30+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

Published: Nov 20, 2020 · Modified: Oct 9, 2023 by Cassidy Reeser · This post contains affiliate links.

Thanksgiving dinner as a vegetarian doesn't have to be all about the sides! Whether you're looking for a light side dish or traditional comfort food casseroles, you're sure to find a vegetarian-friendly Thanksgiving recipe here.

Whether you eat meatless yourself or you're cooking for vegetarians this year, there are a lot of options that you can serve at Thanksgiving dinner. This post includes a lot of classic recipes alongside some new recipe ideas.

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How to make Thanksgiving recipes vegetarian
Vegetarian main dishes
My vegetarian Thanksgiving menu
Tips for scaling recipes
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How to make Thanksgiving recipes vegetarian

Thankfully, most traditional Thanksgiving recipes are vegetarian-friendly with a few simple swaps. If you already have a favorite recipe but you want to make it vegetarian-friendly, I have some tips for how to make recipes meatless.

Meats: Ground beef or sausage can be replaced with Impossible beef or other meatless crumbles at a 1:1 ratio. I find that Beyond and Impossible have the most realistic flavors.
Turkey: Field Roast, Quorn, Trader Joe's, and Gardien all make meatless "turkey roasts". Find these in the frozen aisle at most major grocery stoers.
Broth: Casseroles are often made with chicken broth and gravies with beef or turkey broth. These can easily be swapped with vegetable broth.
Mixes: My family loves making Jiffy cornbread, but their standard mix has lard in it. Thankfully, they also make a vegetarian version of the mix. When in doubt, check the ingredient lists of common casserole mixes, as many of them use animal products where you wouldn't expect it.

If you're looking for vegan options, I'm also sharing several vegan-friendly recipes for those looking for dairy and egg-free options. A lot of the vegetarian recipes on this list are easy to make dairy-free or egg-free.

Dairy-free: In savory recipes, you can usually use an equal amount of non-dairy milk, butter, or cheese in place of the dairy options. Soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk generally work well in place of cow's milk.
Egg-free: Egg-free recipes can be tricky to execute without testing a few times first. I recommend choosing egg-free recipes to begin with instead of simply omitting eggs from existing recipes.

Vegetarian main dishes

Panko breaded tofu or lentil loaf make great Thanksgiving mains. You can also buy a Tofurkey roast if you're looking for a quick (but really delicious) main.

Of course, a sides-only Thanksgiving is always a great option but there are so many meatless brands to choose from these days that it's not the only option.

My vegetarian Thanksgiving menu

My Thanksgiving menu includes most of the traditional starchy foods (think white cheddar mac and cheese, sourdough stuffing) with a few less traditional plant-based mains.

You can download my entire menu, along with a grocery shopping list and prep-ahead tips at the link down below.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving-MenuDownload

Need more ideas? Keep scrolling for 30+ vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving recipes.

Tips for scaling recipes

If you're planning to have a small Thanksgiving gathering, consider cutting recipes in half. You can also freeze most leftovers for later. Most of these recipes include storage tips in the recipe post.

I like to assemble a few sides together and freeze them in containers to have an easy freezer meal on hand when things get hectic in December.

I included a few less traditional vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes like lentil casseroles. These types of recipes are great options if you're planning on a smaller Thanksgiving meal this year.

Whether you're just looking for a side to bring to a small gathering or you're planning the whole day, there's sure to be a recipe in this list to please everyone.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

I've rounded up 30+ of the best vegetarian and vegan mains, sides, appetizers, and desserts to make for Thanksgiving this year. Choose from a variety of light veggie-focused sides to more traditional comfort food recipes for a balanced spread.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Mains

Tofurkey and lentil loafs are always a good choice, but I have you covered if you're looking for something a little different this year.

Panko Breaded Tofu Cutlets with Pepper Gravy

Breaded tofu cutlets are marinated, seasoned and coated in panko and lightly pan-fried until golden.

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

This healthy casserole is filled with lentils and mushrooms cooked in a lightly umami red wine sauce and topped with comforting mashed potatoes.

Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash

This vegetarian stuffed acorn squash is filled with healthy fall ingredients like quinoa, sauteed leeks, sage, and toasted pumpkin seeds!

Vegan Lentil Loaf

This delicious vegan lentil loaf is packed with a meaty texture and hearty flavor from mushrooms, walnuts, and lentils. It is the perfect holiday centerpiece and can even be frozen for quick weeknight meals!

Vegan Chicken Pot Pie

This vegan chicken pot pie is rich, comforting, and easy to make using soy curls! It has a creamy non-dairy sauce and is dappled with mixed vegetables for that classic pot pie feel, just without the meat.

Vegetarian Sides

Choose from light veggie-focused sides to comfort food classics like green bean casserole. Vegetarian and vegan recipes included.

Lemon Garlic Roasted Green Beans

Tender but still crisp, these roasted green beans are popping with garlic and lemon flavor in every bite!

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

There’s nothing quite like homemade green bean casserole made completely from scratch using fresh green beans and mushrooms! This recipe adds in caramelized onions for a decadent spin on this comfort food classic.

