The Ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner Guide According to Chefs

As families around the country once again begin planning their Thanksgiving dinner menus, what better time to ask the experts for their advice? How do chefs go about planning this most essential holiday meal? 

We ran a survey and sought the advice of over 100 professional chefs on planning the perfect Thanksgiving dinner menu, getting their opinions on the most contentious Thanksgiving topics (sweet potato for dessert, anyone?) as well as tips for home cooks of all experience levels. Now that the results are in, we're delighted to share the ultimate chef-led guide to planning the perfect Thanksgiving dinner menu.

 Jump to Section

• How To Plan a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu With a Small Kitchen
• Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Tips To Save Time
• Preparing Turkey for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
• Side Dishes for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
• What Thanksgiving Desserts To Serve According to Chefs
• Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
• Multicultural Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas
• What To Drink With Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

How To Plan a Thanksgiving Dinner Menu With a Small Kitchen

We’ll start with tips for those with small kitchens. This one is key since we understand that most won’t have the luxury of multiple ovens and a bain marie! Fear not, though. With more than 43 years of experience in the industry, including 28 years as a culinary teacher, Chef Denis knows a thing or two about how to make the most out of your kitchen space. “It’s important not to overthink this,” he says. “You can do a dinner for eight very easily in a small kitchen!”

Scottsdale-based Chef Jeff, who brings more than 30 years’ experience to the Thanksgiving table, says, “The number one key to cooking a Thanksgiving meal in a smaller spaced area is mapping out your plan — long fire items must be prepared first! You can prep the items that take a shorter amount of time to be cooked as the turkey is roasting. After it’s out and resting, that’s when you can finish up the side items so that everything is finished at the same time.”

Prep Ahead of Time

This is probably one you’ve already heard, but we’ll say it again: prep is key, especially when it comes to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Ensuring you’re fully prepped ahead of time means you can do one thing at a time if that’s all you have space for.

“You can make your greens and dressing or stuffing the night before,” says Chef Jeff. “Especially the dressing or stuffing, because it’s better the next day and works well with reheating. The greens can also be blanched the day before for a shorter cooking time.”

Chef Denis agrees with this, adding that you can also make Thanksgiving dinner menu items like fruit salad and frutti de mare in advance. “You can also prepare soup two to three days ahead and serve it with no issues and you can even make your mashed potatoes the day before and simply warm them in the microwave.”

“With a little planning,” says Chef Denis, “you can just reheat your sides and only need to roast the turkey on Thanksgiving.” This will free you up to enjoy Thanksgiving activities with your loved ones instead of spending the whole day cooking. 

To help you plan your Thanksgiving dinner menu, here’s a rundown of some timings you should consider. All of these are geared towards making the day go as smoothly as possible, no matter how big your kitchen space is, helping you avoid any turkey day blunders!

The Day Before

• If any of your Thanksgiving dinner menu dishes are frozen, transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight. This includes casseroles and desserts. 
• Any Thanksgiving dinner menu sides that haven’t yet been made, such as stuffing, casseroles or dressing, should be made the day before, ready for baking on the day.
• Chop your vegetables, prep your bread rolls (if making them yourself) and make your gravy.
• Make a list! Work out all of the timings for your Thanksgiving dinner menu, including the turkey, and have them jotted down in order. The list should map out Thanksgiving day in as much detail as possible, down to the time you set your morning alarm.

Thanksgiving Morning

• Remove your turkey from the fridge, allowing it to sit for two hours at room temperature before placing it in the oven.
• Once ready, place your turkey in the oven, allowing enough time for it to roast. At 350°F, an unstuffed turkey should be roasted for around 13 minutes per pound. For a stuffed turkey, allow around 15 minutes per pound. 
• Get your tableware sorted, set the table and ensure any centerpieces are arranged.
• Ensure your drinks are in the fridge to chill. 

3 to 4 Hours Before Dinner

• Now’s the time to assemble your appetizers and any side dishes not yet ready. Plan to reheat any hot dishes an hour before you sit down for dinner.

