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The yummiest holiday of the year has finally arrived! Set your tables with these favorite vegan dishes and your dinner will be the topic of discussion for months to come. These delicious vegan Thanksgiving recipes will shepherd you through your holiday prep with ease–even if you’re reading this hours before your guests make an appearance! Below you’ll find dozens of recipes, prep tips, plus sample menus to make this Thanksgiving the best yet.
Beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes… they’re all going on the table this year! Planning a tasty vegan meal doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be stressful. That’s why I put this ultimate guide together for you; scroll through and pick the meals you want to make for your guests. I’ve created the recipes for you! And there are more amazing vegan Thanksgiving recipes in my first cookbook, Sweet Potato Soul (Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Walmart).
If you’re looking for some pre-made vegan Thanksgiving options, I’ve got you covered with that too. Keep scrolling past the recipes for my tasty recommendations.
A Moment of Gratitude
Let this Thanksgiving be a reminder to practice gratitude every day. Taking time throughout the day to give thanks has a profound effect on your wellbeing. Studies show, and common sense reminds us, that gratitude can improve your happiness level. But the long term positive effects of gratitude don’t necessarily happen overnight. Create a plan to practice gratitude daily. Some ideas: Set a daily reminder on your phone to acknowledge three things you’re grateful for, or start writing in a gratitude journal before bed or upon waking every day. Daily practice will help to train your brain into having an attitude of gratitude, without the need for reminders. I have a door mat on my front porch that greets my guests and I with the message, “Count Your Blessings”. Count them all the time.
Now, let’s dive into this food, y’all!
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Main Dishes
No dry turkey here. These perfectly cooked vegan main dishes are the stars of the show! Some of these recipes are also coincidentally some of my most popular recipes ever.
Elegant Mushroom Wellington
Tender, meaty, and savory veggies shine in this Mushroom Wellington Recipe! It’s made with plant-based ingredients and a buttery vegan puff pastry, making it an impressive and next-world delicious vegan-friendly Thanksgiving or Christmas main dish. This recipe is adapted from the New York Times.
The Best Vegan Lentil Meatloaf
The Best Vegan Lentil Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food, made with hearty lentils, toasted walnuts, plenty of veggies, and a homemade balsamic ketchup glaze. Great for special occasions or as an anytime main dish!
Whole Cauliflower Piccata
This elegant centerpiece may look impressive, but it’s actually easy to make. The peppery lemon piccata sauce brights a welcome brightness to traditional Thanksgiving meals.
Whole Roasted Cabbage “Turkey”
If you want to try something wild, but super yummy, roast a whole cabbage in the oven for hours. The cabbage forms a crispy crust with succulent layers inside. Something like a turkey, but not dry, and more flavor.
Mushroom Étouffée
This Creole-inspired Mushroom Etouffée is rich, savory, and super tasty. Made with a medley of mushrooms, this elegant vegan entree will satisfy meat eaters and vegans alike.
Wild Rice Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These stuffed sweet potatoes can even be served as a side along with other items. Tender roasted sweet potatoes stuffed with wild rice and mushrooms cooked in a vegetable broth with herbs and spices. Topped with a roasted red pepper sauce and herb roasted chopped pecans.
The Best Pan-Fried Oyster Mushroom Recipe
Look no further for the best oyster mushroom recipe: these Pan-Fried Oyster Mushrooms are easy to make with simple ingredients and feature a savory flavor and a juicy, meaty texture. Add them to your favorite pasta, tuck them into wraps, layer them onto burgers, or stir them into breakfast skillets.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
The ultimate comfort food, this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is perfect for your Thanksgiving table. I think this savory dish would also be perfect for a potluck Friends-giving.
Mushroom Stuffed Sweet Potato
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are so pretty and impressive for any dinner, especially Thanksgiving. Stuffed with wild mushrooms and braised leeks, this recipe is savory, hearty, and deeply satisfying.
Thanksgiving Soups
Growing up, I never ate soup on Thanksgiving. But now I love serving it as an appetizer while I’m getting the rest of the food ready. These flavor packed soups set the tone for your Thanksgiving meal, and let folks know, this is about to be real good.
Vibrant Beet Soup with Sweet Potatoes
Boost your immune system with my soul-warming Beet Soup! It’s overflowing with nutrient-dense vegetables like red beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, and fresh ginger and garlic. This simple, 100% vegan recipe packs a punch – you’ll be reaching for it all winter.
