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

What does vegetarians eat on Thanksgiving? ›

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes
  • Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington. Alexa Weibel. ...
  • Spicy Roasted Mushrooms With Polenta. ...
  • Ombré Gratin. ...
  • Baked Brie and Caramelized Vegetable Pie. ...
  • One-Pot Vegetable Biryani. ...
  • Broccoli Cheese Casserole. ...
  • Butternut Squash and Fondue Pie With Pickled Red Chiles. ...
  • Roasted Mushrooms in Ata Din Din.

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

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

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.

What is a level 5 vegan? ›

Level 5 vegans are those who are seen as incredibly committed to the vegan lifestyle, and are often hailed as “extreme vegans”. Level 5 vegans go to an extensive effort to follow a vegan lifestyle that is free of any type of animal product or animal exploitation.

What are the 3 food groups that vegetarians usually eat from? ›

The vegetarian diet
  • Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. ...
  • Base meals on starchy carbohydrates. ...
  • Dairy or dairy alternatives are needed for calcium. ...
  • Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein. ...
  • Choose unsaturated oils and spreads. ...
  • Limit foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

What are 5 meat alternatives for vegetarians? ›

Vegetarian Meat Alternatives Ranked From Best to Worst
  • Texturized Soy Protein. This is a no-brainer – texturized vegetable protein, also known as texturized soy protein, wins in overall meat-like texture and taste. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • King Oyster Mushrooms. ...
  • Seitan. ...
  • Jackfruit. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Beans and legumes.
Apr 21, 2022

Is there a vegetarian version of turkey? ›

The best vegan turkey roast is finally here. This seitan tofu roast tastes just like turkey, with crispy skin and all! This vegan turkey makes the perfect centerpiece for a delicious holiday meal. It's surprisingly easy to make, and most of it can be made ahead of time, so it's a great stress-free option.

What do vegetarians eat instead of ham? ›

1 Vegan Ham With Seitan

Because of its meaty texture and appearance, seitan is a common ingredient in vegan ham. This recipe combines it with tofu to get a really juicy, chewy result that even looks almost identical to the real deal.

What is the healthiest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey is a lean protein and the calories won't get out of hand if you choose a flavorful baked recipe, like Ina's classic herb-roasted bird.

What do you say instead of Happy Thanksgiving? ›

Short Thanksgiving greetings

May the chairs around your table be filled with those you love. May this day and every day be filled with love, joy and happiness. Wishing you every blessing of this bountiful season. May the blessings of Thanksgiving fill your heart and home with joy.

What are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Here are our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Baked Corn. ...
  • Mac and cheese. ...
  • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Fresh Rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

What is surprisingly not vegan? ›

Candy. Candy includes many possible non-vegan ingredients, including sugar, honey, carmine, gelatin, shellac, and dairy. Most of these ingredients should sound familiar. Shellac is a “confectioner's glaze” and a varnish, the same as used on floors.

What does God say about vegans? ›

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food." In the second chapter of Genesis (2:16-17) vegetarianism is re-affirmed as people's spiritually proper diet.

What does God think of vegans? ›

Genesis 1 identifies human beings as uniquely images of God and grants them dominion over other animals, but the end of the chapter prescribes a vegan diet for humans, so this original dominion does not include permission to kill animals for food.

How to be vegetarian on Thanksgiving? ›

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes
  1. Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington. Alexa Weibel. ...
  2. Spicy Roasted Mushrooms With Polenta. ...
  3. Ombré Gratin. ...
  4. Baked Brie and Caramelized Vegetable Pie. ...
  5. One-Pot Vegetable Biryani. ...
  6. Broccoli Cheese Casserole. ...
  7. Butternut Squash and Fondue Pie With Pickled Red Chiles. ...
  8. Roasted Mushrooms in Ata Din Din.

What is a vegetarian fed turkey? ›

Vegetarian Fed

Worms, bugs, leaves, grasses, fruits, berries, seeds, and more. But on the turkey farm, they get turkey chow. Old-style turkey chow had animal protein in it. The new wave, though, is to feed turkeys only plant-based protein. That way, the marketers can slap a seal on the bird that says “vegetarian.”

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