2 Hours Before Dinner

• If your guests have arrived, begin serving appetizers or canapés and drinks.
• Allow prepared dishes that were placed in the fridge but still need baking, such as casseroles or stuffing, to rise to room temperature.
• Prepare any turkey alternatives for cooking or place them in the oven if they have around a two-hour cooking time.

1 Hour Before Dinner

• Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for an hour. This helps all the juices redistribute through the meat, ensuring they stay in the meat when you carve. It also gives the muscle fibers a chance to relax, ensuring a perfectly succulent turkey.
• Reheat your casseroles and other hot dishes in the oven, adjusting the oven temperature as necessary.

30 Minutes Before Dinner

• It’s time to carve the turkey! Only carve as much as you need for each guest. Any slices not used are likely to dry out.
• If you’re serving a salad with your Thanksgiving dinner menu, it’s time to make that as well. Make it any earlier and it’s likely to lose freshness. 

15 Minutes Before Dinner

• Boil or steam any vegetables that are not being roasted.
• Remove any remaining dishes from the oven and set out your banquet for your guests to admire.
• All that’s left to do is grab some fresh air (all that cooking is warm work!), compose yourself and rejoin your guests. Taking a small break in the fresh air is sure to help you relax, leaving you refreshed and ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

Consider an Alternative to Turkey

If space is at a premium in your kitchen, roasting a turkey with everything else that goes into a Thanksgiving dinner menu may seem like a daunting task. As we'll discover later, it is possible, but if you do decide that roasting a whole bird will require too much space, there are plenty of alternative options to try in place of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu centerpiece.

If the traditionalist in you wants to see a bird at the center of your Thanksgiving dinner menu, why not opt for a chicken instead? Much smaller than the typical Thanksgiving turkey, a chicken takes up far less space in the oven and takes much less time to cook.

Alternatively, why not take a leaf out of Chef Emmanuelle's book? Drawing on decades of experience and known for her innovative approach to show-stopping cuisine, Chef Emmanuelle is well-versed in making the most out of the available space. “For a faster and more space-efficient alternative to turkey,” she suggests, “consider a vegan option. It’s often oven-friendly for smaller kitchens and requires less preparation time.”

If you’re considering a like-for-like vegan swap, plant-based protein brand, Tofurky, makes some delicious roasts that perfectly substitute the traditional turkey with a vegan-friendly alternative. Or, if you’re happy to break the mold, why not consider baking a delicious vegan pot pie? With an impossibly flaky crust, tender vegetables and soothing, herby sauce, this dish is the very essence of comfort food.  

Try Alternative Turkey Cooking Methods

Even if turkey is a must on your Thanksgiving dinner menu, you could always consider a non-traditional way of cooking it, saving your oven space for other items. For those with limited kitchen space, a sous vide could be a viable alternative, especially since the sous vide pot needn’t sit in your kitchen. Provided that’s in a safe location where it’s not likely to trip anybody up, you can have your turkey gently cooking well out of the way of everything else. 

Alternatively, opting to serve a smaller turkey or a turkey crown can help save valuable oven space. A smaller bird will also take less time to cook, allowing you to cook more Thanksgiving dinner menu items without the agonizing cook time of a large turkey. 

Add an Element of Potluck

Another recommendation from Chef Denis (which we love) is to ask your friends or family to contribute to your Thanksgiving dinner menu by planning a potluck. Of course, you don’t want eight different variations of the same dish, so as Denis says, “ask [each person] to bring something specific.”

You could ask everyone to bring a certain dish. Alternatively, start a group chat or similar line of communication so everyone knows what is being prepared already, avoiding the chance of duplicate dishes.

Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Tips To Save Time

We’ve covered some tips from professionals to help you prepare the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner menu in smaller kitchens. But what about time savers? Whether or not you have the luxury of a big kitchen, time is of the essence, especially when you have a crowd of hungry guests waiting in the next room.

