6 Delicious Menus for However You Do Thanksgiving

From a vegetarian Thanksgiving to Friendsgiving, we have menus for everyone—plus wine pairings to drink with your feast.

turkey, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and green beans on a brown plate on a tiles green and blue surface
Photo: Johnny Autry

Thanksgiving is about getting together and enjoying the company of those you love, reflecting on the year (almost) in the rear view mirror. However, we get that in food-focused holidays, it can get stressful. Not to worry—we have so many Thanksgiving dinner ideas, we made six menus to accommodate everyone at your table: a traditional menu, one for vegetarians, one for Friendsgiving, one for vegans, one with a little spice and an over-the-top one for going all out. No matter who you are, we have a Thanksgiving menu for you. Mix and match or make a whole menu. We've also included wine pairings to enjoy with your Thanksgiving meal. For more ideas, browse all of our Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes.

01 of 06

Traditional Thanksgiving Menu

Herb-Roasted Turkey

It is tough to beat a traditional Thanksgiving meal. For this reason, we have this modern Thanksgiving menu with the tried-and-true classic flavors. These recipes will make your holiday delicious, nutritious and memorable.

Pear-Pecan Cheese Ball

Herb-Roasted Turkey with Herbed Pan Gravy

Cranberry Relish

Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

Green Beans with Pistachios & Orange

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Custard Pecan Pie

02 of 06

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu

Brie-Cheese-With-Spiced-Nuts

Not into the turkey on Turkey Day? That's fine with us. We have created this vegetarian Thanksgiving menu that holds the meat but spares no flavor. You may even make a few carnivores jealous.

Baked Brie with Jam in Puff Pastry

Wild Rice–Stuffed Acorn Squash

Mixed Greens with Preserved Lemon Dressing & Feta

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

Pumpkin-Cranberry Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

03 of 06

Friendsgiving Menu

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Yes, it is possible to have a low-lift Thanksgiving with your friends. These simplified Friendsgiving recipes will save you time so you can focus on enjoying your night with your second family. With flavor combinations like this your friends will be seriously impressed.

Chile-Spiced Delicata Squash Crostini

Spatchcock Turkey with Sage & Thyme

Turkey Stock & Gravy

Green Beans with Gremolata & Pine Nuts

Sage Cornbread Dressing

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Angel Biscuits

Buttermilk Cranberry Swirl Pie

Pear Upside-Down Cake

05 of 06

Vegan Thanksgiving Menu

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

What do vegans eat on Thanksgiving, you may ask? Well, we have answers... and it's good news to all the plant-based people out there. This vegan Thanksgiving menu is decadent, savory and satiating. Check out our menu and wine pairing suggestions below:

Oven-Roasted Squash with Garlic & Parsley

Roasted Savoy Cabbage with Orange Vinaigrette

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Vegan Cornbread Stuffing

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

06 of 06

A Little Bit of Spice

casserole dish with corn pudding on a green and blue tiled surface
Johnny Autry

Kick your Thanksgiving menu up a notch with a little heat from red chile peppers.

Red Chile-Citrus Glazed Roast Turkey & Pan Sauce

Red Chile Mashed Potatoes

Braised Greens

Bacon-Rosemary Corn Pudding

Brown Butter Sweet Potato Pie

Regardless of your dietary restrictions (or lack there of), Thanksgiving should be enjoyable and grounding. These Thanksgiving menu ideas with wine pairings will let you focus on the quality time. From the meat eaters to the herbivores in your life, everyone will be impressed with these Thanksgiving dinner ideas.

5 Wines to Pair with Your Thanksgiving Feast

2020 Bisson Glera Vino Frizzante Prosecco, Veneto, Italy ($17). Start the meal with a pop! This lightly fizzy wine has notes of green apple and toasted almond.

2019 Bonny Doon Vineyard, Le Cigare Blanc, Central Coast, CA ($22). Pour this medium-bodied white with vegetable-forward menus.

2019 Clos des Rocs En Près Forêt Mâcon- Loché, Burgundy, France ($27). The citrus undertones of this chardonnay cuts through rich dishes.

2019 Clos La Coutale Malbec, Cahors, France ($17). This crowd-pleasing red won't overwhelm vegetable dishes and holds it own with turkey and gravy.

2018 Land of Saints Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley, CA ($25). Lighter than many California cabs, you can sip this peppery wine from turkey through dessert.

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