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Hello again!
Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I'm prepping as much as I can ahead of time, because I always host every year, and I don't like to leave everything for the big day.
Here's my usual Thanksgiving PREP game plan:
Sunday: Make Cranberry Sauce
Monday: Make Gravy & Green Bean Casserole (don't add topping until day of)
Tuesday: Make Wild Rice Stuffing & Salad Dressing for holiday salad
Wednesday: Make Mashed Potatoes & Pie
Thursday: Cook turkey & make Mac n' Cheese + reheat/assemble everything else
This plan keeps me sane, and this year I'm cutting some corners because we are celebrating my husband's 40th birthday this week-- so I won't be in my kitchen for 3 days leading up to the holiday!
This means I'm buying a pre-cooked turkey this year, my mother-in-law is bringing the salad and pies, and I'm not letting my mom cook ANYTHING because she's helping entertain my kids. I keep Thanksgiving low-pressure in general, because we really just love getting together with family and enjoying delicious food, so if something doesn't turn out... oh well. I'm very grateful for my laid-back family.
If you want to start planning your Thanksgiving game plan now, and have some special dietary needs to accommodate, I've rounded up 35+ healthy Thanksgiving recipes over on my website. I'll leave it at the top of the website all week for you, for easy reference.
Note: I offer healthy Thanksgiving recipes for you, in case you or your family members have special dietary needs, but please don't think you need to eat perfectly healthy for a holiday meal! We keep things *mostly* dairy-free and gluten-free for some sensitive family members, but we also make some decadent side dishes & desserts to enjoy, because we love food. I hope you'll enjoy this holiday weekend stress-free!
You'll find a new recipes & a brief meal plan filled with more warm and comforting ideas below, plus Thanksgiving ideas to help you organize.
Note: When you have a moment, please leave a review + star rating on the recipes you try. Your feedback keeps me going!
The comment section on my website is also the best place to ask me questions. I read them every morning! (Unlike my email inbox, which is a mess.)
New Recipes!
If you haven't visited my website this week, here's what you might have missed:
Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup. Roasted Pumpkin Soup is an easy recipe for using up a whole pumpkin, and you can roast the pumpkin seeds at the same time, for a crispy topping
Homemade Apple Cider. This is the PERFECT drink to let simmer on your stove top or in a slow cooker for a holiday. It will make your house smell amazing, and is a cozy beverage to serve to guests.
Paleo Pumpkin Spice Muffins. I changed the recipe last year and many of you missed the original version, so now it's back! Be sure to try this flourless muffin if you need something sweet this week, that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Cooking Videos
If you enjoy watching me cook in my kitchen, be sure to check out my latest videos! I usually post at least one new tutorial every week.
Best Vegan Gravy. This Vegan Gravy is made with NO flour, and turns out perfect every time! This healthy gravy is made with just a few simple ingredients, and then you blend it to thicken it up. Try it on mashed potatoes and vegan meatloaf for a hearty vegetarian holiday meal.
Wild Rice Stuffing. This gluten-free stuffing recipe is made with rice instead of bread, for a delicious alternative you can make in advance.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you enjoy these!
Dinner Ideas for the Week
Need some dinner inspiration? Here are some delicious ideas to help!
Sunday: Roasted Pumpkin Soup. Roasted Pumpkin Soup is an easy recipe for using up a whole pumpkin, and you can roast the pumpkin seeds at the same time, for a crispy topping!
Monday: Greek Pasta Salad. Greek Pasta Salad is an easy make-ahead lunch, and is also a great recipe to bring to a potluck. It's a delicious and healthy way to eat more veggies!
Tuesday: Eggplant Pizza. Eggplant Pizza is a low-carb alternative to the traditional version, featuring sliced and roasted eggplant, loaded with your favorite pizza toppings. It's easier than stirring together a pizza dough!
Wednesday: Quinoa & Black Bean Salad. This Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is an easy make-ahead meal that you can use for packed lunches or fast meals all week long. It's loaded with a complete source of plant-based protein, and is naturally gluten-free, too!
Thursday: Thanksgiving!
Friday: Leftover Turkey Soup. If you like to re-purpose your leftovers after Thanksgiving, this soup is for you. It's jam-packed with veggies, naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, and makes a lighter, yet filling, option after a hefty day or two of holiday eating.
Saturday: Day off from cooking! (Leftovers or take-out)
Want every meal planned for you?
I've got you covered with the 5-Day Fall Reset and the 5-Day Winter Reset. These digital guides include shopping lists and meal prep guides to tell you EXACTLY what to do every day, and includes seasonal recipes that are designed to eliminate food waste.
They will help you shop for and prepare only what you'll eat in a week! These recipes aren't on my website, so it's a great way to get more seasonal inspiration, too.
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Holiday Salads
Vegan Caesar Salad. This Vegan Caesar Salad has the classic flavor you love, without using anchovies or cheese. The dressing comes together fast, and you won't believe how authentic it tastes
Sweet & Crunchy Carrot Salad. This Carrot Salad is lightly sweet, with the perfect amount of crunch, and makes the perfect addition to Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone will ask you for the recipe after they try it!