One of the best ways to save time when cooking a Thanksgiving dinner is to prepare as many dishes as possible ahead of time. Whether you cook the dish in full, ready to reheat at dinner time, or simply prep all the ingredients before cooking them on the day, cooking prep can save you hours on Thanksgiving. Another option (that may not be for everyone!) is buying certain dishes at the store. 

Thanksgiving Dishes To Make Ahead of Time

While a golden, juicy turkey is the crowning glory for many Thanksgiving dinner menus, it’s nothing without the sides that go with it. With that in mind, we asked chefs which dishes you can make ahead of the holiday to help save on time. 

• Stuffing: Over 61% of chefs recommended making stuffing ahead of time. While cooked stuffing reheats well, prepping the dish up to the point when you put it in the oven and then cooking it on Thanksgiving right before serving is also a good method to follow. 
• Mashed Potatoes: Over 37% of professional chefs suggested whipping up mashed potatoes before the main day. As mentioned above by Chef Denis, mashed potatoes can easily be reheated in the microwave, getting them dinner table-ready in minutes. 
• Pie: Over 85% of chefs recommended making your Thanksgiving dinner menu pie ahead of time. 
• Gravy: Over 47% of expert chefs recommended preparing your gravy before the big day.
• Brussels Sprouts: Only 21% of chefs recommended preparing your Brussels ahead of the holiday. However, to save a bit of time, you can prep the sprouts (cut and wash them) and store them in the fridge for a few hours until needed. Then cook them using your desired recipe right before serving.
• Casserole: If you like to serve a casserole with your Thanksgiving dinner menu, more than 62% of chefs suggested making it ahead, saving you precious time on the holiday itself.

Which Thanksgiving Dishes Are Okay To Buy From the Store?

One obvious way to save yourself time when preparing your Thanksgiving dinner menu is to buy some ready-made dishes from the store. In case you’re wondering whether any chef worth their salt would buy anything from the store as part of their Thanksgiving dinner menu — the answer is yes! 

Comfortably reassured? Here are some of the store-bought Thanksgiving dishes chefs recommend buying to help save you time.

• Cranberry Sauce: Over 36% of chefs said it’s absolutely okay to buy pre-made cranberry sauce from the store. 
• Gravy: If you’re short on time, over 14% of chefs said that store-bought gravy will do the trick.
• Bread Rolls: Given that 55% of professional chefs said it’s okay to buy store-bought bread rolls, why spend your time making them from scratch?
• Pie: If you have a family recipe that’s been passed down through generations, this may not be for you. If not, nearly 22% of chefs said it’s okay to buy a pre-made pie from the store.

The Best Stores To Buy Pre-Made Thanksgiving Dishes

As we've already established, there are plenty of Thanksgiving dinner menu dishes you can buy ready-made from the store, and unless you have lots of spare time and the equipment required to make everything from scratch, buying a few pre-made dishes can really save you precious time and effort. After all, Thanksgiving is about quality time with your loved ones. Why squander it trying to make your whole menu from scratch?

To help you decide where to buy them from, we asked the chefs, "If you've ever bought pre-made Thanksgiving dishes, where did you buy them from?" Here's how they answered.  

• Whole Foods: Over 22%  
• Cracker Barrel: Over 3%
• Costco: Over 23%
• Kroger: Over 4%
• Trader Joe’s: Over 11%

Preparing Turkey for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

When it comes to preparing a traditional Thanksgiving menu, there are few more hotly contested topics than how to prepare a turkey. As the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving dinner menus, ensuring a perfectly moist turkey is critical. 

While the majority of chefs agree that roasting is the best method for a turkey on a traditional Thanksgiving menu, the numbers are far from conclusive. In fact, of the chefs who answered, our survey showed that more than 25% prefer to fry, sous vide or even smoke their Thanksgiving dinner turkey. 

For example, Chef Kymberly, who is constantly educating herself on new ingredients and cooking techniques, actually prefers alternative methods, saying, “I believe fried turkey is the best method. With crispy skin and juicy meat, it’s so delicious! Also, it takes away the boring traditional vibe of turkey at Thanksgiving.”

