40 Best Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes (Vegetarian Menu) (2024)

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This meatless, vegetarian menu proves you don't need meat to celebrate Thanksgiving. It includes plenty of vegetable-based side dishes, salads, and main dishes that showcase a variety of Fall vegetables: butternut squash, acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green beans, spaghetti squash, and much more!

As a vegetable-lover, you'll find everything you need in this Meatless Thanksgiving menu: Autumn-inspired holiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast. This holiday menu includes some of my most popular holiday recipes (our top 40 Meatless Thanksgiving Dishes) that have been reader favorites for years (I've been publishing recipes on this website since 2012). Impress your family and friends by trying some (or all!) of these dishes for your next Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving party.

This menu will provide you with many tasty, meatless, vegetable-based main dishes to replace regular turkey. The traditional Thanksgiving green bean casserole (that usually includes bacon) is replaced with much fresher and, may I say, more delicious alternatives. This menu features many salads packed with fresh flavors, hearty greens, and Autumn ingredients. You'll love vegetarian side dishes that highlight traditional Fall ingredients that we associate with Thanksgiving: green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, pecans, cranberries, and Brussels sprouts.

40 Best Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes (Vegetarian Menu) (3)

Table of Contents

Jump to:
  • My other Thanksgiving Recipe Collections
  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving Appetizers
  • Thanksgiving Salads
  • Thanksgiving MEATLESS Main Courses
  • Thanksgiving Desserts
  • Thanksgiving Day Breakfast
  • What's your favorite meatless Thanksgiving dish?

My other Thanksgiving Recipe Collections

  • If you're looking for Thanksgiving salads, check out my collection of30 Best Thanksgiving Salads.
  • If you're looking for a complete list of my holiday side dishes, don't miss my 60 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
  • If you're looking fora complete Thanksgiving menuthat features everything: Fall-inspiredholiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast,check out my50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes (The Complete Holiday Menu).

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

This selection includes my most popular meatless holiday sides that use classic Thanksgiving ingredients, such as butternut squash, acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, green beans, pecans, pumpkin seeds, apples, and more.

  • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
  • Green Beans with Pine Nuts
  • Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
  • Green Beans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
  • Garlic Green Beans with Olive Oil and Parmesan
  • Stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Green Bean Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
  • Roasted Acorn Squash
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mandarin Oranges, Walnuts, Cranberries, and Balsamic Glaze
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries
  • Asiago Roasted Broccoli
  • Spaghetti Squash, Quinoa and Parmesan Fritters
  • Parmesan Zucchini and Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts
  • Asiago Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Sautéed Spinach, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions
  • Black Bean Butternut Squash Soup

Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes

If you want to prepare your holiday potatoes in a slightly different way than regular mashed potatoes, give these delicious recipes a try for your upcoming holiday gathering:

  • Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
  • Easy Scalloped Potatoes

Thanksgiving Appetizers

These meatless Thanksgiving appetizers feature colorful and festive Autumn ingredients, such as apples, cranberries, pomegranate, and pecans.

  • Baked Brie Recipe with Cranberries, Pecans, Pomegranate
  • Baked Brie with Apples
  • Strawberry Baked Brie - 30-Minute Appetizer

Thanksgiving Salads

Thanksgiving salads deserve a separate category on the menu as they are not quite side dishes (even though you can serve them as sides). These festive vegetarian salads will steal the show and will be a hit with your vegetarian friends!

  • Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
  • Apple Spinach Salad
  • 30-Minute Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
  • Christmas Salad
  • Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets
  • Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries
  • Arugula Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans
  • Beet Salad with Spinach and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
  • Fall Harvest Salad with Apples, Pecans, Spinach, and Maple-Lime Dressing
  • Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, Pomegranate
  • Beet Salad with Spinach, Cashews, and Goat Cheese
  • 15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad
  • Mango Salad with Spinach and Blueberries
  • Winter Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
  • Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries and Raspberries
  • Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing

Thanksgiving MEATLESS Main Courses

Below is a selection of tried and true vegetarian (meatless) main courses that have been popular with the readers of this food blog. These Thanksgiving mains include Fall ingredients, such as butternut squash and sweet potatoes. You will not miss turkey with this delicious vegetable-based alternatives.

  • Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna
  • Vegetarian Enchiladas with Butternut Squash, Black Beans, and Bell Pepper
  • Black Bean and Butternut Squash Casserole
  • Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce and Pecans
  • Roasted Butternut Squash with Feta and Spinach
  • 30-Minute Ravioli and Sweet Potato Veggie Skillet
  • Creamy Orzo Pasta with Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach
  • Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi (One-Pan, 20 Minutes)
  • Roasted Butternut Squash stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, and Cheese
  • Pumpkin ravioli with brown butter sauce and pecans
  • Pumpkin Chili with Black Beans and Chickpeas
  • Meatless Pumpkin Quinoa Chili with Black Beans and Chickpeas

Thanksgiving Desserts

The Thanksgiving feast is not complete without desserts. Consider adding these simple desserts to your holiday menu:

  • Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake
  • Cranberry Apple Pecan Bundt Cake
  • Simple Apple Cake
  • Apple cinnamon crepes, or apple pie - in a crepe!
  • Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Bundt Cake
  • Easy Apple Squares (Cake Bars)
  • Browned Butter Pecan Sandies
  • Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake
  • Mixed Berry Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze
  • Chocolate Pear Cake

Thanksgiving Day Breakfast

Remember to make something seasonal, Fall-inspired, and unique for the Thanksgiving Day Breakfast. With these vegetarian alternatives, you won't miss traditional bacon or sausage breakfast casseroles. Here is a mix of savory and sweet breakfast recipes that will set you in the mood for the Thanksgiving dinner later.

