55 Meatless Recipes For The Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Ever
Go beyond tofurkey this year.
This may very well be the hottest take of all Hot Takes, BUT while a lot of people would say Thanksgiving has to revolve around the turkey, we’d 100% have to argue otherwise. Sure, you could do a ham or a roast chicken, but we'd go so far as to say you could even serve NO MEAT AT ALL. Whether you’d like your whole meal to be meat-free (less bird drama, that's for sure!), are looking for inspiration for that vegetarian friend or cousin (they’ll be SO grateful you thought of them), or just want to branch out and have a little more fun with your meal, we’ve got ideas here for you. Check out our 55 vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes—we bet you won’t even miss the meat.
No matter the reason you and yours are vegetarian, it’s not hard to see the benefits of skipping the turkey this Thanksgiving. From epic turkey fails to intense family arguments over who gets the drumsticks, there are lots of reasons to ditch the bird. The absolute best part is that, since you’re not spending HOURS on a bird that takes up your whole oven, you can instead focus on all the real best parts of the meal. Yep, we’re saying it: Thanksgiving sides are what it’s really about, and if you’re skipping the turkey, you can have them ALL.
Most of the classic sides are inherently vegetarian (and for those that aren’t, like stuffing or gravy, we’ve got you covered), so rather than include all of those here, we’re instead focusing on some of our more creative options. Trust us—everyone will be wowed when you serve up our million-dollar mac & cheese, our gnocchi green bean casserole, or our fondue mashed potatoes.
We've also got TONS of alternatives to the main attraction here. Feeling the loss of the turkey centerpiece? Swap it for something equally stunning, like our Thanksgiving cauliflower, our whole roasted cabbage, or our turkuterie (just swap the salami for something else!). Don’t need your vegetarian dish to be the center of attention but still want it to be special? Try making our chicken fried cauliflower, our beet Wellingtons, or our vegan mushroom pot pie. They’re just as delicious as their meaty counterparts and are sure to thrill any vegetarian crowd.
Want more Thanksgiving inspiration? Check out our top plant-based meals (it’s YOUR holiday, make whatever you like), our best Thanksgiving cocktails, and our favorite Thanksgiving pies too.
Vegetarian Gravy
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will be piling this flavor-packed gravy on top of all the Thanksgiving sides. This gravy comes together in minutes—and you won't miss roasting a whole turkey or chicken to make it.
Get the Vegetarian Gravy recipe.
Thanksgiving Cauliflower
Forget turkey—this impressive whole roasted cauliflower is the only centerpiece you'll need this Thanksgiving. We've included a mushroom gravy recipe here as well. It's so good, no one will miss the meat.
Get the Thanksgiving Cauliflower recipe.
Million-Dollar Mac & Cheese
What do you get when you take mac & cheese on a shopping spree to the fanciest cheese shop you know and shower it with gold leaf? Million-dollar mac. Showcasing a trifecta of bougie (and delicious) cheeses and a crispy crunchy panko topping, this irresistible comfort food in a casserole will take center stage on any table it hits.
Get the Million-Dollar Mac & Cheese recipe.
Sweet Potato Gratin
Your sweet potatoes are tired of being baked all on their own. Give them the chance to become something much more exciting and turn them into sweet potato gratin. Just like the OG potatoes au gratin, these sweet potatoes (including purple AND orange ones) are layered with plenty of cheese and herby cream sauce and baked until golden brown and bubbly. 😍
Get the Sweet Potato Gratin recipe.
Krispie Turkey
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, turkey. But this year, why settle for the usual when you could elevate your holiday game with a turkey sculpture made entirely out of Rice Krispies treats? A Rice Krispies turkey sculpture is a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Kids? Check. Adults? Double check. Grandma? She’ll love it.
Get the Krispie Turkey recipe.
Gnocchi Green Bean Casserole
Blanched fresh green beans and buttery sliced mushrooms, onions, and garlic get tossed with a creamy béchamel sauce and pillowy gnocchi, then baked until bubbly. An obligatory layer of salty fried onions is scattered on top—just like the OG version—for plenty of extra crunch, creating an unbeatable variety of textures.
