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

Do vegans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Tofu turkey is 100 percent vegan. If you want to make your own dish, search the Internet for a baked tofu recipe. Marinate the tofu for a few hours in soy sauce and seasonings, then pop it in the oven 30 minutes before the turkey is done. Your vegans will be grateful.

Do vegetarians celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

"A traditional Thanksgiving menu has lots of options for vegans and vegetarians: green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, and sweet potatoes and yams—it's a carb-loaded feast, and we will happily lick our plates," says Peart.

How do you host a vegan Thanksgiving? ›

Traditional Sides Made Vegan
  1. Green Bean Casserole.
  2. Scalloped Potatoes.
  3. Vegan Gravy.
  4. Mashed Potatoes.
  5. Vegan Stuffing.
  6. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole.
  7. Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese.
  8. Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits.
Aug 30, 2022

What to eat on Thanksgiving as a vegetarian? ›

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 do vegans eat instead of turkey? ›

Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan. Choose one of these plant-based turkey alternatives, or combine more than one in your table, complimenting with veggies, rice, salads, or any other plant-based whole foods ingredients you want.

What is the vegan name for turkey? ›

What is alternative turkey and ham made out of? Brands like Tofurky, Field Roast, Gardein, Beyond Meat, Lightlife, and more use plant-based ingredients in the products you can buy for any vegetarian/vegan guests.

Is it OK to go vegan cold turkey? ›

We Don't Recommend Going Vegan Cold-Turkey

Such a sudden, drastic change in diet can sometimes negatively affect physical, mental, and emotional health. But the vegan side of the fence isn't one we want to make a running jump for, remember?

Do vegetarians eat cheese? ›

Vegetarians choose not to eat meat, poultry, or seafood but often consume non-meat animal products (NMAPs), such as cheese, eggs, and milk, that can be derived from intensive farming, a process critics claim is cruel.

Do vegetarians eat eggs? ›

Well, the short answer is yes! Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.

What do vegetarians miss from meat? ›

A meatless diet can be healthy, but vegetarians -- especially vegans -- need to make sure they're getting enough vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and zinc. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns of the risk of vitamin B12 deficiencies in vegetarians and vegans. Vitamin B12 is found naturally only in animal products.

What religions eat vegan food? ›

Pure vegetarianism or veganism is Indic in origin and is still practiced in India by some adherents of Dharmic religions such as Jainism and in the case of Hinduism, lacto-vegetarianism with the additional abstention of pungent or fetid vegetables.

What can I feed a vegan guest? ›

Your houseguest would most likely be happy with oatmeal or granola with almond milk and fruit for breakfast, nut butters, hummus, salads with beans, fruits and vegetables, and nuts for lunch, and grilled or sautéed veggies with a whole grain like quinoa are for dinner.

Do hospitals cater for vegans? ›

If you know that you're going into hospital, you can ring ahead to find out about their vegan offering. Call the switchboard, and ask for the catering department. Once you've made contact, find out the following information: The best member of ward staff to speak to about catering, such as the housekeeper.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to turkey 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.

Can you be a vegetarian and eat turkey? ›

According to the Vegetarian Society, vegetarians are people who do not eat the products or byproducts of animal slaughter. Vegetarians do not consume: meat, such as beef, pork, and game. poultry, such as chicken, turkey, and duck.

How do you not eat a lot on Thanksgiving? ›

Focus on taking smaller portions of each item so your plate doesn't turn into Thanksgiving Mountain. And after you're done eating, give yourself 10 minutes before going back for seconds. This will allow your body to recognize what you have eaten and you can more easily decide if you are really hungry for more.

How do vegetarians survive without meat? ›

Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein

Pulses are particularly important for people who don't get protein by eating meat, fish or dairy products. Other non-dairy sources of protein include eggs and meat alternatives, such as tofu, mycoprotein (such as Quorn), textured vegetable protein and tempeh.

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