  • Breakfast Egg Muffins with Mushrooms and Spinach
  • Apple cinnamon yogurt pancakes
  • Blueberry Lemon Bread with Lemon Glaze
  • Breakfast Egg and Gruyere Cheese Tart
  • Pumpkin Pancakes with Caramel Pecan Sauce
  • Pumpkin Banana Bread with Apples
  • Banana bread with walnuts
  • Sweet cooked apples recipe
  • Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Muffins
  • Stuffed Crepes with Ricotta Cheese and Blueberry Filling

What's your favorite meatless Thanksgiving dish?

Maybe it's from this menu, or it's something else. Either way, let me know what you're cooking this Thanksgiving in the comments! Here are my 2 favorite meatless Thanksgiving main courses that I can happily eat any time during the Fall and Winter seasons (not just during the holidays):

Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

Roasted Butternut Squash stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, Parmesan, and Cream Cheese

40 Best Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes (Vegetarian Menu) (2024)

FAQs

How to be vegetarian on Thanksgiving? ›

Get the Whole Roasted Cabbage recipe.
  1. Stuffed Butternut Squash. PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE. ...
  2. Polenta With Wild Mushroom Ragú ...
  3. Pumpkin Sage Gnocchi. ...
  4. Sweet Potato Gratin. ...
  5. Mashed Potato Casserole. ...
  6. Parmesan Roasted Green Beans. ...
  7. Easy Cranberry Stuffing. ...
  8. Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots.
Oct 5, 2023

What other meat is good for Thanksgiving? ›

Here are some big, impressive, delicious pieces of meat you should definitely make for Thanksgiving, instead of turkey:
  • Roast Duck with Plums. ...
  • Garlic Rosemary Prime Rib Roast with Horseradish Cream. ...
  • Roasted Capon with Sage Stuffing. ...
  • Jamie Oliver's Best Roast Leg Of Lamb.
Nov 17, 2016

What are 5 meat alternatives for vegetarians? ›

Vegetarian Meat Alternatives Ranked From Best to Worst
  • Texturized Soy Protein. This is a no-brainer – texturized vegetable protein, also known as texturized soy protein, wins in overall meat-like texture and taste. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • King Oyster Mushrooms. ...
  • Seitan. ...
  • Jackfruit. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Cauliflower. ...
  • Beans and legumes.
Apr 21, 2022

What are the 3 main vegetarian alternatives to meat? ›

The 10 best vegan meat alternatives
  • Tofu. Tofu is the classic meat alternative and has been one of the basic sources of nutrition in Asia for centuries. ...
  • Soy protein. Soy chunks and mince are very inexpensive ingredients that are easy to prepare. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Seitan/wheat protein. ...
  • Lupin protein. ...
  • Green spelt. ...
  • Oat flakes. ...
  • Black beans.
Nov 11, 2019

How do I make a vegetarian menu? ›

Four steps to a healthy vegetarian meal
  1. Start with a high protein vegetarian food.
  2. Include a food with iron.
  3. Include a fruit or vegetable high in vitamin C.
  4. Include a variety of other vegetables.

Is there a vegetarian version of turkey? ›

The best vegan turkey roast is finally here. This seitan tofu roast tastes just like turkey, with crispy skin and all! This vegan turkey makes the perfect centerpiece for a delicious holiday meal. It's surprisingly easy to make, and most of it can be made ahead of time, so it's a great stress-free option.

How to make vegetarian meals more filling? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

What can replace turkey for a meat? ›

For smaller crowds, swap the turkey with chicken, Cornish game hens, or stuff and roast individual quails for each guest, which is very elegant for a plated meal. Our roast chicken with sourdough stuffing, pomegranate roast chicken, and cranberry stuffed cornish game hen bring a festive Thanksgiving vibe to the table.

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side? Mashed potatoes took home the top spot for this year's favorite side. The top five most popular holiday side dishes include: Mashed potatoes.

What are the 3 most popular food dishes served on Thanksgiving? ›

The 10 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes
  • Roast turkey. We've already filled you in on how to carve a turkey like a chef. ...
  • Stuffing. Good stuffing is key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner. ...
  • Mashed potatoes. ...
  • Green bean casserole. ...
  • Corn casserole. ...
  • Sweet potato casserole. ...
  • Honey-glazed Brussels sprouts. ...
  • Cranberry sauce.
Nov 2, 2022

What is the healthiest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Both chicken and turkey are lean proteins, especially if you avoid dark meat. Turkey breast and chicken breast both have about 26 g of protein in each 3 oz serving, according to USDA data, making them an excellent source of protein. Chicken breast has only slightly more fat, with 3 g to turkey's 2 g per serving.

What are the top 5 Thanksgiving foods? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to roast turkey? ›

Nut roast is a popular vegetarian alternative to a turkey dinner. It is a savory dish made primarily from a mixture of ground nuts, breadcrumbs, and various vegetables, herbs, and spices.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to turkey at Christmas? ›

Nut Roast. The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference.

What are four of the meat substitutes that vegetarians may choose? ›

In fact, it's important if you're new to the alt-meat space to recognize that jackfruit, seitan, tofu, and tempeh are not novel or exotic new proteins for an age freshly interested in meatless eating.

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