36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

By: Author Joy Shull

Posted on Last updated:

A collection of 36 Thanksgiving recipes that are vegetarian friendly. Use this post as a guide for your holiday planning!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (1)

Make planning your vegetarian Thanksgiving easy with these recipes!

Whether it’s your first year cooking a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner, or you are just looking for some delicious recipes for your vegetarian guests, we’ve got you covered!

In this post you will find all of our favorite vegetarian thanksgiving recipes, tips for cooking and prepping ahead, and so much more.

From vegetarian thanksgiving side dishes to drool worthy desserts, you will find recipes that will please everyone!

I made most of this menu last year for Thanksgiving and everyone I served loved the recipes (and most of those people were not vegetarians!)

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (2)

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dish

When you are a vegetarian at Thanksgiving, the first question most people ask is well what do you eat besides turkey? Although I firmly believe that the most delicious part of Thanksgiving is all of the amazing side dishes, we still do a “meat” every year.

After trying multiple brands of vegetarian “turkey” roasts, we found the golden one. It’s worth saying that the others were so bad that we could not eat them.

So be warned before you spend $10 – $15 on a roast! The quorn brand Turk’y roast is vegetarian and gluten free and tastes almost exactly like turkey! This post is not sponsored by them, I just genuinely want to share the best one that our family has found and buys every year.

I even had a meat eater ask what on earth was in it because it tasted like meat.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (3)

It’s delicious, easy to make, and tastes amazing with gravy. What we usually do is defrost the roast in the fridge overnight, then bake it on Thanksgiving.

Once it is done baking, we dice it into chunks, and place in a crockpot to keep warm with enough gravy to keep it from getting dry.

You could also go another route and make your own non meat loaf, or other vegetarian main dish recipe. Last year I hosted Thanksgiving and my guests brought some meat for themselves to eat along with all of the other dishes.

This was a great compromise and everyone raved about the vegetarian and vegan dishes!

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Planning a vegetarian Thanksgiving menu is so much fun! Here are our favorite holiday side dishes.

1. Vegan Stuffing

This easy vegan stuffing recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday table. A family favorite that is sure to impress anyone who tries it!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (4)

2. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

This is a classic favorite dish to make for the holidays and it’s simply divine. If you want this to be truly vegetarian, buy vegan marshmallows that do not use gelatin.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (5)

3. The Best Vegetarian Gravy

Vegetarian or not, your guests will be begging for seconds of this gravy! It is the most delicious gravy I have ever tasted. It’s also easy to modify this recipe to make it vegan and or gluten free if needed.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (6)

4. Cheesy Potatoes with Corn Flakes

Thesecheesy potatoes with corn flakesare always a hit side dish! Also known as funeral potatoes, this classic family favorite makes addition to your Thanksgiving spread.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (7)

5. Green Bean Casserole

Another must have for Thanksgiving! You’ll love this version that features fresh mushrooms and cheddar cheese for extra flavor!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (8)

6. Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream

The best delicious mashed potatoes with sour cream recipe. Use the perfect blend of sour cream, milk, and butter to make these buttery perfect mashed potatoes.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (9)

7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan

Crispy brussels sprouts are baked to perfection with delicious parmesan cheese edges.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (10)

8. Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans (Gluten Free)

This sweet potato casserole is everything delicious: buttery sweet potatoes topped with a salty sweet pecan crumble. It’s also gluten free for your gluten free guests!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (11)

9. Creamed Corn

Homemade creamed corn with cream cheese is so simple to make, but the flavors are so decadent. Creamed corn for Thanksgiving is always a hit!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (12)

10. Cranberry Sauce

Once you make your own cranberry sauce, you’ll never go back. This is so easy to make and absolutely delicious!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (13)

11. Honey Butter Skillet Corn

This creamy honey butter corn is easy and requires just a few ingredients!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (14)

12. Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Thisbaked macaroni and cheeseis the ultimate cheesy recipe complete with a crunchy panko topping

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (15)

13. Roasted Garlic Butter Carrots

Carrots roasted in garlic butter are a great super simple side dish.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (16)

14. Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

If you’re making mac and cheese and low on oven space, I highly recommend this Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (17)

15. Broccoli Casserole

This easy classic Ritz Cracker Broccoli Casserole is another guaranteed crowd favorite side dish.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (18)

16. Brussel Sprouts Gratin

Brussels Sprouts Gratin is a cheesy baked vegetable side dish that everyone will love!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (19)

17.

Looking for a lightened up version of mac and cheese? Try this protein packed version!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (20)

18. Honey Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

These glazed carrots are a classic side dish for Thanksgiving and so easy to make.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (21)

19. Skillet Corn for Thanksgiving

This buttery skillet corn is the absolute favorite in our home. We always make this one for Thanksgiving!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (22)

20. Vegan Mashed Potatoes

For vegan mashed potatoes, this recipe is easy to make and uses no dairy!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (23)

21. Creamy Garlic Mushrooms

Mushrooms cooked in a creamy garlic sauce are an indulgent and delicious side dish.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (24)

Thanksgiving Appetizers

For when you need something to snack on while you are cooking your big Thanksgiving dinner!

22. Pumpkin Cheese Ball

This pumpkin shaped cheese ball is not only adorable, but it’s really a cinch to make. You needjust a few classic cheese ball ingredientsand some rubber bands to make this fun appetizer!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (25)

23. Classic Cheese Ball

This classic cheese ball recipe features cream cheese, green onions, and cheddar cheese. This is my favorite appetizer for holiday parties and gatherings!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (26)

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

Just when you think you are too full to move…then comes dessert! It’s just not Thanksgiving without a delicious dessert (or 5!) Here are some tried and true favorites.

