These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (2024)

All the classics are here and accounted for, plus some creative alternatives for your vegan table.

By Camille Lowder
These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (1)

You might think that it isn't Thanksgiving without the turkey, but we beg to differ. Vegans can enjoy ALL the Turkey Day classics, sans animal products. Whether you’re making a whole vegan meal or are just looking for options for that vegan friend or cousin (they’ll be saying thanks to YOU all night long), we’ve got lots of ideas for you here. Check out our 58 vegan Thanksgiving recipes—you might just find you like these plant-based options even better than their meat- and-dairy-filled counterparts.

Thanksgiving is all about tradition, and just because you’re eschewing animal products doesn’t mean you can’t make all the same classics you know and love. We’ve got them all here, from apps and sides to mains and desserts. Make sure you’ve got our vegan green bean casserole, vegan mashed potatoes, vegan gravy, , and vegan stuffing, then fill out your meal with veggie sides, cranberry sauce, salads, and soups. For dessert, try our vegan pumpkin pie, our fruit sorbet (try it with cranberries!), our vegan cheesecake, or our vegan sweet potato pie. Absolutely no one will miss the turkey with this feast on the table.

As many vegans know, one of the best parts about eating a plant-based diet is how much it expands your palate. When you give up eggs, cheese, and meat, you’ve really gotta get creative. On Thanksgiving, you could stick with the classics above, but it’s YOUR meal, so feel free to switch it up. We like to keep with the general fall theme by focusing on dishes featuring some of the best fall produce, but really, you do you. Try our butternut squash curry, our vegan meatballs (great as appetizers or over pasta as a main), our brown sugar BBQ whole roasted cauliflower, or our vegan meatloaf. These are perfect to bring to more traditional Thanksgiving potlucks and Friendsgivings too. The added variety will please even the most strident of omnivores.

And don’t forget the drinks! Most alcohol is vegan (check Barnivore if you’re concerned), so make up a big batch of one of our Thanksgiving co*cktails to share.

1

Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (3)

Plant-based eaters don't have to miss out on classic green bean casserole, thanks to this simple recipe. We're super into the onion topping on this casserole—it's SO much better than the fried ones that come in a can. Because this casserole is less heavy, you can also enjoy it all season long (and not just on Thanksgiving!).

Get the Vegan Green Bean Casserole recipe.

2

Vegan Sweet Potato Pie

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (4)

This sweet potato pie is extremely good, thanks to an oat pecan crust and a creamy, spiced filling. Look for vegan marshmallows to top it, or keep it simple with your own vegan whipped topping using coconut cream.

Get the Vegan Sweet Potato Pie recipe.

3

Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (5)

A whole roasted cauliflower makes for a fantastic vegan main dish. This one is roasted around extra veggies and has a slightly sweet balsamic glaze over it. It's easy to throw together and will leave you feeling full, not heavy. Win!

Get the Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (6)

Vegan mashed potatoes that are just as creamy and delicious as the real thing? You betcha! Toasted sesame oil adds tons of flavor and creaminess. Green onions and extra sesame seeds round them out for some of the best mashed potatoes we've ever made.

Get the Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes recipe.

5

Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (7)

You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus and rich holiday spreads.

Get the .

6

Easy Vegan Stuffing

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (8)

Because of the butter, eggs and chicken broth that usually go into classic stuffing, it's a dish that vegans can't always enjoy—until now! For the best results, use a quality, hearty loaf of bread and a nice olive oil

Get the Easy Vegan Stuffing recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Vegan Mac & Cheese

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (9)

Delicious vegan mac & cheese might sound like an oxymoron, but trust us, this cheese sauce is good enough to satiate the strongest dairy craving. Don't skip the thyme-panko topping—the added crunch takes it over the top.

Get the .

8

Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (10)

This vegan butternut squash soup is made in a slow cooker, so after you chop up all your vegetables, it’s essentially hands-off. A quick blitz with an immersion blender at the end, and you’ve got a silky, drinkable butternut squash soup.

Get the Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

9

Vegan French Onion Stew

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (11)

Finishing the cheese toasts right in the soup pot makes for an impressive presentation that rivals even regular French onion soup. Be warned: if you're prepping ahead of Thanksgiving, it’s best to do that job on a sheet tray instead to avoid losing soggy pieces of bread in your leftovers.

