Thanksgiving Menu Template

Designing a menu for Thanksgiving can be overwhelming. Whether for a small or a large gathering, you must ensure everyone has something they’ll enjoy. If you're looking for Thanksgiving menu design ideas, you're in the right place. With Menuzen, you can easily create custom menu designs with pre-designed templates — quickly and hassle-free.

However, consider the following when designing your chosen Thanksgiving free menu template on Menuzen:

First, think about the theme of your Thanksgiving dinner and how you want it to look. Do you prefer a traditional Thanksgiving theme or something more modern? Remember that the presentation of your menu is as important as the food itself, so take the time to tweak your template to reflect your taste and vision.

Second, think of how you want to organise your menu items. It helps if they’re grouped correctly so diners/guests can quickly locate the items they’re looking for. You might want to categorise them by course, gluten-free dishes, vegetarian options or even from mildest to spiciest tastes. This grouping is particularly helpful if you run a catering business — our catering menu template may also benefit you.

Finally, include pricing/portion information on your menu, if necessary. This way, guests can see what’s included in each item and whether it’s worth ordering!

Thanksgiving is all about food; hence, selecting suitable dishes for your menu is essential. The following are the three most popular Thanksgiving meal options:

1. Roasted Turkey and Gravy

Roasted turkey accompanied with gravy is a staple meal on any Thanksgiving table. To roast a turkey, preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Season the turkey inside and out with sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper to bring out its full flavour. Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan and roast in the oven for several hours until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the turkey reaches 70 degrees Celsius. For the gravy, use the drippings from the turkey and add flour, chicken broth, and seasoning to create a smooth and flavorful sauce. Serve the turkey sliced and drizzled with gravy on the side. Don’t forget to capture an image for inclusion in your chosen Thanksgiving free menu template from Menuzen.

2. Creamy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

You can make traditional mashed potatoes with butter, cream, and sometimes cheese to give them that creamy texture and delicious flavour. To make this crowd favourite, boil peeled and diced potatoes until tender. Drain the water and mash the potatoes with butter, cream, and grated cheese until smooth and creamy. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

3. Thanksgiving Fresh Herb Stuffing

This herb stuffing is another classic Thanksgiving dish you can’t go wrong with. Whether you prepare it separately or stuff it in the roasted turkey, combining savoury herbs like thyme and oregano will guarantee a familiar yet comforting taste that everyone loves. To make Thanksgiving fresh herb stuffing, cook diced onions, celery, and garlic in butter until softened. Add in chopped cubed bread and toss to coat. Mix in chopped fresh herbs like thyme, oregano, sage, and parsley. Slowly pour in chicken broth and stir until the bread is thoroughly moistened. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake until golden brown and crispy. Serve alongside your turkey and other Thanksgiving sides.

The following dishes are increasingly popular as traditional dishes during Thanksgiving:‍

1. Pecan Pie

This classic Thanksgiving dessert is one that families have enjoyed for generations. This pie is made with a filling of sweet, gooey, and nutty flavours, topped with a layer of roasted pecans. Popular in North America, the dessert is often served after the Thanksgiving feast, with a dollop of whipped cream on top. To make the pecan pie, you’ll need a pie crust, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, eggs, and pecans. The filling is mixed and poured into the crust, then baked until the filling is set. Pecan pie is a perfect way to end a Thanksgiving meal and will indeed become a family favourite.

2. Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce is a classic side dish served at Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s a delicious sauce to accompany sugar and water and can be flavoured with orange zest, cinnamon, or other spices. The sauce is often served alongside turkey or roasted meats, adding a sweet and tangy contrast to savoury dishes. To make cranberry sauce, the cranberries are cooked with sugar and water until they burst and form a thick sauce. The mixture can be strained for a smoother texture or left chunky for a more rustic feel. This dish is a simple and delicious addition to any Thanksgiving feast, and you should consider it if you want to create a Thanksgiving menu that your guests/diners would love.

3. Caramel Apple Pie

Originating from England, caramel apple pie is a classic and authentic dessert that perfectly fits into a Thanksgiving feast. Its warm and comforting flavours perfectly capture the essence of the holiday season. To make this dish, start by preparing a pie crust and lining a pie dish with it. Then, mix sliced apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of flour and pour the mixture into the crust. Finally, top the pie with a layer of caramel sauce and pie crust, then bake it in the oven until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling. The result is a delicious and aromatic pie that combines caramel’s sweetness with apples’ tartness. This mix creates a heavenly combination of flavours and textures that will delight your guests while adding a touch of warmth and nostalgia to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Outlined below are the essential flavours in Thanksgiving dishes. We also included examples of dishes offering them and those ingredients that introduce them.

• Savory/Umami: Found in stuffing, gravy, and roasted meats; achieved using ingredients like mushrooms, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, which contain high glutamates.
• Sweet: Found in sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce; achieved by adding brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey.
• Tart/Acidic: Found in dishes like cranberry sauce and stuffing; achieved by adding ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or cranberries.
• Spicy: Spicy flavours aren’t as typical in traditional Thanksgiving dishes, but some people like to add a bit of heat to their holiday meals. This flavour is typically achieved by adding cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes.
• Herbal: Found in meals like roasted turkey and stuffing; achieved by adding ingredients like sage, thyme, and rosemary.

A typical Thanksgiving meal wouldn’t be complete without Mashed sweet potatoes. The dish is made by boiling sweet potatoes until soft and mashing them with butter, milk, and brown sugar to create a creamy, sweet, and flavorful dish. Some recipes also call for spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to add extra depth of flavour. You may serve this dish as it is or with toppings like marshmallows, pecans, or a drizzle of maple syrup. Mashed sweet potato is a versatile dish that can be made ahead of time and reheated, making them a convenient addition to your Thanksgiving menu.

Consider the following tips when creating a layout for your Thanksgiving menu design:

• Colour scheme: Consider using warm, autumnal colours like orange, brown, and red to evoke the feeling of the season.
• Font choices: Choose a font that’s easy to read and fits the overall aesthetic of your menu. Consider using script or calligraphy fonts for a more traditional look.
• Hierarchy: Use headings, subheadings, and varying font sizes to create a visual hierarchy that guides the reader’s eye through the menu.
• Layout and spacing: Ensure your menu is well-organised and easy to navigate, with transparent sections for different courses and dishes. Use white space and borders to separate sections and create a clean, polished look.
• Visuals: Consider including photos, illustrations, or icons to highlight peculiar dishes and ingredients or to add visual interest to the menu. Just be sure that any visuals you use fit the overall aesthetic and don’t detract from the legibility of the text.