30+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (Mains, Sides, Dessert, and More!)
Get ready for the holiday season with these 30+ delicious vegan Thanksgiving recipes! This list includes everything you’ll need for the perfect Thanksgiving table: apps, sides, mains, and (of course) dessert! Just a warning, your mouth will likely start to water when you see these delicious recipes!
❓Quick FAQ
What can replace turkey as the main dish?
There are many alternatives, such as a stuffed acorn squash, lentil loaf, or a vegan roast made from seitan or soy. These options can be just as flavorful and satisfying. See below under “Mains” for all the inspiration!
What’s the best way to accommodate various dietary preferences at the same table?
It’s always a good idea to communicate with your guests beforehand and ask about any dietary restrictions. Plan a diverse menu that includes vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous options so that everyone can enjoy a satisfying meal.
Are there vegan alternatives for traditional sides like stuffing and mashed potatoes?
Absolutely! For stuffing, you can use vegetable broth and load it with veggies, nuts, and herbs (see recipe below). Mashed potatoes can be made with plant-based milk and vegan butter for a creamy texture (see recipe below).
Appetizers
1
Fruit Turkey platter
Make this cute fruit turkey platter for your holiday buffet table. The turkey’s feathers area are made with fresh fruit such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, orange slices, apples, and bananas – with the turkey’s body and head made from a juicy pear half. This fun fruit turkey is easy enough that you can get the kids involved and will make a lovely edible centerpiece everyone will admire and enjoy.
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2
Outrageously Good Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
This Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip in a bread bowl is sure to be the most popular appetizer at the party! It's creamy, cheesy, and just as indulgent as the classic without the heaviness of dairy. A must-make for the holidays!
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3
Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
Cozy up this fall season with the perfect dip! This creamy pumpkin hummus will satisfy all your fall cravings with spices like cinnamon and cumin blended with creamy pumpkin and chickpeas. You’ll fall in love with this hummus with each savory & sweet bite!
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4
Easy Vegan Mushroom Crostini
These festive vegan mushroom crostini recipe is an easy and impressive appetizer perfect for holidays. Crunchy baguette with grilled vegan mozzarella topped with sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms with a hint of balsamic and Dijon mustard will surely be a show stopper.
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5
Vegan Cheese Board
Create a Vegan Cheese Board that's sure to wow your guests! From casual to elegant, a vegan cheese plate is versatile, impressive, and easily crafted to suit any occasion. Get ideas for the best vegan cheeses and the other elements to include on your cheese board. Plus learn how to add seasonal, festive touches and pull it all together in no time!
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6
Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms with Ricotta and Spinach
These festive vegan stuffed mushrooms are a perfect appetizer for the holiday season. Umami-packed mushrooms filled with cheesy vegan ricotta, spinach and garlic and topped with vegan parmesan make a perfect vegan alternative to traditional stuffed mushrooms, but are gluten- and dairy-free and so delicious!
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7
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip with Homemade Cashew Cream Cheese
This Cranberry Jalapeño Dip is creamy, sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. Serve it up with tortilla chips or whole grain crackers and it’s the perfect holiday appetizer or snack. Always a hit at parties! Easily made in the food processor.
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Sides
8
Cranberry Sauce
This is the homemade cranberry sauce recipe people will actually be begging you for! This recipe is a little different than others — it's still a super simple stovetop recipe (ready in just 15 minutes) but the addition of maple syrup and a touch of pomegranate juice is what makes this recipe really shine. Don't forget the fresh orange juice! This is an easy make ahead recipe for your gathering you will be glad you added to your holiday menu.
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9
Roasted Pesto Potatoes
You'll love these easy Roasted Pesto Potatoes! This recipe yields crispy and tender roasted potatoes with lots of flavor for the best simple side dish on a busy weeknight. These potatoes are tossed in a delicious fresh basil pesto, then roasted to golden perfection. The addition of lemon brightens up and balances the distinct flavors!
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10
Vegan Cornbread
This easy vegan gluten free cornbread has a delectable tender texture and the perfect balance of added corn kernels. The flavor is mildly sweet, perfect for pairing with soups, stews, and chilis or enjoy it alone.
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11
Dairy-Free Scalloped Potatoes (gluten-free, vegan & paleo)
This is the best dairy-free scalloped potatoes recipe! These potatoes are so rich and creamy and they have an amazing cheesy flavour, without any cheese! Made with russet potatoes, nutritional yeast, almond flour, and coconut milk you will love that this recipe is also vegan, gluten-free, paleo and Whole30 compliant.
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12
Vegan Stuffing Recipe
This is the season for comfort food! And what’s more comforting than a big bowl of stuffing? This vegan stuffing recipe is hearty, flavorful, and will have everyone at the table coming back for seconds (and thirds!)
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13
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Caramelized Pecans
This vegan pecan sweet potato casserole is filled with creamy sweet potatoes with hints of brown sugar and a caramelized pecan topping.
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14
Easy Broccolini
I remember the first time I tried making broccolini 5 years ago, I had no idea if it was preparing or cooking it properly. I’d made broccoli a million times…but it’s skinny sister was a mystery. Now, after making it dozens of times, broccolini is one of my favorite sides to make. This recipe is easier than most: it takes less 10 minutes to cook with no blanching (FYI that process removes nutrients). Another trick I’ve learned is infusing olive oil with sliced garlic; this is extremely easy and creates the best flavor while yielding crispy, golden garlic chips that make a delicious finishing touch. This vibrant, delicious side dish will make you feel like a chef at a fine restaurant—yet it’s easy enough for a weeknight!