This should be reassuring to those hoping to break the mold and put a unique spin on their Thanksgiving dinner menu. Especially if you’ve had issues with roasting in the past, trying an alternative method to prepare your Thanksgiving dinner menu bird could prove to be a game changer!

What Is the Best Temperature for Cooking Your Turkey?

To help you plan cooking times for your Thanksgiving menu, we asked the chefs which temperature they’d recommend for the majority of cooking time, and the results may surprise you. Now, it’s worth saying that cooking temperature will inevitably impact cooking time (and vice versa). What’s more, the best time and temperature will also depend on the size of your bird and whether you decide to dress or brine your turkey (more on this shortly). 

Of the chefs who answered this question, the majority agreed that 325° Fahrenheit is the best temperature to cook turkey. However, when we say “majority,” we mean just 36%. 31% of the group recommended 350° Fahrenheit, with the remaining 33% split between 275, 375 and 400° Fahrenheit. In other words, if you were hoping for the chefs to solve this age-old Thanksgiving dinner menu quandary once and for all, the decision remains yours to make.

Whichever cooking temperature you settle on, one thing all chefs agree on is to ensure it’s thoroughly cooked. After all, the last thing you want people to remember your Thanksgiving dinner for is food poisoning! To be safe, monitor your turkey’s internal temp regularly and only take your Thanksgiving dinner menu centerpiece to the table once it has reached the correct temperature. 

If you don’t have a thermometer, it’s time to get one! Especially if a large turkey forms the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner menu, a good thermometer is a Thanksgiving essential that no cook should be without.

Options are endless, from those that you leave in to monitor the meat’s temperature, to those that provide a super-quick temperature reading. Ideally, have both on hand, saving the instant-read thermometer to “spot check” the turkey in different places and ensure an even cook.

When Preparing the Turkey, Should You Brine, Season or Both?

If you’re planning a Thanksgiving dinner menu that centers around a turkey, it’s not enough to just have it beautifully golden on the outside. The real test — as any chef will tell you — is how moist it is inside and how it tastes. There are a few things you can do to help improve the moistness and taste of the bird, including brining and seasoning. 

Brining is the practice of soaking your meat in salted water. As the turkey absorbs the salt, it improves its ability to retain moisture when cooked and adopts an incredible flavor right down to the bone. Seasoning, meanwhile, can involve other ingredients aside from salt, and while these can add a delicious finish to the bird’s flavor, they are unlikely to penetrate past the skin. 

Therefore, it’s unsurprising that 61% of the surveyed chefs said they prefer to both brine and season the turkey when planning their Thanksgiving dinner menus. “The benefits of brining allow you to impart flavor down into the bone of a normally boring turkey,” says Chef Jeff, “so it’s a very beneficial step to ensure the breast and wings remain as flavorful as the darker meat.” 

How to Brine Your Turkey

“All you have to do is remember the ratio 6:1:1,” says Chef Nancy. “Six parts water to one part each of salt and sugar. I learned this formula at America’s Test Kitchen and have been using it for many years. You can start brining the turkey from frozen (just account for about one cup of water when the turkey thaws), and one of the easiest ways to do it is in a cooler.”

Once your turkey has been brined (either overnight or until thawed), throw out the brine and rinse your turkey. Finally, pat it dry and it’s ready to prepare for roasting.

How to Season Your Turkey

While brining your turkey is clearly the “chefs’ choice,” that’s not to say that you can’t get creative with the seasonings once the brining is complete. In need of some inspiration? We’ll defer once more to Chef Nancy. Growing up in the Philippines and known as the “Adobo Queen,” she puts a delicious multi-cultural twist on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. 

“First, I puncture the whole turkey with garlic slivers, before placing lemon and bay leaves in the cavity. Then I massage the turkey with lemon and soy sauce, salt, pepper and paprika.” For an extra dose of flavor, Nancy then injects the turkey with an Adobo marinade, made of soy sauce, lemon juice and oyster sauce. 

