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

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 cocktails to share.

1

Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

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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

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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

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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.

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4

Toasted Sesame Oil Mashed Potatoes

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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

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.

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6

Easy Vegan Stuffing

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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.

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7

Vegan Mac & Cheese

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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

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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

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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.

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10

Butternut Squash Curry

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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

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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

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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.

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13

Focaccia

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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

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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

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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.

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16

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

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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

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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

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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 .

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19

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

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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

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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

What do vegans eat on Thanksgiving 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.

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 the most popular vegetarian alternative to turkey? ›

1. Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast. This stuffed seitan is the perfect replacement for a stuffed turkey joint this Christmas. Not only does it look fantastic as a centrepiece, but it tastes brilliant with all the trimmings.

What is an alternative to turkey on 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.

What is a vegan turkey called? ›

Tofurky is the brand name of an American vegan turkey replacement (also known as a meat analogue, or, more specifically, tofurkey) made from a blend of wheat protein and organic tofu.

Which is the best vegan turkey? ›

The best vegan turkey roasts you can buy
  • Tofurky. Tofurky Tofurky offers a plant-based roast perfect for Thanksgiving. ...
  • Field Roast. Field Roast The company makes a variety of vegan turkey products. ...
  • Gardein Turk'y Roast. Gardein Gardein's Holiday Roast comes with a cranberry wild rice stuffing. ...
  • Trader Joe's Vegan Roast.
Nov 11, 2022

What does Christianity say about vegans? ›

Most Christians maintain that Jesus's teaching in Mark 7 demonstrates that Christians can eat whatever they want, that dietary choices are a matter of "Christian liberty", and that therefore vegetarianism or veganism could never be obligatory for Christians.

Are marshmallows vegan? ›

Most marshmallows on the market contain gelatin, which is often derived from the skin and bones of cows and pigs. It was added to the recipe to give the soft candy more of a stable form. Because gelatin comes from dead animals, marshmallows made with it are not vegan.

What religion follows a vegan diet? ›

Vegetarianism in Jainism is based on the principle of nonviolence (ahimsa, literally "non-injuring"). Vegetarianism is considered mandatory for everyone. Jains are either lacto-vegetarians or vegans. No use or consumption of products obtained from dead animals is allowed.

What is the least vegetarian country? ›

So based on our understanding of different regions' eating habits, here are the worst countries for vegetarians:
  • Mongolia. ...
  • Iceland. ...
  • Latvia. ...
  • Uruguay. ...
  • Portugal. ...
  • Philippines. ...
  • South Africa.
Jul 27, 2023

What is a vegan substitute for turkey slices? ›

Ingredients for Vegan Turkey Slices

The key ingredients for homemade vegan deli meat are extra-firm tofu and vital wheat gluten. Both are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. Together, they produce a log of seitan that has a texture remarkably similar to store-bought deli slices.

Why is turkey not as popular as chicken? ›

The price difference and availability influence why people choose chicken over turkey. Turkey is more seasonal and available in November and December, whereas chicken is available year-round in all grocery stores.

What to eat for Thanksgiving if you don't like turkey? ›

Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Are Better Than Turkey
  • Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary. Image. Credit... ...
  • Beef Wellington. Image. ...
  • Ombré Gratin. Image. ...
  • Skillet Pork Chops and Apples With Miso Caramel. Image. ...
  • Samosa Pie. Image. ...
  • Maple-Baked Salmon. Image. ...
  • Lasagna. Image. ...
  • Ina Garten's Make-Ahead Coquilles St. Jacques.
Nov 10, 2022

What is an adult female turkey called? ›

Adult female turkeys are called hens. Juvenile females are called jennies.

What is healthier than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Try it out on Thanksgiving by substituting tofu for your turkey. Tofu can be cooked in a variety of flavorful ways and comes with a ton of nutritional benefits including a lot of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B, and protein.

What do vegetarians eat instead of turkey for Christmas? ›

Whether you're going meat-free or not, these vegetarian mains are sure to steal the spotlight on Christmas day.
  • 1Gluten-free vegetarian lasagne. ...
  • 2Christmas vegeducken. ...
  • 3Tomato, ricotta and olive spelt tart with basil. ...
  • 4Cheesy spelt crepes stuffed with buttered leek. ...
  • 5Lentil nut roast with sugo.

What are the 3 main vegetarian alternatives to meat? ›

The 10 best vegan meat alternatives
  • Tofu. Tofu is the classic meat alternative and has been one of the basic sources of nutrition in Asia for centuries. ...
  • Soy protein. Soy chunks and mince are very inexpensive ingredients that are easy to prepare. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Seitan/wheat protein. ...
  • Lupin protein. ...
  • Green spelt. ...
  • Oat flakes. ...
  • Black beans.
Nov 11, 2019

What is the most popular vegetarian dish in the world? ›

Here are 10 of the best vegetarian dishes from around the world:
  • Falafel. ...
  • Spanakopita. Country: Greece. ...
  • Ratatouille. Country: France. ...
  • Käsespätzle. Country: Austria and Germany. ...
  • Humitas. Country: All across South America! ...
  • Khachapuri. Country: Georgia. ...
  • Zaru Soba. Country: Japan. ...
  • Trofie al pesto. Country: Italy.

Is there vegetarian turkey? ›

Gardein (maker of our number one vegan turkey roast, spoiler, sorry) also makes this little individual version and we love it. It's vegetarian turkey, stuffed with cranberry and sage stuffing, breaded, and fried. So many vegetarian turkey roasts are so dry.

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