Get the Vegan French Onion Stew recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Butternut Squash Curry

The butternut squash is toothsome and savory, the kale is earthy and green, and the coconut milk here wraps everything together in a creamy sauce. The curry spice adds a little warm punch to each spoonful, while a squeeze of lime juice and fresh parsley brighten each bite, cutting out some of the richness. Sunflower seeds are a fun addition that adds a little crunch to your bite, but feel free to omit (or swap for something else!).

Get the Butternut Squash Curry recipe.

11

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (13)

Vegans and meat-eaters alike will be piling this flavor-packed gravy on top of all the Thanksgiving sides. This gravy comes together in minutes—and you won't miss roasting a whole turkey or chicken to make it.

Get the Vegan Mushroom Gravy recipe.

12

Miso Roasted Carrots

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (14)

These sweet-savory carrots are topped with the most delicious mix of crunchy nuts and spices. We like pistachios and black and white sesame seeds, but feel free to swap in your favorites.

Get the Miso Roasted Carrots recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Focaccia

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (15)

This focaccia is totally classic, topped with fresh rosemary leaves and crunchy sea salt. It’s perfectly crispy-toasty on the outside and super soft-fluffy inside, making it the perfect Thanksgiving accompaniment, no matter what you serve. Learn how to conquer this Italian classic with our few easy-to-follow tips.

Get the Focaccia recipe.

14

Cranberry Sauce

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (16)

This sweet-tart sauce is almost as easy as opening up the canned stuff, and you know your Thanksgiving spread deserves better. This is one of the Thanksgiving dishes you can make up to a week in advance. (Bonus: The flavors will meld and deepen while it hangs out in the fridge.)

Get the Cranberry Sauce recipe.

15

Cannellini Beans With Herb Sauce

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (17)

White beans are a great blank canvas, especially for bright, assertive flavors like lemon and fresh herbs like basil. Perfect as a vegan Thanksgiving side (skip the optional Parm!), these beans prove from-scratch really does make a difference.

Get the Cannellini Beans With Herb Sauce recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (18)

This meatless, dairy-free take on shepherd's pie is packed with veggies (mushrooms! celery! butternut squash! parsnips!) and loaded with flavor. It's also incredibly hearty, thanks to lentils.

Get the Vegan Shepherd's Pie recipe.

17

Thanksgiving Cabbage

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (19)

This gorgeous, whole-roasted stunner is the perfect holiday substitute for vegans. It's savory, sweet, and salty on the outside and super-tender on the inside. Topped with lots of silky mushroom gravy, we doubt anyone at your table will be missing meat.

Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.

18

Chicken-Fried Mushrooms & Gravy

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (20)

Meaty oyster mushrooms stand in for steak in our indulgent take on this Southern classic. Buttermilk is a must for fried chicken, so we made our own with almond milk and vinegar.

Get the .

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (21)

This is one of the absolute best hacks for creating roasted potatoes that are perfectly golden and crispy on the outside but buttery and tender on the inside. The trick is a cornstarch slurry that may seem strange, but trust us—these are the best potatoes you'll ever have.

Get the Roasted Fingerling Potatoes recipe.

20

Socca

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (22)

Socca, also known as farinata, is a chickpea-based flatbread popular in the Mediterranean. This deceptively simple dish is great for an non-traditional Thanksgiving, or for sopping up classics like vegan gravy, cranberry sauce, and more.

Get the Socca recipe.

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table (2024)

FAQs

These 58 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table? ›

Seasonal vegetables like squash, beets, and mushrooms are key to making vegan-friendly dishes that are festive for Thanksgiving. Add quinoa, nuts, and beans (like chickpeas or lentils) to create satisfying entrées that everyone at the table will want to try.

How do vegans celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

Seasonal vegetables like squash, beets, and mushrooms are key to making vegan-friendly dishes that are festive for Thanksgiving. Add quinoa, nuts, and beans (like chickpeas or lentils) to create satisfying entrées that everyone at the table will want to try.