Get the Gnocchi Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Butternut Squash Steaks
If you're tired of cauliflower steaks, then you should turn to butternut squash. It's a great plant-based ingredient because its texture is quite meaty yet tender, and it works with a variety of seasonings and recipes, whether blended into a soup or roasted in planks (and brushed with smoked paprika oil) for a dreamy Thanksgiving main.
Get the Butternut Squash Steaks recipe.
Baked Goat Cheese With Caramelized Onions
Goat cheese will always hold a special place in our hearts (and our appetizers!). Baked in the oven with fig jam and sweet caramelized onions, this dip is the perfect rich addition to your party spread.
Southern Baked Mac & Cheese
This isn't your average mac & cheese. Chef Millie Peartree puts an entire layer of pure cheese in between two layers of (already cheesy) macaroni. Game. Changer. Your Thanksgiving guests will flip.
Get the Southern Baked Mac & Cheese recipe.
Stuffed Mushrooms
To make these, we stuff baby bella mushrooms with garlicky, herby breadcrumbs and plenty of cheese. Stuff them ahead of time and bake them off when you're ready for the most Thanksgiving-friendly appetizer ever.
Get the Stuffed Mushrooms recipe.
Cranberry Stuffing
You don't need meat to make a stuffing everyone will love. This vegetarian option is filled with everyone's favorite Thanksgiving flavors—apples! cranberries! sage! thyme!—if anyone complains about meatless stuffing, just send them home without dessert. 😉
Get the Cranberry Stuffing recipe.
Pumpkin Lasagna
In this lasagna, pumpkin adds the ideal sweet touch to this cheesy, comfort food dream. We amp up our creamy pumpkin mixture with maple syrup and fresh nutmeg, resulting in the perfect sweet-savory dinner, whether we're looking for a cozy weeknight main or the star of our non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Pumpkin Lasagna recipe.
Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins
Stuffed with creamy ricotta, baked to golden perfection, and brushed with garlic butter, this festive, pizza-inspired snack will surely be a hit. Serve alongside marinara, then dig in!
Get the Pizza-Stuffed Pumpkins recipe.
Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie
When it's cold out over Thanksgiving, a steaming hot pot pie filled with creamy, flavorful gravy, sweet and tender veggies, and topped with a shatteringly flaky crust is EVERYTHING. Here, mushrooms replace meat and are every bit as satisfying as their meaty counterparts.
Get the Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie recipe.
Harvest Caesar Salad
If you thought kale Caesar was over, you’ve clearly never topped it with crispy cheesy squash croutons. Featuring butternut squash and crispy baked Parmesan frico, this autumn spin on the classic Caesar salad will have you wishing it was fall all year round.
Get the Harvest Caesar Salad recipe.
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
This side is like if green beans dressed up as cheesy garlic bread. 😍 Tossed in garlic and black pepper and showered with cheese, this simple yet irresistible side will steal the spotlight at every holiday table.
Get the Parmesan Roasted Green Beans recipe.
Sweet Potato Crescent Bites
If you're a fan of sweet potato casserole (especially sweet potato casserole with marshmallows), then let us introduce your new favorite Thanksgiving appetizer. They're the perfect amount of sweet and savory, and they couldn't be easier to make.
Get the Sweet Potato Crescent Bites recipe.
Polenta With Wild Mushroom Ragú
Make this showstopper with a custom blend of your favorite funghi! If wild mushrooms are not accessible, creminis or button mushrooms would also work perfectly. The ragú can be made up to three days in advance (perfect for a busy Thanksgiving!); just reheat gently on the stovetop while you make the polenta.
Try a bird of a different feather this year, and serve this festive and impressive fruit and cheese display as the centerpiece of your holiday table (just ditch the salami or replace with a plant-based alternative!). We’ve packed this cheese board with fall fruits like apples, pears, and grapes, and cheeses appropriate for an autumnal charcuterie that everyone will want to gobble up.
Get the Turkuterie recipe.
Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad is the perfect way to lighten up any autumnal dinner, and especially your Thanksgiving spread. Feta, dried cranberries, and red onions pair really nicely with the earthy sweetness of the orange superfood. Did we mention it's great warm or cold (which means you can make it ahead!)?
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
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