A vegan Thanksgiving is easier and tastier than you may think. From stuffed and roasted squash to creamy mushroom gravy plus plenty of desserts, here’s a trove of tried-and-true, showstopping vegan recipes and soon-to-be classics for your next holiday.
Vegan Starters and Sides
Muhammara Spiced Red Pepper Dip
Keep the bright colors going by serving this fiery roasted red pepper dip with colorful slices of raw radishes, carrots, cucumbers and Romesco cauliflower.
Butternut Squash and Pecan Blini with Currant “Caviar”
Made with creamy butternut squash and hearty buckwheat, and topped with sweet currants, this modern take on blini is altogether simple and elegant.
Get the recipe: Butternut Squash and Pecan Blini with Currant “Caviar”
Warm Winter Greens Salad
For a variation on the typical green salad, try this warm winter version. Gently sautéed curly endive or escarole and radicchio create the base, while capers, olives, currants, pine nuts and orange zest make this salad dance in your mouth.
Harvest Stuffed Acorn Squash
Consider this side dish the picture of autumn’s bounty. Cranberries, apples, walnuts and sage flavor a delicious stuffing you eat while scooping out spoonfuls of sweet, tender acorn squash.
Roasted Squash with Harvest Chimichurri
This sweet, creamy squash becomes even more delicious with the crown jewel of garnishes: chimichurri sauce.
Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
A simple preparation for Brussels sprouts with delicious results. Try one of our tasty twists found in the recipe or have fun coming up with your own. The possibilities are endlessly tasty.
Vegan Cranberry and Apple Stuffing
We call for French bread as the base, but you can use your favorite sourdough, whole grain or gluten-free loaf.
Bulgur with Arugula, Pomegranate and Hazelnuts
Pomegranate seeds add beautiful color and juicy flavor to this simple grain salad balanced with peppery arugula and crunchy bits of celery.
Get the recipe: Bulgur with Arugula, Pomegranate and Hazelnuts
Tahini-Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These potatoes are rich and creamy without the addition of dairy ingredients. The flavor is classic enough to serve alongside any holiday roast, or increase the tahini by a tablespoon or two and pair them with Middle Eastern dishes in place of rice or couscous.
Orange-Cranberry Sauce
As an alternative to serving this bright, tart condiment with roasted turkey or chicken, stir a spoonful of it into a cup of yogurt or a tall smoothie for breakfast.
Blistered Green Beans with Shishitos and Maitake Mushrooms
Serve this as an alternative to green bean casserole at your holiday meal, or pair it with a simple main course. It’s delicious either warm or at room temperature.
Get the recipe: Blistered Green Beans with Shishitos and Maitake Mushrooms
Vegan Mains
Mushroom and Leek Pot Pies
These vegetarian pies are terrifically rich and satisfying thanks to a combination of boldly flavored vegetables topped with crisp, buttery puff pastry. Make these individual pot pies in large ramekins, or create one large pie if you prefer.
Butternut Squash and Macaroni Casserole
Coconut milk is the unexpected, rich and delicious ingredient in this creamy vegan casserole dish. Substitute pecans for the walnuts, if desired.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Tempeh
Sweet and savory, this side dish casserole is perfect for simple entertaining. Roasting the sweet potatoes brings out their inherent sweetness, while the marinated tempeh imparts a savory note with tamari, mirin, garlic and onion.
Winter Squash Stew with White Beans and Kale
In this recipe for a satisfying fall and winter stew, the parsley, thyme and bay leaves are tied into a bundle for easy removal from the pot later. Use this same method to flavor stocks and soups too.
Get the recipe: Winter Squash Stew with White Beans and Kale
Vegan Harvest Vegetable Tart
This celebratory tart stars mushrooms, leek, quinoa and two types of winter squash. Delicata squash doesn’t need to be peeled, making it a beautiful topper for the tart.
Celebration Lentil Loaf
This festive main course is rich and tasty on its own, but you can also pair it with Vegan Mushroom Gravy.
Vegan Mushroom Gravy
Serve over whole grains or mashed potatoes, or stir some into your favorite beans and greens for a hearty ragout.
Roasted Garlic and Parsnip Vegan Gravy
This unusual gravy gets wonderful depth of flavor and sweetness from roasted garlic and parsnip. You can prepare it up to three days ahead, refrigerate it and reheat it just before serving.
Vegan Desserts
Caramel Apple Pie Bars
Calling all apple lovers! Get ready for this fall-tastic vegan dessert that’ll have your guests asking for the recipe.
Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Pie
Silken tofu is a priceless ingredient when it comes to making smooth and creamy desserts like this one. This vegan pie will stand up well on any holiday dessert buffet. The crust recipe will yield enough for two pies; the extra can be frozen and used later.
Whipped Coconut Cream
This is a terrific alternative to dairy whipped cream as a garnish for fruit or desserts. A touch of sugar gives it a nice sweetness, but you can omit that if you like; leave out the vanilla as well, and you’ll have a wonderful savory garnish for chilled soups.
Simple Spiced Figs
Poaching figs in red wine, sherry vinegar, honey and cinnamon will instantly make your home smell luscious. Serve these warm or cold, alongside a green salad, or diced and spooned over vegan ice cream or pound cake.
Pumpkin Pecan Cookies
Toasted pecans are the foundation of this spiced oat cookie, sprinkled with cinnamon and cloves and scented with orange juice and zest. These cookies are tough to resist fresh from the oven ... so don’t. Dig in when they’re warm, or store them for snacking later.
Vegan Pumpkin Bread
With a light sweetness and fresh pumpkin flavor, try this bread for a quick snack or breakfast on the go. Slice and spread your favorite nut butter or jam on top.