Curried Parsnip Soup
Creamy, warm, and comforting, Curried Parsnip Soup is a 30-minute dinner that celebrates our favorite winter veggies! It’s simple, easy to make, versatile, and oh-so-healthy. Add extra liquid if needed to thin the soup, and top it with your favorite roasted seeds or nuts.
Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Rich and creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Milk is satisfying, easy to make, and family-friendly! It features butternut squash, granny smith apples, aromatics, and coconut milk, making it naturally sweet, creamy, and nutritious! It is perfect for cool fall evenings, autumnal dinner parties, Thanksgiving, and more.
Sweet Potato Soup
Sweet Potato Soup is creamy, dreamy, and healthy, thanks to white beans! This soup is made with common plant-based ingredients in a few simple steps. For seamless timing, season and roast the beans while the soup simmers.
Ethiopian-Spiced Kabocha Squash Soup
This creamy and flavorful vegan Kabocha Squash Soup is the perfect comforting dish for chilly winter days, made with aromatic Ethiopian Berbere spices and roasted squash. It’s delicious and healthy comfort food!
Sweet Potato Parsnip Bisque
Don’t sleep on parsnips. Their savory earthy flavor pairs magically with sweet potatoes in this velvety bisque. White beans and coconut milk make this dairy-free bisque extra creamy.
Thanksgiving Sides
It’s not Thanksgiving without the sides. Because it was never about the turkey. My favorites are the mashed potatoes and gravy, collard greens, mac and cheese, and chili lime glazed sweet potatoes. BUT, all of these sides are delicious!
Divine Sourdough Stuffing
This Sourdough Stuffing Recipe is made with fresh sourdough, roasted squash, sautéed veggies, and fresh herbs. It’s a savory, comforting, satisfying side dish, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner!
Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Vegan Mashed Potatoes: A comfort food side dish that is better for you! They’re light, fluffy, buttery, and 100% plant-based, perfect for comfort food dinners and Thanksgiving feasts.
Vegan Mushroom Gravy
This Vegan Mushroom Gravy is savory, saucy, and easy to make. It’s just as tasty as its traditional counterpart but made with 100% plant-based ingredients. Serve it with mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving and your favorite comfort food dinners!
Vegan Collard Greens
This Southern-style Vegan Collard Greens recipe is loaded with satisfying rich, savory flavor and is super easy to make! It is the perfect side dish for your favorite main courses or a great addition to meals that could use extra greens.
Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Indulge in this Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese – the ultimate comfort food with a healthy twist! Made with a creamy, rich cheese sauce with roasted butternut squash and plenty of nutritional yeast, you won’t believe this dish is 100% plant-based!
Vegan Gluten-Free Cornbread
Tender and moist, Vegan Gluten-Free Cornbread is the best of both worlds! Made with almond flour and no eggs or dairy, this sweet homestyle cornbread is allergy-friendly and perfect for pairing with chilis, soups, stews, and comfort food meals.
Roasted Beets and Carrots
Tender Roasted Beets and Carrots make a flavorful and nutritious side dish. Made with common ingredients in a few simple steps, they’re perfect for weeknight meals, Sunday suppers, and Thanksgiving feasts.
Air Fryer Carrots
Tender, crisp, and perfectly seasoned Air Fryer Carrots! You only need a few ingredients to make this easy, 20-minute, budget-friendly, and nutritious side dish. Scrub the carrots well before slicing to remove any dirt or debris. Alternatively, you can peel the carrots but I recommend keeping them on for extra nutrition.
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Carrots
This Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Carrots recipe combines smoky maple flavor with a hint of spice for the perfect fall or holiday side dish. Easy to make, naturally sweet, and endlessly versatile!
10 Minute Air Fryer Green Beans
Air fryer green beans are crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside. Savory and yet subtly sweet. This perfect side dish is healthy and incredibly easy to make––just 10 minutes in the air fryer.
Gochujang Oven Roasted Carrots
These are the best roasted carrots I have ever tasted! Tender and spicy with the perfect blend of savory and sweet; Gochujang Oven Roasted Carrots are a delicious gluten-free and vegan side dish.This recipe is adapted from the Recipes for a Life in Balance cookbook by Miraval Resorts.
Chili Lime Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Chili Lime Glazed Sweet Potatoes are salty, sweet, spicy, and super delicious. Serve them on your holiday table, or enjoy all year.
