Thanksgiving is about gratitude, not stress — and definitely not overspending. If you’re new to vegan cooking or hosting your first plant-based holiday meal, you might be wondering how to pull off a delicious Thanksgiving feast without breaking the bank.
Good news: you absolutely can. This budget vegan Thanksgiving menu for beginners costs under $50 total, feeds 4–6 people generously, and includes everything you need for a full, satisfying meal. It’s perfect for first-time cooks, college students, or anyone keeping things simple (and affordable) this year.
We’ll cover:
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A complete vegan Thanksgiving menu with 6 crowd-pleasing dishes
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Smart shopping tips to stretch your budget
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Make-ahead ideas to save time
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A few bonus tricks for presentation and hosting
And if you want to celebrate your compassionate lifestyle beyond the dinner table, check out The Dharma Store — they sell vegan-themed t-shirts made from organic cotton. Their mission aligns beautifully with mindful, cruelty-free living — the perfect conversation starter for your holiday meal.
Why a Budget Vegan Thanksgiving Works
You don’t need pricey meat substitutes or complicated recipes to make a memorable Thanksgiving. The beauty of vegan cooking is that it relies on whole, affordable ingredients — grains, legumes, vegetables, and pantry staples. With a few clever swaps and some flavor layering, you can turn simple ingredients into a feast.
Vegan cooking also saves money in the long run. Without costly items like turkey, butter, or cream, your budget stretches further — leaving room for quality produce and fresh herbs that elevate every dish.
This plan proves you can create an impressive, abundant Thanksgiving meal for less than a single store-bought roast.
Budget Vegan Thanksgiving Menu (Under $50)
Here’s what’s on the menu:
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Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
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Savory Lentil Loaf with Maple Glaze
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Simple Mushroom Gravy
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Roasted Veggies with Herbs
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Cranberry-Orange Sauce
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Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Whip
Each recipe is beginner-friendly, affordable, and built around common pantry ingredients. Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Estimated cost: $4
A Thanksgiving essential, mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food — and they’re naturally cheap and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients:
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2 pounds russet potatoes ($3)
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3 tablespoons vegan butter ($1)
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½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant milk)
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2 cloves garlic
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Peel and chop potatoes into chunks. Boil until soft.
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Drain and mash with vegan butter, milk, and minced garlic.
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Season with salt and pepper.
Pro tip: If you want extra flavor, roast the garlic beforehand — it adds a buttery, mellow depth without extra cost.
2. Savory Lentil Loaf with Maple Glaze
Estimated cost: $9
This lentil loaf is hearty, sliceable, and perfect as the main dish. It’s high in protein, full of umami, and pairs beautifully with gravy.
Ingredients:
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1 cup dry brown lentils ($1.50)
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1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
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1 carrot, grated ($0.30)
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2 tablespoons tomato paste ($0.40)
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1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari ($0.20)
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1 tablespoon ground flaxseed ($0.40)
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½ cup breadcrumbs or rolled oats ($0.40)
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2 tablespoons maple syrup ($0.60)
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Salt, pepper, and herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary)
Instructions:
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Cook lentils in salted water until soft, about 25 minutes. Drain.
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Sauté onion and carrot until tender. Add tomato paste and herbs.
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Combine everything in a bowl, including flaxseed and oats. Mash lightly.
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Press into a loaf pan and bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
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Brush with maple syrup or ketchup halfway through for a sweet-savory glaze.
Make-ahead tip: This loaf tastes even better the next day — perfect for prepping early.
3. Simple Mushroom Gravy
Estimated cost: $4
Skip the jarred stuff — this gravy takes just 10 minutes and costs next to nothing.
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon olive oil ($0.10)
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1 cup chopped mushrooms ($2)
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1 tablespoon gluten-free flour or cornstarch ($0.20)
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2 cups vegetable broth ($1.50)
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1 teaspoon soy sauce
Instructions:
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Sauté mushrooms in oil until browned.
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Sprinkle in flour and stir.
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Slowly whisk in broth until smooth.
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Simmer 5 minutes and season to taste.
Serving idea: Pour generously over the lentil loaf and mashed potatoes for that classic Thanksgiving richness.
4. Roasted Veggies with Herbs
Estimated cost: $6
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of veggies and gives you a colorful, festive side.
Ingredients:
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2 carrots ($1)
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1 parsnip ($1)
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1 sweet potato ($1.50)
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1 red onion ($1)
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2 tablespoons olive oil ($0.40)
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1 teaspoon rosemary and thyme ($0.30)
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Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Chop all veggies into bite-sized pieces.
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Toss with olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
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Roast at 425°F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway.
