Cooking a vegan Thanksgiving feast is easy when you have this list of delicious vegan Thanksgiving recipes + a day by day schedule to follow! All the recipes you'll need from appetizers to dessert + tips to host a stress-free Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it but there's no need to stress when you have this list of delicious vegan recipes that you can make for your Thanksgiving dinner!
Just in case you're planning ahead and Halloween hasn't even passed yet, here's my list of 51 Vegan Halloween Recipes!
We're so lucky to be vegan in this day and age, because there are delish vegan recipes for all of your favorite classic Thanksgiving recipes! We don't have to miss out on anything anymore!
There's even a bunch of options for a vegan turkey replacement. (Keep reading to find out which store-bought vegan turkey substitute I think is the best!)
Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving at your house, having a vegan Thanksgiving dinner for one at home, bringing a dish (or two) to your family gathering, or going to a vegan Thanksgiving potluck with all of your vegan friends, this list has all the BEST vegan Thanksgiving recipes for you!
What Do Vegan People Eat on Thanksgiving?
A traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and some type of dessert.
Luckily, I've found the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes to replace all of these traditional recipes. Vegans can eat everything that I listed above because there is a compassionate veganized recipe for each traditional dish.
That means that we can also enjoy vegan turkey, vegan stuffing, vegan mashed potatoes, vegan gravy, vegan cornbread, vegan cranberry sauce, vegan green bean casserole, vegan sweet potato casserole, and vegan desserts too!
What is a Vegan Turkey?
A store-bought vegan turkey is made of soy or wheat gluten, depending on what brand you purchase. A vegan turkey doesn't look like the roasted turkey that you associate with Thanksgiving dinner because it doesn't have any bones or skin. It's usually formed into a loaf shape that you can slice and enjoy.
Which is the Best Vegan Roast?
I've tried a lot of vegan roasts over the years. We usually try a new one each Thanksgiving and then end up buying one of our favorites to serve for Christmas dinner.
Some aren't very good at all, but a few are absolutely delicious! Of all the vegan roasts that I tried, there are three that meet all my requirements.
- It's flavorful + moist
- It actually looks like a piece of turkey with stuffing
- The stuffing in the middle is tasty
- Prep work only includes baking it
- The texture is very "meat-like"
- Not too expensive
Instead of only picking my #1 favorite, I decided to share my top three favorite options in case you weren't able to find it at your local store. All three of of these roasts are delicious and make the perfect main course for your Thanksgiving dinner!
- Gardein Holiday Roast
- Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast
- Field Roast Celebration Roast
My only complaint was that I didn't like the gravy packets that came with any of the roasts. The flavor just wasn't there for me. So, I made my own vegan gravy to go with it and it was delicious!
What Can I Make For Thanksgiving Dinner Instead of Turkey?
If you're not into a "fake meat" vegan turkey replacement or you don't want to deal with the tofurky jokes from your non-vegan family, here are some tried and true vegan recipes that could easily be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner!
- Lentil Mushroom Loaf
- Vegan Lasagna
- Vegan Spanakopita
- Mushroom Wellington
- Chickpea & Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Ultimate List of Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
The following list of vegan Thanksgiving recipes has everything you could possibly need to prepare the ultimate vegan Thanksgiving dinner menu for your friends and family! I also included my personal vegan Thanksgiving menu (that I use when hosting) at the end of the post if you need some inspiration.
After you read through this list of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes, start thinking about planning your vegan Christmas dinner menu next!
Vegan Thanksgiving Starters
Start your vegan Thanksgiving dinner off right with delicious appetizers like spinach artichoke dip, pumpkin soup, festive salads, or a vegan charcuterie board!
This festive vegan salad is the perfect side dish to serve with your holiday meal! Loaded with arugula, nutty wild rice, roasted pecans, juicy pomegranate arils, green onions, tart dried cherries, and tangy garlic dijon dressing; this hearty gluten-free salad is a major crowd pleaser!
The combination of pumpkin puree, sweet potato, red lentils, fresh ginger, and coconut milk is incredibly delicious and festive! This recipe is free of dairy and gluten and it's ready to eat in about one hour!
