Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

(Post Updated 11-14-25)

Are you planning for a meatless Thanksgiving dinner? Holiday planning can be stressful, especially if you’ve got a large group to entertain.

Every year, it’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, that little reminder voice inside my head says, “You’d better get organized soon!”

If I wait until the last minute—grabbing ingredients on a whim, winging the menu, feeling uneasy about whether I’d pulled together enough side dishes, or worse—running out of time to enjoy the process.

The truth is, if I’m pressed for time, I miss the joy of cooking and connecting with family.

Perhaps you’ve felt this way, too.

Plan Ahead

Over the years, I’ve learned that doing a few small things ahead of schedule can completely change how the holiday feels. If I jot down a quick list, taking a little time to look through the pantry, or picking out a couple of must-make recipes—those tiny steps create a sense of calm and help the whole week go more smoothly. Instead of feeling like another chore, the holiday starts to actually feel enjoyable.

Then I can enjoy cooking and anticipate when everyone gathers. And when you swap in vibrant, whole-food, plant-based dishes—it doesn’t matter who’s around your table—you’ll be serving up something delicious, memorable, and stress-free.

A thoughtfully planned plant-based Thanksgiving doesn’t mean giving up flavor. In fact, it often brings even more flavor. When you have a little space to breathe and aren’t rushing at the last minute, cooking becomes something you look forward to.

Take a Deep Breath

Before you dive into the recipe round-up: take a breath, set an intention now, and decide on one or two things you’ll check off this week (scan the pantry, pick one side dish and one dessert, and delegate a side dish to a willing guest). I hope that you won’t just get through Thanksgiving dinner—but actually enjoy it. Ready to take the stress out of your holiday? Let’s get cooking…

Additional Recipes Here

Thanksgiving Main & Side Dishes Roundup for ideas from other vegan recipe bloggers.
Thanksgiving Dessert Roundup for a sweet finish to your meal.
Plantricious Thanksgiving Roundup (no oil)

"Plant-Based Thanksgiving Menu Ideas Article by Diane Smith of Plantbasedcooking.com"

Savor the flavors of fall harvest and mix and match to suit your preferences. I hope you enjoy the day with family or friends and are grateful for, among other things, the wonderful bounty of food that’s available.

PLANT-BASED THANKSGIVING MENU IDEAS

Wishing You and Yours a Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you enjoy these recipes, not only at Thanksgiving but year-round. I would love to hear from you if you’ve made these dishes for your family. What did everyone think? Was there a group favorite?

What other kinds of Thanksgiving recipes would you like to see? Please let me know in the comments below or via social media so I can start working on adding new dishes for next year.

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