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15
Fall Farro Salad with Butternut Squash
Dive into the cozy fall season with this fall farro salad that is a flavorful lunch or side dish for the holidays. The chewy farro with caramelized butternut squash marry perfectly with crumbly feta, sweet cranberries, and crunchy nuts.
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16
Vegan Mashed Potatoes
These vegan mashed potatoes are a delicious and creamy side dish perfect for any occasion! They are made with simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. These soft and fluffy potatoes are the perfect dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holidays. Everyone loves them and nobody can tell they are vegan!
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17
Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad with Tahini Drizzle
I’ve been making this roasted sweet potato kale salad for years and it’s one of my all time favorites! The problem with a lot of other salads is lack of flavor and texture. So I set out to make the perfect salad where the sweet potatoes are caramelized and spiced to literal perfection. The tahini drizzle is incredibly easy to make in 5 minutes (no blender needed like other recipes!) Each bite contains a pop of bursting juicy pomegranate seeds with heavenly creamy feta and crunchy toasted nuts. This salad wow’d my salad-skeptic husband and will be sure to impress your family and friends as well!
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18
Vegan Mac & Cheese
This vegan mac and cheese (without cashews) is the ultimate comfort food with a rich and creamy vegan cheese sauce. No need for cashews or expensive vegan cheeses in this recipe! You can make a delicious cheese sauce with some surprise ingredients…read below!
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19
Balsamic Glaze Brussels Sprouts
Balsamic glaze Brussels sprouts are a game-changing way to enjoy this underrated side dish. With a deep caramelization from roasting and the tangy sweetness of balsamic reduction, this dish delivers a punch of flavors. Serve it with toasted almond slices for a holiday classic with a crowd-pleasing twist!
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20
Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
This Quinoa Stuffed Roasted Acorn Squash is a show-stopping holiday dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. With tender roasted acorn squash halves filled with a savory-sweet quinoa stuffing of apples, cranberries, pecans, and fresh herbs, this dish offers the perfect balance of festive flavors and hearty texture.
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21
Easy Vegan Gravy (oil-free)
This vegan gravy recipe is rich and creamy and super savory—just the way gravy should be! It’s also oil free, making it a healthy addition to your holiday meals.
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22
Vegetarian Stuffed Shells
This recipe is a love letter to my childhood comfort food. As a kid, I would beg my mom to make stuffed shells — lasagna’s delicious cousin — over and over. Over the years, I kept returning to my favorite flavor combo: spinach and mushroom, and after nearly 10 recipe trials, I finally feel like I’ve perfected it. Now my husband can’t stop asking for it every fall and winter, and I happily oblige (I’m just as obsessed!). What makes this recipe stand out is its simple steps, perfect seasoning, and versatility—it’s vegetarian, with easy options to make it vegan or dairy-free.
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Mains
23
Easy Mushroom Wellington (Vegan)
This mushroom Wellington is a show-stopping vegan main dish. My version of this classic dish is easy to make, flaky on the outside and packed with savory mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and tons of flavor on the inside. I have tested this recipe over 50 times, and it’s never failed to deliver.
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24
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Warm, cozy, and comforting are the words that come to mind when I think of this vegan shepherd’s pie. This dish is made with lentils, mushrooms, and a creamy mashed potato topping. It’ll make you feel warm and cozy from the inside out, so it’s perfect for chilly days. Even if you’re not vegan, I promise this pie will be sure to win you over.
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25
Impossible Meatloaf
This is a Classic Meatloaf, with one twist: it’s made with Impossible Burger Meat. High in plant-based protein and perfect for a holiday spread or just weekday dinner. You can make this with Beyond Meat too, it works great. This will be the most realistic Vegan Meatloaf you’ve ever made!
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26
Seitan Turkey
Decadent yet healthy, this home cooked Seitan Turkey is moist, packed with flavor, and has an awesome meaty texture. This vegan turkey recipe is perfect for a holiday centerpiece, easy meal prep, or even just a nice main dish for a family dinner.
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27
Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf
A hearty plant-based dinner idea that will satisfy even meat-eaters! A Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf that mimics the classic meatloaf with no meat, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free! Get all your protein and veggies in this healthy recipe!
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28
Holiday Vegan/Vegetarian Roast (GF)
This Epic Holiday Vegan/Vegetarian Roast (GF) is super easy to make. A delicious, hearty, festive vegan roast, and it’s also not in any way a diet of deprivation or loss of flavor for going vegan!
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Desserts
29
Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
This is the most moist, fluffy, decadent pumpkin spice cake I’ve ever tried! Whether you’re making a cake for folks with dietary restrictions, allergies or a vegan life style, the whole crowd will love this cake.
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30
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
This delicious and easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie is the best dessert to serve your family this Thanksgiving or for any occasion because it’s that simple to make. Simply blend up the filling, pour into a crust, bake, and chill till set, this creamy pie is perfect every time.
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31
Apple Crumble Cheesecake
If you're a fan of hybrid desserts, you're going to fall head over heels for this Vegan Apple Crumble Cheesecake. A fluffy baked cheesecake crowned with a mouthwatering layer of spiced apple crumble perfection, making it the ideal showstopper for your fall celebrations!
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32
Classic Vegan Apple Pie
This incredible vegan apple pie uses just a few common pantry ingredients, tastes like childhood and can be as simple or complicated as you make it!
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33
Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake (Baked)
Baked vegan pumpkin cheesecake that is packed with pumpkin flavor and spices, has a crunchy ginger cookie crust and optional caramel pecan topping.
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