Ridiculously Good Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes | Yummly

Ridiculously Good Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

Wondering what vegans can eat for Thanksgiving? Here are our 44 best vegan Thanksgiving recipes, from appetizers and side dishes to main courses and desserts.

Photograph by Olga Ivanova

(Want more Thanksgiving recipes and tips? Check out our big Yummly Thanksgiving page!)

I’m an enthusiastic omnivore most days, and at the Thanksgiving meal, I look forward to a big golden turkey, gravy, and all the trimmings. A few years ago, though, a vegan friend joined my family somewhat unexpectedly for the big feast. Suddenly, I was scrambling for vegan Thanksgiving recipes and figuring out how to balance a vegan and non-vegan Thanksgiving. (I wish I had known then how easy it is to search on Yummly!)

Don’t worry about me, the friend said; she was sure she could make a meal out of some vegan side dishes. For the record, I wasn't giving up my family’s favorite non-vegan Thanksgiving recipes, but I did want the meal to be as special for her as it was for the rest of us — not just a plate of stray green beans, stuffing that hadn’t touched the turkey, and a smear of store-bought hummus for some protein. 

I started thinking about vegan Thanksgiving dishes I could add to our meal. The holiday, after all, is a celebration of bounty, and what could be more bountiful or beautiful than vegetables? The exercise fired up the creative cook in me, and turned into an opportunity to try some incredible dishes.

As we gathered in our northern California backyard that golden afternoon, we nibbled on roasted hazelnuts and homemade hummus to go with a local bottle of Pinot Noir. Dinnertime came and we paraded a grand Thanksgiving vegan main dish to the table: stuffed squash. We had mashed the potatoes with a peppery extra-virgin olive oil and almond milk instead of the usual butter and cream. And at dessert, alongside our favorite custardy pumpkin pie, we set out a bowl of delicately spiced poached quinces.

Our friend? She glowed. I like to think it was just from us fussing over her, but quite possibly it was all that good food. She must have taken thirds.

Since then I’ve discovered a cornucopia of vegan Thanksgiving ideas on Yummly. Whatever (or whomever) the holiday is sending your way this year, here’s a collection to keep at your fingertips. Are you looking for a vegan dish or two? A full-on vegan Thanksgiving menu? You’re covered, and the meal will be amazing. (And keep this roundup of vegan holiday recipes in mind for Christmas, too!)

Jump ahead to:

Vegan Thanksgiving appetizers >>

Vegan Thanksgiving main dishes >>

Vegan Thanksgiving side dishes: potatoes, stuffing, and gravy >>

Vegan salads, veggies, and cranberry sauce >>

Vegan Thanksgiving desserts >>

Note: The Yummly Meal Planner is available to paid subscribers.


Vegan Thanksgiving appetizers

Whatever you're serving for dinner, you're going to need some vegan Thanksgiving appetizers at hand to keep the fam from snagging all the rolls before everyone sits down. Blissful Basil wows her vegan guests with toasts that are smeared with a quick and citrusy homemade hummus and then topped with spiced roasted carrots, plus parsley dressed in a coriander vinaigrette. This is a great make-ahead vegan Thanksgiving recipe because you can prepare the components in advance and assemble them at the last minute.

Curried Carrot & Lemony Hummus Crostini


Here are six more colorful and easy vegan Thanksgiving appetizers you can add to your holiday repertoire.

Yummly Original


Vegan Thanksgiving main dishes

Who says turkey has to star at the Thanksgiving table? When you’re cooking vegan, you have so many creative options for main dishes. This first entree, a Yummly original, takes on the whole meal! Four kinds of roasted vegetables; cranberry sauce; and lemony, garlicky white beans with kale are all included, so you could make this recipe and call it a day, in terms of dinner. (And those beans: You’re going to want to make them again and again, trust me.) While the recipe takes a little time to make, it’s worth it, and the Guided Video format will lead you through every step.

Roasted Vegan Thanksgiving Feast Platter

Yummly Original

For some of us, half the fun of making Thanksgiving dinner is the planning. If you’re still pondering the possibilities, check out 12 more flavorful vegan Thanksgiving main dishes. We've got stuffed roasted squashes (filled with barley, quinoa, and wild rice), other whole roasted vegetables, and pasta, including roasted butternut squash lasagna. Then there's a savory meatless loaf, shepherd's pie, and risotto, as well as vegan versions of “roasts,” and grain bowls.

Yummly Original

Vegan Thanksgiving side dishes: potatoes, stuffing, and gravy

Your first question about vegan Thanksgiving side dishes might be how to have a vegan Thanksgiving if you don’t serve mashed potatoes? Fortunately, the vegans at your table can feast on spuds made delectable and creamy with extra-virgin olive oil, vegan margarine, almond milk, and sweet, mellow roasted garlic. This Yummly original Guided Video Recipe will show you just how easy it is.

Vegan Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

Yummly Original

Don’t stop at mashed taters, because there are plenty more delightfully carb-centric dishes to consider. Vegan Thanksgiving stuffing (aka vegan Thanksgiving dressing)? Yes indeed, we have both a bread stuffing and a vegan cornbread stuffing, with vegan gravy, of course. And don’t forget the vegan roasted potatoes, stuffed sweet potatoes, and sweet potato casserole.

Yummly Original


Vegan salads, veggies, and cranberry sauce

Everybody needs a classic spinach salad recipe at the ready, right? And why not make it a vegan Thanksgiving salad? This Yummly original includes a savory and sweet combination of roasted nuts and dried cranberries with an apple cider vinaigrette. It’s plenty adaptable if you want to go with a different nut, or add sliced pear, apple, or even some pomegranate seeds. The dressing does contain a squeeze of honey; strict vegans can sub in a little maple syrup. 

Spinach Salad with Toasted Pecans and Cranberries

Yummly Original

Below you'll find more vegan tossed green salads, an individual salad you can pick up with your fingers, roasted vegetables including cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, a vegan version of the beloved green bean casserole, vegan squash soup, and a Thanksgiving essential, cranberry sauce. You might need more than one big meal to explore them all.

Yummly Original
Yummly Original
Yummly Original


Vegan Thanksgiving desserts

What should I make for a vegan Thanksgiving dessert? I punted on the question and served our friend some non-traditional poached quinces (which were amazing; see the recipe below). But since then I’ve learned that vegan pumpkin pie is an excellent idea. This pretty delish example happens to work for gluten-free diets as well. Condensed coconut milk, which is available in grocery stores' baking aisles, stands in for the usual cream, and cornstarch thickens the filling instead of eggs. Instead of nondairy topping, you could also serve it with vegan ice cream.

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free Pumpkin Pie

Yummly Original

Of course you might need more than one vegan dessert for your Thanksgiving menu — in fact, I recommend it. Apple pie, crisp (aka crumble), or cupcakes; pecan and coconut pie bars; spice- and citrus-flavored poached quinces; maybe vegan cheesecake: Here’s to some tasty explorations. Happy Thanksgiving.



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