The Best Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

One of the best ways to make your Thanksgiving eco-friendly is to cook more plant-based dishes. If you’re searching for some of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes to serve this holiday, check out some of these fantastic and delicious options.

Even better, not only are these vegan recipes good for Thanksgiving, but you can also use them any time of year for a tasty and eco-friendly meal. Plus, if you’re looking for meals you can make using simple ingredients you already have at home, be sure to check out these amazing vegan pantry recipes.

Why Choose Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes?

Many people don’t think about what type of impact their Thanksgiving dinner has on the environment. However, a 3.5-ounce serving of turkey is responsible for around 2.4 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. On the other hand, a cup of broccoli is only responsible for about 0.4 pounds of emissions.

When you look at it that way, it’s pretty easy to see why having a plant-based Thanksgiving is better for the environment.

But if you think a vegan Thanksgiving means plain and boring dishes, think again. We’ve collected some fantastic vegan Thanksgiving recipes to prove you won’t miss much of anything when you go green this holiday.

Plus, don’t forget to check out this awesome zero waste vegan cookbook for even more delicious recipes that you can enjoy throughout the year.

Vegan Soup Recipes

Pumpkin Soup– If you’re looking for one of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes to start your meal, check out this classic pumpkin soup. It offers the perfect blend of sweet and savory elements.

Simple Pumpkin Cream Soup– This simple pumpkin cream soup recipe uses the Hokkaido pumpkin, also known as the red kuri squash, for an aromatic and savory touch.

Thai Curry Butternut Squash Soup– This Thai curry butternut squash soup is healthy, creamy, and delicious! Everything you need to warm you up on a chilly Thanksgiving day.

Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup– When you combine the richness of pumpkin with the sweetness of apple, you get this roasted pumpkin apple soup that’s healthy, smooth, and full of flavor.

Carrot Apple Soup– This carrot apple soup is one of those warm, rich soups that you’ll want to enjoy throughout the fall season.

Carrot Ginger Soup– Carrot ginger soup is warm, healthy, and comforting. Even better, it’s packed with immune-boosting vitamins and minerals that can help you fight off those fall colds.

Vegan Main Dish Recipes

Meatless Shepherd’s Pie– This meatless shepherd’s pie combines carrots, zucchini, and eggplant with a mashed potato topping for the ultimate vegan comfort food.

Hearty Portobello Wellingtons– Take a savory stuffed portobello, wrap it in a flaky pastry, and you have yourself a hearty and tasty vegan dish that’s warm and comforting.

Veggiedukken– If you’re looking for a vegan version of the traditional turducken, check out this veggiedukken. It’s loaded with delicious vegetables and packed with incredible flavor.

Mushroom and Leek Pie– If you’re interested in a delicious pot pie that everyone will enjoy, go with this creamy and savory mushroom and leek pie.

Smoky Beetroot Tart– The smoky beet root tart looks just as amazing as it tastes. Add the blackberry sauce drizzle and everyone at your Thanksgiving table will be asking for more.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower in Indian Masala– This whole roasted cauliflower is cooked in an Instant Pot and served with a thick and creamy Indian masala sauce. It’s exotically delicious yet incredibly easy to make.

Mushroom Lentil Loaf With Cranberries– This mushroom lentil loaf with cranberries is a delicious mix of lentils, walnuts, and mushrooms with a festive cranberry topping that looks beautiful and brings juicy sweetness to every bite.

Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash– These quinoa stuffed acorn squash make a colorful and delicious all-in-one meal that are bursting with flavor and absolutely ideal for your vegan Thanksgiving.

Vegan Wellington– You can easily impress your guests with this beautiful vegan Wellington. The filling includes mushrooms, chickpeas, vegetables, and seasonings that come together to create a mouth-watering dish.

Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Cake– This vegan Thanksgiving dinner cake isn’t a cake in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s an entire Thanksgiving meal cooked into one unique and delicious dish.

Stuffed Pumpkin With Baked Vegetables– Not only does this stuffed pumpkin with baked vegetables taste amazing, but it also has a beautiful presentation that will definitely impress your Thanksgiving guests.

