An easy to follow vegan Thanksgiving recipes menu like you’ve never seen before. Prep tips, step by step guide and a shopping list to make the perfect meal!
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
How is it Thanksgiving without a turkey? Ever heard that one before? I have. And then they come over and eat until they need to roll themselves out the door from full belly satisfaction.
What do vegans eat on Thanksgiving instead of turkey?
There are so many things to eat instead of turkey! So many amazingly delicious things. From sides, to main courses, there is no limit to the deliciousness that will fill everyone’s belly.
I am giving you a list of my favorites here, and I am also giving some subs in case you can’t have something in one of these. So basically, you are covered. However, if you do choose to make one of the alternatives, don’t forget to change the shopping list!
What do vegans eat on Thanksgiving?
Here is my list of vegan Thanksgiving recipes that will wow your crown. The important thing here is that you must follow the directions.
I have tips and tricks, things I did to make this easier so that planning, cooking and delivering an out of this world vegan Thanksgiving dinner happens in your house this year. Follow the directions in the recipe card below to plan, prep and serve all the delicious goodies on the big day!
Vegan appetizer recipes
Roasted Carrot White Bean Hummus
Easy to make but with a fancy feel, this roasted carrot hummus is the perfect party appetizer! The flavor is unreal! Serve this with your favorite crackers and the masses won’t be bugging you about the main meal.
If you don’t like carrots, or want another type of vegan appetizer, try one of these:
Vegan side recipes
Smokey Maple Roasted Carrots with Lemon Thyme Drizzle
The perfect easy to throw together side dish that will help bring some calm to the craziness of the season! It’s healthy, packed with flavor and drizzled with a sauce that will make you lick your plate clean. This is an easy add on since you’re already buying carrots for your appetizer.
A creamy, filling low carb recipe without all the added saturated fat and bloated feeling! This vegan scalloped cauliflower needs to be on your holiday list! I love potatoes and all, but this allows you to gorge on the pasta main course all that much more.
Protein Packed Vegan Thanksgiving Stuffing
Crispy on the outside, soft yet not mushy on the inside, perfectly flavored and full of protein! This vegan Thanksgiving stuffing is a flavor bomb like no other! You will never make another stuffing again. Use my favorite bread, or another dense and hearty bread of choice, either way, this is filed with incredible flavors.
Here are some other sides we love, all just as delicious as the ones above:
Vegan main course recipes
Sharp White Mac and Cheese Bake
A normally unhealthy dish gets a whole food based makeover. This vegan sharp white mac and cheese bake is as creamy and delicious as it’s dairy counterpart!
Here are some other main course ideas if you don’t want pasta (but why though? LOL):
- Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers
- Baked Lima Beans
- Vegan Vegetable Lasagna
- Zucchini Ravioli
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Vegan Moussaka
Vegan dessert recipes
Simple Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust
An easy to make super creamy and smooth vegan pumpkin pie all wrapped up in a pecan crust. Plant-based, vegan and refined sugar free. A dream come true! Serve with or without whipped topping. It’s insane!
I have so many great desserts for Thanksgiving, I don’t even know where to start! Here are the top readers favorites:
- Baked Cinnamon Sugar Donuts
- Baked Apple Crisp
- Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
- Layered Pumpkin Dessert
- Apple Pecan Pie in a Jar
- Pumpkin Caramel Pie in a Jar
- Cranberry Crumble Oatmeal Bars
Prepping Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
In order to get a whole meal ready with success, you need to prep and be organized. So I am giving you all my tips and tricks to get these recipes ready and out to your guests in the least stressful way possible.
Don’t forget if you use an alternative suggestion, you will need to adjust the shopping list and prep work.
Day before Thanksgiving (you can also break this up into two days):
- Make hummus.
- While you are chopping the veggies for the hummus, chop the veggies for the stuffing and slice the cauliflower for the Scalloped Cauliflower.
- Cut bread into pieces for stuffing and set it on the counter to dry out.
- Make vegan Parmesan. Store in freezer.
- Make Lemon Thyme Sauce.
- Make crispy topping for both the cauliflower and pasta bake. Store in a glass container on the counter.
- Make pie. Cool completely then cover with foil and store on the counter.
Thanksgiving morning:
- Finish the stuffing.
- Make the Smoky Maple Carrots.