Side Dishes for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

If you’ve yet to plan your Thanksgiving dinner menu, then you’ll likely be interested to know which Thanksgiving foods get the chefs’ seal of approval. Specifically, which sides do they recommend? Should you serve cranberry sauce with turkey? Is mac and cheese really a Thanksgiving dinner menu side dish? Are there any traditional side dishes that the experts think we should do away with altogether? 

Do You Recommend Serving Cranberry Sauce at Thanksgiving?

The answers from the chefs to this particular question left little room for negotiation. In fact, over 90% of them answered with a resounding “yes,” so if you had any doubts as to whether you should include cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving dinner menu, you have your answer.

Is Macaroni and Cheese a Thanksgiving Side Dish?

Ah, if only all Thanksgiving dinner menu debates were as easily settled! While the overwhelming majority of chefs agree that cranberry sauce is a must-include Thanksgiving side, the answer to this question is far from clear.

Although, for many, mac and cheese is an essential vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe, when asked whether it should be considered a Thanksgiving dinner menu side dish, our pool of professionals was virtually split down the middle. 52% answered yes, while 48% completely disagreed. In other words, it’s up to you! 

Sweet Potato: Is It a Side Dish or a Dessert?

If you believe that we eat dessert at the end of each meal in order to save the best until last, then this one may seem ironic. In fact, over 80% chefs said that sweet potato is best used as a side dish vs. dessert. 

If, like us, you’re wondering whether you should just ignore this and incorporate sweet potato into your Thanksgiving dinner menu as both a side and dessert, then why not? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Sweet Potato Sides

Consider making delicious sweet potato biscuits. Requiring just eight ingredients and ready in nine simple steps, these are a great autumn side dish and perfect for soaking up excess gravy and turkey juices.

Alternatively, why not try hasselback sweet potatoes? An easy way of adding some pro-level presentation to your Thanksgiving dinner menu and requiring just four ingredients, this recipe results in a delicious side that’s crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy within. 

Sweet Potato Desserts

If you’ve gone to the effort of crafting the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner menu with the advice of chefs, why let it down with a lackluster dessert? Instead, serve your guests a show-stopping slice of sweet potato cheesecake. While 86% of surveyed chefs say this sweetened spud should be served as a side, we think this recipe is one of many exceptions to the rule. The same can be said for these decadent sweet potato brownies.

What Is the Best Vegetable for a Thanksgiving Side?

Out of Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, green beans and butternut squash, sprouts and sweet potatoes had an equal majority share of votes from our experts, each voted for by just over 30% of the chefs. 26% voted for green beans and just over 13% voted for butternut squash.

Which Thanksgiving Side Dishes Should We Do Away With?

This next question was bound to throw up some controversial answers, but we felt it was important. One very obvious way to save on time (and space!) when preparing your Thanksgiving dinner menu is to do away with non-essential dishes. But which should you choose? 

We asked specifically about green bean casserole, stuffing or dressing, sweet potatoes or yams, mashed potatoes and, yes, macaroni and cheese. The result? Well, unfortunately, you’ll have to make up your own mind on this one, because all of the above dishes were voted for by at least some chefs as strong candidates for the Thanksgiving equivalent of Room 101. 

Green Bean Casserole

Perhaps the most surprising finding in this part of the survey (depending on how you feel about the dish) is that over 60% of chefs said they’d do away with green bean casserole. Of course, we don’t expect you to take every piece of advice here, and if you’re among the many who staunchly believe green bean casserole deserves an appearance on your Thanksgiving dinner menu, then good for you. 

If you want to enjoy this classic dish and are looking for a new recipe, why not give this keto green bean casserole a go? Ideal for any holiday celebration, this moreish dish features a lusciously cheesy mushroom sauce, bacon and green beans, all topped with a delightfully crispy low-carb topping. 

Alternatively, serve green beans in a slightly different way with a dish like green bean almondine. With caramelized and toasted onions, this light side provides a delicious alternative to the classic casserole, one that pairs perfectly with traditional Thanksgiving dinner menus. 

