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Not sure where to start this Thanksgiving? I have you covered with my top vegan Thanksgiving recipes for your holiday table! I’ve got you covered from appetizers to desserts, traditional side dishes, and mouth watering mains. These recipes are healthy, satisfying, and crowd pleasing for even the meat eaters in your family!
Thanksgiving has always been low key for me. I have been the only vegetarian in my family since I was fifteen.
I never wanted to put anyone out, so while the rest of my family and friends ate turkey and stuffing, I had some salad, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. I was fine with that.
For me Thanksgiving was more about the people around the table than the food on the table.
As the years passed and the responsibility of creating a Thanksgiving meal fell on my shoulders I had some decisions to make.
Would I prepare a traditional Thanksgiving to please my guests or a vegan Thanksgiving that I could actually eat?
Since I didn’t know the first thing about preparing a turkey and had absolutely no desire to learn, I decided this was my opportunity to wow my guests with flavorful, filling, crowd pleasing dishes.
These vegan thanksgiving recipes are plant-based, dairy-free, heart healthy, totally delicious, kid friendly, and 100% satisfying and pleasing for every type of eater.
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.
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! 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 makes this holiday special. These vegan Thanksgiving side dishes are so delicious, yet nobody would ever know they’re vegan!
From stuffing, to mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, you’ll find all the traditional sides made vegan, yet just as flavorful and delicious as your traditional recipes!
Soups
Main Dishes
If you’re vegan or hosting a vegan guest, do not in anyway feel obligated to serve Tofurky! There are so many better main dish ideas for your vegetarian and vegan guests. From creamy pumpkin pasta, to stuffed acorn squash, 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 and apples aren’t your traditional pie, but they are just as good if not better! 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!!
Top Tips for Preparing Your Vegan Thanksgiving Meal
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, acorn squash, and chop the vegetables for the wild rice stuffing and meatless meatloaf.
Prepare the Morning of…
In the morning prepare your main dish 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.
Check out these other holiday round-ups!
- 27 Vegan Halloween Recipes: Cute, Festive, and Fun Treats
- 24 Healthy Vegan Easter Recipes
- Vegan Fourth of July Recipes Everyone Will Love
- 15 Homemade Vegan Christmas Gifts
- 29 Vegan Christmas Cookies
If you’ve tried any of these Vegan Thanksgiving recipes, please let me know how they turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based family recipes your whole family will enjoy!
The artichoke dip and apple crisp look amazing!
This is incredible – sending to all of my gluten free friends, thank you!
Thanks for all the awesome meal recipes. So healthy and delicious.
I have a lot of gluten free family members, so I will definitely be making some of these! Thanks so much for sharing!
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!