This collection of 40+ crowd-pleasing vegan Thanksgiving recipes includes a mix of beloved classics and fresh, innovative takes on traditional fare.
With recipes spanning all courses—starters, sides, mains, and desserts—this roundup is your one-stop shop for planning a guaranteed-to-please plant-based Thanksgiving menu!
Despite what you may hear, Thanksgiving can be just as glorious and indulgent for vegans as it is for omnivores. And I’ve put together this roundup of over 40 vegan Thanksgiving recipes to prove it!
Here, you’ll find a mix of classic Thanksgiving fare given a vegan glow-up (think: super savory vegan gravy to ladle over vegan stuffing and the fluffiest mashed potatoes) and exciting, inventive dishes that’ll delight vegans and omnivores alike (chili-ginger Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes with miso tahini butter, anyone?).
Peruse the starters, sides, mains, and desserts and assemble your own menu, or take all the guesswork out and use my foolproof 5-course Thanksgiving menu (which comes together in 3-ish hours!).
Either way, let this be the Thanksgiving you leave with a full heart and a full belly. ❤️
Why should you let me be your guide through this often-fraught-for-vegans holiday?
I’ve walked the walk. I’ve been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my family since I was 16 years old! And 2025 will mark my TENTH Thanksgiving as a vegan! I’ve also had to attend a few non-vegan-friendly holiday meals, which led me to create a Holiday Survival Guide for Vegans.
I love flavorful vegan food so much, I kinda wrote the book on it. I have a (NYT-bestselling, James Beard-nominated) cookbook, Big Vegan Flavor.
My recipes are trusted by experts. I hate self-promotion but am apparently supposed to do it, so this is where I tell you I’m a NYT Cooking contributor (and my vegan recipes will be featured in NYT Cooking’s Thanksgiving coverage!). I’m also a vegan cooking expert for Chowhound and Tasting Table.
Watch: Epic vegan Thanksgiving in just 3 hours
Epic vegan Thanksgiving in just 3 hours
If you’re ready to trust me with your full Thanksgiving plan but looking to make a smaller feast, feel free to jump right to my Five-Course Vegan Thanksgiving Menu. With over 200K views, this 3-hour Thanksgiving menu was a hit with my audience, and I hope you enjoy it as much as they do!
Vegan Thanksgiving FAQs
What’s a good turkey substitute?
Store-bought vegan turkeys are not my cup of tea, but there are plenty of other hearty options that would make a worthy centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table. Vegan shepherd’s pie or a stuffed butternut squash are both excellent options, as are these pumpkin ricotta stuffed shells. For something a little more ambitious (but incredible), try this vegan moussaka.
How can I make vegan Thanksgiving easier and less stressful as a host?
The most impactful thing you can do to make things less stressful is to make as many dishes as you can before the big day arrives. Some of my favorite dishes are the aforementioned moussaka, vegan mashed potatoes, and this baked mac and cheese. On the big day, all you’ll need to do is reheat these dishes in the oven or microwave. Easy peasy.
How do I ensure my vegan dishes are flavorful?
Lean heavily into umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms, nutritional yeast, miso paste, and soy sauce, all of which add a rich depth of flavor. Don’t skimp on spices and herbs. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage can elevate any dish and bring those cozy, woodsy fall flavors everyone expects (and loves) at Thanksgiving.
Absolutely! We have a whole section of delectable Thanksgiving desserts you can find below.
Better yet, many of them seem fancy but are actually quite easy to make. The vegan apple crisp and this pumpkin cream tart are prime examples.
How can I survive a non-vegan Thanksgiving?
When you find yourself at an omnivore Thanksgiving, the best thing you can do is to cook as many dishes as you can. This not only earns you brownie points with the host, it also ensures there are multiple dishes you yourself can enjoy.
As a general rule, prioritize dishes that could work as a main dish for you and as a side dish for the omnivore guests, and try to make your dishes ahead of time so you’re not fighting for oven space. You might open up some eyes to just how good vegan cooking can be!
This Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip in a bread bowl is sure to be the most popular Thanksgiving appetizer! It’s creamy, cheesy, and just as indulgent as the classic without the heaviness of dairy.
Indulge in the comforting flavors of fall with this Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette. It’s a gourmet fall salad made with roasted pumpkin wedges, a sweet pumpkin seed crunch, and a zingy balsamic vinaigrette.
Cream of mushroom soup just got a makeover with this Vegan Mushroom Soup. With a creamy bisque-like texture and incredible savory flavor, this is a gourmet soup that will wow your tastebuds. Perfect for holiday dinners!
This fennel orange salad will make you fall in love with salads! Shaved fennel and juicy oranges are tossed with a spiced-infused citrus vinaigrette, then finished with mint and pistachios. Elegant, refreshing, and full of fun flavors.
Featuring crispy and chewy roasted butternut squash and cabbage, kale and carrot ribbons, chickpeas, a tangy vinaigrette, and a sweet-and-spicy almond crunch, this is the fall salad of your dreams!
Add some authentic Thai flavor to your Thanksgiving table this year with my cozy Thai Pumpkin Soup! It’s creamy, easy to make, and layered with winter squash, warm and spicy aromatics, and bold spices and herbs.
