Complete Vegan Thanksgiving Menu with Recipes

Published: November 4, 2022

Modified: November 4, 2024

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Whether you're looking for a few vegan dishes to add to your Thanksgiving table or a complete vegan Thanksgiving menu from appetizers to desserts, you'll find everything you need here to make your holiday meal the best yet! There are plenty of vegan side dishes to choose from, with classics like vegan mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, plus entrée ideas that are so good, you won't miss the turkey!

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Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year, because we can gather with friends and family and enjoy a big meal together. My Thanksgiving table usually includes vegans and non-vegans alike, so I always make sure that all my vegan dishes taste just as great as any dish with animal ingredients. The omnivores keep coming back each year, so I think they approve!

In this post, I've collected my best vegan Thanksgiving recipes in every category. You'll also find a few contributions from some other great vegan bloggers. While this list covers the basics, if you want more ideas, check out my complete lists of vegan Thanksgiving main dishes, vegan Thanksgiving side dishes, and vegan Thanksgiving dessert recipes.

I hope some of these vegan Thanksgiving recipes can make your holiday table one to remember! Happy Thanksgiving!

Vegan Thanksgiving Appetizers

Appetizers and snacks are critical to keeping everyone (including the cook) happy while waiting for Thanksgiving dinner. These recipes also work for holiday parties or football snacks.

Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
This is the iconic game-day snack, made vegan. I've tried many vegan spinach dip recipes, and this one surpasses them all. It's creamy and flavorful, but it's also surprisingly healthy (at least compared to the dairy version). When I make it for guests and parties, the recipe is always requested by both vegans and omnivores. One pan of this is enough for a large group of guests.

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Cranberry & Cashew Goat Cheese Crostini
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
This vegan appetizer option is a little fancier than the spinach dip, and it's also yummy! The cranberry sauce can be made ahead of time. When you're ready to serve it, all you need to do is slice and toast a baguette, and assemble the crostini! You can also double or triple the cranberry sauce recipe to serve with Thanksgiving dinner.

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Vegan Jalapeño Poppers
Easy? No
Prep Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
These jalapeño poppers are not the frozen ones from the 90s! They're a grown-up version of the classic, with an absolutely delicious lemony cashew cream filling and panko-breaded crust. They do require quite a bit of work though, so I'd only recommend these if you have some time to spare. You could also prepare them in advance and keep them in the freezer until you're ready to serve them. Then let them thaw for 15-20 minutes before frying them.
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Vegan Potato Skins
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes
These potato skins are another classic game-day appetizer, but they're super easy to make! You'll just need to have some free space in your oven for about an hour or so to bake the potatoes, but otherwise, they come together pretty quickly! This recipe uses store-bought shredded vegan cheddar, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegan sour cream for a delicious vegan version of the original.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes

The traditional Thanksgiving meal is centered around a turkey. So it can be hard to recreate the Thanksgiving feeling without one. Whether you prefer a vegan holiday roast, or another hearty entree like lentil loaf or Wellington, here are some great options:

Lentil and Vegetable Loaf
Easy? No
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
This may be one of the most complicated dishes on this menu, but it's the consensus favorite among my guests. With a great combination of lentils and vegetables, flavors like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and vegan Worcestershire sauce, and a tender texture, everyone loves it.

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Vegan Holiday Roast
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes
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!
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Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberry-Apple Stuffing
Easy? No
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
I developed this recipe a few years ago, and I couldn't be happier with it! The vegan stuffing is rich and buttery, and the cranberry and apple flavors pair so well with the squash. This stuffing also tastes great without the cranberry and apple for a more classic stuffing. You can, of course, make the stuffing on its own, but I think these acorn squash halves make the perfect vegan "bowls" for a vegan stuffing!

