnips instead of potatoes, and lots of kale. It's really amazing, and people always love it.

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=3607

What about making some autumn flavored ravioli or manicotti? That is a great dish for you and can be shared nicely with others.