36 Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes
on Nov 14, 2023
A collection of 36 Thanksgiving recipes that are vegetarian friendly. Use this post as a guide for your holiday planning!
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!)
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.
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!
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.
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.
4. Cheesy Potatoes with Corn Flakes
These cheesy potatoes with corn flakes are always a hit side dish! Also known as funeral potatoes, this classic family favorite makes addition to your Thanksgiving spread.
5. Green Bean Casserole
Another must have for Thanksgiving! You’ll love this version that features fresh mushrooms and cheddar cheese for extra flavor!
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.
7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
Crispy brussels sprouts are baked to perfection with delicious parmesan cheese edges.
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!
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!
10. Cranberry Sauce
Once you make your own cranberry sauce, you’ll never go back. This is so easy to make and absolutely delicious!
11. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
This creamy honey butter corn is easy and requires just a few ingredients!
12. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate cheesy recipe complete with a crunchy panko topping
13. Roasted Garlic Butter Carrots
Carrots roasted in garlic butter are a great super simple side dish.
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!
15. Broccoli Casserole
This easy classic Ritz Cracker Broccoli Casserole is another guaranteed crowd favorite side dish.
16. Brussel Sprouts Gratin
Brussels Sprouts Gratin is a cheesy baked vegetable side dish that everyone will love!
17. Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese
Looking for a lightened up version of mac and cheese? Try this protein packed version!
18. Honey Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These glazed carrots are a classic side dish for Thanksgiving and so easy to make.
19. Skillet Corn for Thanksgiving
This buttery skillet corn is the absolute favorite in our home. We always make this one for Thanksgiving!
20. Vegan Mashed Potatoes
For vegan mashed potatoes, this recipe is easy to make and uses no dairy!
21. Creamy Garlic Mushrooms
Mushrooms cooked in a creamy garlic sauce are an indulgent and delicious side dish.
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 need just a few classic cheese ball ingredients and some rubber bands to make this fun appetizer!
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!
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!
25. Pumpkin Cream Pie
This no bake version of the classic favorite pumpkin pie is so delicious!
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.
27. Oreo Pie
Another make ahead favorite, you can’t go wrong with this delicious Oreo pie!
28. Pecan Pie
This pecan pie made with real maple syrup is a must make!
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!
30. Pecan Pie Brownies
Pecan pie and brownies in one dessert? Yes please!
31. Vegan Apple Crisp
You can’t go wrong with a warm apple crisp served with vanilla ice cream!
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!
33. Cranberry Blueberry Crisp
This cranberry blueberry crisp is a seasonal dessert that is so colorful and flavorful!
34. Cranberry Apple Crisp
Cranberry Apple Crisp is another seasonal favorite that would be great for Thanksgiving.
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. 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!
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!