Nut Roast– Nut roast is a festive and filling dish that tastes so good you likely won’t have any leftovers when you serve it this Thanksgiving.

Vegetarian Plov– Vegetarian plov is an amazing combination of basmati rice, dried fruit, and crunchy nuts that come together to create a festive dish.

Vegan Side Dish Recipes

Cold Green Bean Salad With French Mustard Vinaigrette Dressing– This year, you can do something a little different with those classic green beans when you make this cold green bean salad with a tangy French mustard vinaigrette dressing.

Easy Sautéed Oyster Mushrooms– Although these sautéed oyster mushrooms are easy to make, they deliver outstanding flavor that will make an unforgettable vegan side dish.

Ginger Cranberry Sauce– Combine fresh cranberries and fruit with the zesty flavors of ginger and lemon for a vegan Thanksgiving side dish you’ll want to enjoy throughout the year.

Maple Cranberry Sauce– This maple cranberry sauce has the perfect combination of tartness and sweetness for a side dish that will go perfectly with all your other vegan Thanksgiving offerings.

Vegan Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes– Who says you can’t have cheesy side dishes when you’re enjoying a vegan Thanksgiving? This vegan cheesy scalloped potatoes recipe taste absolutely amazing even though there’s no dairy in them!

Sautéed Rapini– Sautéed rapini is an Italian-style broccoli that’s very nutritious and has a slight bitter taste to it. If you’ve never had it before, this side makes a fantastic introduction to the vegetable.

Chickpea Squash Fritters– These chickpea squash fritters bring the warm colors of fall to your Thanksgiving table. Plus, the satisfying crunch is something everyone will love.

Blistered Shishito Peppers– Looking for a vegan appetizer that delivers some nice spice? Check out these blistered shishito peppers. You’ll love how easy they are to make and how great they taste.

Spicy Roasted Cauliflower– To give your traditional cauliflower dish a delicious kick, choose this spicy roasted cauliflower recipe. It’s healthy, simple to make, and unbelievably tasty.

Maple Cinnamon Butternut Squash With Cranberries and Pecans– Loaded with butternut squash, cranberries, and pecans and cooked with the perfect combination of maple and cinnamon, this side dish looks beautiful and tastes absolutely amazing.

Sweet Potato and Beet Wild Rice Salad– This sweet potato and beet wild rice salad combines roasted root vegetables, a flavorful wild rice blend, cranberries, and pecans for a fantastic vegan Thanksgiving side dish you won’t want to miss.

Rutabaga Mash– Want to do something other than mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving? Try this rutabaga mash! It’s quick, easy to make, and incredibly delicious.

Pumpkin and Plantain Curry– This pumpkin and plantain curry is full of rich and incredible fall flavors that make it a must-have on your Thanksgiving table.

Sweet Potato Apple Cranberry Casserole– This sweet potato apple cranberry casserole is a delicious and healthy alternative to the usual casserole dishes you find on the Thanksgiving table.

Mashed Purple Sweet Potatoes With Lime and Coconut– Bring some fun color to your mashed potatoes with these mashed purple sweet potatoes. The addition of the lime and coconut bring a nice touch of zest and sweetness to this dish.

Aloo Ki Sabji– If you’re looking for one of the easiest vegan Thanksgiving recipes to make, check out this tasty aloo ki sabji. This classic Indian potato dish can be ready in less than 30 minutes when you make it in a pressure cooker.

Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad– This kale and Brussels sprouts salad recipe combines two nutrient-packed and delicious vegetables into one vegan Thanksgiving side dish that’s sure to please.

Dairy-Free Classic Green Bean Casserole– If you think your Thanksgiving just won’t be the same without a green bean casserole dish, then check out this dairy-free classic green bean casserole. It delivers all the great flavors of the traditional dish, yet it’s vegan.

Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes– Thanks to this dairy-free mashed potatoes recipe, you can still enjoy flavorful and creamy mashed potatoes during your vegan Thanksgiving.

