Let’s be real: Thanksgiving tends to revolve around the bird, but these simple vegetarian recipes might just steal the whole show. I’ve gathered 18 of my favorite meatless mains and sides that bring all the cozy, hearty, festive flavor you crave. Your holiday table is about to get a whole lot more delicious.
1. Pumpkin Pie
Do I even have to tell you about pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving must, and this recipe is perfect. If you love a thick, silky filling and a warm, crunchy crust, this is the pumpkin pie recipe for you.
2. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These amazing stuffed mushrooms bring an Italian twist to your feast. A mixture of cottage cheese, feta, and mozzarella is combined with spinach for the stuffing. Marinara sauce adds the perfect tangy contrast. These are hearty enough for a main entree, but you can just as easily serve them as a side dish.
3. Vegan Apple Crumble
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without delicious desserts. And this apple crumble is just like grandma made! It has a similar consistency to coffee cake. Serve it warm with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream for an epic fall treat.
4. Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
If you’re hunting for an incredible vegan main dish, this stuffed squash is exactly what you need. The filling is a hearty mix of lentils, mushrooms, kale, and cranberries, all tucked cozily inside the squash. The presentation alone is just as satisfying as taking that first delicious bite.
5. Apple Cranberry Coleslaw
This slaw is a sweeter, more textured take on the classic coleslaw, and it’s remarkably good. I’m not usually a coleslaw person, but even I genuinely enjoy this one. It’s also super easy to throw together, taking only 20 minutes from start to finish.
6. Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Roasted broccoli and Brussels sprouts usually make an appearance on fall tables. But don't forget about cauliflower! Roasting it whole brings out such wonderful flavor. This recipe is loaded with garlic and parmesan for a side dish no one can resist.
7. Roasted Vegetables
Holiday or no holiday, there’s never a bad time for roasted veggies. You can use the vegetables listed in the recipe, or fill your baking sheet with your personal favorites. Just remember, the real secret is in the seasonings. As a bonus, they're naturally gluten free.
8. Vegan Turkey Roast
Thanksgiving just isn’t the same without a big, golden brown centerpiece on the table. Good news for vegans and vegetarians: this plant based roast makes a pretty fantastic substitute. It carries that classic, traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Made from seitan, it even has an herb stuffing tucked right in the middle. Serve it with vegan gravy and honestly, you won’t miss the bird one bit.
9. Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cranberries
This salad is one of my all time favorites because it’s simple, healthy, and tasty. You won’t use any lettuce, spinach, or kale for this one. Instead, the base is entirely composed of shredded Brussels sprouts, and they are superb! Toss in some dried cranberries and chopped pecans, and the salad is done. How much simpler can you get?!
10. Butternut Squash Gratin
If you can't get enough of butternut squash, this gratin is calling your name. It’s layered in a casserole with butternut squash and red onion. The sauce is a rich blend of cream, vegetable stock, parmesan cheese, black pepper, and thyme. Topped with cheese and baked in the oven, it's an indulgence fit for a king.
11. Creamy Baked Pumpkin Risotto
This delicious risotto is basically everything I love about vegetarian Thanksgiving sides. The flavor and texture together are just perfect. And that gorgeous color adds such a beautiful pop against all the other neutral dishes on your plate. The best part? It’s made in the oven, so it’s ridiculously easy. It’s a traditional Thanksgiving side, sure, but I’d happily eat it all year round.
12. Butternut Squash and Apple Salad
This salad is a lovely fall treat. It’s sweet and earthy and more hearty and filling than a salad has any right to be! The wheat berries take some time to cook, but you could always make them ahead of time if you’re frequently in a rush.
13. Vegan Pot Pies
Fans of chicken or turkey pot pie will absolutely flip for this hearty vegetarian main dish! This recipe calls for celery, onion, carrots, and broccoli, but feel free to swap in whatever veggies you have on hand. Bake the pot pies in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes for a dinner to remember.
14. Cauliflower Casserole
Cheesy and buttery, this vegan friendly cauliflower casserole is so good that even the most dedicated meat eaters will go back for seconds. It has plenty of flavor and lots of gooey, wonderful cheese. The slightly tangy flavor might remind you of squash casserole, but this one has even more crunch.
15. Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is a beloved classic people have enjoyed for generations. This meat free version uses carrots, celery, and mushrooms instead of ground beef. Sitting on a cozy bed of mashed potatoes, this is comfort food at its absolute finest. It’s also easy to make ahead, which makes it perfect for feeding a crowd.
16. Stuffing
You don’t have to pile your plate with turkey to enjoy wonderful Thanksgiving stuffing, and you don’t have to resort to a boxed mix to make it, either. This vegan stuffing recipe brings together all the tastiest, most fragrant ingredients like celery, sage, onions, and vegetable broth. It's as warm and moist as it is delicious.
17. Smashed Potatoes
I first started making smashed potatoes as a way to get the kiddos more interested in potatoes. But everyone loved them so much that I now make a double batch. They are absolutely spectacular: super crispy on the outside with warm, fluffy insides, and supremely buttery.
18. Baked Acorn Squash Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a decadent treat no matter how you serve it. But this recipe takes things up a notch by stuffing it into adorable acorn squash "bowls." Topped with crispy breadcrumbs, the oven baked mac and cheese bubbles up and spills over the top of the squash. This is such an easy vegetarian main dish!