This oil-free roasted acorn squash hummus is creamy, sweet, and smoky! It's a delicious Fall-inspired snack or starter.
This is the best vegan spinach and artichoke dip ever! It's loaded with spinach, artichoke hearts, lots of garlic, and a creamy cashew sauce.
Fresh carrots, ginger, sweet potatoes, and coconut milk come together to create a rich and creamy soup that's bursting with flavor! This vegan carrot ginger soup is so vibrant that it looks like liquid gold!
This Mediterranean Farro Salad recipe is a healthy side dish or vegan entrée using artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives in a homemade champagne vinaigrette. Easy to make and ready to eat in 30 minutes!
Spicy Kale and Chipotle Chickpea and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Chipotle roasted chickpeas and butternut squash salad over a bed of massaged kale and topped with a handful of pumpkin seeds. Enjoy fresh, hot out of the over or cold leftovers throughout the week!
A fun fall-themed hummus dip that's easily made using a food processor.
The texture is bright and crunchy, with the sweet and salty flavours coming together beautifully to create a salad you won’t be able to get enough of!
Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes
You can't have a vegan Thanksgiving dinner menu without having lots of classic side dishes, like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese! All of the traditional sides that we all know and love have been veganized to perfection!
This truly is the best vegan mushroom gravy that you'll want to slather over everything and serve at every holiday meal! This vegan gravy is easy to make in just 30 minutes and it requires only 10 ingredients!
This dairy free mac and cheese recipe is the only one you'll ever need because it's the real deal! It's super creamy, extra cheesy, kid-friendly, non-vegan approved, and it's ready in 30 minutes!
This vegan brussels sprouts recipe is going to be your new favorite side dish! These little cabbages are super tender, they're coated in a tangy maple balsamic sauce, and they have the most delicious crispy, caramelized edges!
This pumpkin pasta sauce is a cozy meal that you can make tonight for dinner in just 20 minutes! Fresh sage leaves, pumpkin puree, and a creamy coconut base gives this pasta the most decadent flavor!
This delicious vegan pesto veggie bake is easy to make, surprisingly quick to assemble, and it's so IMPRESSIVE! This beautiful and healthy side dish is perfect to make for the holidays.
Spicy Rosemary Butternut Squash is a super easy less than 30 minute side dish that works perfectly as part of an autumn meal.
Cranberry Sauce is a favorite, delicious, super easy recipe that is perfect for your holiday table or everyday occasions! Just a few ingredients are needed, about ten minutes and your house will have the aroma of the festive holidays.
Looking for a great side to your vegan Thanksgiving feast? These Cumin Spiced Carrots will do the job nicely!
These simple skillet green beans are a perfect healthy side dish. All you need is a pile of fresh string beans, one pot, garlic, olive oil and a little spice!
This quick and easy Steamed Garlic and Herb Butternut Squash recipe is an fast and flavorful side dish to add to your menu. It can be made entirely on the stovetop!
Vegan Thanksgiving Stuffing & Casseroles
Round out your vegan Thanksgiving dinner with a one or two of these delicious and hearty casseroles!
Every bite of these cheesy vegan scalloped potatoes are super creamy and loaded with spinach! Complete your weeknight dinner or holiday meal and impress your family with this decadent oil-free and gluten-free side dish!
Mashed Cauliflower Green Bean Casserole with just 6 ingredients and made in 3 easy steps. Treat yourself to the best delicious vegan comfort food ever.
This Pumpkin Casserole is a great way to put a veggie-filled dish on the holiday table. This plant-based recipe is so creamy and tasty that no one will even realize how healthy it is!
This vegan and keto stuffing uses simple ingredients, but cooks up into an ultra savory dish that even traditional stuffing lovers will appreciate — all with no bread whatsoever.
This Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole is made with warming spices, rich maple syrup, and a crunchy oat crumble.
Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts
No vegan holiday meal is complete without a crowd-pleasing vegan Thanksgiving dessert!
Pumpkin Layer Cake with chai spices, a thin layer of pumpkin cashew filling, and topped off with creamy dairy free cinnamon buttercream frosting. It will delight your senses. The perfect fall dessert!
This Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake is so delicious, rich, and creamy, the perfect dessert for your holiday table this fall. It’s a definite crowd-pleaser!
Tips For Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
- Prep in advance. The most important tip that I can give you is to start prepping days in advance, don't wait till the day before or the day of! You want to enjoy the holiday and not be running around like crazy, so try to prep in advance as much as you can.
- Plan the menu. Start looking for recipes a few weeks in advance. I wrote out a timeline below of the week leading up to Thanksgiving below to help you prepare.
- Use tried and true vegan recipes. Don't make a brand new recipe on the big day, always test it out before the holiday just in case you don't like it.
- Ask guests to bring a dish. You can take a lot of stress of yourself if you ask whoever is coming over to bring a dish! Appetizers and desserts are the easiest because they could pick something up from the store if they didn't want to make it from scratch.
- Outsource some recipes. If you're feeling anxious and overwhelmed about doing all of this (hello, welcome to my life!), it's completely okay to order food to pick up. You can pick up a veggie tray from Costco (it's huge!) for an easy appetizer or you could skip all the work and order a Whole Foods vegan Thanksgiving dinner TOGO! They even have vegan pies and cakes if you don't have a local vegan bakery to order from.
- Ask for help! When people start arriving, ask them to help you with something! That way it feels like a team effort to get the meal on the table. I actually love when hosts ask me to help because sometimes I feel a little awkward at first so it gives me a way to interact and get involved. Don't feel bad asking for help!
- Let guests help clean up. Once the meal is over, ask for help cleaning up. Often times, people want to help but don't know what you need to be done. So if you say that you specifically need help clearing the table or loading the dishwasher, then they'll be more likely to help you where you really need it.
Thanksgiving Cooking Schedule
Saturday - If they're not already out, pull out your Thanksgiving decorations and decorate. Also, pull out the table decor, plates, linens, glasses, and silverware that you'll be using for Thanksgiving and wash it now so you can just grab it and lay it out on Thursday.
Sunday - Go over all the recipes that you plan on making and make one large grocery list on your phone, just in case you tend to leave paper lists on the kitchen counter like I do.
Also, look over the sales flyer and decide which grocery store you'll be going to. Don't forget your reusable produce bags (these are the sturdy produce bags that I use and LOVE)!
Monday - Beat the crowds and go grocery shopping! I used to work in a grocery store and while Monday is still a busy day, Tuesday and Wednesday are much busier during Thanksgiving week.
Tuesday - Start cooking anything that will last a few days in the fridge, like spinach artichoke dip or mushroom gravy. Recipes like these are just as delicious when you heat them up on the big day! Also, start cleaning the house today.
Wednesday - Finish cleaning the house and continue to cook any side dishes that can be made ahead of time. Prep anything you can, like washing lettuce for a salad or chopping vegetables.
If you decide to order any store-bought desserts, arrange to pick them up today! Most stores will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Also, make a list of everything that needs to be done the next day and a list of all the dishes you'll be serving. One time, I left the spinach artichoke dip in the fridge (that I made in advance) and forgot to serve it. If I'd had a list that wouldn't have happened!
If you're making a store-bought vegan turkey, some of them need to be defrosted overnight, so make sure you check the box and pop it into the fridge to thaw if necessary.
Thursday (Thanksgiving) - Get up early and make one final sweep of the house. Set the table and get started on any dishes that need to be prepared the day of.
Remember to put the vegan turkey in the oven before everyone comes over but it takes a lot less time to cook than a real turkey does, so plan accordingly.
Friday - Relax, you deserve it after all of that hard work!
My Menu + Prep Notes
This is my personal vegan Thanksgiving menu that I make for my family.
- Vegan Roast (one of the three I listed above) - This needs to be cooked fresh the day of so the coating is crisp.
- Spinach Artichoke Dip - You can make this the day before, it reheats really well.
- Cranberry Sauce - You can make this a few days before.
- Vegan Mac and Cheese - Make this the day of so the sauce stays "saucy." If you need to make it the day before, make sure you add additional vegetable broth or water to the sauce to loosen it up.
