Looking for what to serve for a vegan Thanksgiving dinner? In this post, we’ve rounded up a ton of delicious vegan recipes for everything from appetizers, salads, sides, mains, and desserts.
Post originally published November 2018; updated November 2023.
As a foodie, Thanksgiving is definitely one of my favorite holidays! However, as someone who is vegetarian or vegan, your options for Thanksgiving dinner can be limited sometimes when eating as a guest for dinner. Don’t let your friends/family resort to sides for dinner! I’ve got plenty of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes for those hosting Thanksgiving dinner with plant-based friends or family.
What Thanksgiving Food is Vegan?
This one definitely depends on how you prepare a lot of the traditional Thanksgiving foods, but here is a run-down:
- Cranberry Sauce: Most canned cranberry sauces (even the “jellied” ones) are vegan. Double check the label to make sure it doesn’t contain gelatin. Some popular brands like Ocean Spray are gelatin free as the pectin naturally contained in cranberries creates the jellied texture.
- Roasted Veggies: Unless there is butter or cheese added, you can enjoy roasted veggies as a vegan side dish.
- Salad (Sometimes): A lot of favorite salads for thanksgiving are made with vinaigrettes that easily be made vegan. Serve without cheese and you have a tasty addition to your vegan Thanksgiving.
How to Make Traditional Thanksgiving Sides Vegan
Since there is not a lot of options on the table normally for vegans, here are a few family favorite Thanksgiving recipes that can be made vegan with just a few tweaks.
- Mashed Potatoes: use vegan butter and unsweetened, plain non-dairy milk to make the mashed potatoes.
- Stuffing: use vegetable broth and an egg substitute. If you like sausage in your stuffing, use a plant-based sausage instead.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: use vegan butter and swap the marshmallow topping for a pecan one.
- Green Bean Casserole: use a vegan cream of mushroom soup.
- Rolls: make the rolls with a non-dairy milk and serve with vegan butter. Depending on the type of roll, skip the egg white wash.
What Do I Serve My Vegan/Vegetarian Guest for Thanksgiving?
There are so many delicious options! As far as entrees go, when you aren’t limited to roasted turkey, the options are endless. Our favorite is this seitan roast from the blog, but I’ve given you many other suggestions below. Don’t want to have to cook something from scratch? There are lots of great store-bought entree options that you can basically just reheat.
Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes
Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Flavorful lentils and mixed vegetables are topped with a thick layer of creamy dairy free mashed potatoes to create this vegan lentil shepherd's pie. The ultimate comfort food dish that deserves a spot at your Thanksgiving table this year.
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Vegan Stuffed Seitan Loaf
Savor the flavors of the holidays with this delicious vegan stuffed seitan loaf filled with butternut squash, cranberries, and kale.
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Vegan Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy
These vegan meatballs with mushroom gravy are a great plant-based alternative to Thanksgiving turkey and way more tasty than any store-bought veggie loaf!
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Vegan Lentil Pot Pie
This vegetarian lentil pot pie topped with a flakey and buttery sheet of puff pastry is simple and elegant enough to serve as an entree this Thanksgiving. Make it vegan by using a vegan pie crust or vegan biscuits instead of puff pastry.
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Dairy Free Lasagna (Vegan)
This vegan lasagna with tofu ricotta is so tasty, you won’t miss the meat and cheese of a traditional lasagna. I’m sure your whole family is going to love it!
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Vegan Stuffed Shells
This vegan stuffed shells recipe transforms the traditional comfort food dish filled with cheese into a yummy meal that anyone can enjoy! You'll make a quick tofu ricotta for these jumbo shells and then top with your favorite pasta sauce and a vegan mozzarella.
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Store-bought Options: Tofurky Roast, Field Roast Celebration Roast (My fave!), Gardein Plant-Based Turk’y Roast, Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast with Gravy
Vegan Soups and Salads
Apple Walnut Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
This easy apple walnut salad with dijon vinaigrette is a great way to enjoy apples in a savory dish when you have gotten your fill of apple crisp and pie. Not only is it delicious, but it is packed with fiber and antioxidants.
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Warm Farro Salad with Roasted Root Vegetables
Step up your salad game by making this warm farro salad with roasted root vegetables! Simple ingredients like roasted vegetables, lemon and rosemary complement each other perfectly.