Mashed Potatoes

Would you believe that nine chefs said they’d do away with mashed potatoes? Well, they did! Now, given that those chefs accounted for a little over 10% of our pool, we think it’s likely you’ll be holding fast on this one and ensuring that those glorious, pillowy mounds of potato are included in some form on your Thanksgiving dinner menu. 

This is also a dish that can easily made friendly for those following plant-based diets. If you’ve never tried this before, this recipe for vegan mashed potatoes couldn't be easier. With hints of garlic and velvety vegan butter, this is a side dish your plant-based pals will absolutely love.

If dietary restrictions needn’t factor into your plans for mash, then these cheesy mashed potatoes are also worth adding to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Super simple and oh-so-delicious, with a whopping two cups of sharp cheddar cheese, be sure to memorize this recipe as your guests will want to jot it down.

Stuffing

In many households, stuffing will hold the same status of necessity as other key ingredients like cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, even the turkey! And while 12% of chefs said they’d do away with stuffing at Thanksgiving, we don’t believe for a second that the majority of you are likely to heed that advice. 

Instead, let us point you in the direction of some ideas to help elevate this quintessential Thanksgiving dinner menu side. For plant-based eaters, this sourdough-packed vegan stuffing recipe is sure to please. Alternatively, try this sumptuous sausage stuffing recipe, featuring sweet and delicate cornbread and spicy Italian sausage for a hearty contrast of flavors that’s perfect for rounding out your savory Thanksgiving spread.  

What Thanksgiving Desserts To Serve According to Chefs

Are you going all out this year with your Thanksgiving dinner menu? If so, you’ll also want to know what our expert chefs have to say about Thanksgiving desserts. 

After all, for guests with a sweet tooth, your dessert has the potential to make or break their day! From the quintessential Thanksgiving pie and which stores sell the best ready-made pie crust, to whether or not sweet potato should be classed as a side dish or dessert, here’s what the chefs had to say.

What Is the Quintessential Thanksgiving Pie?

You may well be thinking, “Surely pumpkin pie is the most quintessential pie for a Thanksgiving dinner menu!” In some ways, you’d be right. In fact, over 51% of chefs would agree.

What’s interesting, however, is that the remaining 49% of the surveyed chefs were split pretty evenly between pecan, apple and sweet potato. Of those three, 19% of chefs chose sweet potato, 17% chose apple and 11% chose pecan as their quintessential Thanksgiving pie.

What Is the Best Store-Bought Pie Crust?

As we’ve already covered, sometimes it’s important to throw your pride aside and save some time with some ready-made store-bought alternatives. One such alternative that could save you a lot of time and effort is pie crust. If you’re looking for a way to save time on your Thanksgiving dinner menu without sacrificing  quality when pie time rolls around, these are the store-bought pie crusts the surveyed chefs recommend most:

• Pillsbury: With the greatest share of votes (36%), Pillsbury takes the cake when it comes to chef-recommended store-bought pie crust.
• Marie Callender’s: Just over 24% of chefs voted Marie Callender’s as selling the best ready-made pie crust.
• Trader Joe’s: If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, you’ll be pleased to know that nearly 28% of professional chefs recommended the chain’s ready-made pie crust.
• Kroger: Around 3% of chefs voted for Kroger, so if you’re in a pinch, a trip here could be worthwhile.
• Happy Belly: With a name that should encourage you, Happy Belly’s pre-made pie crust gets a stamp of approval from 8% of chefs.

Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Many home cooks who have never prepared vegan meals in the past, or who have always deferred to ready-made store-bought dishes to feed their vegan guests, may find the prospect of preparing their own vegan food quite daunting. It shouldn’t be. In fact, almost 60% of surveyed chefs include vegan options as part of their Thanksgiving dinner menus. If the experts are doing it, then maybe you should, too!

A seasoned culinary professional with a passion for elevated vegan cuisine (not to mention her own vegan cookbook and experience as host of a culinary TV show) Chef Adina likes to include a variety of hearty, flavorful vegan dishes for her Thanksgiving dinner menu. But what if you don’t have experience cooking vegan cuisine?

