It's easy to get into a rut with the same old dishes every single holiday season. Sure, some sides are classics for a reason, but there's no reason to keep the entire menu the same.

This year, we're taking some strange recommendations from TikTok, and reinventing our menus before a potential ban comes into effect in 2025.

These turkey-themed snacks are perfect for the kids

There's simply not enough whimsy during Thanksgiving, so taking the time to make some silly snacks can really lighten the mood during an otherwise tense period.

@chefgenevieve Turkey Leg Treats🍗 #thanksgiving #friendsgiving #ThanksgivingTreats ♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

@recipes Because every Thanksgiving needs a cheesy side dish everyone actually wants to eat🦃🧀 #recipes #cheese #cheeseball #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgiving #cheeselover #turkey ♬ the best season - Amanda Rosa

That muffin tin is going to get a real workout

For some reason, everybody has focused their attention on the lowly muffin tin for this Thanksgiving, and we're not mad about it. But if it's getting this much action, we're going to need to invest in a few more tins.

@playswellwithbutterjess CRISPY-EDGED STUFFING MUFFINS⁠ 16 oz sourdough bread⁠ ½ C unsalted butter⁠ 3 stalks celery⁠ 6 cloves garlic⁠ ½ C finely chopped fresh parsley⁠ ¼ finely chopped hardy fresh herbs⁠ 1 C finely grated parmesan⁠ 2 large eggs⁠ 1-1 ½ C chicken or turkey broth/stock⁠ S&P⁠ nonstick cooking spray⁠ ⁠ shake up your holiday dinner table with stuffing muffins! ⁠ these cuties have everything you love about classic stuffing packed into perfect, individual portions: crispy edges, meltingly tender in the middle, & big, buttery flavor. the cutest way to celebrate the 2 best holidays: Thanksgiving & National Butter Day! 🧈✨ ⁠ ⁠ grab the full recipe on my site & follow for more!⁠ https://playswellwithbutter.com/stuffing-muffins/⁠ ⁠ #stuffingmuffins #thanksgivingsides #holidayrecipes #thanksgivingdinner #friendsgiving #foodtok ♬ You Send Me - Aretha Franklin

@plantyou Potato stacks 🥔#potato #potatorecipe #easyrecipe #plantbased #vegan #sidedish #thanksgivingrecipe #sidedishrecipe #easyrecipe #simplerecipe #quickrecipe #plantbased #plantbasedrecipe ♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

@saltnsprinkles NEW rosemary garlic focaccia muffins recipe just in time for thanksgiving 🤍 soft on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside, these shareable focaccia muffins are a perfect side dish to bring to thanksgiving dinner. each focaccia muffin is topped with a buttery rosemary and garlic topping that takes it to the next level! key ingredients: • active dry yeast • honey • bread flour • extra-virgin olive oil • rosemary • garlic I just posted the full recipe on my blog, click on ‘recipes’ and you can find it near the top ✨ #focaccia #focacciabread #thanksgiving #thanksgivingsides #sidedishrecipe #sidedish #breadrecipe ♬ All Mine - braev & ghosty & Afterfab

Stuffing ball so hard

Stuffing is delicious, no argument here, but this is a clever way to rethink the classic side dish. Plus, this is a smart way to ensure that nobody gets sick by accident.

@macy.blackwell Sausage Stuffing Meatballs w/ Cranberry Sauce!♥️😋 The perfect holiday appetizer! Easy, but elevated!✨ 10/10 flavor, these will be a hit at any gathering! Thanksgiving or Christmas! Inspired by the recipe from @familyfreshmeals Ingredients: - 2.5 cups stuffing (I used stovetop 🤫) - 1 lb Italian sausage - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar - 1/3 cup dried cranberries (chopped) - 2 eggs (beaten) - 1/4 cup chicken broth - Salt & Pepper - Cranberry sauce for dipping (whole berry) Directions: 1. Toss the stuffing, sausage, cheese, cranberries, eggs, chicken broth, salt, and pepper into a large bowl. 2. Mix with hands and roll into balls. 3. Bake on a greased baking sheet for 25 minutes on 375. 4. Serve with cranberry sauce for dipping! #easyrecipes #holidayrecipes #holidayappetizers #thanksgivingappetizers #christmasappetizers ♬ Cheek To Cheek - Frank Sinatra

Break out the slow cooker, but not for what you'd expect

While a whole lot of folks can only think about alcoholic drinks when the family is around, it's probably best to have something that the kids can drink too. Booze is entirely optional with this one.

