With a decade of plant-based Thanksgivings under my belt, I am adamant that this holiday can be just as gloriously indulgent for vegans as it is for omnivores—and I compiled this list of 40 fabulous vegan Thanksgiving recipes to prove it!
Scroll down for:
- Traditional holiday favorites like rich gravy, fluffy mashed potatoes, buttery cornbread; and
- Unique RPL originals that’ll bring a little plant-based razzle dazzle to your table (think: vegan pumpkin ricotta stuffed shells, sweet chili-ginger Brussels sprouts, fluffy gingerbread cake)
Peruse the starters, sides, mains, and desserts to assemble your own menu, or take all the guesswork out and use my foolproof 5-course Thanksgiving menu—great for small gatherings and everything comes together in 3-ish hours!
Either way, let this be the Thanksgiving you leave with a full heart and a full belly. ❤️
Trust me, I’ve got your back
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 2026 marks my eleventh Thanksgiving as a vegan! I’ve also had to attend my fair share of 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—the 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 were featured in NYT Cooking’s 2026 Thanksgiving coverage!). I’m also a vegan cooking expert for Chowhound and Tasting Table.
🎥 Watch: Epic vegan Thanksgiving in just 3 hours
With over 200K views, this 3-hour Thanksgiving menu was a hit with my audience. I hope you enjoy it just as much!
Epic vegan Thanksgiving in just 3 hours
Like what you saw? Jump right to my Five-Course Vegan Thanksgiving Menu and consider your holiday feast planning sorted!
Showstopping Starters
Outrageously Good Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
If your Thanksgiving feast starts with this indulgent appetizer…you’re doing something very right. Featuring all the fab flavor and creamy cheesiness of the classic, minus the dairy, served in a deluxe bread bowl! Allergens: Skip the bread to keep gluten free.
Get the recipe!
Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Here’s a salad that’ll make a name for itself at a holiday usually headlined by beige comfort food. And if you think I’m exaggerating, check out this comment from reader Ashley: “The unanticipated showstopper of Thanksgiving dinner this year? This salad…A well-balanced, absolutely lip-smacking dish. Genius recipe!”Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup
Soup may not be the most classic holiday side dish, but these flavors are peak Thanksgiving, and it's a stress-free option you can make ahead of time. Also the savoriness and creaminess are next-level.Allergens: use gluten-free soy sauce to keep GF; for nut allergies, check the 4th FAQ.
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Fennel Orange Salad
Interested in bringing some elegance to the table without too much work? This is your salad. Shaved fennel and juicy oranges are tossed with a spiced-infused citrus vinaigrette and finished with mint and pistachios for a special way to start the festivities.Allergens: gluten-free; omit the pistachios to keep nut-free.
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Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Soup
This one is so easy you can make it in your sleep (kinda), making it a perfect stress-free starter. Simple ingredients, quick to make, and surprisingly indulgent.Allergens: gluten-free; sub the cashews with peeled, diced Russet potatoes.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad
If you're familiar with Samin Nosrat's best-selling Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, you already know the Thanksgiving table is begging for some fresh acidity. This salad—featuring roasted squash and cabbage, kale and carrot ribbons, a tangy vinaigrette, and a sweet-spicy almond crunch—is a fantastic solution. Allergens: gluten-free; sub the almonds with sunflower seeds or pepitas.
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Thai Pumpkin Soup
Tired of the same dishes every Thanksgiving? Then add some pizzazz to your Thanksgiving menu with this showstopping soup featuring bold Thai flavors and warm, spicy aromatics.Allergens: gluten-free; skip the peanut crunch topping for peanut allergies or sub cashews.
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Fresh Herb Salad with Sumac Shallots
The stars of this palate-cleansing salad (a perfect on-ramp to a hearty holiday meal) are the shallots, which get quickly marinated in vinegar and bright, tangy, citrusy sumac.Note: This recipe is the 4th in the linked blog post.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Roasted Beet and Fennel Salad with Walnut Bread Crumbs
AKA the salad that will delight even your salad-averse holiday guests. Featuring in-season beets and fennel, it’s fresh, flavorful, the crispy walnut bread crumbs are SO good. Allergens: check out the 1st and 2nd FAQ for substituting gluten and nuts
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Spotlight-Stealing Side Dishes
The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
You knew this one was coming. It’s an iconic must-have at Thanksgiving, and this vegan version yields heavenly potatoes that are both richly creamy and fluffy and light. Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Seriously Good Vegan Gravy
You didn’t think I’d give you mashed potatoes without an equally epic recipe for vegan gravy, did you? Spoon this creamy, deeply savory mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes…and anything else on your plate that could use some umami-charged richness.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Mind-Blowing Vegan Mac and Cheese
The next-level cheesiness of this easy vegan mac and cheese is jaw-dropping…and doesn’t rely on any (weirdly plasticky-tasting) store-bought vegan cheese! Creamy, indulgent, and topped with crispy, buttery breadcrumbs…this one’s a surefire crowd-pleaser.Allergens: contains nuts; use gluten-free panko and soy sauce for gluten allergies.