What is a good substitute for turkey meat? ›

20 turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving, including duck and pork
  • Pork.
  • Ham.
  • Duck.
  • Chicken.
  • Beef.
  • Squash.
  • Mushroom.
  • Cauliflower.
Oct 30, 2022

How to be vegetarian on Thanksgiving? ›

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes
  1. Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington. Alexa Weibel. ...
  2. Spicy Roasted Mushrooms With Polenta. ...
  3. Ombré Gratin. ...
  4. Baked Brie and Caramelized Vegetable Pie. ...
  5. One-Pot Vegetable Biryani. ...
  6. Broccoli Cheese Casserole. ...
  7. Butternut Squash and Fondue Pie With Pickled Red Chiles. ...
  8. Roasted Mushrooms in Ata Din Din.

What do vegans eat instead of turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Here are some popular options:
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash: - Roast acorn squash halves and fill them with a flavorful stuffing made with grains, nuts, dried fruits, and herbs.
  • Vegan Roast: - Many brands offer pre-made vegan roasts made from plant-based ingredients like seitan, tofu, or tempeh. ...
  • Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms:
Nov 17, 2021

What religion follows a vegan diet? ›

Pure vegetarianism or veganism is Indic in origin and is still practiced in India by some adherents of Dharmic religions such as Jainism and in the case of Hinduism, lacto-vegetarianism with the additional abstention of pungent or fetid vegetables.

What do vegetarians eat instead of turkey? ›

Vegan Turkey Substitutes
  • Burmese Tofu (aka Chickpea Flour Tofu) ...
  • Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric-Tahini Sauce & Pistachios. ...
  • Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie With Parsnip & Potato Mash. ...
  • Vegetarian Mapo Tofu. ...
  • Sweet Potato & Chickpea Cakes. ...
  • Vegan Lasagna With Roasted Vegetables. ...
  • Zucchini Verde Enchiladas. ...
  • Nutty Veggie Burgers.

What is cheaper than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Roast chicken is less expensive, easy to roast, delicious, and has less portions than a large turkey, so it is perfect for a single, couple, or small family celebration. A simple chicken stuffed with mirepoix, lemons, fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, sage) and roasted whole is a great alternative to a large turkey."

What is a good alternative to traditional Thanksgiving dinner? ›

25 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
  • 01 of 25. Artichoke Hearts Gratin. ...
  • 02 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin Soup. ...
  • 03 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini. ...
  • 04 of 25. Apple Pie Shot. ...
  • 05 of 25. Citrus Turkey Brine. ...
  • 06 of 25. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions. ...
  • 07 of 25. Tangy Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  • 08 of 25.
Oct 3, 2023

What meat is healthier than turkey? ›

Beef has more iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which are nutrients that promote healthy blood, immunity, and nervous system health, than turkey.

What is the healthiest turkey option? ›

Head to the deli counter

Deli-sliced meat will be the healthiest option because of the low ingredient list – take this Boar's Head Premium Lower Sodium turkey, for example, which contains only “Turkey breast, water, less than 1.5% of salt, sugar, sodium phosphate.”

What meat is cheaper than turkey? ›

Chicken tends to be one of the more economical meat options per pound, often being less expensive than turkey or pork. It's a versatile protein source and widely available at various price points, making it a budget-friendly choice for family meals.

What is a silent vegetarian? ›

Acronym for silent vegetarian option, a dish to be substituted at the request of guests, but not explicitly offered to everyone.

Do vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Well, the short answer is yes! Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

Do vegetarians eat cheese? ›

Vegetarians choose not to eat meat, poultry, or seafood but often consume non-meat animal products (NMAPs), such as cheese, eggs, and milk, that can be derived from intensive farming, a process critics claim is cruel.

Do vegans celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

"A traditional Thanksgiving menu has lots of options for vegans and vegetarians: green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, and sweet potatoes and yams—it's a carb-loaded feast, and we will happily lick our plates," says Peart.

What do vegans think about Thanksgiving? ›

And while Thanksgiving is supposed to signify gratitude and abundance—the holiday centers around the autumn harvest—for many, it's the opposite. “It's all about eating and the murder of these birds or other animals,” Patty Shenker, a 30-year vegan told the LA Times.

Do vegans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

And no, vegans do not eat chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, or even cheese, though they are often asked. But keeping a vegan happy on Thanksgiving is not difficult. Plenty of traditional dishes are (almost) vegan anyway, and the oven is on for baking special treats.

What is the vegan version of turkey? ›

Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan. Choose one of these plant-based turkey alternatives, or combine more than one in your table, complimenting with veggies, rice, salads, or any other plant-based whole foods ingredients you want.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6707

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.