Recipes for The Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving Menu: From Meatless Main Courses to Dairy-Free Pies (2024)

Whether you’re planning an all meatless or vegan menu from soup to nuts or just want to find a recipe for amazingly creamy dairy-free mashed potatoes, do we have options for you. And not only are these plant-based Thanksgiving dishes delicious, but they’re also easy to prepare, too! No defrosting, basting, or spatchco*cking necessary (whatever that means). We have all the tools you need to create an ultimate meatless and dairy-free Thanksgiving feast that your whole family will love. Go ahead and gobble gobble up!

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App – with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!

Meatless Main Courses

Source:Stuffed Seitan Roast

Thanksgiving is all about the main meal. Sure the rolls and side dishes are important, but the main dish is what makes it. And do we have options for you! If Tofurky roasts aren’t your jam, here are some Vegetables that Can Substitute for Meatand check out this Ultimate Guide to Vegan Meats and Meat Substitutes. For a non-traditional (but still delicious) approach, you could also have a casserole, risotto, savory pie, or veggie bake as the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table. Still looking for more? Here are some to choose from!

  • 10 Protein-Rich Entrées for Your Thanksgiving Feast (2021)
  • Veggie Entrees for Your Holiday Feasts! (2021)
  • 10 Nut and Veggie Loaf Recipes for a Great Holiday Dinner (2021)
  • 12 Delicious Eggplant Recipes for the Holidays! (2020)
  • 10 Savory Pies and Tarts to Serve for Thanksgiving (2020)
  • 10 Meaty Vegan Entrees for Your Holiday Dinner! (2020)
  • 15 High-Protein Meaty Entrees For Thanksgiving You’d Never Guess Are Vegan! (2019)
  • Our Guide to 2018’s Turkey-Less Plant-Based Thanksgiving Entrees! (2018)
  • 10 Vegan Casseroles Perfect For Your Thanksgiving Dinner (2018)
  • 10 Satisfying Veggie Meatloaf Recipes You Need To Make This Thanksgiving! (2018)
  • 30 Stunning Plant-Based Entrées That Will Be the Star of Thanksgiving Dinner (2017)
  • 25 Savory, Meat-Free Casseroles and Pot Pies That Are Perfect for Thanksgiving (2017)
  • 15 Stuffed Squash Recipes To Dazzle At The Dinner Table (2017)
  • 15 Stunning Thanksgiving Entrées Made With Just Vegetables (2016)
  • Make Room on the Table for These 25 Amazing and Meat-Free Thanksgiving Main Dishes (2016)
  • 25 Meat-Free Main Dishes for Your Thanksgiving Feast (2015)
  • Dig Into these 15 FlavorfulCasserolesfor Fall(2015)
  • Vegan Gratin Recipes that Make a Hearty Dinner(2015)
  • How to MakeRisotto5 Different Ways(2015)
  • 25 Meatless Thanksgiving Main Courses (2014)
  • Veggie Loafs
  • Savory Pies
  • Fall/Winter Holiday Entrees
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Thanksgiving Main Course Recipes here!

Appetizers and Salads

Source:Mushroom Stew With Herbs

Every part of a Thanksgiving meal is important, but it all begins with the appetizers and starters. Whether you’re building a spectacular dairy-free cheese platter, tossing up a fresh and hearty salad, or passing around a platter of stuffed mushrooms, you’ll want to start your epic feast on a high note. Need inspiration on how to do that? We’ve got you covered.

  • 10 Cashew Cheeses that Make For a Wonderful Holiday Appetizer (2020)
  • Appetizer Platters and Hors d’oeuvre to Serve at Thanksgiving! (2020)
  • Our Guide to 2018’s Vegan Thanksgiving Soups and Stews (2018)
  • Ultimate Guide to 2018’s Vegan Thanksgiving Salads (2018)
  • 25 Thanksgiving Hors D’oeuvres and Appetizers to Hold You Over Until Dinner!(2018)
  • 20 Soups And Stews For Your Thanksgiving Table (2017)
  • 26Seasonal Salads for Your Thanksgiving Feast (2017)
  • 15 Vegan Small Plates and Starters for Your Thanksgiving Feast (2016)
  • Start Your Feast on a Delicious Note With These 20 Thanksgiving Appetizers (2016)
  • 25 Soups, Salads, and Starters for Thanksgiving(2015)
  • Simple and Flavorful Vegan Appetizer Ideas To Take to Your Next Celebration(2015)
  • 25 Hearty Winter Vegan Salad Recipes(2014)
  • 7 Tips for Making Satisfying Fall and Winter Salads(2014)
  • 8 Beautiful and Healthy Thanksgiving Salads(2013)
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Appetizer Recipes here!

