OK; we get it, Thanksgiving is supposed to be all about the turkey, but as pork producers, I think we all know a better way. Yes, that’s right – an evening full of purely pork. The Showpig.com crew wondered what a Thanksgiving dinner would look like without turkey, so we headed over to porkbeinspired.com. The National Pork Board’s recipes got us excited about skipping the turkey, and we’re sharing our favorites with you!

COFFEE-CRUSTED PORK ROAST WITH CRANBERRY RELISH If we’re going to ditch the bird, we decided to go ahead and forgo the canned cranberry sauce too. Who needs it when you have a coffee-crusted pork roast sidled up to a cranberry relish? This rub, which combines coffee with some bold spices, makes a deliciously dark crust. Besides the festive cranberry relish, it is suggested to be served next to sweet potatoes, good ol’ fashioned mashed potatoes or some green beans.

SPICY CRANBERRY PORK TENDERLOIN Are you picking up a pattern? We’re picking recipes that put a new spin on classic seasonal favorites. That’s why we couldn’t resist spicing up our cranberries. This quick-fix, main dish should be sprinkled with sage for a finishing touch. With classic fall flavors, it comes as no surprise that chefs recommend this plated alongside some mashed sweet potatoes mixed with butter and honey.

SWEET POTATO TART WITH CANDIED BACON AND CARAMEL SAUCE Say goodbye to the plain yams of yesterday and make it better with bacon! That’s right, these sweet potatoes get topped off with a candied bacon and caramel sauce, which successfully incorporates all of our favorite things. If you’re running short on time, you can even use store-bought crust or caramel sauce, just don’t skip the bacon. This rich dessert tastes great with a warm cup of coffee or tea.

HAM WITH BROWN SUGAR & THYME GLAZE If you can’t wait until Christmas to make your family a holiday ham, here is a great recipe laced with comforting flavors. Bobby Parrish of FlavCity, knocked it out of the park when he concocted this brown sugar and thyme glaze accented by mustard, citrus, cloves and a hint of heat.

BACON AND SWEET POTATO BISCUITS WITH SMOKY HONEY BUTTER Who will miss rolls, when you make these biscuits? You don’t even have to wait for them to rise, but we guarantee your family won’t be waiting to eat them. Pro tip – split them in half to make delicious pork sandwiches.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!