Vegan Thanksgiving: 27 Recipes for Pulling off a Plant-Based Feast (2024)

The traditional Thanksgiving menu isn’t exactly vegan-friendly. But if you’re planning a plant-based spread this year, don’t panic! There are so many amazing vegan versions of the classic Thanksgiving dishes out there.

From dairy-free desserts to turkey alternatives (that aren’t tofurkey), we’ve got you covered with all the recipes you need to feed your friends — and maybe even convert some carnivores.

Vegan Thanksgiving: 27 Recipes for Pulling off a Plant-Based Feast (1)Share on Pinterest

Stuffed acorn squash

This fall-themed main course will look beautiful at the center of the table — and it tastes divine, too. It’s stuffed with chickpeas, quinoa, and pecans and has plenty of protein to keep everyone full.

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Vegan shepherd’s pie

This shepherd’s pie is super easy to prep in advance. Topped with creamy mashed potatoes and tons of veggies in the filling, you’ll end up craving this year round.

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Vegan nut roast

While this roast has a vibe similar to meatloaf, the taste is entirely different (not just because it’s meatless). The base of the roast is mostly mushrooms and nuts with lots of added seasonings. Top with gravy, and you’ll have a perfect Thanksgiving main course.

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Vegan mushroom gravy

Vegan gravy may sound hard to pull off. But this mushroom-based take is not only rich and flavorful, it’s super easy to whip up. It comes together with only five ingredients and will make an amazing accompaniment to any side dish.

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Vegan country gravy

Cashew milk and vegan butter come to the rescue in this thick country gravy. Drizzle it over mashed potatoes or save some for your eggs the next morning!

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Cornbread stuffing

This sweet and savory, fall-forward vegan stuffing recipe includes pecans, dried cranberries, and maple syrup! It’s sure to have you coming back for first and second helpings.

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Vegan stuffing

This stuffing recipe uses whole-wheat bread as a base and is flavored with fennel and fresh mushrooms for a healthy take on the traditional side.

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Simple vegan stuffing

The addition of lentils to this stuffing gives it a heartier feel. With only nine ingredients, this recipe is super easy to throw together in advance or at the last minute.

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Roasted root vegetable stuffing

This stuffing recipe is easily made vegan by subbing the chicken broth for veggie broth. Made with roast root vegetables, it’s an easy way to add more veggies to your Thanksgiving dinner table.

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Vegan cornbread

If you’re not a stuffing lover, whip up this classic vegan cornbread to sop up all your sides and sauces.

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Simple vegan coleslaw

Coleslaw is a side that goes with every eating occasion! This recipe even comes with an accompanying recipe for vegan mayo.

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Pear and cherry salad

We’re really here for the fall flavor medleys in this salad. With ripe pears, dried cherries, and candied walnuts, the bright flavors in the balsamic dressing tie in the sweet and savory.

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Warm spinach salad with figs and butternut squash

This salad is packed with fall flavors from figs to butternut squash. Half of the spinach gets a little heat while the rest stays fresh!

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Kale and cranberry salad

The trick to any kale salad is properly prepping and massaging your kale. Once you’ve got that step out of the way, you can add whatever vegetables you have on hand.

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Sweet and sour cucumber salad

Swap the honey with maple syrup to ensure you get the proper combo of sweet and sour in this salad.

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Vegan sweet potato casserole

Thanksgiving is the perfect time for sweet and savory foods to make an appearance on the same plate. Add this recipe to your spread to balance the savory.

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Vegan scalloped potatoes

These scalloped potatoes are just as creamy and delicious as the dairy-filled original. These can also be prepped in advance.

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Mashed sweet potatoes

In this recipe, the sweet potatoes’ sweet natural flavors are countered with savory flavors from the garlic and fresh herbs, keeping everything perfectly balanced.

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Mashed potatoes

Every holiday dinner needs a big bowl of mashed potatoes at the center of the table. This recipe makes creamy, rich mashed potatoes to feed a crowd.

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Oven roasted potatoes

Potatoes won’t get much easier (and delicious) than with a good, simple, roasting. Toss these in the oven until crispy for a simple potato side dish.

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Naturally sweetened cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce tends to be too sweet. This version is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and allows you to adjust the quantity to match your preference.

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Cranberry applesauce

Take your cranberry sauce to the next level with this cranberry applesauce recipe. For an easy assembly, all the ingredients can be thrown into an Instant Pot!

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No sugar added applesauce

If you’re looking for a side that’s not cranberry-based or too sweet, try this super simple three-ingredient applesauce recipe.

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Fresh cranberry relish

This recipe takes all the prep work out of cranberry sauce. Just throw the three ingredients needed into a food processor or blender, and you’re ready to go.

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Cabernet cranberry blueberry sauce

If you’re looking to wow your guest(s) this year, try adding this cranberry sauce to your line up.

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Cinnamon-roasted butternut squash

For a super-easy side, prep all the ingredients for this roasted squash in advance and just toss them in the oven for 1 hour.

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Roasted Brussels sprouts

Gotta take advantage of Brussels sprouts while they’re in season. By just roasting them with some oil and salt, you maintain the delicious Brussels sprout flavor.

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Vegan green bean casserole

The holidays are all about indulging. So, why not add some creamy and crunchy components to your basic green bean with this casserole recipe.

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Cauliflower rice risotto

This gluten-free risotto recipe is way easier than the classic rice-based version (which takes years of stirring). Serve with mixed veggies for a balanced side.

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Roasted beet relish

Add some brightness to your plate with this beet relish. With lime, cilantro, and a little syrup for sweetness, the flavors in this relish would pair well with any root vegetable.

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Mini pecan pies

A Thanksgiving classic, making these pecan pies mini is great for super-cute presentation and easy eating!

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Pumpkin cake

This three-tiered pumpkin cake has a sweet cinnamon buttercream frosting between the layers and stays moist from the pumpkin puree in the batter.

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Strawberry vegan cheesecake

Your dinner guests will be asking you to make this for every birthday and holiday after trying it. With a cashew-based cream, this rich cheesecake is also topped with strawberry cream and fresh berries.

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Vegan apple hand pies

Make sure to grab a vegan puff pastry for this recipe. The store bought puff makes these hand pies super easy to put together.

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Vegan pound cake

Pound cake can be topped with fresh fruit or icing depending on what you prefer. This recipe glazes the cake in an almond icing.

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Vegan Thanksgiving: 27 Recipes for Pulling off a Plant-Based Feast (2024)

FAQs

How do vegans do 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 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

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 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.

What is a good alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

So go ahead and shake things up this Thanksgiving with one of these flavorful alternatives to cooking up a whole bird this year, like mushroom, Gruyère, & spinach-stuffed pork tenderloin, vegan mushroom pot pie, or a juicy prime rib. We're not sure how it happened, but Team Delish is all about a Thanksgiving lasagna.

Is there a plant based turkey? ›

A vegan turkey roast offers savory flavor and hearty texture without the meat. A quality vegetarian turkey has up to 26 grams of protein per serving — about as much as real turkey.

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 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.

Why is November 1 vegan day? ›

The first World Vegan Day was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the society, held on 1 November 1994. This was later extended to become World Vegan Week and, as we now know it, World Vegan Month. Every November, World Vegan Month is celebrated worldwide as a time to shine a light on the vegan movement.

Are marshmallows vegan? ›

By the 20th century, however, the gooey mallow plant had been replaced with animal-based products like egg whites and gelatin, making most commercially available marshmallows distinctly non-vegan. This holds for both individual marshmallows and whipped marshmallow creams popular in desserts like fudge.

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