The Best Recipes For a Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner (2024)

It’s already that time of year again! Time to start thinking about what you and the family will be gobbling up for this year’s Thanksgiving feast! With families carefully planning their holiday trips this year, it’s important to create a menu that will keep everyone happy.

From your vegetarian cousin to the pickiest kids that will only eat mashed potatoes, these dishes are sure to please. (They won’t even miss the meat!) From traditional sides to main dishes that will make you forget all about turkey, fill your dinner table with these yummy vegan Thanksgiving recipes that will have everyone asking for seconds!

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Lentil Nut “Meatloaf”

Even if you’re still serving a turkey at your Thanksgiving dinner, your guests may not be able to get enough of this comfort food classic with a vegan twist. This recipe by the Minimalist Baker relies on chickpeas and sweet potatoes to replicate the taste of this dinner favorite. Give it a try—it might be your new weeknight dinner go-to!

The President traditionally receives a turkey in a ceremony at the White House a few days before Thanksgiving Day. President Harry S. Truman started the tradition and President George H. W. Bush was the first to officially pardon the bird and not eat it.

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Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

This classic plate turned vegan is bursting with flavor. It is a beautiful dish stuffed with seasoned lentils, sweet potato, and other seasonal veggies. This offers that rich wow factor, is nutritious, and the whole family will love it! Check out the how-to over at One Ingredient Chef.

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Hasselback Butternut Squash with Maple Pecan Drizzle

When making a vegan Thanksgiving dinner there will undoubtedly be more veggies on the table, but they’re oh-so-tempting when they’re made like this! Jessica in the Kitchen’s butternut squash dish is what Thanksgiving is all about! Amazing, beautiful food that brings everyone together, vegan or not!

In 1789, President George Washington issues a proclamation naming November 26 a day of national thanksgiving.

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Breaded Cauliflower Steaks

Ready for a showstopper entree? Jaws might hit the floor with Sweet Simple Vegan’s crispy cauliflower steaks. They make a scrumptious and hearty main dish—you’ll forget all about the turkey! This recipe offers the right amount of texture and big taste to make those bellies happy. Bonus: It’s oil-free!

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Pumpkin Mac & Cheese

A mac and cheese recipe with the surprise factor of pumpkin for an extra level of creaminess! The beloved fall, earthy flavor adds just the right amount of sweetness without the added fat. Plus, it’s super easy to make, just follow the recipe over at The Edgy Veg.

Cranberries were originally used for more than just sauce. Native Americans used them to treat wounds and dye arrows.

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Pecan Butter Brussel Sprouts

Get that veggie dish on the table! These Brussel sprouts are a sophisticated dish, with the perfect combination of sweet and toasty. They have that satisfying crunch and are super simple to make. And with I Love Vegan’s easy recipe, it only takes 15 minutes to cook!

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The Best Damn Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Want to bring something classic, but completely vegan to the table? The Minimalist Baker’s vegan take on mashed potatoes will have you drooling for this Thanksgiving dinner mainstay. With just a little salt, pepper, and vegan butter, they’ll taste just like the potatoes mom used to make!

Domestic turkeys can’t fly—but they have been to outer space. Turkey was the first meal enjoyed by the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

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Cranberry Orange Sauce

You just can’t have a real Thanksgiving dinner without a big bowl of tart cranberry sauce. Sure, the canned sauce is already vegan, but nothing beats fresh! Try out this twist on a classic with Jessica In the Kitchen’s cranberry-orange sauce. Your family will be begging you to make it all year long.

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Americans eat up to 690 million pounds of turkey every year!

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Green Bean Casserole

A green bean casserole is always a hit! This recipe from The Edgy Veg is to die for and will have everyone going back for seconds. The vegan take on this traditional dish will please even super picky eaters. Topped with fried onions—it’s practically irresistible.

There were no forks at the first Thanksgiving. People ate using knives, spoons, and their fingers.

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Everything Bagel Stuffing

Be equipped with that “out of this world” dish this Thanksgiving! Yes, your mouth will be watering as you’re preparing this. This savory oil and gluten-free option is bursting with classic fall flavors and is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Follow the recipe for this spin on a Thanksgiving classic over at Sweet Simple Vegan.

The average person eats enough each Thanksgiving to gain 1.3 pounds.

The Best Recipes For a Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner (13)The Best Recipes For a Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner (14)

Pecan Pie Tartlets

Nothing says Thanksgiving quite like pie. Pumpkin, pecan, apple…we could eat it all! This recipe offers a healthier, easier spin on a holiday classic, without lacking in taste. It’s made with walnuts, dates, and pecans for a healthy dessert that’s vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and absolutely delicious. Get the easy, three-ingredient recipe over at My Darling Vegan.

The Snoopy Balloon has appeared more than any other balloon in the Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Parade.