Apple Walnut Salad. This flavorful salad is topped with sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and is tossed with an easy balsamic vinaigrette. It makes a great salad for holiday gatherings, and I love how it comes together in just minutes!
Holiday Salad with Apple Cider Dressing. My go-to salad to bring to holiday gatherings! Everyone loves it. You can make this salad and dressing up to 48 hours in advance, as long as you don't pour the dressing over the salad until just before serving.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad. This Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad is super-flavorful, with an unexpected dressing, and is the perfect salad to serve at your next holiday gathering.
Side Dishes
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoesare quick and easy to prepare, with an 8-minute pressure cooking cycle. I love that you don't have to drain them after cooking!
Wild Rice Stuffing. Wild Rice Stuffing is an easy gluten-free stuffing recipe, made with ingredients you probably already have on hand. It's so flavorful and delicious, no one will miss the bread!
Mashed Cauliflower. Mashed Cauliflower is a surprisingly delicious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. It is lower in carbs, higher in nutrients, and tastes amazing!
Best Quinoa Pilaf. This Quinoa Pilaf is made with mushrooms and thyme, and makes the perfect side dish or vegetarian main course. It's a complete source of plant-based protein!
Glazed Sweet Potatoes. Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes are a delicious alternative to sweet potato casserole, without using any marshmallows! This dish is made in just 1 pot, and is naturally sweetened for a healthier holiday side dish.
Vegan Green Bean Casserole. This Vegan Green Bean Casserole has a crunchy (not fried) topping, and comes together quickly, for a perfect holiday side dish.
Vegan Gravy. This Vegan Gravy is the best! This healthy recipe is low-fat and gluten-free, and goes perfectly over your favorite holiday dishes, like mashed potatoes, portobello mushrooms, or mashed cauliflower.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans. This Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans is lightly sweetened with pure maple syrup, has a crunchy topping, and features dried cranberries for an extra pop of flavor. The combination is addictive!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Homemade Cranberry Sauce is quick & easy to prepare, and tastes much better than the canned version. This recipe can be made in advance using simple ingredients.
Healthy Creamed Spinach. Creamed spinach is a classic holiday side dish, and this healthy recipe has all the flavor you love without all of the cheese and heavy cream found in traditional recipes.
Main Dishes
Whole Roasted Cauliflower. Whole Roasted Cauliflower can be served as a side or main entree. You can slice into it just like you would a turkey, so it's a fun alternative for a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving menu.
Nut Roast. This Nut Roast makes a delicious vegetarian main course. Walnuts and pecans add the perfect texture and heartiness to this loaf, without using tofu, and eggs help bind it while also adding filling protein to the dish.
Stuffed Acorn Squash. This Stuffed Acorn Squash makes a beautiful and filling vegetarian main course. It would be an excellent dinner for a holiday feast, like Thanksgiving, or really anytime you can get your hands on this winter squash. It's SO EASY and delicious!
Baked Portobello Mushroom. This Baked Portobello Mushroom recipe would make an excellent main course for your vegan friends or family members at Thanksgiving, or any another holiday meal for that matter.
Vegan Meatloaf. Vegan Meatloaf is a delicious vegetarian main entree that gets its hearty texture from a mixture of lentils and walnuts. It's loaded with plant-based protein and plenty of filling fiber.
Holiday Desserts
Vegan Peanut Butter Pie. This Vegan Peanut Butter Pie tastes like a chocolate peanut butter cup! There's no baking required, so all you have to do is assemble the layers and then let it chill until firm. The hardest part is waiting to eat it!
Vegan Pumpkin Pie. This Vegan Pumpkin Pie is better than the traditional recipe that comes on a can of pumpkin! All you need is a handful of ingredients and a blender to whip up the filling.
Vegan Sweet Potato Pie. This Vegan Sweet Potato Pie is a delicious alternative to Pumpkin Pie, made with baked sweet potatoes. It's ultra-flavorful, and everyone will ask you for the recipe once they try it!
Vegan Pecan Pie. This Vegan Pecan Pie is naturally sweetened and has a remarkably similar taste and texture to the original, without using eggs or corn syrup!
Vegan French Silk Pie. This Vegan French Silk pie is the perfect dairy-free dessert for your next holiday gathering or celebration. It calls for just a few simple ingredients, and tastes like the real thing!
Easy Baked Apples. Baked Apples are quite possibly the easiest Fall dessert. All you need is 7 ingredients, and about 15 minutes of time to assemble, then it bakes to perfection in the oven!
Note: If you have any questions for me, the best place for me to respond is directly in the comments on my website. My email system is having issues with replies lately, so if you emailed me and didn't hear back, that's why! I read comments on my website everyday, so be sure to ask again there if I missed you.
Until next time, I hope you have a great week!
xo
Megan
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