These 57 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes Will Appeal To Everyone At The Table
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 57 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, vegan mac & cheese, 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 cocktails to share.
Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole
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.
Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
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.
Balsamic-Glazed Roasted Cauliflower
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.
Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes
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.
Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples
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 Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.
Easy Vegan Stuffing
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.
Vegan Mac & Cheese
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 Vegan Mac & Cheese recipe.
Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
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.
Vegan French Onion Stew
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.
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.
Vegan Mushroom Gravy
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.
Miso Roasted Carrots
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.
Focaccia
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.
Cranberry Sauce
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.
Cannellini Beans With Herb Sauce
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.
Vegan Shepherd's Pie
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.
Thanksgiving Cabbage
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.
Chicken-Fried Mushrooms & Gravy
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 Chicken-Fried Mushrooms & Gravy recipe.
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
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.
Socca
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.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
The roasted cauliflower here is perfectly spiced with just a little bit of heat, and the creamy avocado dressing helps balance everything out. This salad good enough to be a main dish but is easy enough to make a great, simple side too.
Get the Roasted Cauliflower Salad recipe.
Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes
When you're looking for a side dish that tastes extremely fresh even in the depth of winter, look no further than fennel salad. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfectly light and refreshing, especially if you serve it alongside heavier cold weather comfort foods.
Get the Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes recipe.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
For most people, pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving is non-negotiable. We agree! This version is every bit as good as the classic, bursting with fall flavors and dolloped with ultra-silky homemade coconut whipped cream. Word to the vegans: This pie is so good, you might want to stash a slice to yourself before the whole fam gets to it. 😉
Get the Vegan Pumpkin Pie recipe.
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
A creamy, cheesy spinach artichoke dip that’s completely vegan? Not possible! Oh, but it is. Vegan alternatives to cheeses and mayonnaise are thankfully much more common in most grocery stores, making one of our favorite dips and appetizers more enjoyable for everyone this holiday season.
Get the Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
One of the best ways to prepare Brussels sprouts is to roast them. It’s easy: Toss the sprouts in a little olive oil, spread them on a baking sheet, and throw them in the oven to hang out for 30 minutes. The oven’s high dry heat will bring out all those delicious nutty flavors, rendering the sprouts soft and tender in the middle and leaving the outer leaves super-crispy and delicious.
Get the Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Pumpkin Curry
Earthy, sweet pumpkin is the perfect base for a spicy, Thai-inspired coconut milk curry. We begin by roasting the pumpkin to provide some caramelization and nuttiness that adds a lot to the final dish. Then we take some of the roast pumpkin and actually blend it into the curry sauce, which adds another layer of pumpkin flavor. 😋
Get the Pumpkin Curry recipe.
Sikil P’ak
If salsa verde and hummus had a child, it would remind us of this dip. Our version of Sikil p’ak, which in Mayan means “pumpkin seed” and “tomato” respectively, is inspired by the Yucatán version. Our riff uses hulled pepitas and charred tomatillos, and its subtle smokiness will keep you and your vegan Thanksgiving guests coming back for more.
Get the Sikil P’ak recipe.
Vegan Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery, with crispy edges, these are the classic, quintessential sugar cookie, veganized and ready to share with friends and family. Whether frosted to look like turkeys, decorated with seasonal sprinkles, or eaten plain right out of the oven, you won't be able to get enough of them.
Get the Vegan Sugar Cookies recipe.
Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Amazing, creamy mashed potatoes are still possible while being completely dairy-free and vegan, and these are here to prove it!
Get the Vegan Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Brown Sugar BBQ Whole Roasted Cauliflower recipe
If you love our whole roasted Thanksgiving cauliflower, then you've gotta try this brown sugar BBQ version. It's got all the smoky BBQ flavors you love, without the meat.
Get the Brown Sugar BBQ Whole Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie
When it's cold out, a steaming hot pot pie filled with creamy, flavorful gravy, sweet and tender veggies, and topped with a shatteringly flaky crust is EVERYTHING. Here, mushrooms replace meat and are every bit as satisfying as their meaty counterparts.
Get the Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie recipe.
Butternut Squash Potstickers
Crimping these takes a little practice, but the good news is that even if they look a little wonky, they're still going to taste great! Serve these with our toasted sesame oil mashed potatoes and some vegan ramen for the perfect, albeit non-traditional, vegan Thanksgiving.
Get the Butternut Squash Potstickers recipe.
ir Fryer Moroccan-Spiced Carrots
A combo of spices adds a riot of flavor to those carrots that may or may not have been sitting in the crisper for too long (perfect for a last-minute Thanksgiving side!).
Get the Air Fryer Moroccan-Spiced Carrots recipe.
Vegan Cheesecake
A vegan cheesecake that tastes shockingly smooth, creamy, and rich? This cake is downright magic. The secret? Soaked cashews!
Get the Vegan Cheesecake recipe.
Fresh Cranberry Relish
Unlike traditional cranberry sauce, this easy relish doesn't require any cooking and can be made entirely in the food processor—which means one more free burner and one less dirty saucepan to clean. Win-win!
Get the Fresh Cranberry Relish recipe.
Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú
Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms would also work perfectly. The ragú can be made up to three days in advance (great for prepping for Thanksgiving!); just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.
Get the Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragú recipe.
Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes
The air fryer works some kind of magic on potatoes—they get extra-crispy all over and stay perfectly soft on the inside. Toss them in just a little bit of oil so all of the seasonings stick to make these the most delicious potatoes ever.
Get the Air Fryer Potatoes recipe.
Holiday Roasted Vegetables
The dried cranberries and balsamic vinegar add some sweetness and tartness, while the pecans add an extra crunch to these holiday-worthy vegetables. We use Brussels sprouts and carrots, but feel free to add extra vegetables or swap in some of your favorites.
