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20+ Free Thanksgiving Menu Templates

A Thanksgiving menu is a printed list of the dishes served at a Thanksgiving meal, from appetizers and turkey to sides and pie. Families set one on the table or at each place setting, hosts use it to plan cooking and shopping, and restaurants print one for their holiday set menu.

This page has 20+ Thanksgiving menu templates you can edit and print. There’s a menu designed for restaurants, a party menu for a casual gathering and a detailed feast menu for a full multi-course Thanksgiving dinner menu. Simple layouts come in color or on a black background, and a flower-themed design suits a more decorative table. Every option is a printable Thanksgiving menu.

Finish the menu only after your cooking schedule is final, so guests aren’t promised a dish that didn’t make it. Print on card stock and size it to fit a menu holder or the space beside each plate.

Planning a holiday meal or event? You can also check out our restaurant menu templates for other occasions, gift tag templates for guest favours, and certificate of appreciation templates to thank hosts and volunteers.

Thanksgiving Menu Templates |WORD|

Here are some of the best Thanksgiving menu templates for you in Microsoft Word: 

Restaurant Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Restaurant Simple Thanksgiving Menu preview

Stylish Thanksgiving Menu

Stylish Thanksgiving Menu preview

Simple Colored Thanksgiving Menu

Simple Colored Thanksgiving Menu preview

Black Background Thanksgiving Menu

Black Background Thanksgiving Menu preview

Thanksgiving Party Menu

Thanksgiving Party Menu preview

Flower Theme Thanksgiving Menu

Flower Theme Thanksgiving Menu preview

Detailed Thanksgiving Feast Menu

Detailed Thanksgiving Feast Menu preview

Detailed Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Detailed Simple Thanksgiving Menu preview

Beautiful Thanksgiving Menu

Beautiful Thanksgiving Menu preview

Elegant Thanksgiving Menu

Elegant Thanksgiving Menu preview

Restaurant Attractive Thanksgiving Menu

Restaurant Attractive Thanksgiving Menu preview

Restaurant Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Restaurant Simple Thanksgiving Menu preview

Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Simple Thanksgiving Menu preview

Decent Thanksgiving Menu

Decent Thanksgiving Menu preview

Simple Colored Thanksgiving Menu

Simple Colored Thanksgiving Menu preview

Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Simple Thanksgiving Menu preview

Thanksgiving Party Menu

Thanksgiving Party Menu preview

How to create your own Thanksgiving Menu Template

If you are organizing a Thanksgiving feast at home, the most important thing is to plan your Thanksgiving menu template. Here are some useful tips:

Collect Ideas about your Thanksgiving Menu:

A turkey is a must on a Thanksgiving menu, but you still have to think about the other items. You can browse the internet for ideas. A typical Thanksgiving menu includes:

  • Appetizers: 2 or 3
  • Main Dishes: 2 or 3 (including a Thanksgiving Turkey)
  • Side Dishes: 3 or 4
  • Desserts: 2 or 3

Table Setting:

Setting the table is one of the most important parts of a Thanksgiving feast. Your guests should feel comfortable and enjoy themselves throughout the event, with easy access to anything they need. Give proper thought to the key parts of the table setting, such as decorations, cutlery, plates, napkins, glassware and the menus.  

Design of the Thanksgiving Menu Template:

Once the menu is decided, it’s time to plan the design of your Thanksgiving menu template. You can design the template yourself or use our free templates. If you design it yourself, consider the following important points:

  1. Decide the background color of your Thanksgiving menu template. You can use a single color or a blend of multiple colors, as you prefer.
  2. Instead of a background color, you can also use a background image for your menu template. Just make sure the image doesn’t make the text hard to read. Lightening the background will help. 
  3. Enter all of your decided items on the menu from first to last. 
  4. Add emphasis on any special items present in your menu by highlighting or using different fonts.
  5. If it feels necessary, add some graphics and images to your menu. 
  6. Keep a proper balance of text and graphics in your design to make it look more stylish and catchy. 

Thanksgiving Menu Templates |PDF|

Some of the Thanksgiving Menu Templates in PDF are listed below:

Simple Colorful Thanksgiving Menu

Simple Colorful Thanksgiving Menu preview

Decent Style Thanksgiving Menu

Decent Style Thanksgiving Menu preview

Simple Style Thanksgiving Menu

Simple Style Thanksgiving Menu preview

Detailed Simple Thanksgiving Menu

Detailed Simple Thanksgiving Menu preview

Restaurant Typical Thanksgiving Menu

Restaurant Typical Thanksgiving Menu preview

Designing a Thanksgiving Menu Guests Can Read

Choose a layout that reflects the meal and leaves room for clear course headings. A printed menu should match what will actually be served.

  1. Confirm dishes, courses and any agreed dietary alternatives.
  2. Write concise names and verify relevant ingredient information with the cook or caterer.
  3. Proofread and print a sample at the intended size.

Worked Example

Example: a buffet menu can group mains, sides and desserts, while a plated meal may show the service order. If a dish changes before the event, update the printed information rather than leaving guests to rely on an obsolete menu.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid treating decorative dietary icons as a guarantee of allergen safety. Confirm information and provide a route for guests to discuss requirements with the responsible food provider.

Related Templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I list every ingredient?

Use the detail appropriate to the event, but verify any dietary or allergen-related description. Do not guess from a dish name.

How do I keep a decorative menu readable?

Use sufficient contrast, a practical type size and space between courses. Test the design under the lighting and print conditions of the event.

Hank is the passionate force behind BestyTemplates.com. A seasoned professional business manager based in Calgary, 45-year-old Hank dedicates his time to crafting and sharing free, practical Word and Excel templates. His drive stems from a desire to empower others in their daily tasks, leveraging his extensive business acumen to create tools that truly make a difference.