Sides

Source:Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower

Sure, main dishes are impressive, but the sides really give a Thanksgiving meal its personality. From green bean casserole to those yummy sweet potatoes covered in marshmallows, our collection of Thanksgiving sides will provide every variety of side dish you could ever imagine.

  • 15 Vegan Pasta Sides to Try This Thanksgiving! (2019)
  • 15 Vegan Cauliflower Sides for Your Holiday Feast! (2019)
  • 15 Best Balsamic Side Dishes for Your Thanksgiving Table (2019)
  • 15 Roasted Veggie Recipes Perfect for Thanksgiving Dinner (2018)
  • Green Beans Galore! 12 Thanksgiving Dishes Using the Lovable Legume (2018)
  • Our Guide to 2018’s Vegan Thanksgiving Sides (2018)
  • More Than Mashed: Make Stellar Sides with These 25 Perfect Potato Recipes!(2018)
  • 10 Gorgeous Thanksgiving Gravy Recipes(2018)
  • 25 Stunning Plant-Based Sides That Will Steal the Spotlight at Thanksgiving Dinner (2017)
  • From Mashed Potatoes to Sweet Potato Casserole! 15 Hearty Potato and Sweet Potato Recipes For Thanksgiving (2017)
  • Green Beans Galore! 12 Thanksgiving Dishes Using the Lovable Legume (2017)
  • 15 Vegan Seasonal Mashed Vegetable Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Table (2017)
  • 30 Vegan Thanksgiving Sides and Soups So Incredible You’ll Forget the Main Course (2016)
  • 25 Incredible Vegan Side Dishes for Thanksgiving (2015)
  • The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Thanksgiving Sides (2013)
  • Fall/Winter Holiday Sides
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes here!

Stuffing

Source:Thanksgiving Cornbread Stuffing With Gravy

Stuff a bell pepper, not a bird this Thanksgiving! From cornbread to quinoa, here are some amazing options for meat, dairy, and egg-free stuffings that should grace your holiday table.

  • Five Fantastic Vegan Stuffing Recipes for Thanksgiving! (2018)
  • 23 Amazing Recipes for the Most Anticipated Thanksgiving Dish: Stuffing! (2017)
  • You’ll Give Thanks for these 12 Delicious Stuffing Recipes(2015)
  • 25 Stuffed Veggies You Can Feel Good About Stuffing Yourself With(2015)
  • 15 Brilliant Vegan Thanksgiving Stuffing Ideas (2013)
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes here!

BreadsRecipes for The Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving Menu: From Meatless Main Courses to Dairy-Free Pies (5)

Source:Sweet Nectarine and Almond Bread

Mmm … bread. Give your Thanksgiving feast a healthy dose of comfort carbs with our treasure trove of dairy and egg-free bread recipes! You’ll definitely need something to sop up your gravy and cranberry sauce with. Might we suggest a biscuit, roll, or artisan loaf for the job?

  • 5 Types of Homemade Breads Ideal For Every Thanksgiving Table (2018)
  • 15 Seasonal Breads You Can Make At Home (2017)
  • 50 Extraordinary Homemade Bread Recipes(2014)
  • 10 Homemade Breads for Christmas (that are also good for Thanksgiving, too!) (2013)
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Bread Recipes here!

Pies

Source:Apple Crumble Pie

Let’s be real – this is everyone’s favorite part of Thanksgiving. Pie!! Aside from your classic pies (apple, pumpkin, pecan), we’ve got a plethora of other pies that are sure to please. Don’t believe us? Take a look for yourself!

  • Our to Guide 2018’s Vegan Pies For Thanksgiving! (2018)
  • 20 Seasonal Sweet Pies to Whip Up For the Holidays (2017)
  • 20Thanksgiving Pies That Will Have Everyone Battling It Out For Seconds (2016)
  • Sweeten Your Holiday Dinner with These 25 Amazing Pies (2015)
  • 12 Recipes to Savor the Flavor and Aroma of Pumpkin Pie Spices(2015)
  • 35 Perfectly Sweet Holiday Pies (2014)
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Apple Pie
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Holiday Pie Recipes here!

