As a restaurant owner, it’s important to create a gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan Thanksgiving menu this November. Thanksgiving classics are fairly limited to begin with. But more importantly than that, the festivities surrounding this holiday revolve around food and beverages. So as you can imagine, ensuring that there’s a suitable dish for everyone at the table is essential.
By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll be able to prepare a Thanksgiving menu template for the whole family. Not only will we cover the importance of adhering to three of the most prominent dietary restrictions, but ideas for each menu category. The selections will include the appetizer list, entree food, side dishes, and the dessert menu. Now, let the menu prep begin!
The Importance of a Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
Veganism is a way of life that heightens in popularity each year. With millions of Americans ditching animal products altogether, restaurants need to find ways to adapt. This idea is especially true in metropolitan areas that value food trends, like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
When crafting a vegan Thanksgiving menu, you’ll use fresh produce and carbohydrates more than anything else. However, it can be done! Even though a traditional turkey dinner won’t be on this menu, it can still turn out delicious, festive, and memorable.
Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
A full course meal can be created without the use of meat products and dairy. After all, it’s done all the time amongst the vegan community. Read on to learn how to craft a completely vegan menu for Thanksgiving.
Vegan Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas
It’s easier than you might think to create starters that contain zero meat or dairy. See below for a selection of vegan Thanksgiving appetizer ideas:
- Butternut squash soup
- Sweet potato crostini
- Roasted red pepper hummus
Vegan Thanksgiving Entree Ideas
So what will it be for the main course? When crafting vegan Thanksgiving entree ideas, consider adding the following options to your list:
- Mushroom Wellington
- Stuffed acorn squash
- Vegan shepherd’s pie
Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas
Every vegan entree should come with at least one side dish. The following vegan Thanksgiving side dish ideas should pair deliciously with the entrees:
- Green bean almondine
- Roasted root vegetables
- Vegan macaroni and cheese
Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
The sweetest thing about the following dishes is that no animals will be harmed in the process of making them. For vegan Thanksgiving dessert ideas, we recommend the following dishes:
- Vegan pecan pie bars
- Chocolate avocado mousse
- Apple or cranberry sorbet
The Demand for a Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
The journey of switching to a vegan lifestyle typically begins with being a vegetarian. Very rarely do people make the switch cold turkey (no pun intended!). So when you consider the increasing number of vegans in the United States, it’s plausible to assume that there must be a rising number of vegetarians as well. Plus, you also have people set on the idea of just staying vegetarian, which makes up around 5% of the nation’s population.
But at least there’s a lot more room for creativity with vegetarian Thanksgiving menus. The best part? All the traditional side dishes and desserts are suitable for this crowd as well. Even a lot of appetizers are meatless. So, it’s just the entrees you’ll have to adjust. And if you hold any amount of expertise in the culinary arts, that shouldn’t be much of a challenge at all!
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
There’s significantly more wiggle room when it comes to creating a vegetarian Thanksgiving menu as opposed to a vegan one. That’s because you get to add dairy products into the mix. Check out several ideas for such a dish selection below.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas
The great thing about appetizers is that many of them don’t contain meat. These are some of the most popular vegetarian Thanksgiving appetizer ideas:
- Charcuterie board
- Pumpkin sage crostini
- Spinach and artichoke dip
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Entree Ideas
If anyone doesn’t wish to eat turkey, no problem! The following vegetarian Thanksgiving entree ideas are great replacements:
- Vegetarian lasagna
- Vegetable risotto
- Cheesy vegetable pot pie
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas
Similar to appetizers, most side dishes are naturally meat-free. Everyone will surely love the following vegetarian Thanksgiving side dishes:
- Bread stuffing
- Green bean casserole
- Mashed sweet potatoes
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
It would probably be hard to find a dessert item that does contain meat! So, every one of these vegetarian Thanksgiving dessert ideas should be a hit:
- Apple pie
- Pumpkin pie
- Pumpkin cheesecake
The Urgency for a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu
Roughly one-third of the American population is trying to cut gluten out of their diet. While many people are doing so for the supplemental health benefits, others are doing so for much more serious concerns.
