This review summarizes emerging concepts related to the roles of dendritic cells (DCs) and innate immunity in organ transplant rejection. First, it highlights the primary role that recipient, rather than donor, DCs have in rejection and reviews their origin and function in the transplanted kidney. Second, it introduces the novel concept that recognition of allogeneic non-self by host monocytes (referred to here as innate allorecognition) is necessary for initiating rejection by inducing monocyte differentiation into mature, antigen-presenting DCs. Both concepts provide opportunities for preventing rejection by targeting monocytes or DCs.