25 Dinner Ideas That Aren't Chicken

Looking for some delicious and satisfying dinner ideas that aren’t chicken? Look no further! This roundup post features 25 of our favorite recipes that use a variety of different proteins, from beef to salmon to shrimp. Whether you’re in the mood for something hearty and satisfying or something light and refreshing, we’ve got you covered.

Butterfly Shrimp

Deep fried shrimp on a plate — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Butterfly shrimp is a delicious and crispy appetizer or main course that can be made in just a few simple steps. This recipe uses a three-step coating process to create a perfectly golden brown and crunchy exterior while keeping the shrimp tender and juicy. Serve with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce for a truly irresistible treat! Get the Recipe: Butterfly Shrimp

Breaded and Fried Pork Chops

Sliced fried pork chop topped with honey mustard sauce — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Fried breaded pork chops are a delicious and easy-to-make dish for a family meal. The pork chops are coated in a crunchy breading mixture and fried until golden brown. They are then served with your favorite sides. Get the Recipe: Fried Pork Chops

Pulled BBQ Pork

Hamburger bun with shredded pork cole slaw on a plate with beans — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Pulled pork is a delicious, easy-to-make barbecue dish perfect for a summer cookout. The pork is slow-roasted until it is fall-apart tender, then shredded and tossed with your favorite barbecue sauce. Get the Recipe Pulled BBQ Pork

Beef Barbacoa

Shredded beef in a bowl in front of a burrito being made — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Beef barbacoa is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a Mexican-inspired meal. The beef is slow-cooked until it is tender and shredded, and it can be used in tacos, burritos, or bowls. Get the Recipe: Beef Barbacoa

Italian Beef

This shredded beef sandwich is a delicious and easy-to-make meal for a weeknight. The beef is slow-cooked until it is tender and shredded, and it is then served on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings. Get the Recipe: Italian Beef

Stovetop Beer Brats

Bratwurst topped with braised onions on a plate — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This easy recipe for Beer Brats is made with bratwurst, beer, onions, and spices. The beer adds flavor and complexity to the brats, and the onions add sweetness. Serve these brats with your favorite toppings, and enjoy! Get the Recipe: Stovetop Beer Brats

Copycat Steak N Shake Chili Mac

chili beef and spicy ketchup topped spaghetti on a plate with crackers and a fork — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Are you missing your favorite Steak N Shake dinner and looking for a delicious and easy way to make Chili Mac at home? Look no further than this recipe! This one includes chili beef served over spaghetti noodles with the famous circle of spicy ketchup. It’ll hit the spot when the craving strikes. Get the Recipe: Copycat Steak N Shake Chili Mac

Beer Boiled Shrimp

Shrimp dusted with Old Bay in a bowl with lemon wedges — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Beer-boiled shrimp is a classic summertime dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe uses beer, water, lemon, celery, onion, and Old Bay seasoning to create a flavorful broth that the shrimp soak up. The shrimp are then cooked until pink and soaked in the beer bath. It can be served served warm or cold. Get the Recipe: Beer Boiled Shrimp

Ham and Beans

This hearty and satisfying recipe for Ham and Beans is made with white beans, ham hocks, onions, and spices. It’s perfect for a potluck or a cold winter night. Get the Recipe: Ham and Beans

Coconut Shrimp

Coconut shrimp is a crispy and flavorful dish perfect for a tropical-themed party. The shrimp are coated in a beer batter and coconut flakes and then fried until golden brown. They are then served with your favorite dipping sauce. Get the Recipe: Coconut Shrimp

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Beef with potatoes carrots and peas on a plate — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This hearty and satisfying Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe is perfect for a cold day or occasion. Made with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich gravy, this stew will warm you up from the inside out. Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Pepper Steak

Beef strips with bell peppers over rice on a plate — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This delicious and easy-to-make Pepper Steak is perfect for a weeknight meal. The beef is cooked in a flavorful sauce with bell peppers, and it’s sure to become a family favorite. Get the Recipe: Pepper Steak

Red Beans and Rice

Beans on top of rice in bowl — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This flavorful and filling Red Beans and Rice recipe is just what you need when craving a classic taste of the South. Made with simple ingredients like red beans, rice, and spices, this Southern favorite will satisfy you. Get the Recipe: Red Beans and Rice

Beef with Noodles

Beef and noodles on a plate with corn and cherry tomatoes — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This recipe for Beef and Noodles is hearty, satisfying, and easy to make. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. The homemade egg noodles add a touch of elegance and make this dish a real showstopper. Get the Recipe: Beef with Homemade Egg Noodles

