Here's to a Meatless Thanksgiving
Who says turkey has to steal the spotlight at Thanksgiving dinner? With so many dishes to make—and plenty of vegan-friendly options to choose from—we say you can have your meat-free turkey (or no turkey at all) and eat it, too. From stuffed acorn squash to apple crumble pie, here are 20 vegan dishes to serve up that will have everyone saying "thanks!"
1. Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower makes for a perfect Thanksgiving side dish. Add different veggie varieties, like Romanesco, white, and orange cauliflower, along with red onions for a festive mix of colors. Spice them up any way you like, but this plate pairs best with a tangy or nutty sauce like tahini.
2. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Instead of mashing up regular potatoes, why not try something that's both sweet and savory? Add in your choice of plant-based milk and vegan butter to whip up this creamy dish. Season it up with salt and pepper to taste, along with some maple syrup to kick up that sweetness.
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3. Mushroom Gravy
Mushroom gravy is sure to give traditional gravy a run for its money. Combine flour, vegetable stock, soy, mushrooms, spices, and herbs to make this delicious sauce; we won't blame you if you end up pouring it over everything. Hearty and rich, you won't go back to regular gravy after this.
4. Squash and Chickpea Toast
Who says toast is only for breakfast? Pair squash and chickpeas together to create this delicious vegan pâté. Roast a halved squash brushed with olive oil on a baking sheet, then heat up chickpeas, onions, carrots, and fragrant spices like cumin and coriander on a skillet. Spread over crisp grilled bread, and it's ready to eat!
5. Vegan Turkey Roast
With so many vegan-friendly sides and mains to make, a meatless Thanksgiving is by no means boring. But if you're searching for a turkey substitute, why not fix up a vegan turkey roast? While there are various ways to make this, one way is to mix firm tofu, protein flour, and miso paste, then wrap with roasted rice paper for "turkey" skin.
Stephanie from Austin TX on Wikimedia
6. Portobello Wellington
Because you can never have too many mushrooms, this vegan Wellington is another great side dish to make and goes hand-in-hand with gravy. Perfect, flaky puffed crust stuffed with butternut squash and portobello mushrooms, you're sure to go for seconds.
Parkerman & Christie from San Diego, USA on Wikimedia
7. Quinoa Salad
Chop up your favorite choice of veggies, like carrot, onions, spinach, and watercress, for this simple, healthy dish. Add in quinoa, along with other spices and toppings like cranberries and walnuts, to bring this delicious salad together.
Einladung_zum_Essen on Pixabay
8. Stuffed Acorn Squash
Not stuffed turkey—stuffed acorn squash! Halve a squash before hollowing it out, then bake until golden. For the filling, toss together cooked quinoa, mushrooms, kale, cranberries—heck, your whole pantry—and then scoop into both halves of the squash.
9. Lentil and Spinach Soup
Lentil spinach soup is just one of many dishes you can add to your Thanksgiving table spread. Butternut squash also makes an appearance in this stew, along with carrots, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Add slices of toasted bread to soak up the tasty broth.
10. Napa Cabbage Salad
Throw together napa cabbage, green beans, carrots, and other leafy greens of your choice to make this simple salad. For dressing, mix brown rice vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, then season with ginger, pepper, and garlic to taste.
11. Vegan Shepherd's Pie
If your guests aren't yet vegan, this shepherd's pie will surely convert them. A hearty filling of mushrooms, carrots, peas, onions, and lentils topped with creamy mashed potato, what more can you ask for? (Well, maybe more gravy.)
12. Rice and Bean Casserole
Sautéed onions, mushrooms, broccoli with beans and rice? If that doesn't sound divine, we don't know what does. For a cheesy topping to pair with this hearty casserole dish, mix plant-based milk with water, flour, and yeast, then season with spices to taste.
Dhivya Subramanian on Unsplash
13. Pumpkin Alfredo Casserole
For another casserole to add to the party, Alfredo surely won't disappoint. Pumpkin purée and plant-based milk star in this delicious dish, combined with cauliflower, beans, onions, and carrots, for a meal that's both healthy and indulgent.
14. Maple-Glazed Carrots
Not only is this dish easy to make, it's also deliciously healthy—well, minus the maple syrup, of course, but Thanksgiving calls for a little indulgence. On a skillet, combine vegetable broth, maple syrup, thyme, and carrots, then cook until tender.
American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash
15. Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts aren't everyone's first choice of food, but crisp them up in an air fryer and they just might turn some heads. Brush them over with a sweet, sticky, and garlicky sauce (courtesy of maple syrup, brown rice vinegar, sriracha, and cloves of garlic), and this dish is sure to be a favourite.
16. Cornbread Stuffing
Don't be mistaken—this isn't dessert. Instead, the sweetness of the cornbread (coated with applesauce, non-dairy milk, and maple syrup) is mellowed out with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and celery. Then it's further seasoned with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and sage for the perfect blend of flavors.
17. "Creamed" Corn with Lemon and Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms and corn are married together in this rich, velvety side dish. While you can choose to use dairy-free milk to substitute for the cream, you can also stir the corn until it softens into a purée. As it cooks, add in the juice from the cob along with shallots, garlic, and lemon until thick and creamy.
18. Apple Crumble Pie
What's a Thanksgiving dinner without dessert? Sub in vegan butter or coconut oil to create the flaky, crispy crust for the base of this pie. Then combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom in a food processor to pulse. Add crumble to cubed apples, coat with maple syrup, then fill the pie in.
Einladung_zum_Essen on Pixabay
19. Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
This vegan ice cream is made with an unusual ingredient: pea milk. Sweeten the mixture with corn syrup and cane sugar, stir in vanilla extract and bean seeds, and you'll have this creamy treat ready in no time. If you don't have an ice cream mixer at home, you'll have to opt for the no-churn freeze method—just be prepared to have a bit of patience.
Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash
20. Ginger and Peach Bread Pudding
Leftover bread? Cube them up to bake with sweet, juicy peaches until deliciously tender. Nutmeg, mint, and ginger give this dessert a unique zing that's sure to stand out. Top with vegan whipped cream (or make your own with aquafaba), and then dig in!
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