Vegan Squash Casserole

Vegan squash casserole is made with yellow squash, a creamy sauce and a classic buttery cracker topping!

Garlic and Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

These richly flavored garlic mashed potatoes are made extra creamy with cream cheese and Parmesan -- and they're ready in under 30 minutes!

Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon

Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon is a sweet and warming side dish complete with a pecan crumble on top.

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes are a sweet alternative to standard mashed potatoes. They can be prepared in under 30 minutes using warming fall ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar.

The Best Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

This vegan macaroni and cheese recipe is super smooth, creamy and made in under 30 minutes without nuts or food processor. You’ll love how easy it is to make this recipe!

Stovetop Gouda Mac and Cheese

Cheddar and gouda combine to make this ultra creamy and rich stovetop mac and cheese! Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect as a holiday side.

Garlic Roasted Broccoli with Honey Mustard Glaze

Oven-roasted garlic broccoli with a honey mustard glaze is a simple yet flavorful side dish.

Roasted Fall Vegetables

Earthy root vegetables are roasted until crispy, then tossed with diced apples and pecans for the perfect side dish.

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

This vegan mushroom gravy is a savory and flavorful addition to any meal! It’s easy to mix up in under 15 minutes and is perfect for the holidays.

All-Purpose Vegetarian Gravy

This simple gravy uses pantry staples and takes just a few minutes to mix up. This is a brown gravy inspired by the classic Turkey-drippings gravy served with Thanksgiving meals.

Herbed Vegetarian Sourdough Stuffing

Take homemade stuffing to the next level with sourdough and fresh herbs! This recipe is the perfect vegetarian addition to your Thanksgiving table.

Warm Kale Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash

This warm kale salad is packed with healthy ingredients like roasted butternut squash and chickpeas and is topped with a creamy tahini dressing!

Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This vibrant and simple arugula salad is served with a zesty lemon vinaigrette, fresh Parmesan, and toasted almonds. It's the perfect side salad to serve with dinner and it comes together in less than 15 minutes!

Savory Vegan Collard Greens (Instant Pot or Stove Top)

You can make this savory vegan collard greens recipe in half the time in your Instant Pot, or make these nutritiousgreens the traditional way on your stove top.

Honey Roasted Carrots with Whipped Feta

Sweet, tender, and lightly charred honey-roasted carrots are the ultimate healthy side dish. Served on a bed of creamy feta and topped with pistachios and pomegranate seeds, this dish is sure to impress!

Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

This fall-inspired quinoa butternut squash salad features leek and thyme-seasoned quinoa and sweet, tender butternut squash alongside a few other flavorful fall ingredients.

Bread & Rolls

Choose from yeast rolls, quick bread or cornbread to complete your Thanksgiving spread.

Vegan Cornbread Muffins

These vegan cornbread muffins are made extra sweet and flavorful with molasses and classic cornbread ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes!

Soft Homemade Yeast Rolls

Soft, fluffy pull-apartyeast rollsare mouthwateringly delicious and easy to make with baking staples.

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls

Sweet potato rolls are made with classic dinner roll ingredients and sweet potato puree, giving a traditional recipe additional flavor and warmth!

Whole Wheat Garlic Knots

These garlic knots are made with yeast and loaded with roasted garlic and fresh parsley. They take just an hour and a half to make.

Cast Iron Biscuits

These cheddar drop biscuits are made in a cast iron skillet and ready in under 30 minutes! This easily customized recipe is great as a quick side and screams comfort food.

Vegetarian Appetizers

You can make one of these dips or finger foods a day in advance to put out while the Thanksgiving meal is cooking.

Kale Artichoke Dip

Kale Artichoke Dip is creamy, cheesy and sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Rosemary White Bean Dip

This rosemary and white bean dip takes just 5 minutes to make and can be enjoyed warm or cold!

Chili Cream Cheese Dip

Chili Cheese Dip is the ultimate easy party dip! It’s uses only 3 ingredients and can be baked in the oven or made in the microwave.

Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites with Mushrooms

These party-approved puff pastry appetizers are filled with goat cheese, spinach and mushrooms. They are a great vegetarian option for entertaining and are beyond delicious!

Baked Brie with Fig Jam in Puff Pastry

This classic combination of brie baked in puff pastry with fig jam, walnuts and honey is a delicious addition to any charcuterie board.

Desserts

Make a batch of cookies or brownies a day in advance to have on hand after the main meal.

Classic Vegan Pumpkin Pudding

This classic vegan pumpkin pudding tastes like pumpkin pie filling and takes under 10 minutes to make! Top with chocolate chips and coconut cream for an easy alternative to pumpkin pie.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These soft and slightly chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are just like the ones from childhood! They require no chilling and are ooey-gooey as can be.

Classic Molasses Crinkle Cookies

These soft and chewy cookies are sweetened with molasses and brown sugar and spiced with ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.

Peanut Butter Brookies (Cookie Brownies!)

Peanut Butter Brookies, AKA peanut butter cookies and brownies in bar form, are soft, fudgy and downright delicious! Made in two bowls using traditional baking ingredients.