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Vegan Mushroom Wellington
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
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.
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Vegetable Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Lasagna is great for Thanksgiving because pretty much everyone loves it. This version uses a delicious vegan ricotta made from tofu and marinara sauce with zucchini and carrots. For those who want a "meatier" taste, you can substitute lentils for the vegetables. You could even make half of the lasagna with lentils and the other half with vegetables so your guests can pick their favorite!

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
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.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Sides

Thanksgiving is all about the delicious sides, and a vegan Thanksgiving is no exception. Fortunately, sides are a little easier for us, as vegetables are often served as side dishes. You can make very easy and simple side dishes with roasted brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or cauliflower steaks. Or cook up a pot of wild rice. But these side dishes are more than standard roasted vegetables, they're sides that your guests will remember.

Vegan Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Mashed potatoes simply should not be both this good AND this easy to make. But these are! I love making these with Yukon gold potatoes because they have such a creamy texture and rich flavor. And a good vegan sour cream like Kite Hill, combined with fresh chives, adds the perfect amount of mild tartness. You will not regret making this comforting side dish.

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Classic Vegan Stuffing
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
This recipe has all the rich, buttery flavor you love in a classic stuffing with fried celery and onions, a blend of herbs, and vegetable broth for the perfect tender texture. It's made simple, so you can enjoy it as-is, or customize it with your favorite add-ins.
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Green Bean Casserole
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 58 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 18 minutes
Green bean casserole was never one of my favorite dishes until I made it as a vegan. The fresh ingredients make all the difference in this dish, in my opinion. Instead of canned green beans, this recipe uses fresh green beans. And instead of canned mushroom soup, this recipe uses a creamy sauce (made from cashews) with fresh mushrooms. It is an absolutely delicious version of one of the OG Thanksgiving classics!

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Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Gluten-Free Pecan Crumble
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Sweet potato casserole is a must-have dish at my Thanksgiving dinner table, and this vegan version from Bakerita is a great way to enjoy a favorite without the dairy. This recipe is subtly sweet with a pecan crumble that's also gluten-free. If you decide to modify it with a marshmallow topping, make sure you look for a vegan brand of marshmallows like Trader Joe's or Dandies.
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Apple Walnut Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This salad is an easy and colorful addition to your Thanksgiving dinner table. But with candied walnuts, crisp apples, and tangy vegan feta, it's not just an ordinary salad. It's an array of vibrant fall flavors that will leave everyone asking for more.
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Vegan Cornbread
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
This vegan cornbread is the perfect tender side to pair with all your Thanksgiving veggies and soups. And with just 10 minutes of prep time, it won't add stress to your busy day.
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Carrot and Pumpkin Soup
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
This pumpkin soup is the ultimate comfort food for a chilly Thanksgiving night! It's full of flavor from fresh pumpkin, carrots, and ginger, and it's ultra-creamy, thanks to a delicious cashew cream.
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Butternut Squash Casserole with Leeks, Kale, and Cashew Cheese
Easy? No
Prep Time: 50 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
This is far from an ordinary butternut squash casserole. I wondered whether I should even list it as a side dish since it could easily be served as a main course. This casserole is another one that's a little more complicated than most, but is absolutely worth it. Roasted butternut squash is mixed in with leeks, kale, and cashew goat cheese for a dish that's absolutely delightful. It's also a great balance for dishes that are heavy and starchy, like stuffing and mashed potatoes.

