12 Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes
October 30, 2024
Finding a delicious and festive vegan Thanksgiving main dish can be a challenge, even for experienced vegans. But I've compiled 12 of my favorite ideas to replace the turkey on your dinner table, including vegan lentil loaf, Wellington, stuffed squash, pasta recipes, and even vegan turkey, so you can make your vegan Thanksgiving dinner a success!
With turkey being the traditional Thanksgiving main course in the US, vegetarians and vegans need to get creative to find a replacement that maintains the holiday spirit. Some might prefer meat substitutes, like vegan turkey or vegan ham, and others like to create different dishes that are still hearty and festive.
No matter what your preference, this list will inspire you with great ideas of all kinds! And if you need even more ideas, check out my complete vegan Thanksgiving menu, list of vegan Thanksgiving side dish recipes, and vegan Thanksgiving dessert recipes.
Vegan Lentil Loaf
Easy? NoPrep Time: 40 minutesCook Time: 50 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes![Top-down view of a lentil loaf on a platter, sliced, with plates and mashed potatoes to the sides.]()
This showstopper is my go-to Thanksgiving main dish each year. It's hearty, tender, and full of flavor, and everyone loves it, vegan or not.
Seitan Turkey
Easy? YesPrep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 2 hoursTotal Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes![Vegan seitan turkey surrounded by roasted vegetables.]()
If you're looking for the taste of turkey without any actual turkey, try this vegan seitan turkey recipe from ZardyPlants. Made from vital wheat gluten, this vegan Thanksgiving centerpiece has a chewy, meaty texture that works perfectly with some gravy and a side of mashed potatoes!
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Easy? NoPrep Time: 45 minutesCook Time: 45 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes![Cranberry apple vegan stuffing in acorn squash bowls with a dish of stuffing to the side]()
This recipe is two-in-one, including a delicious stuffing with apples and cranberries stuffed inside roasted acorn squash bowls. The flavors of the two dishes pair perfectly together, and it's a great vegan alternative to stuffing a turkey.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Easy? YesPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes![Whole roasted cauliflower on a plate, with a quarter sliced out.]()
This whole roasted cauliflower from Strength and Sunshine is a great choice for a gluten-free and low-carb vegan Thanksgiving main dish. It's flavored with a smokey Middle Eastern-inspired blend of spices that turns it from an ordinary head of cauliflower into a stunning centerpiece.
Vegan Mushroom Wellington
Easy? YesPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 1 hourTotal Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes![Vegan mushroom wellington, sliced, on a table with thyme sprigs.]()
Although it looks complicated, this vegan mushroom Wellington from Oh My Veg! is actually super easy to make! It uses store-bought puff pastry to envelop a mix of mushrooms sautéed in herbs and butter, for a main dish that's both stunning and delicious. You can even make this one in advance to save time on Thanksgiving day.
Impossible Meatloaf
Easy? YesPrep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 35 minutesTotal Time: 45 minutes![Slices of Impossible meatloaf behind a piece of Impossible meatloaf on a fork.]()
Using Impossible burger meat to create a real meatloaf taste and texture, this vegan meatloaf from Earth to Veg is a simple and satisfying main course for Thanksgiving. It's ready in less than an hour, so you don't have to spend the whole day preparing in the kitchen!
Vegan Pot Pie
Easy? YesPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 45 minutesTotal Time: 50 minutes![Vegan pot pie garnished with herbs.]()
This gorgeous vegan pot pie from Serene Trail is made in a pot and topped with store-bought puff pastry dough for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Stuffed Delicata Squash
Easy? YesPrep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 45 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes![Stuffed delicata squash halves on a parchment-lined baking tray.]()
Delicata squash is one of my fall favorites, and this recipe from Bakerita stuffs these delicious gourds with creamed spinach and white beans, making a healthy, delicious, and protein-packed vegan main course.
Vegan Holiday Roast
Easy? YesPrep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 1 hour, 43 minutesTotal Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes![Vegan holiday roast slices on a plate with gravy and cranberry sauce.]()
A great option for those looking for a vegan meat replacement, this holiday roast from Vegan Huggs incorporates lots of herbs, mushrooms, and beans to create its unique flavor and meaty seitan texture. It also looks perfect sliced on your Thanksgiving dinner plate with some gravy and all the sides!
Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon Pie
Easy? NoPrep Time: 25 minutesCook Time: 3 hoursTotal Time: 3 hours, 25 minutes![Vegan mushroom bourguignon on a table with vegan holiday side dishes.]()
Mushrooms meet a classic bourguignon stew with vegan red wine inside this delicious pie from The Vegan Larder. It's a great option for a make-ahead main course, freeing up plenty of time to spend with friends and family on Thanksgiving!
Vegan Lasagna
Easy? YesPrep Time: 1 hourCook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes![Lasagna slice on a plate]()
While it's not a traditional Thanksgiving main dish, lasagna is a crowd-pleaser that everyone loves! With this flexible recipe, you can fill it with veggies like carrots and zucchini or make it a little meatier using lentils.
Vegan Ham
Easy? YesPrep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutesTotal Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes![Vegan ham, sliced on a platter.]()
This vegan seitan ham from ZardyPlants uses a beet to achieve its red color, combined with several other ingredients that result in a smoky and sweet plant-based meat.
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