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Related

The Best Recipes For a Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What is the vegan version of turkey? ›

Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan. Choose one of these plant-based turkey alternatives, or combine more than one in your table, complimenting with veggies, rice, salads, or any other plant-based whole foods ingredients you want.

What do vegans think about Thanksgiving? ›

And while Thanksgiving is supposed to signify gratitude and abundance—the holiday centers around the autumn harvest—for many, it's the opposite. “It's all about eating and the murder of these birds or other animals,” Patty Shenker, a 30-year vegan told the LA Times.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to a turkey dinner? ›

Shepherd's pie is the perfect comfort food, and it also makes a great vegan substitute for a Thanksgiving turkey. This shepherd's pie is full of veggies and herbs, and the lentils satisfy the need for protein. Topped with mashed potatoes and parsnips, it's a tasty vegan Thanksgiving dinner in one dish.

What is the most extreme vegan? ›

Level 5 vegan

Level 5 vegans also avoid all animal-derived products such as eggs, dairy products, meats, fish and seafood, and will also avoid any food products where accidental traces of animal products may feature. They will also avoid leather, gelatin, and some food colourings.

What is a vegan alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

Here are some popular options:
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash: - Roast acorn squash halves and fill them with a flavorful stuffing made with grains, nuts, dried fruits, and herbs.
  • Vegan Roast: - Many brands offer pre-made vegan roasts made from plant-based ingredients like seitan, tofu, or tempeh. ...
  • Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms:
Nov 17, 2021

What is the healthiest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Turkey. Turkey is an inherently healthy meat so long as you don't toss it in the deep fryer.

What is a healthier alternative to turkey? ›

Roasted Whole Chicken

“Each of these can be seasoned to your taste and roasted in the oven, resulting in wonderful aroma and delicious meat,” says Palumbo. Both chicken and turkey are lean proteins, especially if you avoid dark meat.

What can replace turkey for a meat? ›

10 Main Course Alternatives to Turkey for Christmas
  • Duck. Another festive bird that offers flavorsome fat is duck. ...
  • Chicken. While chicken might not be the fanciest bird around, it can be a real crowd-pleaser and simple to prepare in a pinch. ...
  • Beef. ...
  • Venison. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Pork. ...
  • Ham.
Dec 16, 2020

What does God say about vegans? ›

"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food." In the second chapter of Genesis (2:16-17) vegetarianism is re-affirmed as people's spiritually proper diet.

What is surprisingly not vegan? ›

Honey. Honey is a controversial food for many vegans. Bees do produce it, and it is also a food source in the hive. Because bees produce it, and bees have died to make it, honey is not considered vegan.

What do vegans struggle with the most? ›

10 Vegan deficiencies to be aware of - and how to nix them
  • Iron. ...
  • Vitamin B12. ...
  • Omega-3. ...
  • Zinc. ...
  • Choline. ...
  • Iodine. ...
  • Vitamin D. Who isn't a little bit deficient in the 'Sunshine Vitamin'? ...
  • Protein. 'This nutrient is not an issue in most people's diets especially those who eat meat, fish and eggs,' says Hobson.
Dec 22, 2022

What is the easiest meat to eat as a vegetarian? ›

Start with fish and poultry.

Begin with either fish or poultry and work your way up to heavier meats. This gives your body time to adjust so that you won't feel any discomfort. If you do experience discomfort, start even lighter, such as with a chicken broth.

Who makes vegan turkey? ›

Gardein: Plant-Based Turk'y Roast. Myrtle Greens: Vegan Whole Turkey, Vegan Whole Turkey & Vegan Turkey Roll Combo, and Vegan Whole Turkey & Ham Roll Combo. Tofurky: Plant-Based Holiday Feast. Trader Joe's: Breaded TURKEYLESS Stuffed Roast.

What is vegan turkey made from? ›

If you can't find a vegan turkey product, there are ways to create a similar meal at home. Blend chickpeas and wheat gluten (found in most grocery stores in the health food or baking aisle) with your seasoning of choice.

Does vegan turkey exist? ›

Gardein: Plant-Based Turk'y Roast. Myrtle Greens: Vegan Whole Turkey, Vegan Whole Turkey & Vegan Turkey Roll Combo, and Vegan Whole Turkey & Ham Roll Combo. Tofurky: Plant-Based Holiday Feast. Trader Joe's: Breaded TURKEYLESS Stuffed Roast.

What is a good substitute for turkey meat? ›

20 turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving, including duck and pork
  • Pork.
  • Ham.
  • Duck.
  • Chicken.
  • Beef.
  • Squash.
  • Mushroom.
  • Cauliflower.
Oct 30, 2022

What is vegan turkey made of meat? ›

This holiday roast is mock meat made from vital wheat gluten and garbanzo beans (or tofu) mixed with a turkey-flavored broth. If you have never made homemade seitan before, you will be surprised by how easy the process actually is. It only takes a few minutes of prep work and then you just wait for it to cook.

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