24. Pecan Pie Bars

These pecan pie bars with shortbread crust are made with real maple syrup and are absolutely irresistible!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (27)

25. Pumpkin Cream Pie

This no bake version of the classic favorite pumpkin pie is so delicious!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (28)

26. No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

This no bake peanut butter pie is another one of our favorite easy pie recipes that you can make ahead.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (29)

27. Oreo Pie

Another make ahead favorite, you can’t go wrong with this delicious Oreo pie!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (30)

28. Pecan Pie

This pecan pie made with real maple syrup is a must make!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (31)

29. Pecan Cream Pie

Speaking of pecans…please tell me you’ve heard of pecan cream pie? Another no bake pie that we have fallen in love with!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (32)

30. Pecan Pie Brownies

Pecan pie and brownies in one dessert? Yes please!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (33)

31. Vegan Apple Crisp

You can’t go wrong with a warm apple crisp served with vanilla ice cream!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (34)

32. Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie

Just as good as the classic favorite, this gluten free version of pumpkin pie will be a hit with the whole family!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (35)

33. Cranberry Blueberry Crisp

This cranberry blueberry crisp is a seasonal dessert that is so colorful and flavorful!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (36)

34. Cranberry Apple Crisp

Cranberry Apple Crisp is another seasonal favorite that would be great for Thanksgiving.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (37)

35. Gluten Free Apple Crisp

For your gluten free guests, this Gluten Free Apple Crisp is made with a buttery crunchy oat topping that is simply delectable.

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (38)

36. Dark Chocolate Pecan Cookie Bars

Maybe you don’t think of cookie bars for Thanksgiving, but these Dark Chocolate Pecan Cookie Bars are the perfect different dessert!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (39)

Did you make a recipe?

Good luck planning your Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu! If you try one of these recipes please be sure to leave a comment on the post. Happy Thanksgiving!

36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to be vegetarian on Thanksgiving? ›

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dishes
  1. Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington. Alexa Weibel. ...
  2. Spicy Roasted Mushrooms With Polenta. ...
  3. Ombré Gratin. ...
  4. Baked Brie and Caramelized Vegetable Pie. ...
  5. One-Pot Vegetable Biryani. ...
  6. Broccoli Cheese Casserole. ...
  7. Butternut Squash and Fondue Pie With Pickled Red Chiles. ...
  8. Roasted Mushrooms in Ata Din Din.

What is a good alternative Thanksgiving dinner? ›

25 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
  • 01 of 25. Artichoke Hearts Gratin. ...
  • 02 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin Soup. ...
  • 03 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini. ...
  • 04 of 25. Apple Pie Shot. ...
  • 05 of 25. Citrus Turkey Brine. ...
  • 06 of 25. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions. ...
  • 07 of 25. Tangy Honey-Glazed Ham. ...
  • 08 of 25.
Oct 3, 2023

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to roast turkey? ›

Vegan turkey recipes
  1. Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast. This stuffed seitan is the perfect replacement for a stuffed turkey joint this Christmas. ...
  2. Vegan Turkey Wellington With Walnut Gravy. ...
  3. Vegan Herb-Crumbed Whole Roasted Cauliflower. ...
  4. Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie. ...
  5. Festive Vegan 'Turkey' Sandwich. ...
  6. Vegan Seitan Twizzlers.

What is the most wanted alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What is a silent vegetarian? ›

Perhaps the cleverest adaptation strategy that caterers and party planners employ is the so-called silent vegetarian option, or SVO, whereby the vegetarian option is unannounced.

Does God want me to be a vegetarian? ›

Within the Bible's New Testament, the Apostle Paul states that people of "weak faith" "eat only vegetables", although he also warns both meat-eaters and vegetarians to "stop passing judgment on one another" when it comes to food in verse 13 and "[It is] good neither to eat flesh" in verse 21.

When vegetarians crave meat? ›

It is therefore not unusual to find a person accustomed to a plant-based diet, craving meat. It could be that they miss it, but much of the time, it could be that their Vitamin B12 batteries are running low.

What is the number one side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

What are the least favorite Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Other top disliked foods include green bean casserole (disliked by 28 percent), turkey (27.7 percent), stuffing or dressing (26.8 percent), ham (25.6 percent), coleslaw (25.6 percent) and pumpkin pie (24.3 percent).

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

What meat instead of turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

For smaller crowds, swap the turkey with chicken, Cornish game hens, or stuff and roast individual quails for each guest, which is very elegant for a plated meal. Our roast chicken with sourdough stuffing, pomegranate roast chicken, and cranberry stuffed cornish game hen bring a festive Thanksgiving vibe to the table.

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 is an alternative bird to turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

As for cooking methods, duck, pheasant and goose can roast in the oven just like you would a turkey. The fattier duck and geese should be slow-roasted so the fat renders and you get a crispy skin. A quick reminder: Just like all poultry, make sure your bird reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

What is the name of the vegetarian turkey? ›

Tofurky is the brand name of an American vegan turkey replacement (also known as a meat analogue, or, more specifically, tofurkey) made from a blend of wheat protein and organic tofu.

What do vegetarians eat instead of meat? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  • Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  • Soya beans. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Cereals and grains. ...
  • Quorn™ ...
  • Dairy.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6592

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.