The Essential Host List for a Mindful, Sustainable Thanksgiving
We all know Thanksgiving is a time for connection, gratitude, and yes, a lot of delicious food. But as we gather around the table this year, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on how our traditions impact the planet—and explore ways to create new traditions to celebrate more mindfully.
From reducing food waste to rethinking how we source ingredients, small changes make a big difference. And many of these changes can also earn you tickets in the Dashboard.Earth app toward our weekly prizes.
Take it from us—we know climate change can be a touchy subject with loved ones. Talking about why you’re going meatless this year or why you asked guests to bring their own take-home containers can be as tricky as perfecting that pie crust. We’ve got some tips that can help you navigate those conversations with care, so you can stay true to your values while keeping the holiday spirit intact.
Let’s make this Thanksgiving a feast for both family and the future.
15 Tips for a Climate-Friendly Thanksgiving
1 - Think plant-forward: Swap turkey for a plant-based centerpiece like a lentil loaf, stuffed squash, mushroom Wellington, or the tried-and-true Tofurky roast — or simply reduce the amount of meat you serve and keep plants at the center of the meal.
2 - Look for local ingredients: Visit a farmers' market to source seasonal produce. Local veggies like sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and apples often have a smaller environmental impact — and they taste better, too.
3 - Save your scraps: As you’re prepping your meal, start saving those vegetable scraps to use as stock for soups and gravies. Same for stale bread—cube and freeze for your stuffing.
4 - Use up leftover Halloween pumpkins: Roast your Halloween pumpkins for soup, bake them into biscuits, or whip up a pie. Remember to save the seeds for a crunchy snack or garnish.
5 - Use cloth napkins and reusable dishware: Skip single-use napkins and disposable plates. Elegant cloth napkins and reusable dishes make a sustainable statement and add a touch of class.
6 - Try a DIY plant-based gravy: Replace turkey drippings with mushroom or miso gravy, packed with umami flavor and made from scratch with simple ingredients.
7 - Make cranberry sauce from scratch: Ditch canned options by simmering fresh cranberries with a touch of orange zest and maple syrup. It’s more eco-friendly and so much tastier!
8 - Upcycle wine bottles for decor: Use empty wine bottles as candle holders or vases for fall flowers instead of buying new decorations.
9 - Plan a no-cook appetizer board: Reduce energy use by assembling a fresh, no-cook spread of fruits, nuts, pickles, and cheeses (bonus points if they’re plant-based or locally sourced).
10 - Talk about climate: Share ideas for sustainable living with loved ones. It can be tricky talking about hot-button issues, but you can try and find an easy entry point, like how many climate actions save you money. We love the tips here.
11 - Invite friends to take action: Sign up a loved one to the Dashboard.Earth app. Once your incredible, eco ticket-earning feast wows everyone, let them know they can earn prizes, too. Plus with our new Invite a Friend action, you and your loved ones each get 10 bonus tickets 🎟️.
12 - Leftover love: Encourage guests to bring reusable containers for leftovers. Reducing food waste is one of our biggest ways to make an impact!
13 - Host a "leftover swap": After the meal, set up a station where guests can trade leftovers. One person’s extra stuffing might be another’s new favorite lunch!
14 - Repurpose mashed potato leftovers: Turn extra mashed potatoes into crispy, golden potato pancakes the next day. Perfect for a post-holiday brunch.
15 - Freeze your leftovers: If you end up with more leftovers than you or your guests can eat, freeze them in portion-sized containers. This prevents food waste and gives you ready-made meals for busy days ahead—no extra cooking required.