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Winter Kale Salad
This winter kale salad is the perfect healthy addition to your holiday gatherings! Made with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate, and goat cheese.
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Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup
This deliciously creamy butternut squash and red pepper soup is simple to whip up with just a roasting pan and a good blender. Canned coconut milk adds lots of richness to this dairy-free soup.
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Curried Carrot Ginger Soup
Get your daily dose of vitamin A with a bowl of this delicious vegan curried carrot ginger soup loaded with warming flavors from the ginger and curry powder. It’s super simple to prepare with a short ingredient list, perfect for pairing with a hearty salad or sandwich.
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Pear Arugula Salad with Balsamic Dressing
This delicious pear arugula salad is one of my favorite recipes for the winter season when fruit like pomegranate is at its best. It is super simple to whip up and a delicious side for any cozy winter meal.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing
Wow your friends with this tasty vegan dressing this Thanksgiving. It has all the flavor of traditional stuffing and is packed with flavorful vegetables.
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Vegan Green Bean Casserole
If you are looking for a delicious green bean casserole without dairy to serve on Thanksgiving, you’re going to love this vegan green bean casserole. It is still creamy and indulgent while also being totally vegan.
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Cranberry Sauce with Frozen Cranberries
This cranberry sauce with frozen cranberries is our go-to recipe packed with tons of flavor from simple ingredients like cinnamon and fresh orange.
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Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans
If you are looking for a delicious vegan side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner this year, you’re going to love this easy vegan sweet potato casserole with pecans. This healthier take on the classic is made with a lot less sugar and butter and no eggs.
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Roasted Carrots with Thyme
These oven roasted carrots with thyme are a simple healthy side dish perfect for weeknights or holidays .
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Balsamic Herb Roasted Vegetables
Fall vegetables are tossed in a simple balsamic herb marinade with garlic and Italian seasoning and then roasted on a sheet pan until caramelized. These balsamic herb roasted vegetables make a simple side dish for any cozy winter meal.
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Oven Roasted Cabbage with Tahini Miso Sauce
This oven roasted cabbage with tahini sauce looks fancy, but it's an easy go-to side option for weeknight dinners. Cabbage is a budget friendly veggie option that gets some love when dressed in the delicious tahini miso sauce in this vegan recipe.
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Vegan Root Vegetable Gratin
Not all filling casseroles have to be laden with cheese and cream. This vegan root vegetable gratin is still just as tasty without all the dairy.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie
If you are looking for a vegan version of your favorite Thanksgiving dessert, you're going to love this easy vegan pumpkin pie (no coconut). Just 9 simple ingredients and less than 5 minutes of active prep time to recreate this delicious vegan Thanksgiving dessert.
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Apple Crisp with Maple Syrup
A classic dessert gets a plant-based makeover with this apple crisp with maple syrup recipe. Maple syrup is a delicious way to naturally sweeten this dessert. Serve with a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream!
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Vegan Appetizers
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
This vegan roasted red pepper dip is loaded with flavor and a delicious alternative to hummus to bring to your next party.
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Vegan Pigs in a Blanket
Need a quick and easy vegan appetizer than everyone will love? These vegan pigs in a blanket are only 4 ingredients and ready in just about 15 minutes! Cook them up in either the oven or your air fryer and serve with mustard, BBQ sauce, or ketchup for dipping.
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Vegan Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers
I love these cream cheese stuffed peppers because they make for such a fun and healthy-ish appetizer that is perfect for any last minute get together. Just 3 ingredients!
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Sample Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
- Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast (or purchase a Field Roast Celebration Roast)
- Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup
- Winter Kale Salad
- Vegan Green Bean Casserole
- Vegan Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Cashew Cream Swirls
Comments & Reviews
Hi Debbie,
This just made my Thanksgiving preparation easier. That Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Cashew Cream Swirls is going to be a star 😉
Thank you for sharing!
Cheers,
Jessica
Whew! Sooo relieved to see my 3 faves made the list: stuffing (I always stick with plain), cranberry sauce (explaining my plain stuffing ), and sweet potatoes. I’ve jotted down some of your substitutes. I’m in the process of moving to vegan, so this helps immeasurably. Many thanks!