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Not eating meat this Thanksgiving? Having vegan or vegetarian guests over? Looking for some healthier alternatives to the heavy traditional holiday dishes? These Vegan Thanksgiving Ideas will please everyone at your table.
Thanksgiving is a meal I look forward to all year. It’s one of those times it’s totally acceptable to cram as many delicious dishes onto your plate as possible.
Don’t think for a second that eating a plant based diet has to deter you from a fabulous dinner menu. From appetizers and snacks to entrées and sides, and of course, dessert, these Vegan Thanksgiving Ideas can be enjoyed by everyone at the table and will ensure your belly is full.
Tips for hosting
Hosting your own holiday dinner can be a big job, but it allows you to create a menu full of vegan Thanksgiving ideas that you know you’ll love.
*Most side dishes and desserts can easily be made vegan with just a few simple ingredients swaps.
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for stuffing, gravy and soups.
Take advantage of store bought dairy-free alternatives, like vegan butter, non-dairy milks, and egg replacers.
*Throw out the notion that you must serve traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Focus instead on the good food, good company motto. Whatever you enjoy eating will work great! Try to keep it balanced and seasonal, if possible.
*Make a meal of side dishes. Most plant based eaters are perfectly happy with a plate full of sides. Try incorporating some quinoa, wild rice or nuts and seeds for added protein.
*If you really must have something similar to turkey, try making my Vegan Chicken Cutlets (recipe below) or homemade seitan turkey.
There are plenty of store-bought options available these days, too. Gardein offers vegan Turkey Cutlets and a Holiday Roast, and Tofurkey, and Field Roast both make vegan turkey roasts.
*Don’t forget the drinks. While most alcohol is naturally vegan, many wines and beers are not! Check out Barnivore to see if your pick makes the cut for a Vegan Thanksgiving.
Tips for attending
As much work as hosting can be, at least you have control over the menu. It can be nerve-wracking to attend a big holiday dinner as the only plant based eater. Here are some tips to take the stress out of the situation.
*Don’t show up hungry. If you aren’t sure what the menu will be, it’s always best to eat a little something beforehand so you don’t starve.
*Head for the appetizers. Many times there will be a vegetable tray or roasted nuts to snack on ahead of time. You can even put these items on your dinner plate with a roll, salad, and cranberry sauce and have a decent meal.
*The easiest way to get through this situation is to let the host know your dietary needs and offer to bring a dish or two. This way you know there will be something you can enjoy without worry and the host won’t be stressed wondering what to feed you. I like to make at least one side dish that can double as a main dish (meaning it includes plenty of protein, like wild rice, quinoa or tofu).
*Focus on the people and conversation, not the food. But definitely do not bring up veganism during the event. If someone asks a question about your diet, just answer simply and try to move the conversation along quickly. You can let them know you are available to chat at a later time if they’re interested.
FAQs
No. Vegans do not eat any animal products. There are plenty of plant based alternatives to turkey, including store-bought options and homemade.
Almost everything you see at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can be made vegan. Plant based eaters can enjoy soups, salads, rolls, nut or lentil roasts, casseroles, stuffing, pasta, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and of course desserts!
The best menu for Thanksgiving consists of recipes you love to eat! It can be traditional or not – it’s totally up to you. I like to incorporate seasonal produce, which includes winter squash, hearty leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, corn, carrots, cranberries, apples, pumpkin, etc.
I hope you love these recipes as much as we do! If you try any of them, please leave a comment below with your feedback.
Be sure to sign up for my FREE Newsletter to be the first to get my NEW recipes! You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Not eating meat this Thanksgiving? Having vegan or vegetarian guests over? Looking for some healthier alternatives to the heavy traditional holiday dishes? These Vegan Thanksgiving Ideas that will please everyone at your table.
Appetizers and Starters
Appetizers and snacks give your guests something to munch on while you finish up the final touches of the meal. Especially important if you're serving cocktails, as well.
Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
This dip is always a favorite. It's tart from the cranberries, creamy from the homemade cream cheese, sweet from the pure maple syrup, and even has a little kick from jalapeño. No one will know it's dairy-free!
Spiced Rosemary Roasted Nuts
Delicious, crunchy nuts flavored with herbs and spices and roasted to perfection. A perfect sweet and spicy snack to curb your appetite while waiting for the main meal.
Roasted Carrot White Bean Hummus
An easy White Bean Hummus with roasted carrots and peppers, toasted walnuts, and flavorful spices and herbs. Perfect as an appetizer with crudités or crackers.
Mediterranean Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
These delightful mushrooms have a creamy filling with a distinctly cheesy taste, yet they're completely dairy free! They make a great appetizer that will please vegans and omnivores, alike!
Soups and Salads
Starting the meal off with a soup or salad is a great way to get in some extra veggies!
Kale Apple Salad with Warm Pumpkin Vinaigrette
Thanksgiving dinner traditionally consists of quite a few beige foods. Start your dinner with a healthy salad and ensure you get in some greens.
Quinoa Spinach Salad w/ Butternut Squash & Apple
A lovely contrast to the heavier vegetable dishes usually presented at Thanksgiving.
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup w/ Corn
Prefer to start your meal with soup rather than salad? This Butternut Squash Soup w/ Corn packs a lot of nutrition in every cozy bowl.
Butternut Squash Apple Soup
This fall inspired soup is silky smooth and perfectly spiced. Perfect as a cozy starter for your holiday meal.
Vegan Mushroom Soup
A delicious combination of dried and fresh mushrooms makes this soup incredibly flavorful.
Sweet Potato Cauliflower Vegan Soup
This creamy vegan soup is made with whole food ingredients and minimal fuss to let the vegetables shine. A reader favorite!