Butternut Squash Slow Cooker Stuffing
Stuffing has always been one of my favorite Thanksgiving foods. This slow cooker stuffing is savory, and deeply flavorful. Made with hearty mushrooms and butternut squash, it screams holiday season!
Orange Miso Glazed Sweet Potatoes
A unique and fresh take on candied yams, these sweet potatoes are baked with an orange miso sauce. The glazed potatoes are sticky, tender, and have the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Best Vegan Crab Cakes
These hearty Vegan Crab Cakes with homemade red pepper aioli make the perfect party app, side dish, or main course meal. They are packed with flavor and only take 20 minutes to prepare!
Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Between the crunchy bread crumb topping, the tender sweet potatoes, and the savory brussels sprouts, this dairy-free gratin is a real winner.
Kabocha Squash Caramelized Onion Spread
I look forward to the holidays every year because I get to enjoy this sweet and savory kabocha squash spread. Perfect on crostini, or as a unique and nutritious alternative to mashed potatoes.
Desserts
The moment we’ve all been waiting for… the real star of the show! You have to save room for these desserts, especially my Nana’s sweet potato pie!
Vegan Pecan Pie
Homemade Vegan Pecan Pie is everything you love about classic pecan pie, minus the animal products! It’s sweet, salty, rich, gooey, easy to make, and perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This recipe was originally published in my cookbook, Sweet Potato Soul (Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Walmart). See the recipe notes below or pecan roasting and make ahead instructions.
Nana’s Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
This easy Vegan Sweet Potato Pie features a creamy plant-based filling made from roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash, blended with warm spices in a homemade flaky crust. It is a delicious and better-for-you dessert that’s perfect for any occasion! Use my pie crust recipe for an ultra-flaky and buttery vegan pie crust, or purchase a pre-made crust from the store.
Vegan Apple Pie with Apple Peel Caramel
Honey, you have found the vegan apple pie recipe you’ve been searching for. This deep dish apple pie is spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Save your apple peels to make a silky caramel for the topping.
Vegan Chocolate Pecan Pie
Decadent and buttery vegan Chocolate Pecan Pie made with toasted pecans, bittersweet chocolate, sweet potato, and maple syrup.
The Most Delicious Vegan Pumpkin Pie
This creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pie combines puréed pumpkin and butternut squash for a luscious, perfectly spiced filling that tastes like fall in every bite. The perfect dessert for your holiday table, or to enjoy any cozy autumn weekend!
Flaky Vegan Pie Crust
This Flaky Vegan Pie Crust is the perfect base for both sweet and savory pies! It is easy to make with simple plant-based ingredients and has a buttery and tender texture that melts in your mouth.
No-Bake Sweet Potato Bars
These easy-prep, no-bake Sweet Potato Bars feature a spiced gingerbread-inspired crust and a rich, creamy, naturally sweet filling. Perfect for holiday desserts or snacks!
Cozy Vegan Apple Crisp
I think of apple crisp as an easier version of an apple pie. It’s just as cozy, comforting, and delicious. It may also be a little healthier. The crumble topping is made with a blend of old fashioned and quick cook oats, and this recipe uses less sugar than most.
Vegan Apple Tart with Walnut Crust
When I want a sophisticated apple pie, I make this apple tart. The walnut crust makes this pie totally gluten-free.
Crustless Vegan Pecan Pie
Another gluten-free dessert option, this crustless pecan pie can be served to your guests in individual ramekins for a personal touch. This dessert is super easy to make!!
Festive Cocktails
You know I had to add cocktails (and a mocktail) to this list of vegan Thanksgiving recipes! Serving a cocktail before or during dinner, is a great way to set the tone for a relaxing and festive evening. I’m most looking forward to the apple cider sangria!
Best Apple Cider Sangria
Celebrate all of your fall festivities with this Apple Cider Sangria! Made with apples, cinnamon, red wine, and citrus, it’s fresh, spiced, boozy, and perfectly sweet. For the most flavorful drink, let the sangria sit for at least 3 hours to overnight before serving.
Apple Nutmeg Mocktail
Folks abstaining from alcohol will love and appreciate this festive mocktail made with apple cider, aquafaba (chickpea liquid, which is a replacement for egg whites), and nutmeg.
Winter Sunrise Cocktail
Holiday parties galore! If you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I love hosting (and attending) holiday parties. Impress your guests and serve this pretty cocktail in the most glamorous glasses you own.
