Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for everybody, but this year may prove especially difficult to navigate as families gather potentially for the first time in more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, make sure the focus stays on enjoying your time reuniting with loved ones, instead of the stress of building the perfect menu.
It can definitely be tough when everyone around the table has different food preferences and dietary restrictions, but an easy way to to cook something most, if not everyone, will be able to dig their forks into is to make sure you have a few vegan Thanksgiving dishes on the menu, too. No worries, you don’t have to resort to just plain ol’ mashed potatoes.
If you’re not the biggest fan of Thanksgiving-style decadence, there are PLENTY of vegan Thanksgiving recipes out there that go well beyond the old classics. Whether you’re catering a full vegan Thanksgiving dinner or you just want to offer a wider array of options, these fall-themed vegan recipes will fit seamlessly into your spread. From naturally plant-based staples like roasted Brussels sprouts and colorful fall salads to vegan-ified versions of the classics (the lentil Wellington is no joke!), I promise you won’t feel like you’re missing out. I’ve even got an umami-packed mushroom gravy that you’ll want to pour over everything (including straight into your mouth).
Trust me, no one at your feast will ever hate on dairy alternatives again. Don’t worry, we’ve still included fall classics, like apple cider, on the following list. From the savory to the sweet, the following vegan Thanksgiving recipes (35 of them!) will satisfy all of your holiday cravings—and some are even paleo and gluten-free, too.
Buttermilk is already a tough ingredient to track down in the grocery aisles, and finding vegan buttermilk actually feels impossible. That said, this blogger explains just how easy it is to create your own, so that you never have to get hung up on avoiding recipes just because of one pesky ingredient again.
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*Nutritional information not available
This ooey-gooey cup of pecan goodness gets extra oomph from sweet potato puree and is just as comforting as traditional pie.
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Per serving: 407 calories, 14 g fat (3 g saturated), 155 mg sodium, 71 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 35 g sugar, 2 g protein
These candied yams have all the spice and everything else that’s nice. You can even add in some vegan marshmallows if your heart so desires. They’re also incredibly easy to make.
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*Nutritional information not available
It doesn’t get much more comforting than sweet potato pie, and this one will satisfy everyone at your table. This recipe is slightly sweeter and creamier than the neighboring pumpkin pie, so you can go into your feast expecting a truly decadent dessert.
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Per serving: 527 calories, 25 g fat (8 g saturated), 497 mg sodium, 73 g carbs, 44 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein
It just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without gravy, and this rich mushroom-based recipe gets the job done without a single meat.
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Per serving: 54 calories, 3 g fat (0 g saturated), 147 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein
This cornbread is stellar in stuffing or on its own. Use it to mop up that mushroom gravy or slather it with a little vegan maple butter.
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Per serving: 201 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated), 469 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 0 g fiber, 1 g protein
Use leftover cranberries to whip up this fruity crisp and give your usual dessert spread a refreshing update this year.
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Per serving: 394 calories, 12 g fat (7 g saturated), 304 mg sodium, 69 g carbs, 39 g sugar, 8 g fiber, 3 g protein
Chocolate lovers, your (Thanksgiving) day has finally come. This dark chocolate tart is decadent and gluten-free, thanks to coconut and an almond-based crust.
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Per serving: 289 calories, 22 g fat (11 g saturated), 71 mg sodium, 22 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 5 g protein
This vegan lentil Wellington has a long-ish ingredient list, but the instructions are easy to follow and the flavorful dish is guaranteed to wow.
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Per serving: 694 calories, 37 g fat (9 g saturated), 1139 mg sodium, 74 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 12 g fiber, 16 g protein
If you think stuffing just tastes like soggy bread, consider this mac your go-to Thanksgiving side instead. This spicy recipe uses gluten-free pasta and a vegan “cheese” sauce made with cashews, almond milk, and vegetable broth.
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Per serving: 533 calories, 15 g fat (3 g saturated), 393 mg sodium, 90 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 6 g fiber, 14 g protein
No room in the oven? Use your Instant Pot to whip up this butternut squash risotto. It calls for cauliflower rice instead of regular, so it’s also grain-free.
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Per serving: 272 calories, 15 g fat (11 g saturated), 378 mg sodium, 29 g carbs, 7 g sugar, 7 g fiber, 10 g protein
Need a break from Thanksgiving classics like sweet potatoes and green beans? This roasted cauliflower recipe shakes things up a bit, but still fits the day’s general flavor profile.
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Per serving: 107 calories, 10 g fat (1 g saturated), 300 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g protein
Appetizers are the best way to keep guests happy (and quiet) while you put the finishing touches on dinner. Make a big pot of this hearty, flavorful soup and let everybody serve themselves.
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Per serving: 199 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated), 196 mg sodium, 31 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 2.5 g protein
Sadly, buttery dinner rolls are a no-go for vegans. These feature a vegan alternative to make equally fluffy, gravy-ready rolls.
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Per serving: 110 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated), 135 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
If you were looking for another excuse to make mac and cheese a Thanksgiving staple, here it is.This dairy-free mac features a creamy pumpkin and vegan ‘Parmesan’ sauce that’s perfect for a turkey-free Turkey Day.
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Per serving: 297 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 306 mg sodium, 54 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 11 g protein
Another easy appetizer, this bright soup (our own recipe!) is vegan as long as you leave out the optional Parmesan rind. Nice and light, it leaves plenty of room for heartier dishes to come.
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Per serving: 160 calories, 7.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 260 mg sodium, 22 g carb, 12.5 g sugars, 5.5 g fiber, 4 g protein
With a creamy filling of herbs and beans, these vegan pot pies are just as luscious as any butter-filled pot pie in the game. You won’t miss the chicken one bit, either.
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Per serving: 456 calories, 24 g fat (7 g saturated), 46 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 804 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 10 g protein
Looking for a vegan main dish that isn’t fake meat? These adorable roasted tomatoes are sure to please. Just swap the feta garnish for toasted almonds and pistachios.
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Per serving: 410 calories, 15 g fat (7.5 g saturated), 815 mg sodium, 57 g carb, 13 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 9 g fiber, 16 g protein
Not only is this recipe easy and yummy, but it’s a major conversation starter. Made with aquafaba, the leftover liquid in canned chickpeas, the topping on this mousse will get your guests talking (in a good way).
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Per serving: 380 calories, 27 g fat (15 g saturated), 10 mg sodium, 36 g carb, 8 g fiber, 24 g sugars (14 g added sugars), 4 g protein
It might seem impossible that a bread-free, dairy-free stuffing can be as tasty as the buttery boxed stuff, but this recipe totally pulls it off. Lentils and walnuts provide texture and bite, while vegetables and seasoning add lots of flavor.
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Per one-ball serving: 140 calories, 6 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 160 mg sodium, 18 g carbs, 9 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein
This simple but delish pumpkin hummus recipe calls for canned pumpkin (no cooking required!) and comes together in just a few minutes. It’s pretty much the easiest app in the book.
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Per serving: 180 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated), 370 mg sodium, 21 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 6.5 g fiber, 7 g protein
These pumpkin-sage biscuits deserve a permanent spot in your Thanksgiving rotation. Be sure to whip up extra so you can make leftover sliders the next day.
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Per biscuit: 184 calories, 6.2 g fat (1.8 g saturated), 254 mg sodium, 27.5 g carbs, 1.3 g sugar, 1.3 g fiber, 3.8 g protein
Sweet potatoes may be a classic Thanksgiving side dish, but roasted butternut squash is a great lower-carb alternative. This recipe is loaded with sweet and savory flavor.
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Per serving: 98 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 179 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein
While this roasted cauliflower recipe isn’t exactly stuffing, it’s an incredibly flavorful alternative if you’re looking for something with a lower amount of carbs.
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Per serving: 95 calories, 7 g fat, 7 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes, vegan or not. These are so garlicky that you won’t even miss the butter and cream.
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Per serving: 333 calories, 9 g fat (2 g saturated), 56 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 425 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 7 g protein
Stop with the canned stuff already and go for this delicious (and boozy!) cranberry sauce instead.
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Per 1/4 cup serving: 238 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated), 16 mg sodium, 57 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 0 g protein
Roasted sprouts are a T-day classic, and guess what? They taste just as delicious sans butter and bacon, as proven by this delicious take.
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Per serving: 253 calories, 19 g fat (2 g saturated), 21 g carbs, 11 g sugar, 321 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 5 g protein
This recipe puts a fresh spin on traditional roasted carrots by adding a citrus punch from lemon juice and orange.
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Per serving: 120 calories, 6.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 270 mg sodium, 15 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 2 g protein
If you’ve never had panzanella, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s literally a bread salad. Yep, a salad made with big pieces of bread tossed right in. This one also uses fall-forward flavors like kale, squash, and pomegranate to make it feel truly Thanksgiving-friendly.
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Per serving: 270 calories, 14 g fat (2 g saturated), 34 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 300 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein
Face it: Traditional green bean casserole isn’t all that appealing to begin with. Swapping cream for vegan “magic mushroom sauce” (made with cashew cream) and adding plenty of toasted bread crumbs might actually be a step up from the original.
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Per serving: 400 calories, 22 g fat (4 g saturated), 48 g carbs, 10 g sugar, 40 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 14 g protein
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