This palate-cleansing salad is the perfect starter or side dish for your fall table. The base consists of cucumber ribbons, fresh herbs, scallions, and wedges of crisp Little Gem lettuce. The star of the show are the shallots, which get quickly marinated in vinegar and sumac, a spice common in Middle Eastern cooking that’s bright, tangy, citrusy yet a little earthy.
This roasted beet and fennel salad is popping with freshness and lots of flavor. Featuring crispy walnut bread crumbs, lots of fresh herbs, and an easy citrus vinaigrette. It's THE salad to make you fall in love with salads.
Creamy and rich yet fluffy and light vegan mashed potatoes are possible! In this post I share the seven essential secrets you need to know for absolutely amazing vegan mashed potatoes.
Meet your new go-to vegan gravy: rich, creamy, and bursting with savory mushroom flavor. It’s the ultimate pair for mashed potatoes and will have everyone at the holiday table coming back for seconds.
This Crispy Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. An incredibly creamy (and easy) vegan cheese sauce gets paired with elbow macaroni, covered in a crispy and buttery breadcrumb, and then baked in the oven.
My holiday table is never complete without Brussels sprouts, so I love coming up with new and fresh ways to serve them. Like these Chinese-inspired Sweet Chili-Ginger Brussels Sprouts! Brussels sprouts get roasted until browned, then doused in a sticky, spicy and slightly sweet sauce with fresh ginger and garlic.
This vegan stuffing will wow your holiday guests with its taste and presentation! Like traditional stuffing, it’s tender and moist yet a little crunchy! Bake it in a traditional pan or turn it into a festive Stuffing Wreath for a unique holiday centerpiece.
The perfect warm salad, this recipe is made with hearty and wholesome ingredients like lentils, delicata squash, and cashews. Proof that salads don’t have to be boring or skimpy!
The BEST vegan mac and cheese you’ll ever taste! Made with wholesome ingredients like roasted pumpkin and cashews, but super creamy and indulgent, this Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese is vegan comfort food at its finest.
Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Miso Tahini Butter is a crowd pleasing indulgent side dish! The blog post includes tips on how to cook Japanese sweet potatoes, where to buy Japanese sweet potatoes, and the differences between Japanese Sweet Potatoes vs Sweet Potatoes.
Roasted carrots are coated in a buttery and sweet maple-butter glaze, then finished in the oven until perfectly browned, caramelized, and sticky. A simple yet gourmet vegan side dish for holiday dinners!
These vegan scalloped potatoes taste like creamy, cheesy, garlicky layers of potato pillows that melt in your mouth! No dairy needed for this gourmet, flavor-packed holiday side dish!
This crispy-crusted, buttery, and moist vegan cornbread is truly the best cornbread you'll ever eat, vegan or not. A lovely fit for any holiday table, and easily made gluten-free.
This shepherd’s pie brings that classic holiday comfort! A deeply savory lentil and onion filling sits under a pillowy mashed potato and cauliflower layer. It’s nourishing, satisfying, and fits right into a festive spread.
The ultimate fall comfort food, these vegan Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed shells are cheesy, creamy, chewy, and garlicky. Made with a homemade vegan ricotta spread, pumpkin, and the best garlic béchamel sauce, you’ll never put your fork down!
A savory vegan loaf gets wrapped in flaky golden pastry and makes for the best winter comfort food. This is truly the best Vegan Wellington you will ever try! Includes step-by-step photos and detailed instructions so you can nail this Vegan Mushroom Wellington and wow your holiday guests!
Baked butternut squash is filled with hearty grains and a cheesy Alfredo sauce and then baked again until melty and golden brown. This recipe is hearty, indulgent, and finger lickin’ good!
A gourmet and elegant plant-forward main that’s perfect for Thanksgiving! Tender cauliflower, crunchy chickpeas, crispy yet chewy caramelized shallots and garlic, a creamy and herby tahini sauce, and nutty pistachios all play beautifully together.
This vegan, gluten-free Creamy Lentil and Vegetable Bake is the ultimate comfort food. Sweet, caramelized roasted vegetables and creamy lentils are baked in a rich cashew cream and make for an excellent vegan main dish for any holiday gathering!
A vegan “sausage” stuffing with kale and quinoa get stuffed into roasted butternut squash, then drizzled with a creamy garlic white sauce. This Vegan Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash is a delicious vegan main dish or a crowd pleasing side dish for the fall season that’s hearty yet wholesome!
This is the BEST vegan mushroom stroganoff you will ever try! It’s packed with umami, is super flavorful, and is so creamy you won’t believe it’s dairy-free and vegan. It’s the ultimate comfort food!
Roasted butternut squash gets stuffed with the most flavorful, umami-packed lentil filling, then drizzled with a creamy sauce made from the scooped out butternut squash. A hearty and satisfying main course for any winter dinner, especially holiday meals!
You’ll fall deep into comfort food heaven after tasting this Vegan Moussaka. This Greek layered casserole is delightfully indulgent, featuring layers of roasted potatoes and eggplant, a rich “meat” sauce, and an incredible vegan bechamel, all baked to creamy perfection. A must for special occasions!
