Explore this guide of vegan Thanksgiving recipes to help plan your vegan Thanksgiving celebration. Find appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, and desserts for the whole family.
When I think about Thanksgiving, my thoughts focus on family and food. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, reflect on our blessings, and acknowledge our gratitude. Luckily, my family all celebrates with a feast of vegan Thanksgiving recipes.
To bring my family favorites to you, I compiled some vegan Thanksgiving recipes to help plan your Vegan Thanksgiving meal.
I clearly remember my first plant-based Thanksgiving. I made two dinners; one for the meat-eaters and another for my plant-based family. Since then, everyone in the family has enjoyed our vegan Thanksgiving recipes, and my life is much more accessible around the holidays.
Let's begin with some of my family's favorite appetizers for Thanksgiving. Because my family loves appetizers, we start early Thanksgiving Day and graze throughout the day.
Appetizers
I love my Thanksgiving table full of vibrant colors. Avocado hummus, for example, is a light and healthy dip served with bright vegetables and whole-wheat pita bread.
These bite-sized stuffed portobello mushrooms are incredibly savory and pop right in your mouth. Easy to make, these stuffed mushrooms can be made and heated up before your family and friends arrive.
Vegan French onion dip is so creamy and savory that you won't believe it's vegan. Vegan french onion dip is a family favorite, perfect for homemade oil-free chips, vegetables, or a spread for your favorite burger recipe. Nut-free option provided.
Take asparagus to the next level and give it some fancy flare. Dipped in this savory mustard dipping sauce, this asparagus, wrapped in oil-free dough, turns an ordinary appetizer table into a beautiful display.
Try adding color to a table with a variety of vegan bruschetta with beautiful vegetable toppings. We love boards, and bruschetta is easy to make ahead of time and provides many combinations to please everyone in the family.
One of my family's favorite vegan Thanksgiving recipes is vegan tangy crockpot meatballs. Made with lentils, these vegan meatballs cook in a crockpot all Thanksgiving Day with a simple sauce. At my house, these little vegan meatballs disappear quickly.
Salad Recipes
Even on Thanksgiving, getting your greens is essential, so I always make a large salad or soup to accompany our Thanksgiving meal.
This roasted butternut squash salad tastes like Thanksgiving! The vibrant colors make any Thanksgiving table pop with colors of the rainbow.
Regardless of my menu, my family always asks for vegan Waldorf salad. Full of apples, grapes, walnuts, and various recipes, this salad is dressed in a sweet yet savory dressing.
Without a doubt, serving a salad full of sweet potatoes, apples, walnuts, and an array of vegetables, this harvest salad is full of fall flavors. This salad is a perfect addition to Thanksgiving dinner and is dressed in an oil-free maple dijon dressing.
Asparagus, orzo, and bright vegetables make this oil-free salad a delicious accompaniment to Thanksgiving dinner. Asparagus combines roasted asparagus and raw vegetables for a savory, make-ahead salad to make Thanksgiving dinner easy to prepare.
Enjoy Autumn pasta salad with vegetables and autumn flavors for a warm or cold pasta salad.
Soup Recipes
Fall soups are an excellent way to begin Thanksgiving dinner, served in courses.
So, this Thanksgiving, begin with a cup or a bowl of butternut squash chili.
This creamy vegan gnocchi soup is a family favorite. Made in one pot, this recipe is a quick and easy way to begin Thanksgiving dinner.
Spice up your Thanksgiving dinner with a bowl of curry butternut squash soup!
Savory and rich, this vegan wild rice soup with mushrooms is festive to welcome a Thanksgiving meal.
Vegan corn chowder is a thick and rich soup full of fall vegetables and topped with grilled corn.
Entrees
Throughout the years, I've made a variety of different Thanksgiving entrees. These recipes, however, are on the top of the list for Thanksgiving successes.
No matter how many vegetables I pack into a vegetable strudel, it always turns out fabulous. Even the kids enjoy this dish, covered in vegan gravy with mashed potatoes.
Or have an Italian-style Thanksgiving with a savory butternut squash lasagna layered with noodles, butternut squash puree, cashew basil cheese, mushrooms, spinach, and onions. Top with vegan parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for a delicious weeknight meal or holiday dinner
Lentil meatloaf is a holiday favorite for the holidays or a weeknight meal. It never disappoints. Make it ahead of time to make planning and cooking for Thanksgiving easy.