Pomegranate Aperol Spritz
Heaven in a glass is an apt description for this Pomegranate Aperol Spritz. Not only is it delicious, but next to pouring a glass of wine, it’s about the easiest cocktail to make.
Pomegranate Margarita
Ready to take your holiday party to a whole new level? Bust out the margaritas, and it’s a real fiesta. Pomegranate juice adds a welcome tang to this classic cocktail.
Thanksgiving Prep Tips & Timeline
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving and preparing most of the food, then a prep timeline can keep you sane and on track.
- 3-5 Days Ahead of Holiday: Do your shopping as far in advance as you can to avoid inventory issues and crowded stores.
- 1-3 Days Ahead: Make the desserts and store in the refrigerator. Make any soups, sauces, and dressings. This is also a good time to make the mac and cheese. You can also make some of the mains like the lentil loaf and whole roasted cauliflower in advance. Reheat these dishes in the oven at 325°F for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Morning Of: Work on time consuming recipes like rolls, stuffing, and roasts (like the mushroom wellington).
- Before Dinner: Make the vegetable dishes within the 3-4 hours before dinner. This includes collard greens, and any roasted vegetables.
- Before Serving: Warm everything on the stove or in the oven right before serving, or while guests are noshing on appetizers. If guests will be serving themselves, keep the food warm using warming trays like this one.
Classic Soulful Thanksgiving
Lentil Loaf
Smoky Collard Greens
Vegan Mac & Cheese
Mashed Potatoes
Mushroom Gravy
Candied Yams
Air Fryer Green Beans
Slow Cooker Stuffing
Sweet Potato Pie
California-Style Thanksgiving
Mushroom Wellington
Sweet Potato Soup
Sourdough Stuffing
Roasted Beets & Carrots
Chili Lime Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Apple Crisp
Apple Cider Sangria
Health Conscious Feast
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Gochujang Roasted Carrots
Sourdough Stuffing
Mushroom Gravy
No-Bake Sweet Potato Bars
Store-Bought Vegan Thanksgiving Options
If you’d rather not cook a whole feast from scratch, these vegan store-bought Thanksgiving options are perfect!
Big Mountain Foods Plant Roast
I recently tried this delicious vegan roast at an animal sanctuary’s ThanksLiving celebration. It was delicious: tender yet meaty, with a flavor that took me back to my childhood. This vegan roast is reminiscent of dark meat turkey––moist and flavorful. And it comes with a delicious mushroom gravy. Look for it at your local Sprouts and other grocery stores.
Gardein Turk’y Roast
If the Big Mountain Foods roast was dark meat, then this vegan turkey from Gardein is the white meat. We buy this vegan roast every year for my daughter who loves the texture and mild flavor. This one doesn’t come with gravy, so plan on buying one or make your own. Find it at Whole Foods and other grocery stores.
Pepperidge Farms Classic Stuffing
Your classic bagged stuffing happens to be vegan! Just add vegan butter, onions and celery, and vegetable broth. Stuffing is an integral part of any Thanksgiving table, and Pepperidge Farms has been making this easy version for generations.
Tofurky Savory Gravy
Leave it to the creators of the original vegan turkey to make a delicious Thanksgiving gravy. You’ll have the most luck finding this product at Kroger and Whole Foods, but use the link below to see where else you can buy it.
Bob’s Red Mill Instant Mashed Potatoes
As much as I love homemade mashed potatoes, instant mashed potatoes have their own appeal. Bob’s Red Mill’s potato flakes can be prepared with vegan butter and non-dairy milk for perfectly silky mashed potatoes. More mainstream brands like, Idahoan, also make accidently vegan mashed potatoes, but with the addition of unnecessary preservatives. Bob’s flakes are 100% potato.
Vegan Mac & Cheese with store-bought cheese
This is not 100% store-bought, but vegan mac and cheese is so much easier to make when you use store-bought cheeses. I also think it tastes more authentic since these cheeses were designed to replicate the real thing. Tap the link below to see how you can make it.
Marie Callender’s Apple Pie
This apple pie is accidentally vegan. Actually, many store-bought fruit pies are vegan because they use plant-based shortening instead of butter. Marie Callender’s is a mainstream brand so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it at your local grocery store.
Daiya Pumpkin Cheesecake
This vegan pumpkin cheesecake is a great alternative to pumpkin pie. Available in the frozen foods section of major grocery stores like Kroger and Sprouts.
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