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes– You can take your traditional mashed potato dish up a notch with this cauliflower mashed potato recipe. It’s silky, creamy, full of flavor, and unbelievably easy to make.

Sauteed Green Beans and Mushrooms– These green beans and mushrooms are sauteed in olive oil and spiced with red peppers for a side dish that delivers satisfying crunch and the perfect touch of heat.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole– This vegan green bean casserole takes everything you love about the traditional dish and makes it even better thanks to tender green beans, a creamy mushroom sauce, and a topping of crispy breadcrumbs and caramelized onions.

Roasted Delicata Squash, Fig, and Persimmon Wild Rice Salad– The colors, flavors, and textures in this roasted delicata squash, fig, and persimmon wild rice salad epitomize everything that’s great about fall and make it an absolutely amazing vegan Thanksgiving side dish.

Vegan Cranberry Sauce– This vegan cranberry sauce only requires four ingredients, making it one of the easiest dishes you’ll prepare this Thanksgiving.

Rosemary Roast Potatoes– There’s just something about rosemary that brings incredible flavor to any dish you add it to. And these rosemary roast potatoes are certainly no exception!

Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans– These air fryer frozen green beans come out nice and crispy. You’ll also enjoy just how easy they are to make.

Roasted Sweet Potato Puree With Coconut, Orange, and Ginger– If you’re looking for a new way to cook your sweet potatoes this year, check out this roasted sweet potato puree with coconut, orange, and ginger. It’s equal parts sweet, zesty, and amazing.

Fennel and Orange Salad– The flavors in this fennel and orange salad combine to make a light and fresh dish that your Thanksgiving guests will rave about.

Vegan Green Beans in a Blanket– Instead of pigs in a blanket, consider serving vegan green beans in a blanket this Thanksgiving. This quick and easy recipe offers a neat twist on a traditional dish.

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Slices– Acorn squash has a light, sweet taste, and the maple syrup used in this maple roasted acorn squash slices recipe brings out that incredible taste even more.

Sweet Potato Curry– Take those sweet potatoes up a notch with this sweet potato curry recipe. It’s easy to make, delicious, and a budget-friendly twist on a classic dish.

Toasted Sunflower Seed and Chickpea Hummus– Toasted sunflower seed and chickpea hummus is a tasty dish that makes a great snack before dinner or a wonderful side dish during your meal.

Easy Cranberry Relish– This easy cranberry relish uses horseradish for a unique and tangy taste that’s excellent fresh and great on those next-day sandwiches.

Vegan Stuffing– If you feel like Thanksgiving isn’t complete without the stuffing, check out this recipe for vegan stuffing that’s just as tasty and savory as the traditional dish.

Vegan Cream-Style Corn– You can have this vegan cream-style corn on the table in just 5 minutes, which makes it an excellent option when you need a last-minute side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.

Mushroom Cauliflower Rice Risotto– This mushroom cauliflower rice risotto makes a wonderful vegan Thanksgiving side dish and a great low carb rice substitute.

Healthy Sweet Potatoes– These healthy sweet potatoes taste so good you won’t have to turn to unhealthy and non-vegan marshmallows to top them off.

Roasted Carrots– These roasted carrots taste amazing on their own. But when you top them with crushed pistachios, it takes this dish to an entirely different level that you’ll love.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts– Balsamic Brussels sprouts are incredibly easy to make and they deliver plenty of sweet and nutty flavor that will perfectly complement your vegan Thanksgiving meal.

Garam Masala Roasted Squash With Lemon Tahini Sauce– This garam masala roasted squash with lemon tahini sauce is one of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes to try because it tastes amazing and brings some beautiful color to your table.

Maple Dijon Brussels Sprouts With Toasted Pecans– In this dish, the Dijon mustard and maple syrup bring out the flavor of the Brussels sprouts, and the toasted pecans add just the right amount of crunch.

Savory Chickpea Salad– For a simple and delicious side dish that’s packed with protein and flavor, toss together this savory chickpea salad.

