The Best Vegetarian Recipes For Thanksgiving (2024)

Are you entertaining a bunch of vegetarians this Thanksgiving holiday season? When a holiday typically revolves around turkey and gravy, it can be a challenge to come up with a creative vegetarian menu that won’t make your veggie-loving guests feel like an afterthought. If you’re a vegetarian yourself, you’ve probably got some experience in making sure you’re well-fed, even during the most meat-centric holidays, however everyone can always use a little kitchen inspiration from time to time. So whether your niece and her boyfriend are recently-turned vegetarians, or you just want to shake things up this season, here are a few vegetarian recipes to make your Thanksgiving table a plant-based wonderland this year:

1. Artichoke Gratin Toasts

Let’s start with some super-satisfying vegetarian starters and appetizers. I know that so many favorite pre-dinner morsels start with bacon-wrapped something or other, but there are other ways to satisfy with flavors you won’t find everyday. Like these rich and cheesy artichoke gratin toasts, the recipe might make six large toasts but we suggest making double because I guarantee your guests will want seconds.

https://smittenkitchen.com/2015/04/artichoke-gratin-toasts/ Photo by: Smitten Kitchen

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2. Smoky Eggplant Dip

Hummus has seen its day and as a vegetarian, it’s not often that this chickpea dip sparks any resemblance of excitement whatsoever. I always like to have some sort of dip out at any group gathering so explore the veggie-path less traveled with this easy and unique smoky eggplant dip. Make sure you have plenty of pita chips on hand because you’re gonna need them!

https://smittenkitchen.com/2014/08/smoky-eggplant-dip/ Photo by: Smitten Kitchen

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3. Carrot Soup with Tahini and Crisp Chickpeas

It’s always nice to start your Thanksgiving meal with a warm bowl of fall comfort in the form of soup, but pumpkin and squash soups have become such a staple in most people’s weekday repertoire that they lack that glimmer of something special that you want for your holiday meal. Instead, opt for this equally beautiful carrot soup with a tahini and crispy chickpea topping that’s sure to wow all of your guests.

https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/01/carrot-soup-with-tahini-and-crisped-chickpeas/ Photo by: Smitten Kitchen

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4. Autumn Apple and Spinach Salad

A salad might seem like a bit of a cop-out when it comes to vegetarian dishes, but I’m a firm believer that you do in fact, make friends with salad. Especially if we’re talking about this beautifully fresh, seasonal salad packed with crunchy apple slices, sweet dried cranberries, tangy goat cheese and nutty toasted walnuts.

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5. Miso Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Side dishes are another Thanksgiving meal component that don’t take much effort to veg-ify.I know that Brussels sprouts taste especially good with a sprinkle of bacon, but you can get that similar umamaiflavor from the addition of some salty, savory miso. The sprouts become caramelized as they cook and almost give you that same satisfaction you’d get from a nicely seared piece of meat (I said almost).

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6.Sweet Potato Casserole

You can’t forget a classic! The sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving staple and it fits in quite easily on a vegetarian holiday menu since it doesn’t contain any meat. My only gripe with this classic side dish is that sticky-sweet marshmallow topping you usually see. Now I’m not against marshmallows, far from it in fact, but I just can’t stand them as part of my main meal. Put the mallows back in the dessert category where they belong and opt for this version which still has all those warm spice flavors and a nutty, toasted pecan topping.

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7. Butternut Squash Cornbread Stuffing

Contrary to popular belief, you can have delicious, savory stuffing without the addition of bacon, sausage or meat of any kind. This cornbread stuffing with butternut squash, apples and tart cranberries is pretty as a picture and will make the perfect addition to your line-up of Thanksgiving side dishes.

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8. Hasselback Potatoes

When turkey gravy is off the menu, you might as well wave bye bye to the standard mashed potatoes and say hello to a new style of spud. With only four ingredients, these hasselback potatoes are actually much easier to pull off than they look, and they’re bound to impress all your Thanksgiving guests this season.

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/hasselback-potatoes Photo by: Bon Appetit

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9. Savory Green Bean and Mushroom Tart

Now this is the part where things get interesting… deciding on a Thanksgiving main dish to meet vegetarian requirements is no easy task. I mean it’s called ‘Turkey Day’ for pete’s sake. Forget trying to compete with a turkey by forming something bird-like out of tofu, seitan and tempeh and just go for something really different, but equally satisfying. This gorgeous green bean and mushroom tart will satisfy all your guests with sharp blue cheese crumbles and crispy fried shallots.

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10. Vegetables Wellington

With an ingredient list the length of your arm and a combined prep and cook time of five hours, you’re probably wondering why you’d ever want to subject yourself to this kind of project at Thanksgiving. Well my friends, flavor. That’s why. If you’re cooking for a predominantly vegetarian crowd this season, preparing and serving this robust fall vegetable wellington is going to wow their little veggie-loving socks off. And not only that, but it’s also going to earn you a gold star in the vegetarian cooking world, I can assure you.

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/11/vegetables-wellington-the-ultimate-plant-based-vegan-holiday-roast-recipe.html Photo by: Serious Eats

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11. Butternut Squash Alfredo Stuffed Shells

Pasta might seem like a bit of a departure from a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but when you stuff these shells with a filling of sweet, roasted butternut squash, they start to fit the mold a little bit better. Topped with creamy alfredo sauce and buttery panko breadcrumbs, this is a Thanksgiving entree that will please everyone at your table (including the vegetarians of course).

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12. Glazed Vegetable Lentil Loaf

If you’re looking for a vegetarian main that takes the place of meat in a more traditional way, look no further than this gorgeous glazed vegetable lentil loaf. Packed with veggies and fiber-filled lentils, this loaf is guaranteed to fill up those hungry appetites and the tangy-sweet glaze of maple syrup, ketchup and balsamic vinegar will have your guests asking for “more please!”.

http://www.simple-veganista.com/2012/11/the-ultimate-vegetable-lentil-loaf.html Photo by: Simple Veganista

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13. Vegan Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

Moving onto desserts, this isn’t a difficult category to work around vegetarians, because if you’re putting meat in your desserts please… stop, you’re doing it wrong. To up the ante, I’ve decided to give you a few suggestions for killer vegan dessert recipes for your holiday, because sometimes vegetarian and vegan go pretty much hand in hand. This vegan pumpkin cheesecake will keep everyone at your dinner table happy AND won’t exclude anyone from eating dessert this year!

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14. Gooey Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Pudding Cake

It may not look the prettiest, but this vegan dessert is one that will warm the very souls of all your Thanksgiving guests. Gooey, rich and full of flavor from fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this chocolate pudding cake will be a winner every time.

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15. Vegan Cranberry Pecan Cake

With gorgeous flecks of ruby red peeking through, this vegan cranberry pecan cake will look pretty as a picture on your Thanksgiving table this year. Everyone will love the contrast of sweet and tart flavors and the vegan cream cheese frosting takes it to whole new levelsof vegan dessert delight.

http://willowbirdbaking.com/2011/12/22/cranberry-orange-pecan-cake-vegan/ Photo by: Willow Bird Baking