All Desserts

Recipes for The Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving Menu: From Meatless Main Courses to Dairy-Free Pies (7)

Source:Currant and Berry Tart with Date Caramel

If you want to switch up your Thanksgiving dessert game a little (or if you don’t like pie … who doesn’t like pie?), here are some non-pie options you can share with everyone you love. If you want to veganize a family recipe, you can also learn how what theHealthiest Egg Substitutions for Holiday Bakingare! Your grandma’s triple-layer cinnamon cream cheesecake will never see it coming.

  • 12 Festive Almond Desserts for the Holidays! (2020_
  • 10 Sweet and Seasonal Breads to Enjoy During the Holiday Season (2020)
  • 10 Salted Bars for Your Holiday Dessert Platter (2020)
  • 10 Almond Cakes to Enjoy this Holiday Season (2020)
  • 12 Vegan Maple-Flavored Treats to Sweeten Up Your Holiday Season (2020)
  • 15 Seasonal Galette Recipes to Make for Thanksgiving! (2019)
  • 15 Cranberry Recipes For Thanksgiving That Are Vegan! (2018)
  • 5 Great Ideas To Make Your Thanksgiving Drinks Dazzling and Delicious (2018)
  • 15 Thanksgiving Dessert You’ll Want to Finish Before Dinner (2018)
  • 15 Unique Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts (That Aren’t Pie) (2017)
  • Save Room for Dessert! You Won’t Want to Skip These 20 Amazing Thanksgiving Desserts (2016)
  • 25 Amazing Vegan Desserts for Your Thanksgiving Table(2015)
  • 25 Winning Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts(2014)
  • Fall/Winter Holiday Desserts
  • Vegan Holiday Desserts
  • See 100’s of our Vegan Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes here!

Special Thanksgiving

Source:Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Casserole

Complete a Thanksgiving meal from start to finish with one of these themed menus. Whether you want to go the traditional route, mix it up with Southern-style dishes, or need to stick within a budget, we’ve got you covered.

  • 12 Seasonal Sweet Potato Recipes to Enjoy During the Holidays! (2021)
  • 15 Soul Food Recipes For Thanksgiving (2021)
  • 10 Vegan Hungarian Recipes that are Perfect for the Holidays! (2020)
  • 10 Savory Maple Recipes to Enjoy Over the Holidays! (2020)
  • Add An International Twist To Your Vegan Thanksgiving With These 15 Recipes (2018)
  • 15 Post-Thanksgiving Vegan Breakfast Ideas (2018)
  • Our Guide To 2018’s Southern Thanksgiving Made Vegan! (2018)
  • Stuffed and Baked Dairy-Free Pastas Ideas for an Italian-Inspired Thanksgiving! (2018)
  • The Ultimate Guide to Making Pickles This Thanksgiving(2018)
  • 15 Plant-Based Recipes For the Perfect Southern Thanksgiving (2017)
  • A Very Vegan Thanksgiving (From Start To Finish) (2017)
  • 15 Budget-Friendly Vegan Dishes to Bring to Friendsgiving (2017)

Allergy-Friendly and Healthy Thanksgiving

Source:Stuffed Acorn Squash

You don’t need gluten to have a delicious and satisfying Thanksgiving meal. In fact, you don’t need soy, refined sugar, or refined oils either! If you want to chow down on a healthier feast without sacrificing taste, first learn How To Make Any Dish Gluten-Free, then check out these other pro tips for a healthier Thanksgiving below!

  • 15 Refined Sugar-Free and Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes! (2018)
  • 15 Grain-Free Thanksgiving Entrées (2017)
  • 15 Delicious Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes (2017)
  • Make Your Thanksgiving the Best Ever With These 15 Grain-Free Recipes (2016)
  • 15 Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free Desserts(2015)
  • Low-Fat, Low-Sugar Raw Vegan Desserts(2015)
  • Recipes for the Perfect Gluten-Free Vegan Thanksgiving(2014)
  • 5 Holiday Foods That Serve the Body Well (2014)
  • Tips for Baking the Best Fall Treats – No Gluten Required (2014)
  • 6 Tips for a Heart Healthy Thanksgiving(2012)

More Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

Source:Lentil Loaf

If you’re in need of even more amazing ideas for your harvest feast, don’t miss our vast collection ofVegan Thanksgivingrecipes for new dishes to try each and every year!