Candied Carrot Salad– This candied carrot salad recipe combines raw carrots, nuts, and dried fruit for a sweet and savory side dish. The recipe calls for honey, but you can swap that out for agave syrup to make it truly vegan.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce– It’s easy to skip the BPA-laden canned cranberry sauce and make your own with this incredibly simple homemade cranberry sauce recipe that uses orange juice and ginger for extra zing.

Avocado and Sweet Potato Salad– This avocado and sweet potato salad is full of heart-healthy fats and amazing flavor.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Butternut Squash– Roasted Brussels sprouts with butternut squash is one of the ultimate healthy vegan Thanksgiving recipes because it combines fruits, vegetables, and nuts with the perfect touch of sweetness.

Vegan Mac and Cheese– You can keep those kids happy this Thanksgiving with this vegan mac and cheese recipe that’s packed with plant-based protein and incredible flavor.

Pineapple Avocado Salsa– This pineapple avocado salsa makes a sweet and bright vegan Thanksgiving side dish with its healthy blend of fruits and vegetables.

German Roasted Cauliflower With Curry Cashew Crust– German roasted cauliflower with a curry cashew crust is bright, full of warm curry flavor, and perfect for your holiday meal.

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce– This sugar-free cranberry sauce contains a natural sweetener to help you cut back on unnecessary calories over the holidays.

Vegan Dessert Recipes

Vegan No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie– It sounds complicated, but this decadent recipe using just a few ingredients you likely already have at home. Even better? It’s gluten-free!

Vegan Pumpkin Pie– If you think you can’t have Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, have no fear. This vegan pumpkin pie is just as rich and creamy as your traditional pumpkin pie.

Vegan Pumpkin Muffins– These vegan pumpkin muffins are covered in cinnamon sugar and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, which makes them a fantastic option for dessert.

Pumpkin Scones With Maple Glaze– These flaky pumpkin scones are a healthier option for Thanksgiving dessert. Drizzle them with the delicious maple glaze and you’ll find it hard to stop at just one.

Apple Pear Crumble– For a distinctive twist on a traditional apple pie, go with this apple pear crumble. The apples and pears bring natural sweetness to the dish, and the nut topping offers a fantastic crunch.

Vegan Sweet Potato Pie– If you’re looking for a smooth and silky pie that offers a lightly spiced taste, check out this amazing vegan sweet potato pie.

Vegan Chocolate Pumpkin Pie– Vegan chocolate pumpkin pie combines the rich flavors of pumpkin and chocolate for a unique dessert that will be a welcome addition to your holiday table.

Coconut Panna Cotta With Strawberry Compote– This coconut panna cotta is a delectable vegan dessert that’s topped with a fast and easy homemade strawberry compote. It’s a fantastically light dessert that’s the ideal finish to your Thanksgiving meal.

Vegan Lemon Tart– If you’re interested in serving a tangy vegan dessert that will perfectly complement all your savory dishes, check out this delicious lemon tart.

Dairy- and Egg-Free Pumpkin Fudge– Fudge that’s rich, creamy, quick, healthy, AND vegan? What more could you ask for when you’re searching for one of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes for dessert?

Raw Pumpkin Cheesecake– Instead of tossing out the inner meat of the pumpkin when you carve a jack-o’-lantern, save it so you can make this delicious raw pumpkin cheesecake.

Raw Pumpkin Pie Cake– You can use pumpkin or butternut squash to make this raw pumpkin pie cake that’s full of flavor and much healthier than a traditional cake.

Creamy Coconut Pumpkin Pie Mousse– You’ll find it easy to please every guest with this creamy coconut pumpkin pie mousse that only requires four ingredients and no baking.

Outstanding Vegetarian Recipes

If you like these vegan Thanksgiving recipes, don’t forget to check out our massive collection of the best vegetarian recipes. We have over 100 recipes that taste great and are easy to make. If you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry, you can also check out these incredibly simple vegetarian Instant Pot recipes.

More Eco-Friendly Holiday Tips

Now that you see how easy it is to enjoy some vegan dishes for Thanksgiving this year, are you interested in even more fantastic eco-friendly holiday tips? Then be sure to check out some of our other popular posts: