25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

Whether you are trying out your very first vegan Thanksgiving or need some recipe inspiration to change things up this year, I have you covered with some fun and festive holiday recipes all in one convenient post. This round up of the tastiest Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes includes everything from mains, sides, and vegan desserts from brown sugar glazed tofu to a double layered pumpkin cheesecake.

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving, but make it plant-based

Need some vegan thanksgiving recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered for the whole day, from your very first meal of the day to the last bite of dessert you may want to enjoy. Here are some things to note with the recipes shared below:

  • I encourage you NOT to skip any of your meals. Focus on being present and enjoying your meal. Skipping your meal will make you grumpy and likely more ravenous when it actually is time for your big feast. This will likely lead you to being less mindful with your meal in general. As a result, you’ll probably eat until you are really uncomfortably full.
  • I’m Dominican, so you will see some traditional Latino fair below that’s been veganized. If you’re looking for something new, but not sure about some of the seasonings, I mention my favorite brands and also have a post for how to make the spice blends here.
  • Need recipes for a smaller gathering? Got you covered. Just check the notes for the recipes below.
  • And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to leave a comment below and I’d be more than happy to help you find the perfect dish you might need for your holiday table.

Breakfast

I highly recommend treating your day just like any other day, even if it’s a holiday. I’m going to emphasize this again, do not skip meals! Enjoy some breakfast and lunch so you can enjoy your meal later in the evening.

1.Fluffy Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

These fluffy vegan pumpkin pancakes never fail! The perfect fluffy texture, easy to make and they have all the fall flavor you need. For 2-4.

2.Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (3)

These soft vegan pumpkin cinnamon rolls use real pumpkin, the right amount of pumpkin spice and are topped with a maple cream cheese frosting.

3.Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

Creamy and decadent. Almost feels like dessert for breakfast. A perfect bowl to remind you why you should love this season!

4.Maple Tahini Granola

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This maple tahini stovetop granola is super easy and quick to make. Tastes like you baked it in the oven. Perfect breakfast meal prep! Vegan, oil free, and gluten free.

Soups & Salads

A great meal starter, but can also be a great option to enjoy prior to your meal. I find like a sensible soup or salad can help fill you up if there are any delays with the main event.

5.Butternut Squash Soup

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A simple and easy butternut squash soup that is creamy and uses cinnamon and Chinese five spice to amp up fall flavors. Warming and delicious!

6.Lemon White Bean Orzo Soup

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A lemon white bean orzo soup, bright and flavorful thanks to the lemon juice and zest mixed into this garlicky and herb filled soup broth.

7.Peanut Crunch Salad

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

Simple salad that can be turned into a full meal or a fun side with a main meal. Crunchy, flavorful and will keep you coming back for more. For 2-4.

8.Chili Lime Kale Salad

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (9)

Make your salads more filling and satisfying! This massaged kale salad with chili lime dressing is a perfect example of the right balance of ingredients and flavor that will make you forget all of those boring salads in the past. For 2-4.

9.Chipotle Pumpkin Chili

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Chipotle pumpkin chili, a chili balanced with pumpkin and a touch of sweet and heat. Hearty, protein packed, and great for leftovers.

Mains

Can’t have a vegan thanksgiving recipe round up without the main recipes. Lots of high protein plant based options using beans, tempeh, tofu and seitan here. Gluten free options as well!

10.Brown Sugar Glazed Tofu

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The ultimate vegan main for your holiday table. This brown sugar glazed tofu is sweet and smoky and surprisingly easy to make! For 2-4.

11.Lentil Loaf

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

This vegan lentil loaf is easy and loaded with a little bit of Latin flavor. Firm, tender and the right moisture. Perfect for Thanksgiving!

12.Vegan “Pollo” Guisado

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This vegan “pollo” guisado is a call to home with a plant based twist. Bursting with the same Latin flavors, high in protein and easy to make. For 2-4.

13.Holiday Seitan Roast

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An easy and flavorful roast that is elevated with a delicious phyllo crust. Crispness on the outside, tender meaty inside perfect to pair will all the holiday sides.

14.Stuffed Butternut Squash

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This vegan stuffed butternut squash makes the perfect holiday plant-based entrée. Stuffed with flavorful smoky tempeh and sweet diced apples. For 2-4.

Sides

Traditional and fun takes on some classic sides to help keep your palate and belly happy.

15.Sweet Potato Casserole Boats

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Get ready to fall in love with thesesweet potato casserole boats. Buttery maple sweet potatoes topped with a delicious pecan crumble.

16.Sweet Jalapeño Cornbread

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This is the best sweet jalapeno cornbread because it’s easy, delicious, quick, and homemade. Just 10 simple ingredients, mix and bake!

17.Everything Bagel Stuffing

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This vegan everything bagel stuffing is loaded with the classic salty, onion, and garlic flavors you love plus is the perfect easy holiday side. For 2-4.

18.Orange Miso Roasted Vegetables

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These orange miso roasted vegetables are glazed with garlic, orange and miso. A delicious way to actually enjoy your brussel sprouts!

19.Cranberry Chili Meatballs

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These vegan cranberry chili meatballs are the perfect holiday appetizer. Sweet, tangy, and spicy and just takes 20 minutes to make!

20.Cranberry Pecan Stuffing

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If you’re looking for the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas side, look no further than this vegan cranberry pecan stuffing. Herby, buttery, and way better than any box stuffing. Loaded with cranberries, pecans, and diced apples for a sweet taste of fall.

21.Baked Arroz Con Gandules

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Making this delicious Hispanic rice staple easy and delicious in the oven. Make a big batch and save for eating throughout the week. You’ll thank me later.

22.Baked Sweet Potato Empanadas with Minced Tempeh

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A spin on a traditional food I grew up eating frequently. Dough wrapped around delicious savory filling and perfect for on the go eating. Cheap and easy to customize to your preference.

Dessert

The holidays can’t end without a little something sweet and these treats below are just so fun and can be enjoyed throughout the fall.

23.Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

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This vegan double layer pumpkin cheesecake is the perfect holiday dessert featuring both a vanilla and pumpkin layer. Easy and delicious!

24.Magic Bars

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These vegan magic bars are a sweet and buttery treat loaded with chocolate chips and coconut. Simple to make and just 10 ingredients!

25.S’mores Pumpkin Mug Cake

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This vegan s’mores pumpkin mug cake is an easy fall treat that uses basic pantry ingredients. Baked in the microwave in just 1 minute.

26.Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bread

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Fluffy, vegan, and made with simple ingredients, this cream cheese filled pumpkin bread is the best fall breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert!

27.Easy Apple Crumble

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An easy apple crumble with minimal ingredients, a crispy top and gooey apple bottom.

Did You Try Any of These Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes?
Then let me know what you thought! Share your creations by tagging me onInstagramwith the hashtag #plantbasedrdeats

Catherine

25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What do vegans eat on Thanksgiving instead of turkey? ›

Vegan Turkey Substitutes
  • Burmese Tofu (aka Chickpea Flour Tofu) ...
  • Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric-Tahini Sauce & Pistachios. ...
  • Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie With Parsnip & Potato Mash. ...
  • Vegetarian Mapo Tofu. ...
  • Sweet Potato & Chickpea Cakes. ...
  • Vegan Lasagna With Roasted Vegetables. ...
  • Zucchini Verde Enchiladas. ...
  • Nutty Veggie Burgers.

What are 4 commonly consumed foods at Thanksgiving other than turkey? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What to cook for Thanksgiving if you don't like turkey? ›

Whatever the reason, here are 20 Thanksgiving recipes for a turkey-free table.
  • Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary. Image. ...
  • Beef Wellington. Image. ...
  • Ombré Gratin. Image. ...
  • Skillet Pork Chops and Apples With Miso Caramel. Image. ...
  • Samosa Pie. Image. ...
  • Maple-Baked Salmon. Image. ...
  • Lasagna. Image. ...
  • Ina Garten's Make-Ahead Coquilles St.
Nov 10, 2022

How do vegans celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

Seasonal vegetables like squash, beets, and mushrooms are key to making vegan-friendly dishes that are festive for Thanksgiving. Add quinoa, nuts, and beans (like chickpeas or lentils) to create satisfying entrées that everyone at the table will want to try.