Elegant yet easy to prepare, these individual portobello wellingtons are always a Thanksgiving hit. Not only are the large portobello mushrooms stuffed with a savory filling, but they are also wrapped in dough and baked to perfection.
Sometimes, my family requests an Italian entree for Thanksgiving dinner. One of my favorite dishes to prepare is veggie stuffed shells. Like other entrees in my top favorites, stuffed shells can be made ahead of time and cooked when your friends and family arrive.
I make an antipasto salad and vegan garlic bread when serving veggie stuffed shells.
Instead of opting for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, how about making it a Mexican fiesta? Sometimes, we enjoy Thanksgiving with our favorite harvest vegetables prepared with a Mexican theme.
If you're looking for a savory, creamy Italian option, try this vegan white sauce lasagna recipe. Make it the day before and reheat it on Thanksgiving day.
Or, for a quick and easy meal, try a butternut squash pasta recipe full of fall vegetables.
Pumpkin rigatoni is simple yet incredibly delicious! It screams Thanksgiving.
Last but certainly not least is one of my newest posts, Vegan Pot Pie. Even though I just made this recipe recently, my family has suggested these individual pot pies be this year's dinner.
Another option, however, is to make a large pot pie or use a rectangular pan to serve many people.
Side Dishes
If you are hosting a buffet or having an intimate dinner, side dishes are always a crowd-pleaser. After cooking a big meal, I sometimes eat side dishes for dinner.
Whenever I make vegan scalloped potatoes, my family goes crazy. Despite their favorite foods, everyone always finds room for creamy, savory potatoes.
Since these potatoes are made with only vegetables, you can have second helpings.
For those seeking a gluten-free option for holiday stuffing, try this cauliflower stuffing!
Embrace vegan mashed potatoes with butter beans for a buttery flavor and no vegan butter or salt. This easy mashed potato recipe tastes creamy and delicious without any added fat!
Again, this dense and delicate cornbread recipe is easily made ahead of time and goes with almost every entree. Sweet yet savory, vegan cornbread is one of my favorite vegan recipes for Thanksgiving.
Don't forget the cranberry sauce! It's an essential part of a festive holiday meal.
Or, try some orange cranberry bread if you prefer a little cranberry goodness.
Dessert Recipes
In the event you are still hungry, Thanksgiving dessert is always popular. Although I generally skip dessert, my family loves dessert.
This healthy vegan apple cider donut cake! Apple donut cake is a healthy version of a day at the cider mill. This dense bundt cake is oil-free, nut-free, plant-milk-free with a gluten-free option, and topped with fresh, hot cinnamon apples.
As a favorite seasonal dessert, this pumpkin dip recipe is simple to make with a few simple ingredients. I often take this dip to parties in the fall since it is a party favorite. Great for a fruit dip or vegan ginger snap cookies.
I love apples! This apple galette is a quick, easy, no-fuss way to make a pie that takes minutes.
And, if you're looking for a sweet cranberry treat, give these vegan cranberry bars a try!
Because I always prefer a light dessert, vegan caramel sauce served with apple slices is my favorite dessert recipe. Light and sweet, this clean and healthy sauce is the perfect way to end a holiday meal.
Thank you for visiting our page. If you enjoy any of these vegan Thanksgiving recipes, let us know. We would love to hear from you!
From my family to your family, Happy Vegan Thanksgiving. May you have a happy, healthy holiday filled with excellent food, friends, family, and many thanks!
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Leah Bell
How about a recipe for traditional cornbread dressing?
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Leah, make the oil-free cornbread recipe, cut it into bite-sized cubes, and place it in a bowl. In a skillet, saute 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 diced white onion, and 3 celery stalks and cook until the onions are translucent. Stir in 1 Tablespoon of fresh chopped sage, parsley, thyme, and rosemary; add the cooked vegetables and herbs into the bowl with the cornbread. Add 3/4 cup of vegetable broth. Stir to combine. Transfer to a baking dish. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover with foil and bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 15 more minutes.