Here are mix-and-match options for delicious and doable menus for vegan Thanksgiving dinners for couples and small groups. A small celebration can be as fun as a big bash with good food and gratitude!
There are some years (2020, for instance) when it’s not possible to have full-scale holiday gatherings. Then, there are other times when you’re unable to travel for various reasons.
Especially when there are disappointments and hardships in life, there are few things more comforting than one’s food traditions.
That being said, a plant-based holiday might seem non-traditional, but actually, the earliest celebrations were intended to give thanks for the harvest.
Specifically, they celebrated the corn, beans, and squash that the Native Americans taught the English colonizers to grow so that they could survive. Some thanks they got in return!
Ideas for couples or small families/groups: If you find yourself having to celebrate as couple, a small family, or any kind of small group, these recipes will give you the flavors and colors of the fall harvest without a lot of prep or clean-up. If you’re a couple, there may be leftovers, but not so much that you’ll tire of them!
If you want to vary any of these menus, feel free to explore our 4 epic roundups gathered in 75+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes.
Main Dishes (choose one)
If you want to keep things super-easy, you can also explore the prepared plant-based turkey alternatives instead of making one of these dishes, and have more time to focus more on the salads and sides.
Here are a couple of prepared plant-based turkey alternatives:
Explore more vegan Thanksgiving main dish options, which include homemade holiday roasts and wellingtons — the latter are a bit more ambitious, but if you’ve got the time, why not?. Many of these main dishes yield larger quantities and more elaborate prep than those listed below, but hey, it’s your celebration and your choice.
Chick’n or Chickpea Vegetable Pot Pie: This recipe makes two pies, so if your gathering is for two, cut it in half. If you’re making a meal for 4 or 5, you might want to consider making the two pies. Leftovers are nice reheated, plus this dish freezes pretty well.
Classic Vegan Meatloaf: Made with either Beyond® ground or a combo of red beans and walnuts, this vegan meatloaf is a delicious dish of nostalgia. It doesn’t particularly say “Thanksgiving,” but readers come to it in droves for the holiday. Super-easy to put together, as a main dish for two or four, you’ll have a not-ridiculous amount of delicious leftovers for sandwiches in the days after the holidays.
Fall Harvest Stew: A recipe that really captures the spirit of Thanksgiving, this robust stew features the “three sisters” crops of Native American lore — corn, beans, and squash. The recipe as it stands serves 8, so you can make the whole thing and enjoy leftovers (or freeze some), or cut it in half for a more modest yield.
Roasted Acorn Squash with Quinoa Stuffing: Stuffed squash has long been my favorite Thanksgiving main dish, and Kristen Kaminski’s version is easy and festive. It makes 4 generous servings, so you can go for the full recipe, or cut in half.
Side Dishes (choose one or two)
For more selections, see 25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Sides & Salads. Scale the recipes down as needed.
Vegan Green Bean Casserole: A fall and winter favorite, especially for Thanksgiving. Here’s a recipe that easily updates the comfort food classic to a plant-based version. This recipe calls for two 16-ounce bags of frozen green beans, which sounds like a lot, but it goes down easy and you’ll be happy to have leftovers. However, if you’re cooking just for two, feel free to cut the recipe in half.
Brussels Sprouts with Leafy Greens: Another typical Thanksgiving veggie, Brussels sprouts with chard (or other leafy greens) synergize nicely in a simple side dish. They taste and look fantastic together, and you’ll devour this modest yield quickly.
Smashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy: Smashed potatoes with vegan mushroom gravy — yum! And so much easier to make than traditional mashed potatoes. It’s easy to cut this recipe down to the number of potatoes you need — one generous-size spud per person. If there’s leftover gravy, trust me, you’ll find a way to use it.
Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Maple roasted sweet potatoes are presented in a preparation that enhances the natural sweetness of this well-loved vegetable. Make sure to cut the holiday-sized recipe in half to serve 4 (or 2, with a bit of leftover).
Salads (choose one)
For more selections, see 25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Sides & Salads. Scale the recipes down as needed.
Kale Salad with Cashews & Cranberries: Here’s a simple massaged kale salad with cashews and dried cranberries, that’s festive enough for holidays and easy enough for everyday meals. For serving 2 or 4, cut the recipe in half.
Avocado & Radicchio Salad with Lime Vinaigrette: There isn’t anything about this salad that particularly says “Thanksgiving,” but it’s a super-easy one to make, and so gorgeous. It doesn’t yield a huge amount, so make the whole recipe or cut in half.
Crunchy and Colorful Cabbage & Apple Slaw: There’s something about this vivid, slightly sweet slaw that’s such a nice contrast with all the Thanksgiving-y flavors. It makes a generous amount, so feel free to cut the recipe in half.
Desserts (choose one)
Thanksgiving dessert is all about the pumpkin. Here are a few options, and if you want more, see 15+ Vegan Pumpkin Desserts for Thanksgiving & Beyond.
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cheeze-cake: Laura Theodore’s vegan pumpkin spice cheeze-cake is easy to make and a delectable change of pace from traditional pumpkin pie.
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Hint of Chocolate: Here’s my take on vegan pumpkin cheesecake that treats your taste buds to a subtle chocolate burst with each bite.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins (with a butternut squash option): If you’re looking for a pumpkin dessert that’s not pie, make muffins! If a dozen is too much, it’s easy to cut the recipe in half.
Vegan Apple or Pear Crumble: All this being said, if you’re not a pumpkin fan, here’s another delectable seasonal dessert to consider. With an easy-to-prepare oat crumble topping, it’s as wholesome as it is delicious.
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