Welcome to this roundup of 35 Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes with easy-to-prepare mains and side dishes.
Whether you’re a vegetarian or want to add more plant–based options to your holiday spread, these dishes will satisfy and delight you.
From hearty mushroom Wellington to creamy mashed potatoes and glazed roasted vegetables, each recipe is carefully tested to ensure the success of your holiday meal.
From hearty main courses with whole-food ingredients to flavorful side dishes that complement the meal, our recipes are thoughtfully crafted to please every palate.
You’ll discover the perfect balance of classic Thanksgiving flavors and innovative twists, ensuring a memorable and inclusive feast for all your loved ones.
Our Best Thanksgiving Recipes
1. Mushroom gravy
Mouthwatering and rich, this meat-free mushroom gravy is a savory dish that steals the show on any vegetarian Thanksgiving table.
With sautèed mushrooms and aromatic herbs, this delicious gravy adds a hearty, umami flavor to your holiday feast, leaving everyone grateful and satiated.
2. Stuffed butternut squash
Try this wholesome vegetarian Thanksgiving main: lentil and walnut stuffed butternut squash.
The tender sweetness of roasted butternut squash pairs perfectly with the earthy flavors of lentils and the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts.
This dish is a beautiful vegetarian centerpiece with plenty of plant-based protein from lentils and nuts.
3. Sweet potato casserole
A vegetarian Thanksgiving favorite is a sweet potato casserole with a scrumptious pecan and oat topping.
Creamy sweet potatoes mingle with a crunchy, nutty topping, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
4. Mashed potato
This five-ingredient mashed potatoes make a delightful addition to your vegetarian Thanksgiving feast.
Creamy and comforting, they showcase the essence of simplicity and flavor, blending buttery Yukon Golds, cream, and garlic for a tasty vegetable side dish that everyone will adore.
5. Sautèed green beans
Sautéed green beans dressed in a luscious mustard glaze are a delightful addition to any Thanksgiving feast.
The crisp–tender beans, kissed by the sweet and tangy dressing, bring vibrant color and flavor to your holiday table.
6. Lentil Wellington
Mushroom Wellington is a festive vegetarian main that boasts fiber-rich mushrooms, walnut chunks, and fragrant fresh rosemary in a flaky pastry.
It’s a flavorful meatless meal for Thanksgiving and a special dinner with a perfect blend of nuttiness and herbal flavors.
7. Vegan cornbread
Cornbread is an easy, quick bread recipe that uses cornmeal, flour, sugar, almond milk, olive oil, and baking powder.
Our vegan cornbread goes well with vegetarian chili, lentil chili, and refried beans, and it is a beautiful side dish for a Thanksgiving spread.
8. Brussels sprout salad
Next on our list is this shaved Brussels sprout salad with dried cranberries, walnuts, and honey mustard dressing.
The crisp, thin slices of Brussels sprouts provide a refreshing crunch, complemented by the sweet and tart burst of flavor from the dried cranberries.
9. Lentil loaf
10. Vegetarian stuffing
11. Cauliflower mashed potato
Cauliflower mashed potatoes is a comforting vegetarian and vegan-friendly twist on the classic Thanksgiving side.
We blend steamed cauliflower with dairy-free butter, garlic, and herbs to create a luscious, creamy dish that pairs well with your main dishes.
12. Green bean salad
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a vibrant green bean salad drizzled with a luscious honey mustard dressing.
This easy salad recipe combines the freshness of crisp green beans with sweet and tangy notes of the dressing; it will surely leave everyone craving seconds.
13. Vegan pumpkin bread
With its moist, all-spice crumb, vegan pumpkin bread is a sweet addition to vegetarian (or vegan) Thanksgiving celebrations.
Its rich pumpkin flavor and aromatic spices are the perfect autumn treat, bringing warmth and comfort to the holiday table.
14. Butternut squash ravioli
Celebrate Thanksgiving with an elegant Italian twist and plenty of fall flavor; these are Butternut Squash Ravioli.
They are delicate pasta pockets with a generous filling of luscious pumpkin and ricotta mixture.
It’s an excellent idea for a meatless Thanksgiving dish with roasted butternut squash and creamy ricotta notes.
15. Roasted Brussels sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts, covered in a zesty mustard marinade, add bold flavor and tender texture to your Thanksgiving table.
TIP: Top the sprouts with pomegranate seeds and cooked chestnuts; they add a pop of color and a sweet-tart contrast, making it a holiday favorite.
15. Pear salad
Next on our list is a 10-minute pear salad featuring ripe, juicy pears, vibrant orange wedges, and a satisfying crunch of walnuts.
The finishing touch of creamy feta cheese balances the flavors and textures in this colorful vegetarian dish, making it a festive addition to your holiday feast.
17. Vinegar red cabbage slaw
This no–mayo coleslaw with apples, grated carrots, and walnuts will impress your guests.
It’s a healthy and crispy addition to your Thanksgiving feast that pairs well with any main dish.
18. Mashed sweet potato
Mashed sweet potatoes is a vibrant classic Thanksgiving side, offering a perfect blend of natural sweetness and earthy flavors.
Creamy in texture and seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices, it elevates any vegetarian feast and adds a touch of warmth and richness to your Thanksgiving table.
19. Easy apple cake
Our 7-ingredient apple cake, a fan favorite on our blog, showcases apples’ natural sweetness at its best.
This easy–to–make, vegan cake is a crowd-pleaser that adds a touch of warmth and nostalgia to your holiday feast.
20. Vegetarian lasagna
With this comforting and Italian-inspired lasagna recipe, earthy lentils provide a rich and satisfying foundation.
Adding a homemade white sauce, this lasagna stands proudly alongside traditional Thanksgiving favorites and offers a sophisticated vegetarian centerpiece.