Tender apple slices are baked with warm spices and a drizzle of maple syrup, then crowned with a golden oat-pecan streusel that’s crisp, buttery, and irresistible. Served warm, this vegan apple crisp is the ultimate blend of comfort and elegance and perfect for holiday tables.
This Gingersnap Pumpkin Cream Tart features a luscious no-bake pumpkin cream filling and is much easier to make than pumpkin pie! It’s healthy, vegan, and gluten-free, but tastes indulgent. Plus, you can make it ahead of time, so it’s perfect for Thanksgiving!
This Vegan Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake is soft and moist yet light and airy – the best of both worlds! With warm cinnamon apple flavors, it’s a perfect easy yet impressive cake for the fall baking season!
With a no-bake brownie base and a creamy salted chocolate filling, this gluten-free, vegan Salted Chocolate Cream Tart is one of the best desserts you’ll ever taste! It’s rich and creamy but made with wholesome ingredients and requires no baking. Make it for a special occasion and wow your guests!
These Baked Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars have the rich, creamy, and decadent texture of traditional cheesecake but without the dairy and cholesterol. With a gingery, chocolate crust and a creamy pumpkin swirl filling, these are a must-make during fall.
This is the BEST vegan gingerbread cake you’ll try! It’s incredibly fluffy and tender, uses simple ingredients, and features a homemade gingerbread spice blend and vanilla cream sauce that take it over the top.
This luxurious and rich Vegan Chocolate Mousse comes together in no time using some seriously chocolatey ingredients and is served with homemade raspberry compote on top. The perfect fancy but easy dessert for entertaining!
This is the BEST vegan pumpkin bread you’ll try! It’s incredibly moist and tender, uses simple ingredients, and features a homemade pumpkin spice blend that takes the flavor over the top. A must make during pumpkin season!
Grab a copy of my cookbook, Big Vegan Flavor (…see what I did there?) which is full of holiday-worthy recipes that would make amazing additions to your Thanksgiving menu!
Maple-Roasted Squash & Chickpeas with Mint-Pistachio Pesto (p. 404)
Charred Sweet Potato Wedges (p. 345) – so many serving options in the headnote!
Cheesy Herb Bread Pudding with Caramelized Leeks (GREAT stuffing alternative!) (p. 459)
“Cream”-Braised Leeks with Crispy Bits (p. 414)
⭐ Mains
Skillet Lasagna (p. 519) – photo shown below
🥧 Dessert
Crispy Spiced Cobbler Cake with Pears (p. 563)
Soft & Chewy Ginger Cookies with Cardamom Sugar (p. 553)
Spiced Wine-Poached Figs with “Honey” (p. 550)
Perfectly Sweet-Yet-Tart Plum Galette (check out the “Easy Variations” for using apples or persimmons) (p. 570)
I hope you enjoyed this roundup of 40 Fantastic Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas! If you make one of these recipes, be sure to tag me with your creations on Instagram and leave a comment on the blog post!
So many delicious recipes to try! Thank you from the bottom of my stomach! LOL My husband and I have been on this plant based way of life for over a year and have never seen anything but delicious recipes from you!! Thank you again!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Sorry for your loss, Robert. Thank you for following and taking the time to leave a comment. We are grateful you turned to Rainbow Plant Life for the recipes :)
The link for the pumpkin miso tart is not right. It takes you to a different recipe. I cannot find the miso tart on your website by searching for it by name.
Always love your recipes! Can’t seem to get the kabocha squash banana bread link to take me anywhere but the ‘best vegan banana bread’ recipe. Do you still have the kabocha squash banana bread recipe?
Are all the Thanksgiving recipes in your Big Vegan Cookbook?
If you scroll up before the comments section, it lists the pages the recipes are on.
Hi Carol, no they aren’t. Most of the recipes in Nisha’s newest cookbook are brand new and cannot be found on the website!
So many delicious recipes to try! Thank you from the bottom of my stomach! LOL My husband and I have been on this plant based way of life for over a year and have never seen anything but delicious recipes from you!! Thank you again!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
We’re happy you find the list helpful, Patricia! :) Have a great Thanksgiving!
After my wife died, I had to learn to cook.
You have become my go to.
Thank you for your delightful recipes.
Thank you for your gourmet smile.
Sorry for your loss, Robert. Thank you for following and taking the time to leave a comment. We are grateful you turned to Rainbow Plant Life for the recipes :)
The link for the pumpkin miso tart is not right. It takes you to a different recipe. I cannot find the miso tart on your website by searching for it by name.
Always love your recipes! Can’t seem to get the kabocha squash banana bread link to take me anywhere but the ‘best vegan banana bread’ recipe. Do you still have the kabocha squash banana bread recipe?
Great recipes, can’t wait to try them.
Thank you :) I hope you will enjoy them and have a great Thanksgiving!
Wow, so many amazing and colorful vegan recipes! I am sure they all taste heavenly and I would love to try them all at the same time. :)
Thank you so much dear Ela :) There are so many delicious meals to make at the holidays and I love how easy it is to make them vegan!