50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Over fifty, vegan or vegetarian, plant based, natural recipes even meat lovers will love!

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is just next week! The holidays have truly arrived. Last week we stopped into Orchard Supply Hardware and were stopped in our tracks the moment we stepped foot inside. It’s like the North Pole in there with gorgeous Christmas trees and lights all over the place. While my daughter and I were thrilled to look around and pick out some new Christmas tree ornaments, we still have another holiday to celebrate first. Thanksgiving deserves attention too! While we should be thankful for our blessings every day, Thanksgiving is a good reminder of the importance of gratitude.

One of the questions I get asked most this time of year is, “What do vegetarians eat on Thanksgiving?” The question often comes with a slightly worried tone from a host who is considerate enough to think of his or her vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving guests. They imagine their veggie guests will either leave starving or nibbling a bit of salad. The truth is, there is a lot of delicious food vegetarians and vegans eat on Thanksgiving. Most of us are more than happy to load up our plates with the traditional Thanksgiving sides and skip the turkey. I mean, even most heavy meat eaters have some veggies at Thanksgiving, right? Mashed potatoes, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, oh my!

If you’re looking for even more plant based Thanksgiving ideas, you’ve come to the right place. I’d much rather eat a vegducken (butternut squash stuffed with veggies) thank a turducken (three birds stuffed inside each other). But I won’t judge if you’ve got to have that bird too. I’ve rounded up over 50 recipes from Thanksgiving appetizers, to main dishes, to natural vegan desserts. While these Thanksgiving recipes are all vegetarian (no meat), most are also vegan or easy to make vegan be omitting cheese. Do you have any other fabulous Thanksgiving recipes to add to the list? Let me know in the comments! Happy holidays!

Updated for 2017!

I’ve got some new recipes you’re going to love for Thanksgiving.

50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

This Vegan Lentil Loaf is going crazy with rave reviews on Pinterest! Get the recipe here.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie. This pumpkin pie tastes just like the classic and is perfectly smooth and delicious. Thanksgiving NEEDS a good pumpkin pie.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Appetizers

Sweet Potato Hummus and Veggies(vegan)

Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites (vegan option)

Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese from Ciao Florentina

Stuffed Mushroom Caps from Pooja’s Cookery

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Persimmon and Apple Salad(vegetarian)

Pear, Walnut, and Goat Cheese Salad with Maple Vinaigrette (vegetarian)

Vegan Ancient Grain Salad from The View From Great Island

Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Nuts from The View From Great Island

Roasted Radish and Brussels Sprouts Salad from Veggie Inspired

Autumn Quinoa Sweet Potato Arugula Salad from The Kitchen Girl (vegan, gf)

Apple Farro Salad from Lively Table(vegan, gf)

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dish Recipes

50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

Vegetarian Wellington is a beautiful vegan main dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Lentil Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie(vegan)

(vegetarian)

White Bean Mash with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash(vegetarian)

Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup(vegan)

Mushroom Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash (vegan, gf)

Pumpkin and Chard Lasagna(vegetarian)

Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese and Dried Cranberries from Platings and Parings

Roasted Delicata Squash, Kale, and Leeks with Farro from Blossom to Stem

Sweet & Savory Stuffed Acorn Squash from Vegan Huggs (vegan, gf)

Vegan Beet Wellington from Yup, it’s Vegan

Brown Butter Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sage from The Girl on Bloor(vegetarian)

Delicata Squash with Thanksgiving Stuffing from Healthy Seasonal Recipes(vegetarian)

Butternut Squash Vegducken from Epicurious

(Almost) Classic Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf from Connoisseurus Veg(vegan)

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Sweet Potato and Tempeh by Gerry Speirsfor LightLife (vegan)

50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (17)

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (18)

Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots

Easy Pumpkin Bread Rolls from Lauren Caris Cooks (vegan)
Vegan Pumpkin Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel from Vegan Huggs(vegan)
Easy Sheet Pan Oven Roasted Root Vegetables from She Loves Biscotti(vegan)
I can’t Belive it’s Vegan! Green Bean Cassrole from The Kitchen Girl(vegan)
Slightly Sweet Cranberry Sauce from Trial and Eater(vegan)
Healthy Hasselback Baked Sweet Potatoes by Melanie Cooks(vegan)
Cinnamon Apple Yam Bake with Pecans from Savory Tooth(vegetarian)
Kale & Leek Quinoa Stuffing Skillet from Girl Adulting(vegetarian)
Paleo Baked Pumpkin Fries from Oh, the things we’ll make(vegan, gf, paleo)
Epic Winter Veggie Gratin from Peas and Crayons(vegetarian)
Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk and Gingerfrom The Little Pine
Spiral Vegetable Tart from Bunsen Burner Bakery(vegan, gf)
Walnut and Kale Quinoa Stuffing from Healthy Seasonal Recipes(vegan, gf)
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Basil Pesto from Hapa Nom Nom(vegetarian)
Vegetarian Savory Herb Gravy from Watch Learn Eat(vegetarian, gf)