What is a vegan turkey called? ›

Tofurky is the brand name of an American vegan turkey replacement (also known as a meat analogue, or, more specifically, tofurkey) made from a blend of wheat protein and organic tofu.

What is the least common Thanksgiving food? ›

The Least Popular Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked
  • Sweet Potatoes or Yams — 25.12%
  • Stuffing/Dressing. — 22.33%
  • Pumpkin Pie. — 21.44%
  • Carrots. — 16.95%
  • Mashed Potatoes. — 15.45%
  • Corn. — 14.36%
  • Macaroni and Cheese. — 14.36%
  • Apple Pie. — 12.86%

What is healthier than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Try it out on Thanksgiving by substituting tofu for your turkey. Tofu can be cooked in a variety of flavorful ways and comes with a ton of nutritional benefits including a lot of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B, and protein.

What do you say instead of "Happy Thanksgiving"? ›

"May all the good things of life be yours, not only on this day but throughout the coming year." "Wishing you a harvest of blessings, good health and good times." "May you enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving, a joyous holiday season and healthful, Happy New Year."

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

These are the most popular Thanksgiving sides across the U.S.: Mashed potatoes: The top spot goes to mashed potatoes! While this may be unsurprising (especially with how downright delicious mashed potatoes are), last year the side dish was in second place.

What is a good reason to not eat turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Nearly All U.S. Turkeys Are Raised on Factory Farms

Each year, more than 200 million turkeys are slaughtered for food in the U.S. — and over 99 percent of U.S. turkeys are raised on industrial farms and kept in severely crowded and unsanitary conditions.

What is a good substitute for turkey dinner? ›

  • Pernil. Von Diaz, Maricel Presilla. 3 to 4 hours, plus marinating.
  • Ombré Gratin. Alexa Weibel. 3 hours.
  • Root Beer Ham. Eric Kim. 3 1/2 hours.
  • Lasagna. Regina Schrambling. 4 hours.
  • Easy. Maple-Baked Salmon. ...
  • Easy. Prime Rib Roast. ...
  • Liberian Chicken Gravy. Priya Krishna, Thalmus Hare. ...
  • Braised Goat Leg in Obe Ata. Yewande Komolafe.

How to survive Thanksgiving as a vegan? ›

Eating Plant Based on Thanksgiving: A Survival Guide
  1. Give Your Host a Heads Up. ...
  2. Make a List of Thanksgiving Dishes You Can't Live Without. ...
  3. Bring Enough For Yourself and Everyone Else. ...
  4. You Don't have to Tell People it's Vegan. ...
  5. Keep Your Cool. ...
  6. Remember, It's Dinner, Not a Debate.
Nov 20, 2022

What religion follows a vegan diet? ›

In particular, Jainism, the Indian faith that originated in north India sometime between 5th-7th Century BCE, predating even Buddhism, comes closest to the modern-day vegan principles of avoiding animal products.

What is a pagan vegan? ›

The pegan principle is a nutrient-rich diet that consists of about 75% plant-based foods, with the remaining 25% of your nutrition from animal sources. It stresses eating whole, fresh foods that are sustainably produced, with limited effects on the environment. The diet also limits processed foods.

What is a good alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

So go ahead and shake things up this Thanksgiving with one of these flavorful alternatives to cooking up a whole bird this year, like mushroom, Gruyère, & spinach-stuffed pork tenderloin, vegan mushroom pot pie, or a juicy prime rib.

What is a vegan substitute for turkey slices? ›

Vegan Turkey Deli Slices
  • 1 16oz block Super Firm Tofu*
  • 180 g 1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten.
  • 2 Tbsp tapioca starch.
  • 2 Tbsp mushroom seasoning.
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast.
  • Black pepper to taste I used a lot!
  • 2 tsp MSG or use more nutritional yeast.
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to turkey at Christmas? ›

Nut Roast. The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference.

What is plant-based turkey? ›

Plant based Turkey is a soy-based product that contains a high protein source. Moreover, most store-bought tofurkey has just as much protein as turkey bird meat. As a result, Plant based Turkey is a healthy alternative to animal protein sources.

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