“Start with familiar dishes,” says Chef Adina. “Many sides like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies and stuffing can be made vegan with simple swaps like plant-based butter or milk. You can also use flavorful vegetable broth,” she expands, which “adds depth to stuffing, soups and gravy, ensuring rich flavors without the need for animal products.” 

“Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage, along with garlic and other spices, can elevate simple plant-based ingredients into something special,” says Chef Adina. “Thanksgiving can still feel traditional and indulgent with plant-based options, and they’re easy and accessible for any level of cook!”

Looking for some more vegan Thanksgiving recipes to make the most of your chosen plant-based ingredients? Here are some top recommendations, including a few from professional chefs, all of which are sure to add some vegan culinary flair to your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

Vegan Meatloaf

Flavor-packed with herbs and vegetables, this vegan meatloaf is a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner menu idea for vegans. Made in just six simple steps, with a number of ingredients you’re likely to have in the cupboard already, this would make the perfect substitute for the traditional turkey. 

Autumn Salad

Another idea, this time from Chef Adina, is to add a big salad to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. “A hearty autumn salad with mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, pecans and a tangy balsamic dressing can be an easy crowd-pleaser!”

Roasted Vegetables

This is a classic and, chances are, you’re already considering this for your vegan Thanksgiving dinner menu. Chef Adina recommends “A medley of seasonal veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots and sweet potatoes, roasted with olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs.”

Seitan Roast

If you’ve never heard of seitan, it’s time to pay attention. Made from wheat gluten and mimicking the flavor and texture of chicken, this plant-based favorite is the perfect ingredient with which to get creative, especially if you’re stuck for vegan Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas. 

To keep things simple, you can buy your seitan ready-made. However, it’s what you do with it next that’ll leave your guests craving more. Chef Emmanuelle suggests a delicious marinade of vegetable broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, dried sage and thyme, garlic powder and onion powder. 

“In a small bowl, whisk the ingredients together before pouring the marinade over your seitan loaf. Let it absorb the flavors for 30 minutes, then simply roast for 30 to 40 minutes, or until heated through.”

Lemon Curd Tart

Cleanse your guests’ palate with this lemon curd tart recipe, featuring a shortbread crust and a dreamy lemon curd filling. Made with coconut milk and fresh lemon juice, it adds an element of sweet and zesty comfort to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Just be sure to have a pen and paper handy — your guests are sure to want the recipe!

Sugared Cranberries

Putting the turkey aside (which, if you’re vegan, you will), what food is more synonymous with Thanksgiving than cranberry? Adding a delightful holiday twist to this versatile berry, these sugared cranberries are sweet treats that taste every bit as good as they look. 

Multicultural Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas

Are you feeling the urge to inject some flavors from far-flung soil into your Thanksgiving dinner menu? Doing so can add an exciting element to your holiday table, and you’re sure to delight your guests by breaking away from the traditional. But where do you start? To help, we asked professional chefs.

“Introducing spices like cumin, turmeric, sumac or lemongrass,” says Chef Adina, “can transport a familiar dish to another region.” She also suggests mixing and matching flavors. “Try pairing traditional American staples like mashed potatoes with globally inspired sauces, like chimichurri from Argentina or harissa from North Africa.”

Of course, you may well have your own cultural heritage to draw on, whether it’s a special dish or a unique way of serving food. If you don’t already, drawing on your own family heritage is a fantastic way to add a meaningful, multicultural twist to your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

Whichever direction you go in, says Chef Adina, “a multicultural Thanksgiving is a beautiful way to honor the diverse flavors and culinary wisdom from around the world, making the dinner even more inclusive and memorable.”

So, how about some specifics? Which regions do chefs recommend looking to for inspiration? Here are a few you could consider for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner menu.

Filipino Flavors

Chef Nancy, A.K.A the “Adobo Queen,” has some other ideas to help shake up your Thanksgiving dinner menu with some multicultural twists. “In the past, I’ve made ‘relleno stuffing’,” she explains. “This consists of ground meats with chorizo, canned bell peppers, raisins, cheese cubes, sweet pickles and pickle juice, plus chopped ham, eggs and Mama Sita’s Lumpiang Shanghai seasoning mix as a binder.”

