A six-week step by step Plant-based Thanksgiving Prep Plan that will help you have a happy, healthy, & stress-free Thanksgiving.

If this is your first attempt at a “plant-based” Thanksgiving you might be feeling a little overwhelmed. Don’t worry. I’m here for you!

Relax, take a deep breath, and let’s get it on!

NOTE: After you read this, you can get your recipes at 7 Easy Delicious Plant-Based Thanksgiving Recipes! You’ll find everything you need for an awesome and complete Thanksgiving meal.

You may continue.

SIX WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING

Start thinking about “who” and “how many” you want showing up to your house. And, consider what kind of Thanksgiving you want: fancy, potluck, buffet, etc. Frightening, I know. But, just relax. Everything will be okay.

You’ll also want to get a head start thinking about your overall menu. Don’t finalize anything, just brainstorm a bit.

FIVE WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING

Don’t think about anything this week. Chill out and relax.

I SAID RELAX!

FOUR WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING

Hopefully, you have an idea who will be coming and the type of Thanksgiving you want.

Now, start preparing a detailed shopping list for your food. And, since you’re doing it up “plant style” you don’t have to worry about picking out a turkey. Winner!

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have all the cooking equipment you need – pots, pans, etc.

You can also check out my 25 Kitchen Essentials Under 25 Dollars and see my recommendations.

THREE WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING

Begin finalizing the menu and stick to it! Don’t let a friend or relative come in and screw up anything. The word “no” is acceptable here.

This is your house. You’re hosting. And, you get to make the decisions. PERIOD! Let them come and help you. Tell them they can bring a favorite dish of their own. But, if they don’t like what you got going on they can go somewhere else.

HINT: If you go with the recipes I’ll be providing, 7 Easy Delicious Plant-based Thanksgiving Recipes, the above part is off your plate. See, I’m already helping with the stress.

TWO WEEKS UNTIL THANKSGIVING

The big day is right around the corner. So go and buy any non-perishables you’re going to need. Doing this now will save you the heartache of waiting until the day before or the “morning of” like everyone else.

HINT: COOK ANYTHING YOU CAN FREEZE like soups and casseroles. Major time saver!

ONE WEEK UNTIL THANKSGIVING

You’re doing great! If you’ve followed the above steps, take a break and use this week to rest up before the weekend.

If any of the aforementioned things are not completed, try and catch up before the weekend.

HINT: DO NOT GO AND BUY MORE GROCERIES! Eat what you got so you can store things in the fridge.

WEEKEND BEFORE THANKSGIVING

Now’s the time to start getting your house ready for guests by cleaning, washing sheets, etc. All the fun stuff.

You don’t need to worry yourself with cleaning on Thanksgiving Day.

TWO DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING

Go shopping and buy all your perishables like produce, etc. And, BE SURE TO GET ICE! It’s the one thing that’s always needed but always forgotten until it’s too late.

Honestly, you should encourage your aunt Alice to bring it. She’s always showing up with that nasty ass jello & marshmallow salad. Let the ice be her contribution.

THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

Cook a ton! It seems daunting, but you’ll be glad you did. Almost everything except the gravy can be cooked.

THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING

You’ve got everything ready to go and it’s getting late. Now, take a few extra moments before you go to bed and set the table. It’s one less thing to worry about tomorrow morning.

Before you finally turn in for the night, take just a couple minutes and focus on the good things. Think about what you are truly thankful for and the blessing of sharing your home and food with those you love.

THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

Wake up and have a few moments to yourself. Have a nice hot cup of my Cashew Coffee or tea and a good breakfast. Finish any dishes you weren’t able to cook beforehand. 30 minutes before meal time, make the gravy.

Congratulations! You did it.

It’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor by having a delicious, awesome, and fun plant-based Thanksgiving!

Peace & feast,

shane

This post was inspired and adapted from Sam the Cooking Guy’s Thanksgiving 101 Prep Plan. I’ve edited it here and there to fit a plant-based way of cooking. Sam is my hero and the one who inspired me to cook years ago. I wouldn’t be doing what I do without his inspiration.

Finally, here is a link on How To Cook Without Oil that will help you keep things on the light side.