The primary reason for eliminating gluten is Celiac disease. If a person suffering from this condition ingests gluten, it will trigger an immune response that wreaks havoc on their gastrointestinal tract. It’s clearly not something to take lightly, which means that gluten-free menus can attract a loyal and appreciative customer base during the holidays.
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu Ideas
Rather than focusing on the elimination of meat and dairy, gluten-free dishes center around the lack of flour, grains, and other types of carbohydrates. However, a gluten-free Thanksgiving feast is more achievable than you might think. Continue reading to gain all the insight necessary to inspire a gluten-free menu this November.
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas
Allow every guest to start their meal on a healthy note. These gluten-free Thanksgiving appetizer ideas should receive raving customer reviews:
- Shrimp cocktail
- Caprese salad
- Classic deviled eggs
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Entree Ideas
Entrees are the stars of the show during Thanksgiving dinner. The following gluten-free Thanksgiving entree ideas should suit the occasion and the dietary preference:
- Roasted turkey
- Herb-crusted salmon
- Stuffed peppers with gluten-free rice
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Side Dish Ideas
Vegetables will be your best bet when creating side dishes without gluten. Try these gluten-free Thanksgiving side dish ideas for healthy options:
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Sugar-free cranberry sauce
- Classic mashed potatoes
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas
Flour and grains are what ruin many desserts for gluten-free consumers. But these gluten-free Thanksgiving dessert ideas should suffice:
- A decadent flourless chocolate cake
- Pecan pie with a gluten-free crust
- Baked apples with a gluten-free oat topping
Frequently Asked Questions About a Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
By creating a vegan Thanksgiving menu, your restaurant will automatically cater to a wider array of customers. And, it'll certainly draw a lot of Thanksgiving restaurant reservations. If you’d like to learn more about meatless Thanksgiving menus as well as those that adhere to a gluten-free diet, review the brief FAQ section below.
What Are Some Popular Vegan Thanksgiving Menu Items?
Some of the most popular vegan Thanksgiving menu items include things like risotto, vegetable pot pies, and stuffed squash. It’s also important to keep in mind that many dishes that typically include meat or dairy can be altered to be vegan or at least vegetarian. So, even if there’s something that’s a bit more traditional that you want to serve, there’s definitely a way to replace the meat and dairy in it.
Do Restaurants Accommodate Vegans On Thanksgiving?
Yes, there are many restaurants that accommodate vegans on Thanksgiving. Typically, there will be one or two dishes at most under each menu category that abide by veganism. This way, the whole family can dine out knowing that there’s something for everyone–despite turkey usually being the dinner’s main focus.
Do Vegetarians Celebrate Thanksgiving?
Yes, following a vegetarian diet doesn’t stop people from celebrating Thanksgiving. Many vegetarians opt for veggie roasts for the main course on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, others simply fill up on side dishes, like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, bread stuffing, and more. As you can imagine, it’s much easier to find items to eat on Thanksgiving as a vegetarian than as a vegan.
What Can Replace Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner?
If you’re looking for other meat sources to replace the turkey on Thanksgiving, two options include honey or maple-glazed ham and prime rib. Both of these items can serve a large number of people and pair well with traditional Thanksgiving side dishes. For vegans and vegetarians, dishes like vegetable pot pies and stuffed peppers can be delicious options.
Are Thanksgiving Menu Classics Typically Gluten-Free?
There’s about a 50/50 chance that the classic recipes that people serve on a basic Thanksgiving menu are gluten-free. For instance, dishes like roast turkey and cooked vegetables don’t contain gluten. However, other Thanksgiving classics like gravy, stuffing, and anything containing breadcrumbs do contain gluten.
Create Several Menus to Meet Several Dietary Preferences
The more diverse your menu selection is, the more consumers you’ll be able to serve. Plus, an all-inclusive menu will certainly function as product differentiation, especially if other local eateries don’t accommodate various dietary restrictions. While dairy, meat, and gluten-free consumers get to enjoy their holiday dinner, you can reap the benefits that coincide with a profitable turnout. It seriously creates a win-win situation for everyone.