- Make the Scalloped Cauliflower. Reuse the dirty blender to make the cheese sauce for the pasta.
- Make the pasta bake.
- Have a glass of wine and enjoy!
What do I do with nosey family members?
You feed them. You will always have people that question your food choices. But I have NEVER had anyone leave my house hungry, even the most skeptical people.
So see below for my complete shopping list, that includes all the instructions on when and how to prepare everything so that you don’t end up throwing the pie against the wall in frustration (there really are better ways to let off steam than wasting pie).
- 1 head cauliflower
- 4 medium/large potatoes
- 33 large orange carrots
- 2 medium yellow carrots (you can use all orange carrots or sub 5 baby carrots for the yellow but your cheese sauce won't be white)
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/3 of a medium yellow pepper
- 2 tablespoons shallots , chopped
- 1 small sweet onion
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 5 dates
- 19 teaspoons lemon juice (6 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon)
- 16 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley , chopped (Italian, flat leaf)
- 6 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1 can cooked white beans (great northern)
- 2 cans cooked chickpeas
- 1 can pumpkin puree (15 ounces)
- 1 can full fat coconut milk (plus optional 2 cans for coco whip)
- 4 tablespoons sea salt
- 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 3/4 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 3 1/4 teaspoons ground mustard seed
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fennel seed
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 6 tablespoons coconut butter (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons, or 1 bag shredded unsweetened coconut to make your own)
- 14 tablespoons coconut palm sugar (3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons, plus optional 1/4 cup for coco whip)
- 9 tablespoons maple syrup (1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
- 3 cups veggie broth , low sodium if needed
- 5 3/4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons chickpea miso (see notes in pasta recipe on omitting)
- 1 cup raw pecans
- 3 1/4 cups raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 5 tablespoons pine nuts (can sub with walnuts)
- 11 tablespoons hemp seeds (1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons)
- 6 pieces dense dinner rolls/bagels/buns (gluten free if needed, I use Ozery Bakery One Buns)
- 10 tablespoons breadcrumbs (gluten free if needed, or 5 slices toasted bread to make your own)
- 24 ounces your favorite pasta (gluten free if needed, not spaghetti style)
- You favorite crackers for hummus appetizer (gluten free if needed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cashew or almond milk
- 6 tablespoons olive oil (to saute plus for hummus)
- 4 tablespoons chopped roasted red pepper (optional garnish for hummus)
- 1/4 cup white wine (for stuffing)
- Store bought coco whip if not making your own
- Make hummus. While you are chopping the veggies for the hummus, chop the veggies for the stuffing and slice the cauliflower for the Scalloped Cauliflower.
- Cut bread into pieces for stuffing and set it on the counter to dry out.
- Make vegan Parmesan. Store in freezer.
- Make Lemon Thyme Sauce.
- Make crispy topping for both the cauliflower and pasta bake. Store in a glass container on the counter.
- Make pie. Cool completely then cover with foil and store on the counter.
- Finish the stuffing.
- Make the Smoky Maple Carrots.
- Make the Scalloped Cauliflower. Reuse the dirty blender to make the cheese sauce for the pasta.
- Make the pasta bake.
- Have a glass of wine and enjoy!
- You can adjust this for however many guests you have.
- Nutrition info is calculated using general items and will change based on the brand and type of each item you use.
Emily Kemp says
I’m eyeing up that pumpkin pie and it’s only March haha these all look absolutely delicious!
veggiesdontbite says
Haha! Anytime is good for pie!
Brumby says
I wish people wouldn’t rate a recipe before they make it, it is misleading! Yes it all looks delicious but you can leave a comment without a rating! 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
While I appreciate your insight I feel like others are able to do what they please in regards to comments and ratings. There really is not rule as to what the rating indicates and perhaps for some it indicates what they think of it and the draw overall. I appreciate all of my readers and comments (as long as they are respectful that is).
Alyssa Shibata says
I plan on doing this for Christmas dinner! So excited. I can’t find anywhere how many people this meal plan serves. I’m having 10 people over on Christmas. Do I need to double down on ingredients?
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Alyssa! Yes, so sorry I am in the process of converting all my recipes to a new plugin that offers so much more, but unfortunately some of the info did not transfer correctly. Thanks so much for leaving me a note, I went through this post and fixed it for you! Please let me know if you see mistakes in any of the other recipes and I will fix them!
