Here are "60 Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for Four". Again, some aren't Veg-friendly. But can be easily adapted. And with recipes like "Fig-Carrot Stuffed Kabocha Squash", "Rice Pilaf with Apples & Raisins", "Ravioli with Creamy Squash Sauce", "Stuffed Sweet Onions with Bacon" (use Veg*n "bacon" and vegetable broth), "Air Fryer Pumpkin Fries", and "Roasted Veggie Strudel" (again, needs some tweaking), you're sure to find some new favourites!
There's also "14 Recipes Perfect For a Small Thanksgiving Gathering". Yes, there's a couple turkey recipes, but then you get everything from "Buttered Stuffing with Mushrooms" and "Pumpkin Soup with Lentils" (use vegetable broth) to "Cinnamon Roll Sweet Potato Pie" to "Bourbon Stout Cocktail" (check to make sure the Stout is Veg-friendly)!
And this site gives you suggestions for appetizers (many of which appear Veg-friendly, including "Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms"), sides (including "Vegetarian Cornbread Stuffing" and more!), soups and salads, breads (including sourdough and homemade croissants), and desserts (ranging from mini pies to "Small Batch Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread" to "Individual Apple Crisp"). They do give turkey and chicken main dish recipes too (and most of the "Leftovers" recipes involve turkey), but you could easily make a meal out of all the other categories!
To make things easier for Veg*ns, here's an article called "50 Small-Batch Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes". Of course, their idea of "small" is "6 or fewer", which means a small family may have some leftovers. But it's still an impressive list!
And there's "Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for Four".
What if there's just two of you? Check out "How to Make a Delicious Thanksgiving Meal for Two—Recipes Included!". There's a "Vegan Wild Rice Stuffed Squash for Two", "Skillet Green Bean Casserole for Two", "Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two" (use gelatine-free marshmallows), plus recipes for stuffing and Brussels sprouts that could easily be made without meat (or with substitutes). There's even Caramel Apple Crisp and Pumpkin Cheesecake recipes for two!
Taste of Home has "50 Thanksgiving Recipes for Two" (as always, prepare to adapt some if you're Veg*n).
Another good source is "21 Thanksgiving Sides for Two". Again, some may need adapted for Veg*ns. But with the focus on sides rather than the main, you can easily mix and match (and add in the main of your choice). The "Roasted Veggie-Stuffed Potatoes" sure look good!
Although this article is entitled "VEGAN THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR ONE", the recipe info says it serves 2-4.....
Or check out this "EASY VEGAN THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR TWO".
Of course, you could make a menu for 4 and have leftovers, halve recipes meant for 4, or double recipes for single-serve meals. . .
Speaking of, what if you (like me) live alone? Well, I tackled that in "Thanksgiving Part III": "Stuffing mixes and instant mashed potatoes often give instructions on making 1-2 servings. If you want green bean casserole, why not try this mini version? Make up a batch of mini cheesy potatoes (substitute cream of mushroom [I have links to homemade regular and Vegan on my first Thanksgiving post, linked above]) to freeze ahead of time, then cook enough for just you! Here's a site that gives a Thanksgiving dinner for one (the sweet potato "casserole" looks particularly good [just use gelatine-free marshmallows if you're Veg*n]). You could just buy a mini pie from the store, or try your hand at a mini pumpkin pie, pecan pie for one, or sweet potato pie for one!" But of course I'm going to share some new stuff too....
Let's start with a "Single Serving Thanksgiving Dinner". For the pot pie, use some Veg*n "turkey" and "chicken" broth. Or make a vegetable mini-pot pie instead. For the stuffing, use a Veg*n "sausage" (check that your cornbread mix doesn't have lard, Jiffy does).
Here's "10 Single-Serve Recipes If You're Spending Thanksgiving Riding Solo". Most of the recipes are desserts and beverages. There IS a "Turkey, Cranberry and Stuffing Meatballs" recipe. While (to my knowledge) there's no Veg*n "ground turkey", there ARE some brands of "ground chicken" (I've got some by Full Circle Foods in my freezer, but there are other brands [such as Hungry Planet]). Add in some poultry seasoning and use some Veg*n "turkey" gravy instead of broth (I've had Riega Turkey Style Gravy Mix, but another brand is Mayacamas Turkey Gravy Mix).
Here are some Thanksgiving recipes for one (again, some may need tweaked if you're Veg*n). This link takes you to a list of sides. If you scroll down, you'll also find desserts. If you scroll up, you'll find Turkey ideas for one, so don't go up if you're not interested!
So, in regard to mains? It depends on how many people you're serving, how many leftovers you're willing to eat, and whether you eat meat or not.
For meat eaters, you can still cook a turkey. Many stores (from Walmart to Kroger) are selling smaller turkeys this year. Of course, a smaller bird requires slightly different handling. Check out this article with what you need to know. Other options could include a turkey breast (smaller for one or two, larger for 3-4 people). Or try turkey cutlets. A Cornish game hen may not be traditional, but if you're cooking for two (or just you), it'll give you a small bird that can be stuffed.
Of course, if you're Veg*n, that doesn't help. There are storebought alternatives (a Tofurky would be good for a larger family, while a Quorn Turk'y Roast might work better for 4 or fewer). In my first two Thanksgiving posts, I give links to seitan "turkey", a "Tof-cken", a tofu "turkey", and a "Vegducken". They would work for groups of 4-6. And here's a NEW recipe for you: "Vegan Turkey Roast (Shreddable Seitan With Skin)". And one more: "Vegan Turkey Style Roast with Crispy Skin". If you're adventurous, you could try this recipe for "TurkeyLESS Vegan Cutlet" (chickpea based) or some "TOFU CUTLETS WITH GRAVY".
If you are cooking for 1-2 people, perhaps Gardein "turky cutlets" or a Field Roast Celebration Roast would be better. Aldi is also coming out with a small "turkey breast" this year! At 7.4oz, it's perfect for two (or one, if you're a glutton! lol). Another option when dining alone? Buy some Tofurky Deli slices (I like the peppered best) and put them in a small frypan with some "chicken" broth, simmer for a while, then push the slices aside and whisk in a cornstarch slurry to make gravy!
Who says the main has to be "turkey" though? Why not try a pumpkin lasagne, chickpea pot pies, a roasted cabbage, a stuffed squash, or some cauliflower "steaks"?
For one person, you could go with vegetable enchiladas, moussaka, mini nut roasts (makes three, but you could always freeze them or scale back), or a Shepherd's Pie for One (make sure your Worchestershire sauce is Veg-friendly, most aren't). Another option is to make freezer-friendly pot-pies! Just freeze what you're not going to serve. This recipe makes 10 "pot-pie pockets".
What if you don't want to cook? Many restaurants are still open! Yes, dining out is risky, but if you're determined, here's a list (some will deliver or provide curbside service to minimize risk). Or look into "Best Vegan Thanksgiving Delivery & Takeout".
Here's a list of "17 Fun Quarantine Thanksgiving Ideas to Help You Have a Festive Feast" (which includes watching a modified Macy's Parade on NBC from 9am to noon).
And don't forget that Thanksgiving horror! Although there are a few I missed (or that have come out since), my "Holiday Horror Movies Throughout The Year" blog post is a good place to start.
This is the saddest blog post I've done yet. I have to admit, compiling all this information and thinking about the bleak holiday season ahead depressed me a bit. But we all just have to get used to it. Anyway, I hope you found this post useful! Until next time....