Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays to cook for. I love the feeling of putting together a table filled with cozy, colorful dishes made with all of the seasonal ingredients that make this time of year so special. And for me, a memorable Thanksgiving meal doesn’t need to revolve around meat!
Over the years, I’ve collected quite a few vegetarian recipes that I come back to again and again for the holiday. From hearty meatless mains to easy mocktails, fresh salads, and festive sides, these are some of my favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes from over the years. Whether you’re planning a completely vegetarian Thanksgiving or looking to add a few new dishes to your usual menu, I hope you find something here that makes its way onto your holiday table!
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Appetizer Recipes
Spiced Pecans with Rosemary
Made on the stovetop without using up any valuable oven space, these spiced pecans always disappear very quickly in my house! Each pecan is coated in a craveworthy combination of maple syrup, spices, rosemary, and flaky sea salt. Set these pecans out in a pretty bowl or make them part of a larger nibble board alongside fresh fruit, crackers, cheese, and cranberry orange marmalade (recipe below). Head here for the recipe.
Baked Feta Dip with Pear and Walnuts
This low-effort Thanksgiving appetizer is ready in about 30 minutes with minimal hands-on time! A block of feta cheese is baked with sliced pears, walnuts, dates, honey, and orange until soft and creamy. Try out the recipe for this vegetarian appetizer here.
Mocktail Recipes
Cranberry Mocktail with Blood Orange and Ginger Beer
The ruby hue of this easy cranberry mocktail is incredibly festive and it comes together with just 4 main ingredients in 5 minutes or less. Plus, I’ve included batching instructions in the post if you’d like to whip up a large pitcher for a crowd! It’s sweet and tart with a little ginger spice and I think you’ll love it so head here to make the recipe.
Apple Cider Mule Mocktail
Just 4 ingredients and a couple of minutes are all you need to whip up this easy apple mocktail! Sweet and crisp apple cider is mixed with spicy ginger beer, freshly squeezed lime juice and a little splash of vanilla for warmth and max cozy vibes. You’re definitely going to want to add this one to your menu so head over here for the recipe.
Grapefruit Rosemary Mocktail
This might be my favorite mocktail on the blog! I really love the combination of tart and slightly bitter grapefruit with piney rosemary, especially during the holidays and colder months. This one is made in a cocktail shaker in order to impart the flavor from the rosemary but if you don’t have one, a mason jar and a lid work just fine! Head here to try the recipe.
Side Dish Recipes
Roasted Kabocha with Burrata and Spiced Honey
If you’re really trying to edit down the number of dishes you’re making, or you’re short on kitchen space, I highly recommend adding this roasted kabocha to the list. It’s really easy to make since the only cooking involved is roasting the squash. Plus, it looks absolutely gorgeous layered on a platter and is really darn delicious! Check out the full recipe here.
Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
These easy brown butter mashed potatoes have been my go-to mashed potatoes for several years! Butter is browned and infused with rosemary and sage then mashed with tender golden potatoes, parmesan, and just enough milk to keep them extra creamy. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making this mashed potato recipe on repeat!
Golden Beet and Fennel Gratin with Hazelnut Breadcrumbs
This vegetarian gratin is a bit of a wild card because people tend to be very divided when it comes to beets but trust me when I say it is SO GOOD! The beets and fennel get super tender in the oven while the hazelnut breadcrumbs stay nice and crisp. If you just can’t get past the beets, sub in thinly sliced potatoes instead! Head here for the full recipe.
Braised Hakurei Turnips with Maple and Miso
If you want a more seasonal side dish with local produce, you have to try these braised turnips! Sweet and crunchy Hakurei turnips are braised on the stovetop in a miso, maple, and ginger-flecked broth until perfectly tender. This turnip recipe is a little unexpected but so incredibly delicious!
Cranberry Orange Marmalade
I developed this marmalade recipe over 13 years ago when Sweet Miscellany was just me in a tent selling baked goods at the farmers market. It’s so good that I STILL make it every Thanksgiving! My favorite part is the chopped whole orange that goes into the mix — it adds texture and mega orange flavor that pairs really well with the cranberries. This one can be made well in advance and kept in the fridge or added to jars and canned for even longer storage. Head here to check it out!