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Vegan Mac and Cheese
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Using vegan cheese, vegan butter, vegan milk, and flour to create a creamy cheese sauce, this vegan side from Sunglow Kitchen satisfies your mac and cheese cravings. It's also nut-free and gluten-free (just make sure your vegan cheese, butter, and milk is too), so it's perfect for serving to guests with allergies.
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Mashed Butternut Squash
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes
This is one of my favorite butternut squash side dishes because it's so simple, delicious, and healthy! Forget peeling and cutting up the butternut squash, you can just cut it in half and roast it with this recipe.
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Loaded Baked Potato
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
These loaded baked potatoes are worthy of any Thanksgiving feast! They're made with vegan cheddar, vegan sour cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and chives, for a cheesy, flavor-packed baked potato.
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Vegan Cranberry Sauce
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Switching from canned cranberry sauce to homemade was a game-changer for my Thanksgiving dinners! This version from Ooh La La It's Vegan combines sweet and tart flavors using cranberries, orange juice, and warm spices like cinnamon. It's also sweetened with agave, so it has no refined sugar.
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Vegan Mushroom Gravy
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Packed with umami flavor, this vegan mushroom gravy from Nuts and Twigs is delicious with a vegan roast, meatloaf, roasted veggies, or any potato side dish. It uses vegan roux to achieve its ultra-creamy texture, while mushrooms provide its savory flavor.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

No Thanksgiving menu would be complete without dessert. I enjoy cooking, but my first love will always be baking. There are desserts that are classic Thanksgiving desserts in my family, so of course, I had to make the best vegan versions possible.

Vegan Apple Crisp
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Traditional apple crisp is actually nearly vegan. It just uses butter, which can be easily substituted with vegan butter. This recipe can also be made gluten-free with oat flour. I made eight versions of this apple crisp to make sure the topping had the perfect crunch and crumble. Serve it fresh out of the oven with a vegan vanilla ice cream like Oatly, So Delicious Wondermilk, or Revolution Gelato.

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Vegan New York Cheesecake
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours
Although I've spent a lot of my life in Miami, I'm originally from the northeast, so a classic New York Style cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. This recipe is basically indistinguishable from the classic in taste and texture. Plus, it's super easy to make, and it doesn't require any store-bought vegan cream cheese. It's the perfect choice for a big family meal, because it's guaranteed to be a hit.
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Mini Vegan Pumpkin Pies with Frosted Cranberries
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Skip the slicing and serve each guest their own mini pumpkin pie with this vegan recipe from Well Vegan. Leaves made from leftover pie crust make this dessert even cuter, and frosted cranberries add a sour flavor that combines perfectly with the sweet pumpkin pies!
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Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Easy? No
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Cupcakes are always a good choice for big gatherings because they're so easy to serve. And these cupcakes happen to be particularly delicious, especially when paired with vegan cream cheese frosting.
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Easy Key Lime Pie
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours
This vegan pie has all the authentic flavor of the Florida Keys, minus the dairy and eggs. Dress it up with some vegan whipped cream and lime zest for a perfect end to your holiday feast.
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Vegan Vanilla Pudding
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
This vanilla pudding is made with just 6 simple ingredients, but it's rich, creamy, and full of flavor. Finish it with some vegan whipped cream and berries for an easy but delicious Thanksgiving dessert!
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Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Pie
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 seconds
Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
This creamy, indulgent pie from Eat Fresh Glow tastes like a grown-up version of my childhood favorite, Reese's peanut butter cups. It's a delicious no-bake Thanksgiving dessert option, and it's gluten-free, too, with a crust made from cocoa powder and almond flour.
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Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Whether you make them for breakfast or dessert, these vegan pumpkin muffins are a Thanksgiving must-have. They're the epitome of fall flavor in muffin form, with real pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and a sweet streusel topping.
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Vegan Salted Chocolate Pecan Pie
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
This vegan salted chocolate twist on a classic pecan pie is a rich and gooey treat that everyone is going to love. Even better, this vegan chocolate pecan pie from My Quiet Kitchen doesn't require refrigeration, so you can bring it to holiday gatherings without worrying about it melting along the way.
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Vegan Thanksgiving Drinks

Don't forget the beverages! If you're planning on serving wine, check to make sure it's a vegan wine (not all of them are). Apple cider is also a great holiday option. Or try a warm drink like the hot chocolate below.

Rich and creamy hot chocolate
Easy? Yes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
This hot chocolate is made with Oatly, raw cacao powder, and dark chocolate baking bars for a rich, creamy flavor. Top with vegan marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings for an extra-special treat.
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