21. Sweet potato gnocchi
Upgrade your Thanksgiving feast with these sweet potato gnocchi and microwaved sweet potatoes.
It’s a surprisingly easy vegan dish with natural sweetness and a pillowy gnocchi shape—an excellent orange addition to your holiday table.
22. Butternut squash salad
This roasted butternut squash salad is a wholesome salad for your Thanksgiving table.
The tender, caramelized squash pairs perfectly with crisp greens and nutty chickpeas, a wholesome vegetarian side dish.
23. Roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts
Next on this roundup are our tender carrots and Brussels sprouts tossed with olive oil and spices.
This vegetarian side dish celebrates the essence of autumn and complements the richness of the holiday feast with its natural sweetness and earthy notes.
24. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
Our vegan pumpkin muffins are generously studded with luscious chocolate chips and are lovely as a sweet Thanksgiving snack.
These muffins are a delicious way to share the spirit of Thanksgiving and nourishment with all your loved ones.
25. Butternut squash soup
Butternut squash soup is a velvety, autumnal delight, perfect as a vegetarian Thanksgiving appetizer.
Its rich, creamy texture and earthy, sweet flavor make it an ideal starter for the holiday meal.
TIP: This soup is excellent to make beforehand, as it keeps well in the fridge for a few days.
26. Roasted glazed carrots
Roasted glazed carrots are a Thanksgiving favorite, their sweet caramelized exterior perfectly complementing their tender, earthy core.
This vegetarian dish boasts a beautiful mix of flavors and textures to please even the most discerning palates.
27. Apple Crisp
The following vegan Thanksgiving idea is an apple crisp topped with a crunchy mix of pecans and oats.
Enjoy the cozy and comforting flavors of this easy–to–make dessert, which, with an oat–crumble topping, will surely please everyone at the table.
28. Pumpkin pie
This vegan pumpkin pie is our egg-free version of one of the most classic Thanksgiving desserts.
You’ll love this pie because of its warm and cozy spices, rich pumpkin filling, and flakey pie crust.
29. Manicotti
Cannelloni or manicotti are tender pasta tubes filled with a perfect blend of ricotta and spinach, covered with marinara sauce and cheese.
This casserole recipe is perfect for celebrations, holidays, or cozy vegetarian dinners.
30. Vegan carrot cake
This vegan carrot cake can be served with or without our vegan cream cheese frosting. It also has less oil and sugar than most recipes and a beautiful all–spice crumb.
31. Apple pie
For ethical, environmental, or health reasons, or simply because you want to try something new, vegan apple pie is a delicious recipe to share with your loved ones.
The pie crust is identical to apple tart, blueberry tart, and Italian crostata so that you can use it with your favorite filling.
32. Fennel and orange salad
You can make this refreshing Thanksgiving salad recipe in a few minutes with easy-to-find ingredients.
It’s an excellent Italian recipe for a delicate and refined starter or side dish for a special occasion.
33. Healthy apple bread
This apple bread recipe is easy to make with simple and affordable ingredients. It’s free of eggs and excess sugar and excellent as a breakfast idea or snack on Thanksgiving.
You’ll remember the beautifully light and tender crumb, moist texture, and cozy aroma.
34. Braised red cabbage
Braised red cabbage is an excellent side dish for Thanksgiving and special occasions.
This recipe has apple, onion, garlic, vinegar, and a touch of cinnamon to create a tender, sweet, slightly sour, and tangy, aromatic dish.
35. Egg-free biscotti
Our biscotti recipe is without eggs and butter so anyone can eat them.
The biscotti are perfect for dipping in sweet dessert wine or eating alone.
36. Stuffed mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are packed with umami, a rich, savory flavor that’s impossible to resist.
The recipe is also simple and uses wholesome ingredients such as ricotta cheese, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, and parsley.
Tips for Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes
- Homemade Gravy: Prepare a rich, flavorful, meat-free gravy to pour over your main dish and mashed potatoes.
You can make it using vegetable broth, onions, mushrooms, and herbs for a rich and satisfying sauce. - Stuffing Options: Make a delicious stuffing that doesn’t rely on meat products. Add ingredients like sautéed onions, celery, carrots, herbs, or dried fruits to a cubed bread or cornbread base.
Nuts, soy sauce, and vegetable broth add extra flavor and moisture. - Desserts: Conclude your vegetarian Thanksgiving festivities with delicious desserts that everyone can enjoy.
Bake a pie with a dairy-free crust, such as apple pie, or choose a vegan apple crisp topped with dairy-free ice cream.
We offer plant–based milk options for coffee or tea to wrap up the meal on a sweet note.
For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes
Equipment
- Whisk and large skillet
Ingredients
Sautéed Mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound mushrooms sliced 1/8 inch or 3mm thick
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
Gravy
- 2 tablespoons butter or dairy-free butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Clean the mushrooms; you can rinse them under running water if they are heavily soiled or brush them with a wet paper towel if they are not too soiled.Cut them into not-too-thin slices of about ⅛ inch or 3 millimeters.
- Warm up the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the mushrooms, season them with salt and black pepper, and cook them on medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or until they brown.Add grated garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Note: the mushrooms will first release water. Keep cooking them until the pan is completely dry and they squeak and brown on the pan. Color equals flavor.Transfer the mushrooms onto a plate and set them aside.
- Then in the same pan, melt the butter, add the flour and stir with a whisk for a minute until the flour-butter mixture starts to bubble.
- Add vegetable broth, soy sauce, and the rosemary sprig, then simmer while stirring until the liquid thickens.
- Add in the mushrooms, and stir for another minute.Add a little more broth if the sauce gets too thick, then taste and adjust for salt.
- Serve in a bowl as a side to mains, veggies, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Nutrition
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Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with vegetarian and vegan recipes.