If you’re wondering how you can inject some sweet Filipino flavor into your Thanksgiving dinner menu, try a vegan chocolate pudding recipe. Adapted from a Philippine recipe, it’s a decadent crowd-pleaser that everybody can enjoy.

Mediterranean Feast

If you love the Mediterranean, chances are that it has something to do with the food. To add a Mediterranean twist to your Thanksgiving dinner menu, Chef Adina suggests replacing the traditional turkey with a vegan Moussaka or a stuffed eggplant filled with rice herbs and pine nuts.

On the side, opt for hummus, baba ganoush and tabbouleh, alongside grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs. Finally, for dessert, round off your Thanksgiving dinner menu with a refreshing orange and almond cake, baklava or indulgent baklava cheesecake.

Asian Fusion Thanksgiving

“Swap the traditional turkey for a vegan miso-glazed tofu or a flavorful Thai green curry with vegetables and coconut milk,” suggests Chef Adina. “Serve spring rolls with peanut sauce or a vibrant mango and papaya salad, or add a twist to mashed potatoes with the addition of wasabi, adding a hint of heat. Finish with a creamy matcha cheesecake or coconut sticky rice with mango.”

Fancy adding some Asian-Fusion flavors to your Thanksgiving dinner menu? If so, why not whip up a Thai red curry? Packed with vegetables and creamy with coconut milk, it’s sure to delight guests with its vibrant colors and flavor. Go all out and kick your Thanksgiving dinner menu off with some crunchy shrimp rolls, the perfect Asian alternative to the classic shrimp cocktail!

Indian-Inspired Thanksgiving

Instead of a traditional roast, why not consider a vegan lentil dhal or a rich, creamy chana masala (chickpea curry) for your Thanksgiving dinner menu? On the side, says Chef Adina, “Serve spiced sweet potatoes, samosas filled with peas and potatoes, and raita with vegan yogurt, cucumber and mint.” For dessert, she adds, “Try vegan gulab jamun (sweet fried dough soaked in syrup) or a decadent mango lassi cheesecake.”

If this sounds like an exciting Thanksgiving dinner menu alternative, recipes you could try include these chicken pakoras, an appetizer featuring succulent chicken thighs, battered and filled with herbs and spices. For the main course, if you like Chef Adina’s suggestion of a dhal, this dal tadka recipe is not only delicious, it’s also highly nutritious and takes just 40 minutes to prepare. 

What To Drink With Your Thanksgiving Dinner Menu

This is a big one, and we’ll start by saying that there’s no right or wrong answer. It ultimately boils down to personal preference and the crowd you’re entertaining. For example, if you’re hosting your pals and are looking for the best Friendsgiving food ideas, you may wish to add some alcoholic cocktails to your list. 

Of course, if some of your guests are planning to drive, they won’t be able to drink, in which case mocktails or other non-alcoholic beverages will likely feature on your Thanksgiving dinner menu. 

So what do the chefs have to say about it? Wine received the most votes, with red being the best wine for Thanksgiving according to the experts. This was closely followed by white wine, then cocktails and mocktails. All of these received far more votes than Champagne, which is interesting, given that this is one of the most celebratory holidays of the year!

So, there you have it! Whether you’ve been looking for inspiration to add a multicultural twist to your Thanksgiving dinner menu, are on the hunt for delicious vegan recipes or are worried about coping with a smaller kitchen, this guide is here to help. With answers from a survey pool of more than 100 professional chefs, we hope it's given you some confidence to go and shake things up with your Thanksgiving dinner menu this year. 

The chefs who have kindly contributed to this article have decades, if not centuries of combined experience, and while they may not agree on the most contentious topics (dare we mention mac and cheese?), they all concur on one key point. Thanksgiving is a time to get together and celebrate one another’s company, and there's absolutely no reason your Thanksgiving dinner menu can’t be as special as the people you share it with. 

For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.