BONUS Recommendation: Download Food Monster App For Amazing Plant-Based Recipes!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Unfortunately, dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend purchasing one of our many plant-based cookbooks or downloading the Food Monster App which has thousands of delicious recipes making it the largest vegan recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some resources to get you started:

  • Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
  • Plant-Based Health Resources
  • The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
  • Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
  • Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
  • High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
  • Plant-Based Meal Prep

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!

Recipes for The Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving Menu: From Meatless Main Courses to Dairy-Free Pies (2024)

FAQs

How do vegans do 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 to feed vegan guests? ›

Your houseguest would most likely be happy with oatmeal or granola with almond milk and fruit for breakfast, nut butters, hummus, salads with beans, fruits and vegetables, and nuts for lunch, and grilled or sautéed veggies with a whole grain like quinoa are for dinner.

What should I cook for my vegan boyfriend? ›

vegan recipes for two: appetizers
  1. spinach and artichoke dip + crostini: ...
  2. stuffed mushrooms: ...
  3. curried carrot soup: ...
  4. arugula and pomegranate salad: ...
  5. butternut squash risotto: ...
  6. mushroom wellington: ...
  7. cauliflower steak and gravy: ...
  8. creamy garlic and white wine pasta:
Feb 13, 2020

What do vegans eat instead of turkey? ›

Burmese Tofu (aka Chickpea Flour Tofu)

For an alternative to turkey that's mild in flavor and can be treated like any other protein, turn to Burmese tofu, which transforms chickpea flour, oil, and water into a sturdy tofu-like dish.

How to go vegan without dying? ›

Our Guidelines For Eating A Plant-Based Diet
  1. Eat plenty of nutrient-dense vegetables at every meal.
  2. Eat a wide variety of organic, unprocessed foods.
  3. Eat protein with every meal.
  4. If you choose to eat grains, pick minimally processed grains like quinoa, amaranth, and oats.
Mar 2, 2014

Which foods are surprisingly vegan? ›

Top 10 surprising vegan foods
  • Crumpets. This might be an obvious one to some, but a quick poll with our vegan and dairy-free friends shows many mistakenly believe crumpets contained dairy. ...
  • Dark chocolate. Chocoholics assemble! ...
  • Cream crackers. ...
  • (Some) biscuits. ...
  • (Some) crisps. ...
  • Ice Cream. ...
  • Pasta. ...
  • Peanut butter.

What are the most filling foods for vegans? ›

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

What is the main food of a vegan person? ›

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

What not to say at Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Here are five topics that should best be kept to yourself when celebrating the holiday meal.
  • Religion. Religion is a big topic for people, especially if you do not believe in it. ...
  • Politics. ...
  • Finances and Jobs. ...
  • Relationships. ...
  • Weight.
Nov 21, 2023

How do you make Thanksgiving special without family? ›

You can continue the day by hosting a Friendsgiving dinner or movie night with your pals who are still in town. When it comes to food, you can cook a mini turkey for one or ditch Thanksgiving dinner altogether and order take-out at a local restaurant.

What sort of foods do most vegans love having? ›

11 Foods Healthy Vegans Eat
  1. Legumes. ...
  2. Nuts, nut butters, and seeds. ...
  3. Hemp, flax, and chia seeds. ...
  4. Tofu and other minimally processed meat substitutes. ...
  5. Calcium-fortified plant milks and yogurts. ...
  6. Seaweed. ...
  7. Nutritional yeast. ...
  8. Sprouted and fermented plant foods.

What do you miss most as a vegan? ›

According to the data, vegans typically crave classic comfort foods such as: Chocolate (18,100) Banana bread (12,100) Cheese (12,100)

Can vegans eat turkey meat? ›

For this reason, vegans avoid eating foods of animal origin, such as: Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, veal, horse, organ meat, wild meat, etc. Poultry: Chicken, turkey, goose, duck, quail, etc. Fish and seafood: All types of fish, anchovies, shrimp, squid, scallops, calamari, mussels, crab, lobster and fish sauce.

Is it OK to go vegan cold turkey? ›

You shouldn't go cold turkey.

As Nussinow explained before, going vegan means you're significantly upping your fiber count, and it takes some time for your bacteria to adapt.

Why is November 1 vegan day? ›

The first World Vegan Day was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the society, held on 1 November 1994. This was later extended to become World Vegan Week and, as we now know it, World Vegan Month. Every November, World Vegan Month is celebrated worldwide as a time to shine a light on the vegan movement.

How do vegans survive without meat? ›

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

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