Gluten Free Sweet Potato Corn Muffins (vegan)
Ready in about 30 minutes with just 10 ingredients, these gluten free corn muffins are perfect for a Thanksgiving feast! A mix of cornmeal and gluten free flour forms the base while sweet potato puree lends a subtle sweetness. Head here to try this longtime family favorite!
Salad Recipes
Warm Kale and Lentil Salad with Lemon Rosemary Dressing
This warm kale salad is my FAVORITE kale salad! This warm version with roasted root veggies, pecans, lentils, and a creamy dreamy lemon rosemary dressing is so perfect for autumnal meals, especially Thanksgiving. While it’s great when served warm, it can absolutely be enjoyed at room temperature as oven space is always at a premium on Thanksgiving. Pop over to the full recipe here.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Roasted Delicata
Salads shouldn’t be a boring afterthought! This shaved Brussels sprouts salad packs together several delicious fall flavors along with a tangy balsamic dressing. There’s minimal cooking involved that can be done a day or two before to free up oven space. Plus, the leftovers don’t get all wilty and the flavor only improves the next day! Try this one here.
Fall Kale Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata
Tossed in a homemade vegetarian Caesar dressing and topped with nutty and sweet roasted delicata squash, this kale salad is perfect for a holiday spread. Massaged kale forms the base of this Thanksgiving salad while a toasted breadcrumb and pumpkin seed mixture lends crunch. Head here to try the recipe!
Meatless Main Dish Recipes
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Black Lentils (vegan)
I think meatless main dishes are always the hardest to find aside from the usual “tofurkey” adjacent options. So, I humbly present these stuffed portobello mushrooms caps for your consideration! They are layered with so many delicious, savory flavors like leeks, herbes de Provence, tomato paste, and walnuts. Though I love them best with peppery black lentils, you can save on cook and prep time by using canned lentils. The full recipe awaits you here!
Cabbage Steaks with Tempeh Bacon Bits and Creamy Dijon Sauce
Cabbage is such an underused vegetable so I knew I wanted to elevate it to 5-star main dish status. For this vegetarian main dish it is sliced into thick “steaks” then roasted until super tender and beginning to caramelize. Each steak gets a drizzle of creamy and tangy Dijon sauce and a healthy sprinkle of smoky and salty tempeh bacon bits. This one takes a bit of extra time between the three different elements but it is so worth it! Try the recipe here.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Mushrooms and Fennel (vegan)
Stuffed with a savory mixture of fennel, mushrooms, pecans, rice, and lentils, these stuffed acorn squash make an absolutely beautiful meatless main dish! They’re ready in about an hour and are both gluten free and vegan if you’re cooking for those with dietary restrictions. Check out the full recipe here.
Dessert Recipes
Apple Crumble Bars with Salted Date Caramel Drizzle
If you don’t want the added effort of making a homemade pie but still want a dessert with all of those cozy flavors, I highly recommend trying these apple crumble bars! These can easily be made vegan or gluten free as needed with some very simple swaps. Plus, they’re drizzled with a homemade salted date caramel which honestly should be reason enough to make them! Head here for the recipe.
French Apple Cake with Cardamom and Lemon
How about another no-fuss apple dessert? This French apple cake is positively PACKED with tender apple pieces and comes together with just 11 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time. It can be served warm or at room temperature depending on what works best for your oven schedule on Thanksgiving. You can find the recipe for this easy apple cake here.
Gluten Free Cranberry Crumble Bars
Made with a buttery gluten free shortbread base, these cranberry crumble bars are the perfect combination of sweet, buttery, and tart! They come together with 20 minutes of hands-on prep and about an hour of combined oven time and are drizzled with an easy mandarin orange glaze once cool. Head here to try the recipe!
Love this roundup, so many hearty options that don’t feel like ‘sides.’ I’m planning a veggie main this year; the salads and greens dishes and make-ahead tips are exactly what I needed!
So happy you found the roundup helpful! I hope you have a lovely holiday meal!
I love this collection of recipes! My sister’s family is vegetarian, and I needed some main dish and side dish vegetarian options for Thanksgiving to serve when she comes. These all look beautiful and delicious!
Sounds like an incredible lineup! I am definitely keeping this post- thank you.
So glad you think so! I hope you end up trying a few 🙂