2020 Thanksgiving Menu: 30+ Lighter Holiday Recipes

Our 2020 Thanksgiving menu is ready, and we’re excited to share a smaller, flavorful holiday plan filled with healthier recipes and practical prep tips.

Hello, 2020 Thanksgiving!

This year we’re dialing down the guest list and adapting our usual lineup to suit a smaller, safer gathering. With fewer people, we’re focusing on smaller-batch recipes (with a few planned extras for leftovers) and adding a few unexpected flavor twists.

What’s in this post:

• 2020 Thanksgiving menu
• Week-of preparation guide
• Affordable decoration ideas
• More healthy Thanksgiving recipes

2020 Thanksgiving Menu

We’ve refreshed our typical Thanksgiving offerings with distinctive flavors—think ranch-seasoned turkey and bright, lemon-ginger cranberry sauce—so your holiday spread feels both familiar and new.

Below is our full menu for a smaller gathering. If you want larger quantities of any dish, double the recipe as needed.

What We’re Making

Herby Ranch Roasted Turkey Breast (serves: 4–6)

This roasted turkey breast is tender, moist, and seasoned with ranch-inspired herbs. It’s an ideal main for an intimate Thanksgiving; if you expect more guests or want leftovers, cook two breasts.

Sausage Stuffing (serves: 8–10)

This sausage stuffing is easy and flavorful, using store-bought stuffing cubes to save time without sacrificing texture or taste.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole (serves: 8)

A creamy, plant-based classic made with fresh green beans, mushrooms, a vegan roux, and crispy fried onions on top. It’s rich in flavor while staying dairy-free.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes (serves: 8–10)

Rich and creamy scalloped potatoes made lighter with a Greek yogurt-based cheese sauce, thinly sliced potatoes, and fresh thyme—comforting and crowd-pleasing.

Roasted Delicata Squash (serves: 4–6)

Delicata squash roasted to caramelized perfection. No peeling required—serve with a light crème fraîche drizzle for a balanced sweet-savory side.

Lemon Ginger Cranberry Sauce (serves: 6)

A bright and zesty cranberry sauce made from fresh cranberries, grated ginger, lemon zest, and maple syrup—an easy, homemade upgrade from the canned variety.

Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans (serves: 8–10)

Small bundles of green beans wrapped in bacon and baked until crisp—an irresistible appetizer or side that disappears fast.

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Bites (serves: 12)

Guilt-free mini cheesecakes with a graham cracker crust, Greek yogurt cheesecake filling, and a swirled cranberry topping—perfect for portion control and sharing.

Week-of Preparation Guide

To keep the day-of stress low, here’s a simple Monday-through-Thursday plan. These steps assume you’re preparing the dishes listed above so the timeline lines up for reheating and finishing on Thanksgiving.

Monday

• Finalize the menu
• Create your grocery list

Tuesday

• Set the table to see your layout
• Shop for groceries
• Turkey: If frozen, start thawing the turkey breast now.
• Make the Lemon Ginger Cranberry Sauce and Cranberry Cheesecake Bites. Let cool, then refrigerate.

Wednesday

• Prepare the Sausage Stuffing
• Prepare the Vegan Green Bean Casserole, but wait to add fried onions until serving day
• Prepare the Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, reserving the final cup of parmesan to add just before baking
• Let all prepared dishes cool, cover, and refrigerate overnight

Thursday – Thanksgiving Day

8:00 AM: Season the Herby Ranch Roasted Turkey Breast and let it marinate in the refrigerator.

• 9:00 AM: Assemble the Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans (hold step 7 from the recipe). Set aside.
• 11:00 AM: Prepare the Roasted Delicata Squash; cover with foil and set aside until reheating.
• 12:30 PM: Bake green beans at 400°F for 20 minutes, then cover and set aside.
• 1:00 PM: Bring the turkey to room temperature and bake according to recipe, holding the final high-heat step until later so it finishes hot.
• 2:00 PM: Heat oven to 350°F and reheat the covered Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.
• 2:15 PM: Add covered Sausage Stuffing and Vegan Green Bean Casserole to the oven to reheat for 30 minutes.
• 2:45 PM: Remove stuffing and casserole; keep covered. Increase oven to 400°F, uncover potatoes, sprinkle parmesan, and bake 5 more minutes until golden.
• 2:50 PM: Reheat the Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans, Delicata Squash, and Turkey at 400°F for 10 minutes. Add fried onions to the green bean casserole.
• 2:55 PM: Arrange all dishes on the table: Vegan Green Bean Casserole, Sausage Stuffing, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, and Cranberry Bites.
• 3:00 PM: Drizzle the Delicata Squash with garlic sauce, slice the turkey and spoon on the basting juices, set everything out, and enjoy the meal.

3 Affordable Decoration Ideas

Cheesecloth Table Runner

A gauze or cheesecloth runner instantly softens the table and adds a rustic, elegant touch. They’re inexpensive and versatile—drape one down the center and layer with florals or candles.

Decorative Vases and Dried Flowers

Small vases filled with dried blooms fill gaps on the table and create a cohesive, low-maintenance centerpiece. Use varied heights and textures for visual interest.

Candles, Candles, Candles

Candles instantly create warmth. Combine candlesticks, votives, and tea lights in jars you already own for an inviting glow without spending much.

More Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes

Explore additional healthy options in our recipe collection. Below are popular dishes that work well for smaller gatherings and serve roughly 4–8 people.

Mains

• Sous Vide Turkey Breast (serves 6)
• Mama’s Italian Meatballs (serves 6)
• Instant Pot Pork Roast (serves 6)
• Whole Roasted Chicken (serves 6)
• Crockpot Lasagna (serves 8)

Sides

• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (serves 6)
• Healthy Mashed Potatoes (serves 8)
• Cornbread Stuffing (serves 10)
• Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole (serves 6)
• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad (serves 6)
• Baked Potatoes in Foil (serves 6)
• Vegan Mushroom Gravy (serves 8)
• Healthy Green Bean Casserole (serves 8)
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon (serves 8)

Drinks

• Festive Hot Toddys (serves 2)
• Spiked Apple Cider (serves 1)
• Raspberry Mulled Wine (serves 4)
• Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail (serves 4)
• All Thanksgiving Cocktails

Desserts

• Pumpkin Sheet Cake
• Apple Pie Bars
• Pumpkin Cheesecake
• Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail
• Cherry Crisp