Natural Vegetarian and/or Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

Vegan Frozen Cranberry Cheesecake Slice (vegan, gf)

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake(vegan)

Mini Pumpkin Pies (vegetarian)

Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Caramel Sauce from A Virtual Vegan(Vegan)

Pumpkin Spice Nice Cream from Plantiful Plates(Vegan)

Persimmon Pie from Forest and Fauna (Paleo and Vegan)
Vegan Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls from Lauren Caris Cooks
Best-Ever Healthy Apple Crisp from Healthy Liv(vegan)
Mom’s Amazing Vegan and Gluten Free Apple Pie from Allergy Free Alaska
Guilt-Free Pecan Pie Cookies from Allergy Free Alaska
Caramel Apple Galette from The fit Cookie (vegan, gf)
Raw White Chocolate and Pumpkin Cheesecake from Downshiftology(vegan, gf)

50 Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do vegetarians celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes
  • Stuffed pumpkin. A star rating of 4.3 out of 5. ...
  • Stuffed butternut squash. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Easy vegan wellington. ...
  • Pear, walnut & blue cheese tart. ...
  • Roasted stuffed cauliflower. ...
  • Sweet potato parcel. ...
  • Pumpkin curry with chickpeas. ...
  • Feta-stuffed cannellini nut roast.

What can I make for Thanksgiving dinner instead of 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 can I cook for my vegan girlfriend? ›

Vegan meal for two recipes
  • Sticky noodles with homemade hoisin. ...
  • Pearled spelt salad with peas & gooseberries. ...
  • Grilled Mediterranean veg with bean mash. ...
  • Miso aubergine. ...
  • Marinated tofu. ...
  • Roasted cauli-broc bowl with tahini hummus. ...
  • Veggie noodles with sesame dressing. ...
  • Pumpkin, spinach & black bean dopiaza.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to roast turkey? ›

1. Burmese Tofu (aka Chickpea Flour Tofu) For an alternative to turkey that's mild in flavor and can be treated like any other protein, turn to Burmese tofu, which transforms chickpea flour, oil, and water into a sturdy tofu-like dish.

What do vegetarians have instead of meat? ›

People who do not eat meat may get protein from sources like beans, seeds, and lentils to meet their protein needs. These plant-based diets may have multiple benefits , including health improvements and being more environmentally friendly. T​o appeal to this market, producers have worked on developing meat substitutes.

How to host a vegetarian Thanksgiving? ›

Start off your meal with crispy kabocha squash fritters or a flavor-packed caramelized onion dip. For your main, serve a presentation-worthy Greens-and-Cheese-Stuffed Cinderella Pumpkin, Carrot Steaks with Roasted Garlic Hollandaise, or a rainbow gratin with six layers of colorful vegetables.

What is a vegetarian that eats chicken and turkey? ›

A pollotarian diet focuses on whole, plant-based foods with the inclusion of poultry in moderation. As it's rich in high-fiber, plant-based foods and reduces red meat and pork intake, it may benefit heart health, aid weight loss, and protect against type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to a turkey dinner at Christmas? ›

Nut Roast. The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference.

What is the most wanted alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What is a good protein for Thanksgiving that isn't turkey? ›

16 Thanksgiving Proteins That Aren't Turkey
  • Garlic Roast Beef. ...
  • Maple Walnut Crusted Salmon. ...
  • Stuffed Butternut Squash With Tempeh. ...
  • Beef Wellington With Roast Pumpkin, Parsnip and Mushrooms. ...
  • Cranberry Apple Stuffed Cornish Hens. ...
  • Creamy Mushroom Pork Tenderloin. ...
  • Herb Crusted Lamb Chops. ...
  • Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf.
Nov 21, 2023

What is better to eat than 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 peanut butter vegan? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

How to go vegan without dying? ›

Our Guidelines For Eating A Plant-Based Diet
  1. Eat plenty of nutrient-dense vegetables at every meal.
  2. Eat a wide variety of organic, unprocessed foods.
  3. Eat protein with every meal.
  4. If you choose to eat grains, pick minimally processed grains like quinoa, amaranth, and oats.
Mar 2, 2014

What can replace turkey for a meat? ›

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

Are there vegetarian options in turkey? ›

Most Turkish dishes contain more vegetables than meat, but in the many stews and pilavs, small amounts of meat may be used as a flavoring, so vegetarians need to choose carefully.

Can you buy vegetarian turkey? ›

Suitable for Vegetarians. Contains: Eggs, Milk, Wheat. There have been rare cases of allergic reactions to Quorn® products, which contain mycoprotein.

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