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Ultimate Crispy Roasted Potatoes
If you’ve got guests who prefer their potatoes crispy over mashed (hi, me!), make these truly perfect spuds instead: thanks to a fun technique, they’re extra crunchy on the outside but oh-so buttery and creamy on the inside.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Sweet Chili-Ginger Brussels Sprouts
If you love Brussels sprouts but need fresh inspiration for serving them up, this one’s for you. The sprouts get roasted, then doused in a sticky, spicy and slightly sweet sauce with fresh ginger and garlic. Note: This recipe is the 2nd in the linked blog post.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Roasted Carrots & Dates with Pistachio Pesto
This feels like a gourmet side dish but it's made with everyday affordable ingredients. Sweet carrots and dates are roasted until caramelized, then plated over rich pistachio pesto and topped with spiced pepitas! Allergens: gluten-free but contains nuts (or swap pepitas for the pistachios in the pesto)
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Vegan Stuffing with Wild Mushrooms
Like the traditional dish, this savory vegan stuffing is tender, most, and just a little crunchy! Bake it in a traditional pan or use a Bundt pan to turn it into a stuffing wreath for a festive holiday centerpiece.Allergens: nut-free but contains gluten
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Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
If candied yams topped with marshmallows are cloyingly sweet for your adult taste buds, try this grownup alternative. Sweet potatoes are mashed with brown butter and warm spices, then baked with sweet-salty oat-nut crumble topping.Allergens: gluten-free; to replace pecans, use a mix of pepitas and thick coconut flakes.
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Warm Lentil Salad with Delicata Squash and Cilantro Cashew Cream
This hearty, warm, lettuce-free salad is proof that salads don’t have to be boring or skimpy—and is as beautiful to behold as it is to eat!Allergens: gluten-free but contains nuts
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Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Miso Tahini Butter
If traditional potato dishes don't get you excited, here's one you'll fall head over heels for! Fluffy yet dense and melt-in-your Japanese sweet potatoes are slathered with a savory miso-tahini butter that is to-die-for.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Roasted Beets
If you need a simple yet truly delicious side dish that brings color and vibrance to the table, look no further! The beets get a bit caramelized, a little chewy, and have so much great flavor. Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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The Best Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
The title says it all. Make this if you want creamy, cheesy, garlicky scalloped potatoes that melt in your mouth and put all other versions of scalloped potatoes you’ve ever eaten to shame.Allergens: nut-free; use gluten-free flour
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Maple Roasted Carrots
Where tradition meets elegance. Whole carrots are coated in a maple-butter glaze, then baked till browned, caramelized, sticky, and unforgettable.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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The Best Vegan Cornbread
I called this one “The Best Vegan Cornbread” but if you want the truth? It’s the best cornbread PERIOD, vegan or not. Crispy-crusted, buttery, moist, and caramelized around the edges, it deserves a spot of honor on your holiday table. Allergens: nut-free; check out the first FAQ for gluten-free swaps.