@samanthabauchmann CROCKPOT THANKSGIVING CIDER // spiked optional - that way everyone can get in one the fun! INGREDIENTS: 10 cups organic apple cider (just tastes better) 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp whole cloves 3 star anise 5 cinnamon sticks 2-3 apples, sliced into rounds 2-3 oranges, sliced into quarter slices 1-1.5 cups fresh cranberries GARNISHES - quartered orange & apple slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Add all ingredients to a crockpot, stir and add lid. Cook on low for 2-3 hours. I like to put cloves and star anise in a metal tea ball to keep them from floating around in the cider. To set up bar - add garnishes to small bowls and lineup individual fireball shots (or your preferred mini liquor). When serving, fill glass 2/3 of the way full, add garnishes and flip opened fireball shot upside down into glass. As you drink, continue to pull up fireball bottle to add a little bit more liquor to the cocktail. Enjoy! #cocktailrecipes #thanksgivingdinner #dinnerparty #cider #hosting #entertaining #friendsgiving #dinnerparty #applecider #foodies #cocktails #partyideas #momof4 #momoffour #fallaesthetic #fallvibes ♬ original sound - Puro Oldies

Probably not the kind of shots you expected

Gravy shots are also family friendly, but you might want to double check the temperature first.

@thevulgarchef

Follow for more Thanksgiving recipes

♬ original sound - The Vulgar Chef

A salsa for every season

This is a spicy choice, but not just because of the chili peppers. A tart dessert salsa is an odd pick for sure, but we can't pretend like this piqued our interests.

@brunchwithbabs CRANBERRY SALSA If you need a no-bake, knock-everyone-socks-off appetizer for Thanksgiving, this is it! When I tell you I have to keep people from licking the plate, I am not kidding. This one is a winner all around—no-bake, refreshing, and festive! INGREDIENTS: 12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and drained 2 jalapeños, seeds removed 1/2 cup sugar ⅓ cup cilantro, finely chopped 3 green onions, finely sliced 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed 1 tablespoon orange juice, freshly squeezed Pinch of salt INSTRUCTIONS Add cranberries to your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Do not puree; it is nice to have small pieces of cranberry. Add jalapeños to the food processor and pulse until chopped and integrated.    Place the chopped cranberries/jalapeños in a bowl and add the sugar. Stir to combine. Add the cilantro, green onions, salt, lime and orange juice. Stir again to combine. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight.   After resting, drain the cranberry mixture. Then pour drained mixture over a block of cream cheese for serving. Alternatively, you can spread the cream cheese on a serving dish and top with the salsa. Serve with your favorite cracker. #appetizers #cranberry #salsa #thanksgiving ♬ original sound - Babs

Who doesn't want a mouthful of onions?

We know some folks really do love onions, but chomping down on a whole pearl is still fairly intense. At the very least, it'll stir up some conversation.

@susys.cozy.kitche If you’re an onion lover like me 🧅 you will love these Creamy Pearl Onions with Mushrooms. It’s a great side dish for your Thanksgiving celebrations 🦃🍽️ Full recipe available ⬇️ Ingredients 1 lb. Pearl onions 4oz Maitake mushrooms (definitely add more if you like mushrooms) 2 Sprigs fresh rosemary 5 Sprigs fresh thyme Salt and pepper to taste 4 tbsp Butter 1 tbsp Flour 4 Confit garlic cloves (you can also used roasted garlic or raw garlic) 1 cup Heavy cream 1/4 cup Red wine vinegar 1/2 cup Chicken stock or broth Parmesan cheese Cooking instructions - Start by prepping pearl onion. First place in a large bowl, add hot water let sit for 2 minutes. Meanwhile prep mushrooms by removing bottom of stalk, gently separate mushrooms and rough chop. - Remove leafs from rosemary and thyme and give a rough chop too. - Pour hot water from onions, then rinse with cold water. Cut off top and bottom of onions and gently peel off skin. Repeat till all onions are prepped. - In a hot skillet add oil, followed by onions. Let them get caramelized. Just enough to have some color while being translucent. - Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes, next add salt, pepper along with fresh thyme and rosemary. Give a quick mix then deglaze pan with red wine vinegar. - Add butter, once melted add flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Add garlic and smash down. If using raw garlic cook for 15 seconds. Pour heavy cream and chicken stock or broth. Adjust seasonings at this point if needed. - Sprinkle parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!! #thanksgiving #onion #mushrooms #sidedishes #food #cooking #foodtiktok #cookingtiktok #recipe #homemade #foodie ♬ Nothing But The Best - 2008 Remastered - Frank Sinatra

[Image: chefgenevieve, playswellwithbutterjess]