Thanksgiving Menu Plan

This FREE Thanksgiving Day menu plan includes simple, traditional recipes for everything from the turkey to the sides to dessert and includes a shopping list for an easy and delicious holiday meal.

What comes to mind first when you think of Thanksgiving – food or another family tradition?

For me, Thanksgiving food tops the list, and I often think of the recipes we made every single year growing up.

I still plan on doing that now… but if we always eat the same thing, then why do I always wonder what to make for the Thanksgiving Day menu?!

I think it’s because I’m looking for something new, something fresh, or a slight twist on the things we love most.

And I’m REALLY trying not to spend a lot of money on just one meal

Problem solved, folks – here’s a budget-friendly Thanksgiving Day menu plan for dinner that is not only delicious, with those classic Thanksgiving meal ideas that stick with tradition, but it will also help keep some of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket!

10 TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING FOOD DINNER

Before I share the meal plan, though, I have some tips to help you keep Thanksgiving food prep stress-free.

1. Clean out the fridge and freezer. This gives you room to store dishes that are prepped ahead of time as well as leftovers after the big meal.
2. Get the slow cooker ready. Nothing beats homemade turkey stock, so have your slow cooker (or just a big pot) ready to toss turkey bones and veggie scraps into. Follow this method for making stock.
3. Double the butter. Always keep 1-2 pounds of butter at room temperature for spreading on Dinner Rolls and 1-2 pounds of butter in the fridge for recipes like Homemade Pie Crust.
4. Delegate tasks to others. Setting the table, sweeping the floor, plating sliced vegetables, dressing the salad…there are plenty of tasks other people can help with!
5. Wear an apron and have kitchen towels at the ready. Being able to wipe your hands on something as you work is priceless, but you don’t want to accidentally stain your clothes!
6. Shower and dress early. Take a shower and get fully dressed before you start any work in the kitchen, but if you have a nice outfit for the dinner itself, wait until the turkey is resting to change clothes. And don’t forget comfortable shoes!
7. Clean as you go. Fill the sink with hot, soapy water so you can quickly wash items you need to reuse or soak dirty dishes. Load the dishwasher as you go and run it while you eat – then you can empty it and refill it with the dinner dishes too!
8. Use your appliances! Slow cookers, stand mixers, food processors, blenders – they’re all helpful for big meals! Make Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot and Cranberry Sauce in the Slow Cooker. This keeps the oven and stovetop from being overloaded.
9. Work on one recipe at a time. It’s fine to have lots of ingredients out on the counter, but finish one task before starting the next. Working on too many dishes at one time often leads to skipping steps or missing ingredients.
10. Use plastic bags. These aren’t the “greenest” option out there, but when you have lots of guests (or lots of food) and not so many storage containers, resealable bags are the way to go. If you’re sending leftovers home with others, you can also save yogurt containers leading up to the big day, so no one needs to worry about returning dishes.

HEALTHY THANKSGIVING DAY MENU PLAN

Now that we’ve gotten the stress out of the way, let’s talk about this yummy Thanksgiving Day menu plan!

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Here’s what you can expect to find in this Thanksgiving food dinner plan:

• 100% real food recipes. They’re simple, straightforward, and family-friendly.
• Seven dishes. The meal plan is created to feed your whole Thanksgiving crew. The price will vary depending on how many you are feeding and if you have to double any of the recipes.
• Hearty meals. There’s a good chance you’ll have leftovers! Leftover Thanksgiving food is part of the holiday experience.
• How much turkey? The general rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 lbs of turkey per person. This should give you leftovers.
• Shopping list. I’ve done the hard part for you! Simply print this list, check off what you already have in the kitchen, and head to the store.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

• Precautions for food allergies. We have been blessed not to have severe food allergies in our family, and, as a result, I don’t plan for them in my meal plans.
• Breakfast or lunch plans. This Thanksgiving Day menu plan is just focused on the big meal, so plan your other food for the day accordingly.

INCLUDED THANKSGIVING MENU IDEAS

Here are the Thanksgiving menu ideas you’ll find in this FREE plan:

1. Whole Roasted Turkey (Recipe inside the FREE Thanksgiving Day menu download below)
2. Turkey Gravy (Recipe inside the FREE Thanksgiving Day menu download below)
3. Autumn Rice Pilaf
4. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
5. Healthy Green Bean Casserole
6. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
7. Fluffy Dinner Rolls

If you need another side for your Thanksgiving spread, this Brussels Sprouts and Bacon recipe is amazing! And if you have that one person… here’s a healthier sweet potatoes casserole. A simple side of roasted butternut squash is also a great easy side dish.

CAN THANKSGIVING MEALS BE MACRO-FRIENDLY TOO?

How does Thanksgiving food fit into your nutrition goals?

Remember these guidelines:

• Plan ahead. If you know a big dinner is coming, keep breakfast and lunch lighter with protein and veggies to balance your intake for the day.
• Focus on protein. Aim for at least 30-40% of your calories to come from protein to help keep you satisfied. Thanksgiving turkey will account for much of that, but you can also load up on protein at breakfast! Especially if you’re having a later afternoon meal.
• Be mindful of carbs. Choose whole foods, limit sugary sauces, and indulge in small portions of treats.
• Control your fats. Enjoy rich dishes in moderation.
• Portion control. Use a smaller plate, fill it halfway with veggies, and eat slowly to give yourself time to feel full and savor the flavors.
• Account for beverages. And don’t forget to hydrate!
• Dessert strategies. Opt for fruit-based desserts or small portions of heavier sweets.

Above all, don’t stress! If you overindulge, don’t beat yourself up. Get back to your regular eating routine the next day.

THANKSGIVING – FOOD FAQS

MORE THANKSGIVING DAY MENU IDEAS

• Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole
• Oven Roasted Potatoes
• Easy Roasted Broccoli
• Lemon Pepper Asparagus
• Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
• Cloud Dinner Rolls
• Slab Apple Pie
• Chocolate Pie
• Cheesecake Baked Apples