Budget-friendly bonus: Use whatever’s on sale — butternut squash, beets, or turnips work beautifully too.
5. Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Estimated cost: $3
Skip canned cranberry sauce and make your own in 15 minutes — fresh, tangy, and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients:
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12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries ($2)
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½ cup orange juice ($0.50)
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¼ cup sugar ($0.50)
Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
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Simmer for 10–12 minutes until thick.
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Let cool — it will set as it chills.
Make-ahead: You can store it in the fridge up to 3 days in advance.
6. Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Whip
Estimated cost: $10
End your meal with a classic — creamy pumpkin pie that’s dairy-free, egg-free, and full of autumn spice.
Ingredients:
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1 pre-made vegan pie crust ($3)
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1 can pumpkin puree ($2)
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¾ cup coconut milk ($1.50)
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½ cup brown sugar ($1)
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1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ($0.50)
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1 tablespoon cornstarch ($0.20)
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1 can coconut cream for whip ($2)
Instructions:
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Blend all filling ingredients until smooth.
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Pour into crust and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.
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Chill before serving.
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For the whip, refrigerate coconut cream overnight, then whip the solid part with a little sugar until fluffy.
Pro tip: Sprinkle with cinnamon just before serving for a festive touch.
Estimated Total Cost
| Dish | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes | $4 |
| Savory Lentil Loaf | $9 |
| Mushroom Gravy | $4 |
| Roasted Veggies | $6 |
| Cranberry-Orange Sauce | $3 |
| Pumpkin Pie | $10 |
| Total (for 4–6 servings) | ~$36 |
That’s under $50, even with minor substitutions or price fluctuations — proof that a hearty vegan Thanksgiving doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Smart Shopping Tips for a Budget-Friendly Vegan Thanksgiving
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Buy in bulk. Staples like lentils, oats, and rice are cheaper in bulk bins.
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Shop store brands. Most generic plant-based milks and spices are just as good.
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Focus on seasonal produce. Carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash are cheap and abundant in November.
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Use what you have. Reuse herbs, spices, and condiments from your pantry before buying new ones.
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Plan portions. A well-rounded menu means you don’t need large quantities of each dish.
Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Strategy for Beginners
A little planning saves a lot of stress — especially if it’s your first time hosting. Here’s a beginner-friendly prep schedule:
2 days before:
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Make cranberry sauce and store in fridge.
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Prep lentil loaf mixture (cover and refrigerate).
1 day before:
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Bake the pumpkin pie.
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Chop veggies and store in zip-top bags.
Thanksgiving morning:
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Roast veggies, cook mashed potatoes, and make gravy.
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Bake lentil loaf while prepping final touches.
Everything reheats beautifully and keeps its texture — no soggy sides or dried-out leftovers.
Hosting Tips for First-Time Vegans
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Keep it simple. Don’t overextend with too many recipes — quality over quantity wins.
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Set the table with warmth. Add candles, herbs, or pinecones for an earthy, festive feel.
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Communicate the menu. Guests love knowing what’s being served — label dishes “vegan” and “gluten-free.”
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Make it interactive. Let guests top their mashed potatoes or roasted veggies with gravy or nuts.
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Relax and enjoy. The best part of Thanksgiving is sharing food made with love, not perfection.
Why Vegan Thanksgiving Feasts Are Naturally Affordable
Plant-based meals aren’t just ethical and sustainable — they’re economical. Without meat, butter, or cream, your grocery list focuses on budget-friendly staples: beans, grains, vegetables, and herbs.
Beyond saving money, you’re also investing in values — compassion, sustainability, and mindful living. It’s a reminder that abundance doesn’t come from extravagance, but from gratitude.
That’s what Thanksgiving — vegan or not — is truly about.
Living Compassionately Year-Round
Hosting a vegan Thanksgiving is a powerful way to align your holiday traditions with your values. Whether you’re motivated by compassion for animals, environmental impact, or personal health, each plant-based dish tells a story of mindfulness and care.
If you want to take that mindset into your wardrobe, explore The Dharma Store. Their vegan-themed t-shirts, made from organic cotton, make excellent gifts and gentle reminders that kindness can be lived — and worn — every day.
Final Thoughts: Gratitude on a Budget
A budget vegan Thanksgiving doesn’t mean giving up flavor, variety, or joy. With a little creativity and planning, you can serve an incredible spread that everyone will love — all for under $50.
This beginner-friendly menu proves that cooking vegan isn’t complicated or expensive. It’s about celebrating what really matters: connection, gratitude, and good food shared with people you care about.
So light the candles, fill your plates, and raise a glass to an abundant, compassionate, and affordable Thanksgiving.