Sarah Newman says
I love this spread, and how helpful that you’ve combined the shopping list and notes on prep! I’ve got my eye on that scalloped cauliflower and baked macaroni for xmas now – looks like an amazing combo!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Sarah!! Yes, I make many of these for Christmas too!
Strength and Sunshine says
I love whipping up all the Thanksgiving dishes!
The Vegan 8 says
I think it is so awesome that you shared this very time-consuming thanksgiving dinner plan! I know it took you probably a lot of time to put it together with your schedule, so it was very kind of you to do it! I’m sure so many had an easier and delicious Thanksgiving thanks to you! You rock and even though it’s past Thanksgiving now, I don’t care, I still want to shove all of this yumminess in my face!
Jasmine says
What an amazing spread for Thanksgiving, I am especially eyeing the roasted carrot hummus!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
What a delicious feast! I love the variety!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Love this thanksgiving spread!! Any meal plan with mac n cheese on the list is a fav by me! and that hummus!!!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Anjali!! Yep, that’s typically our main because….creamy mac!! Have a great Thanksgiving!
Tracy Koslicki says
Wow! This is soooo great. I wish I would have known this a couple of years ago when we had some vegans over for Thanksgiving! What a perfect step by step!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Tracy! I bring these to the table every year and they are the first to go at our non vegan Thanksgivings! Ha!
Diana says
Oh my God now that’s a vegan heaven! Everything looks sooo amazing! I’m not vegan nor vegetarian, but 80% of my food is vegan, and I’m looking to learn how to cook more vegan dishes so I’m bookmarking this as you shared so many great ideas here.
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Diana!! It’s really easy to have vegan food by default. It’s just yummy recipes that happen to not have animal products. If you ever need any help or ideas for more vegan dishes I’m always here!
Lois. O says
That white mac and cheese bake is giving me life!! I’ve already prepared my shopping list but I just might sneak that in there somewhere..
veggiesdontbite says
Ha! Thank you Lois! I’m a creamy baked casserole lover!!
Hope says
Everything on here looks delicious! I love the look of the roasted carrot white bean hummus – what a great appetizer!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks hope!! The hummus is my new favorite go to snack! The flavors are so good together!
Jill says
I’m not at all vegan but these photos are making me think it’s not so bad. All the recipes look absolutely delicious! I’ll be checking out that hummus for sure.
veggiesdontbite says
It’s not even close to not so bad! It’s pure and utter indulgence every day! LOL!! Thank you!!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
I am not vegan but I always want to have options for my vegan guests. The carrots and the pie (of course) look amazing. I think anyone vegan or not would enjoy all of this deliciousness!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Karen! Yep, I just bring it all to the feast and love watching everyone devour it not even knowing it’s vegan.
Cindy @ The Sweet Nerd says
I love how creamy everything looks and sounds. That’s incredible that you get that in there. Veganism has never looked better!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Cindy! Creamy is where it’s at!
Dinorah says
Thanks so much! Hosting a holiday dinner is so nerve-racking for me with “mixed” company. I’m always afraid of disappointing my meat-eating relatives.
veggiesdontbite says
Oh I am sure you will not get any complaints here! I love that the people that act annoyed the most end of devouring my food. HAHAHA!
Emilie says
Wow, I have to make that carrot/white bean hummus!
veggiesdontbite says
Yes!!! You’d love it. The flavor combination is so good!
Johanna M Woodbury says
It’s too bad you didn’t send this out sooner, because I’ve already started amassing all the ingredients for all the random recipes that I’m going to make for Thanksgiving. This looks like an amazing spread! Do you think you could get it out earlier next year? If you have any ideas for Christmas and New Year’s, would you please send it out a little sooner? Happy vegan Holidays to you and yours!
veggiesdontbite says
Oh darn! So sorry to have missed it by a few days! It was on my list to do a while back but with 3 young kids, a husband who was gone for a week then as soon as he got home had to get surgery, taking care of him during recovery all while managing the kids lives I just wasn’t able to pull it off until now. The good news, is that it will still be here for next year, and I will definitely be sending out reminders! I haven’t decided yet if I am going to do a Christmas meal plan, but I will definitely send out Christmas dinner ideas to my email subscribers so stay tuned! Happy holidays, I’m sure your pieced together dinner will be amazing!