Old Fashioned Butterbeans

Large lima beans in a bowl — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This recipe for Creamy Butter Beans is the tastiest way to enjoy this nutritious legume. The butter beans are cooked until they are tender and creamy, and the spices add a touch of warmth and depth. Get the Recipe: Butterbeans

Sausage and Sauerkraut

Kielbasa and sauerkraut in a bowl — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This recipe for Sausage and Sauerkraut is an old-fashioned way to get an economical dinner on the table. The sausage is cooked until it is crispy, and the sauerkraut adds a touch of tanginess. This dish is perfect for any time of year. Get the Recipe: Sausage and Sauerkraut

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe on a plate with a hot pepper pickles and chips — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This recipe for Sloppy Joes is a classic American sandwich made with ground beef cooked in a tangy and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce. The sauce is made with ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, it gives the sandwiches a delicious flavor that is both familiar and unique. These sloppy joes are perfect for a casual weeknight meal or a fun summer BBQ. Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joes

Sausage and Peppers

This recipe for Sausage and Peppers is a classic dish that’s an excellent choice for a casual weeknight meal or a potluck. The sausages are cooked until they are crispy, the peppers are tender, and the flavors of the sausage, peppers, and tomatoes come together perfectly. This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Get the Recipe: Sausage and Peppers

Crab Cakes

This recipe for Basic Crab Cakes is a simple and delicious way to enjoy fresh crab meat. The cakes are made with crabmeat, mayonnaise, bread crumbs, and spices, and they are pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. These crab cakes are perfect for a light lunch, appetizer, or a larger meal. Get the Recipe: Crab Cakes

Salisbury Steak

This recipe for Easy Salisbury Steak is a classic dish perfect for a quick dinner. The steaks are made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, and they are pan-fried until they are golden brown and juicy. These hamburger steaks are served with a rich and flavorful mushroom gravy, making this dish a real crowd-pleaser. Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak

Ground Beef Goulash

Goulash on a plate — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This Easy Ground Beef Goulash recipe is simple to make. The goulash is made with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and spices, and it is cooked until the flavors are all melded together. The noodles are cooked separately and then added to the goulash, making this dish a quick and easy option. Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Goulash

Spaghetti Aglio Olio

Garlic pasta topped with cheese mushrooms and cherry tomatoes in a bowl — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This Aglio e Olio with Mushrooms recipe is a meatless meal that’s quick and easy to make. Al dente spaghetti tossed with garlic, olive oil, and mushrooms is a simple dish that’s packed with flavor. Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio Olio

Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Garlic shrimp on pasta — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This recipe for Shrimp Scampi Pasta is quick and simple to make. It’s great for weeknight meals, date nights, or special occasions. The shrimp are cooked in a garlicky white wine sauce and served over pasta. Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Beef Vegetable Soup

Soup with beef and vegetables in a bowl — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This recipe for Beef Vegetable Soup is a hearty and soul-satisfying meal, perfect for a cold winter day. The soup is made with beef, vegetables, herbs, and spices. It is slow-cooked until the flavors are all melded together, resulting in a delicious and comforting soup. Get the Recipe: Beef Vegetable Soup

Salmon Patties

Salmon Patty on a plate — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

This Quick and Easy 3-Ingredient Salmon Patties recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy salmon. The patties are made with canned salmon, saltine crackers, and eggs and pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. These patties are perfect for a light lunch, appetizer, or a larger meal. Get the Recipe: Salmon Patties

25 No Bake Desserts

Ice cream cake topped with confetti sprinkles — Photo Credit: Pear Tree kitchen.

Summer is the perfect time for no-bake desserts. They are cool, refreshing, and easy to make, without heating up your kitchen. There are many different types of no-bake desserts to choose from, so you can find one to suit your taste. Some popular options include fruit salads, icebox cakes, and cheesecakes. No-bake desserts are also a great way to use fresh summer fruit. NO BAKE DESSERTS

15 Side Dishes That Aren’t Potatoes

Roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon — Photo Credit: Pear Tree Kitchen.

Looking for a side dish that breaks free from the traditional potato? Look no further! These non-potato side dishes are sure to add an exciting twist to your meal. From creatively prepared vegetables to rice and legumes cooked to perfection, there is something for everyone. SIDE DISHES THAT AREN’T POTATOES

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller

Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.

25 Dinner Ideas That Aren’t Chicken