Not sure where to start this Thanksgiving? I have you covered with my mouth-watering plant-based Thanksgiving recipes! I’ve got you covered from appetizers to desserts, traditional side dishes, and flavorful main dishes. These recipes are healthy, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing!
Thanksgiving has always been more about the people around the table than the food on the table. But enjoying a delicious and healthy meal that you share with the ones you love is a special way of showing your thanks.
You’ll find the classics in this collection of vegan Thanksgiving recipes, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce! All of the recipes are plant-based, dairy-free, heart-healthy, totally delicious, kid-friendly, and 100% satisfying and pleasing for every type of eater. Most of these recipes are also gluten-free!
I’ve served these dishes to my omnivore husband, picky kids, and skeptical extended family and they have all left the table with smiles on their faces and full bellies.
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🍁 Creating a Plant-Based Thanksgiving Menu
There are many recipes here to choose from. I suggest using a simple formula to create the ultimate menu for your Thanksgiving feast!
- Choose 3 Appetizers
- Pick 3-4 Sides including at least one starch, one vegetable, and one salad or soup
- Decide on 1 main dish to keep your life simple!
- Choose 1-2 desserts!
🍠 Appetizers
A few vegan appetizers are always a must before the big Thanksgiving meal! Simple apps could include a veggie tray with hummus and crackers, but these appetizers are really something special! You’ll find both savory and sweet appetizers. Cream-free pumpkin fluff is a sweet dip, while simple stuffed mushrooms are the star of the show! Plus, they’re so easy to whip up, they take hardly any extra time at all!
🥣 Sides
Thanksgiving is really all about the sides as far as I’m concerned. While Turkey traditionally takes center stage, I think the sides are what make this holiday special. These plant-based side dishes are so delicious, yet nobody would ever know they’re vegan!
You’ll find traditional favorites like cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes with vegan gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and delicious roasted brussels sprouts! You’ll find also find some time-saving recipes, like air fryer roasted carrots!
🍲 Soups
🥘 Main Dishes
If you’re plant-based or hosting a vegan guest, do not in any way feel obligated to serve Tofurky! There are so many better main dish ideas for your vegetarian and vegan guests. From creamy pumpkin pasta, stuffed acorn squash, quinoa stuffed zucchini, and lentil shepherd’s pie, these autumn favorites are bursting with the herbal flavors of fall.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of your non-vegan guests decide to pass on the turkey and go for one of these main dishes instead!
🍰 Desserts
End your Thanksgiving meal with a decadent vegan dessert! These recipes with pumpkin, pecans, and apples have a hint of the traditional recipes with a twist! They are sweetened with natural sweeteners such as maple syrup and coconut sugar. How about some pumpkin pie bars, with a creamy coconut pumpkin custard? Or how about a super simple apple cake topped with cinnamon? Find these and more decadent desserts!
🥃 Drinks
Looking to serve a special drink with your meal? My cranberry mocktail is light, refreshing, and suitable for all your guests. It makes a delicious drink to serve to your guests as they arrive.
Or how about something warm and spicy with dessert? Give my pumpkin spice latte a try!!
✅ Expert Tips for Meal Prepping
Prep the Day Before…
To save yourself some time, reduce overwhelm, and have a few moments to actually enjoy Thanksgiving you can prepare some of the dishes the day before. You can also prep the vegetables for many of these dishes so you don’t spend loads of time chopping on Thanksgiving Day.
The pumpkin pie bars, apple crisp, and pumpkin soup can be made the day before.
Chop the kale for the salad, roast the butternut squash, and prepare the salad dressing, so all you’ll need to do is put these ingredients together the day of Thanksgiving.
Prep the green beans, and acorn squash, and chop the vegetables for the wild rice stuffing and meatless meatloaf.
Prepare the Morning of…
In the morning prepare your main dishes such as the meatless meatloaf, or potato casserole. Don’t put them in the oven just yet, as they taste best straight from the oven.
Before Guests Arrive…
One to two hours prior to guests arriving roast the acorn squash and prepare the stuffing.
Thirty minutes prior to guests arriving put the spinach and artichoke dip in the oven so it’s bubbly, hot, and ready to serve as an appetizer when your guests arrive.
While guests are munching on the dip, put the potato casserole and meatless meatloaf in the oven, and prepare the green beans on the stove.
Enlist the help of a friend or family member to massage the kale and assemble the butternut squash and cranberry salad.
I hope you find some inspiration and enjoy these plant-based Thanksgiving recipes this year!
Leanne - Crumb Top Baking
We just celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving and I would have loved to make some of these dishes! Luckily, they’re all suitable for fall gatherings and even Christmas dinner! I’ll have to keep this meal plan in mind for upcoming celebrations!
Jessica Formicola
I have a lot of gluten free family members, so I will definitely be making some of these! Thanks so much for sharing!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks for all the awesome meal recipes. So healthy and delicious.
Tawnie Kroll
This is incredible – sending to all of my gluten free friends, thank you!
Emily
The artichoke dip and apple crisp look amazing!