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Marvelous Main Dishes
The Best Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
This veganized holiday classic boasts a deeply savory lentil and onion filling beneath a pillowy layer of mashed potato and cauliflower. As reader Mimi puts it, “My family loves this dish so much! We’ve had it many times as the vegan main for Thanksgiving, but it’s also just too good to only have at Thanksgiving so it comes out several other times a year.”Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Vegan Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells
I’ve made this for multiple Thanksgivings/Christmases, and the reaction is always the same: “I can’t believe this is vegan!” The creamy cheesiness of the vegan ricotta spread + a garlic béchamel sauce that I would bathe in = the ultimate indulgent fall comfort food. Choose from the original easy version, or upgrade to the lux version featuring herb-infused milk and a garlic & leek béchamel 🤤Allergens: nut-free but contains gluten
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Unbelievable Vegan Wellington
Want to bring something meaty to the table without the actual meat? This one is a crowdpleasing option with flaky golden pastry encasing a savory lentil-mushroom filling. (And don’t be intimidated—the post includes detailed instructions and tons of photos to help you nail every step in the process!)Allergens: replace the walnuts with toasted sunflower seeds; contains gluten
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Cauliflower Steaks with Caramelized Shallots
Gourmet? Big time. Elegant? You bet. Aesthetically impressive? Oh yes. Make these herby tahini sauce-drizzled cauliflower steaks the main event of your Thanksgiving and get ready to rake in the compliments.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Creamy Lentil and Vegetable Bake
Want a wholesome vegan holiday entrée that actually tastes good? Try this bake featuring layers of sweet, caramelized roasted vegetables, creamy lentils, and rich cashew cream. Allergens: gluten-free but contains nuts
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Creamy Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
While not quite a traditional holiday dish, this creamy comfort food always impresses crowds. Mushroom-lovers will swoon over it—but the lusciousness of this dish has even been known to convert the mushroom averse (Exhibit A: My partner Max, a lifelong mushroom-hater, happily slurps this one up!).Allergens: nut-free but contains gluten
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Creamy Lentil Stuffed Butternut Squash
This is the entrée featured in my 5-Course Vegan Thanksgiving Menu because it sits in the Venn diagram of impressive, wholesome, and delicious. Roasted butternut squash gets stuffed with an umami-packed lentil filling, then drizzled in a creamy sauce (made from the scooped-out flesh!).Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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Vegan Moussaka
One of my personal go-tos for holiday meals! You can assemble it ahead of time and then watch your guests ooh and aah over its layers of roasted potatoes and eggplant, rich “meat” sauce, and indulgent vegan bechamel, all baked to creamy perfection.Allergens: gluten-free but contains nuts
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Decadent Desserts
Vegan Apple Crisp
Honestly? This is my pick for Greatest Fall Dessert Of All Time. Think: tender apple slices, baked with warm spices and a drizzle of maple syrup, crowned with a buttery oat-pecan streusel and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream…are you drooling yet? 🤤Allergens: check out the first and second FAQ for gluten and nut swaps
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Vegan Gingersnap Pumpkin Cream Tart
No offense to pumpkin pie, but I’ll take a pumpkin tart every time. It’s so much easier to make than pie crust, boasts a dimensional spiced flavor profile (in contrast to the many one-note pumpkin pies I’ve eaten), and you can make it ahead of time, reducing stress on Thanksgiving day! Allergens: gluten-free but contains nuts
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Apple Cinnamon Bundt Cake
Packed with warm cinnamon apple flavors, this light and airy cake is the best of both worlds—easy and impressive.Allergens: nut-free but contains gluten
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Vegan Salted Chocolate Cream Tart
If baking intimidates you or you simply don't have the oven space, this no-bake chocolate tart is the perfect dessert option. Rich, fudgy, and so easy to make.Allergens: gluten-free; check out the recipe card for nut allergy swaps
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Fluffy Vegan Gingerbread Cake
Featuring a homemade gingerbread spice blend and a vanilla cream sauce, this fluffy, tender cake will end the holiday celebration on a crowd-pleasing high note.Allergens: nut-free but contains gluten
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The Best Vegan Pumpkin Bread You’ll Ever Eat
Obviously this moist, tender loaf (topped with one of two options included in the blog post: a maple tahini drizzle or cream cheese frosting!) makes for a bangin’ dessert on Thanksgiving…but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that it’s also divine sliced up for breakfast the next morning!Allergens: nut-free but contains gluten
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Vegan Chocolate Mousse
I love this one for so many reasons: it’s decadent, it’s luxurious, it’s fancy-feeling and—maybe best of all—it’s so easy to whip up! Comes together in no time with a simple list of richly chocolatey ingredients.Allergens: gluten-free, nut-free
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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.
And don’t forget adding an acidic element; this butternut squash kale salad is a great choice, as is this fresh herb salad with sumac shallots (4th recipe card in the blog post).
Are there any good vegan Thanksgiving desserts?
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!
Want a Thanksgiving with Big Vegan Flavor?
If you have my cookbook, Big Vegan Flavor, here are lots of options that would work great for Thanksgiving!
🥬 Salads
- Shaved Carrot Salad with Pickled Shallots & Fresh Herbs (p. 371)
- Raw Beet Salad (p. 377)
🍠 Sides
- Roasted Butternut Wedges (p. 337) – so many serving options in the headnote!
- Quick Roasted Cauliflower (p. 342) – so many serving options in the headnote!
- Lemon-Garlic Brussels Sprouts with Rosemary (p. 334) – photo shown below
- Citrus-Braised Fennel with White Beans (p. 398)
- 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!
Are all the Thanksgiving recipes in your Big Vegan Cookbook?
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!
If you scroll up before the comments section, it lists the pages the recipes are on.
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!