- Mashed Potatoes with Mushroom Gravy - Make the mashed potatoes the day before or early the day of and keep it warm in a crockpot until dinner. Make the gravy the 1-2 days before and reheat for dinner.
- Mediterranean Farro Salad - You can make this the day before and serve it hot or cold.
- Spicy Rosemary Butternut Squash - This dish can be made up to 3 days in advance and then reheated.
- Roasted Balsamic Brussel Sprouts - I don't like the flavor of reheated brussel sprouts, so I always make these fresh if possible.
- Mashed Cauliflower Green Bean Casserole - Prepare this right before dinner so the topping stays crisp.
- Chai Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake
I hope you enjoy these vegan Thanksgiving recipes and can mix n' match them to create the perfect Thanksgiving menu for your family!
If you try any of these vegan Thanksgiving dinner ideas, please remember to post a picture on Instagram and tag me @Stacey_Homemaker and use the hashtag #StaceyHomemaker so I can see your meal!
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious vegan recipes!
Wow this all looks so amazing. This is my first year being vegan with my husband so this will also be my first time cooking a vegan Thanksgiving dinner. I'm nervous and excited!! I'm going to follow these recipes and your meal plan through out the week! Thank you for posting this, I'm very eager to try it out.
I'm so happy the recipes are helpful to you! Enjoy!
Hi Stacey,
This is the Thanksgiving blog post I've been dreaming of. Hosting this year for the first time and your recipes with schedule combo is going to be beyond helpful to this very amateur hostess. If going totally by the book with your recommendations - when do you recommend making the mac and cheese - like right before dinner?
Hey Michelle! I'm so happy that the menu and tips are helping you! You could make the macaroni and cheese fresh right before you're ready to serve but that could be stressful if you're prepping other dishes at the same time.
I think either of these options would work best for you! 1) Make the mac and cheese 1-2 days prior and then just add about 1/2 - 1 cup (maybe more) of unsweetened coconut milk (or whatever plant milk you prefer) to the pasta when you reheat it. That will help the sauce to loosen up.
2) You can make the cheese sauce ahead of time (make it now and freeze it or make it a few days prior and refrigerate it) and then just warm it up and add it to the hot noodles right before you want to serve it. This is my favorite option because it tastes like you made the pasta fresh! The sauce freezes really well, so you could make it today and knock one dish off your list! That's what I'm doing =)
Hope that helps! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions! Happy Thanksgiving!
Alrighty then! Google lured me to this page and your great looking recipes kept me here. Will be trying several of these this Thanksgiving.
I'm so glad you found my website, Craig! Welcome! Enjoy the recipes and Happy early Thanksgiving!
I’m really excited about making this fabulous feast this Thanksgiving. This will be the first year to have a completely VEGAN spread. The anticipation is actually, bliss.
Thank you, Stacey.
That's wonderful, Andrea! I'm sure it's going to be incredible! Happy Thanksgiving!
All of these recipes look so yummy! I'm going to use a bunch of them for my Thanksgiving spread this year. Thank you compiling this list and for labeling which recipes were vegan AND gluten-free! That was very helpful and it saved me a lot of time! I'm also going to use your schedule to plan out my week. Thank you very much!
Thank you! Happy to help!
What a fabulous round up! I thought I had my menu complete, but after seeing this, I need to add several items 🙂
Thank you, I'm so happy the list was helpful to you! Happy Thanksgiving =)
Hi Stacey. Is the mac n cheese considered vegan even though it uses pasta?
Yes, it's vegan as long as your pasta is vegan. Don't use egg noodles or anything with dairy.
Hi Stacey! This is the perfect Thanksgiving Round up! All those recipes look so good I wish I could make every single one of them! Thank you for including our Cumin Spiced Carrots!
Thank you, Katie!!
What a fantastic roundup and all these recipes look amazing!!! Already picked out the spicy butternut squash to add to my Thanksgiving menu tomorrow 🙂 Thank you so much for including my farro salad and hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Karrie!
What a delicious menu! What time are you serving? LOL! Thanks for including my Chai Pumpkin Cake. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving, Jenn! Thank you!