Main Dishes
Personally, I could make a meal out of sides alone, but if you are looking for something heartier to serve as an entrée, try one of these delicious dishes.
Vegan Chicken Cutlets
These vegan chicken cutlets can easily stand in for turkey slices and provide the look of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner plate. Simple to make and gluten free!
Lentil Vegetarian Cottage Pie
Loaded with lentils, butternut squash, cauliflower and spices in a rich savory tomato sauce and topped off with creamy carrot mashed potatoes, this is fall comfort food at it’s best! It’s healthy too!
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta
If you gave me a plate of this and nothing else, I'd be a happy girl. With mushrooms, onions, and walnuts, this pasta dish is lick-your-plate-clean delicious! You could also pair this sauce with cooked rice instead if you prefer.
Fall Roasted Vegetable Pasta
The flavors of a fall harvest in a cozy pasta dish. It's like an entrée and sides are wrapped up in one delicious dish.
Pumpkin and Kale Vegan Stuffed Shells
Stuffed shells looks fancy, but they're easy to make. With savory pumpkin, superfood kale and plenty of plant based protein, this recipe would be a perfect main dish.
Autumn Burger
Take away the bun and serve these patty style with all of your Thanksgiving sides and you'll have a plate that looks pretty close to traditional. Or keep the bun and to heck with tradition!
Pumpkin Lentil Chili
If you're up for a non-traditional Thanksgiving menu, try this sweet and spicy chili! It's hearty, healthy, and super yummy!
Sides
My favorite part! You can never have too many. Pile your plate high with as many as you can fit!
Oven Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Orange and Thyme
Roasting carrots makes them tender and sweet. Toasted walnuts and a drizzle of sweet orange syrup makes them fancy enough for your holiday dinner.
Vegan Brussels Sprouts Salad
If you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, try them raw and shredded! Paired with broccoli, a familiar veggie to most, and sweet oranges, this dish is a winner.
Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
These Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts are perfectly caramelized and tender. The red onions add such a delightful sweet bite. A must on your Thanksgiving menu.
Vegan Stuffing with Mushrooms
Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't be complete without stuffing. I've always loved my family's recipe growing up, but it definitely didn't work for me once I ditched the animal products. This version is so close to the original that I can barely tell a difference.
Cranberry Pecan Thanksgiving Rice
For my potato hating husband, rice is a must have. Bonus, wild rice is a complete protein!
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
It's hands down the best dairy free mac and cheese there is and it just happens to be full of the fall favorite, butternut squash. This dish is loved by everyone!
White Bean Butternut Squash Mash
A delicious seasonal alternative to mashed potatoes. Creamy and smooth with sneaky plant protein, you've gotta try this Butternut Squash Purée!
Herb Roasted Potatoes and Arugula
This recipe is so quick and easy, you'll have time for another glass of wine before the guests arrive. It's also a great dish to take with you if you're invited somewhere else as it tastes great hot, warm, or even at room temperature.
Roasted Radishes and Brussels Sprouts
Don't settle for mushy, bland veggies! Roast them until crispy and caramelized. So simple, so good!
Spiced Cranberry Orange Sauce
You will never go back to the canned stuff again after making this homemade cranberry sauce. It's so easy - just dump everything into a pot and simmer. Bonus - leftovers are divine over ice cream, oatmeal, or made into Cranberry Oatmeal Crumb Bars (find the recipe below in the dessert section!).
Pumpkin Maple Dairy Free Cornbread
If you like your cornbread on the sweet side, this is for you! Tasting almost more like cake than bread, it's always a huge hit with the kids. And it's oil-free!
Easy Vegan Jalapeño Cornbread
If you like your cornbread more savory than sweet, this one is for you! Rustic with the perfect crumb, super moist, and dotted with bites of corn and diced jalapeño.
Desserts and Sweets
No matter how full you get, there's always room for dessert!
Fudgy Pumpkin Bars
The perfect balance of pumpkin and chocolate in these fudgy gluten free brownies!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Pumpkin and chocolate are a match made in heaven. These delicious dessert bars are even oil-free!
Soft Baked Vegan Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Frosting
Soft, pillowy cookies fulls of pumpkin spice and smothered in a dairy free maple frosting. Need I say more?!
Vegan Apple Crisp
A classic fall dessert with tart apples and sweet, crunchy, gluten free topping.
American Apple Pie
Tastes just like traditional apple pie!
Sugar Free Apple Pie Bars
If you're looking for a sugar free dessert, these bars are the answer! Healthy enough for breakfast, indulgent enough for dessert!
Cranberry Oat Crumble Bars
Make your cranberry sauce pull double duty and use it as the filling for these delicious dairy free crumb bars.
Cranberry Pistachio Cookies
If your family is anything like mine, despite having a few major desserts on the table, there is always no less than 4 to 5 kinds of cookies, as well. And everyone mindlessly munches on them even though we can't bear to eat another bite simply because they are there sitting on the table all night. Well, this time, make the cookie worth it.! These Cranberry Pistachio Cookies have crispy outsides, chewy centers and are gluten free and oil free!
Vegan Carrot Cake w/ Cashew Cream Cheese Frosting
This delicious spice cake is dense, sweet, and super moist, just like a good carrot cake should be. Topped with a dreamy cashew cream cheese frosting, this sneaky veggie dessert is perfect for your Thanksgiving table.
Vanilla Corn Cake w/ Roasted Strawberries
It's like cornbread for your dessert table! Sweet and delicious topped with roasted berries.
Chai Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake
Why settle for pumpkin pie when you can have this decadent cake with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting?!
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