Get the Holiday Roasted Vegetables recipe.
Best-Ever Vegan Meatloaf
This hearty "meat" loaf is made mostly out of chickpeas and baby bella mushrooms. We're in love! Serve it with a side of vegan mashed potatoes and green beans for the most comforting Thanksgiving meal.
Get the Vegan Meatloaf recipe.
Herb Roasted Potatoes
We suggest parsley, rosemary, and thyme as a classic and simple way to season these potatoes, but really, any herbs or spices are welcome here. Try hot smoked paprika and turmeric for spicy, herbal potatoes or za’atar and cumin for floral, smoky potatoes.
Get the Herb Roasted Potatoes recipe.
Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts
First there was bang bang shrimp, then bang bang cauliflower, and now these: Get ready for some bangin'Brussels.
Get the Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Fruit Sorbet
A homemade fruit sorbet is the perfect end to a Thanksgiving meal. The best part? You can use any kind of fruit you like! We're thinking cranberry to keep it seasonal. Just remember for the ideal consistency, you'll need 1 cup of fruit puree for every 1/4 cup of sugar.
Get the Fruit Sorbet recipe.
Garlicky Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli rabe (not to be confused with broccoli) is a slightly bitter green where the stalk, leaves, and tops are all edible! Sautéing it with plenty of garlic and olive oil makes the greens flavorful and tender and the perfect side for Thanksgiving.
Get the Garlicky Broccoli Rabe recipe.
Roasted Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a fall staple. The deep orange squash is super versatile, but is also pretty perfect on its own, simply roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper (hot tip: get your oven SUPER hot for best results).
Get the Roasted Butternut Squash recipe.
Vegan Chocolate Brownies
If you're a fan of dark chocolate for dessert, you've met your match. Cocoa, espresso powder, and bittersweet chocolate come together in these dairy-free treats that are just as rich and fudgy as any non-vegan brownie.
Get the Vegan Chocolate Brownies recipe.
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
This is a vegan soup, but you would never guess, because it's satisfying enough to be the main course. The warm, rich flavors of curry powder play beautifully with sweet roasted butternut squash. Topped with a drizzle of rich coconut milk, toasted peanuts, and fresh cilantro, this picture-perfect dinner is sure to please everyone—even the omnivores.
Get the Curried Butternut Squash Soup recipe.
Cauliflower Soup
Even though there are minimal ingredients, this soup has TONS of flavor. In fact, it's delicious even without the cream (great for vegan Thanksgiving guests!). Want to add a little more complexity and nuttiness to the soup? You could roast the cauliflower before you add it.
Get the Cauliflower Soup recipe.
Roasted Parsnips
Looking for a simple side dish to make this Thanksgiving? Parsnips are your answer. They don't get nearly the attention they deserve, but that ends now. Roasting them makes them slightly sweet and perfectly tender for a quick side dish you might just love more than the turkey.
Get the Roasted Parsnips recipe.
Vegan Sweet Potato Curry
We went for ease with this vegan curry, so it can be whipped up in under an hour for a fuss-free, casual Thanksgiving dinner. It's by no means a "traditional curry," so feel free to swap in and out your favorite veggies, and to use whatever curry paste you can find/prefer (check out our note for tips on choosing!).
Get the Vegan Sweet Potato Curry recipe.
Roasted Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is a winter squash that doesn't get enough attention. Its small size makes it much easier to handle than other squashes and it cooks much faster. When roasted, the squash gets creamy and sweet and we can't get over how cute the flower shaped slices are!
Get the Roasted Delicata Squash recipe.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash
Smoked paprika and dill make these supercharged potatoes a savory breakfast-lover’s dream (but it's perfect for dinners too!). Change up the spices depending on what’s in the pantry (chili powder would be nice).
Get the Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash recipe.
Sweet Potato-and-Cauliflower Salad
Best way to pump up a vegan salad for Thanksgiving? Toss some of your favorite roasted veggies (we went for cauliflower and sweet potato, but you do you) with a simple vinaigrette, toss in some pomegranate seeds for sweetness and crunch, and there you have it!
Get the Sweet Potato-and-Cauliflower Salad recipe.
Vegan Meatballs
Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Now, our vegan friends, you TOO can enjoy this comfort sans guilt! These chickpea-based meatballs pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and even provide a good amount of protein and fiber. Try them as a Thanksgiving app too!
Get the Vegan Meatballs recipe.
Vegan New England Clam Chowder
Whether you call it chowder or “chowda,” we think this rich and warming vegan soup does the classic New England version justice. It’s creamy without the cream, briny without the clams, and has a high ratio of mushrooms to potato chunks for a bit of chew and texture in each bite.
Get the Vegan Clam Chowder recipe.
Vegan Lasagna
Tofu replaces ricotta in this vegan version of classic lasagna. Add that to a béchamel-inspired white sauce, and you've got a vegan dinner that won't make you feel at all deprived.
Get the Vegan Lasagna recipe.
Cauliflower Steak
Finding satisfying vegan recipes is no easy task. This cauliflower steak recipe excels in all categories, making it one of our new favorites for any special occasion, like Thanksgiving. Don't sleep on the chopped olive sauce, it's SO delicious.
Get the Cauliflower Steak recipe.
Three Sisters Dish
The benefits of an Indigenous Mesoamerican Three Sisters garden (that's corn, beans, and winter squash) go beyond supplying a powerhouse trio of nutritional ingredients. Though this efficient farming system was pioneered hundreds of years ago, this classic trio never goes out of style. Try it as a vegan side for Thanksgiving this year.
Get the Three Sisters Dish recipe.
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