Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu: 17 Meatless Recipes for Turkey Day

Butternut Squash with Onions and Pecans
Photo: naples34102

Although turkey may be the focus for many on Thanksgiving, that doesn't mean you can't have a delicious vegetarian feast. From craveable appetizers to rich desserts, we've got you covered for a meat-free Thanksgiving meal. You'll be able to indulge in classic dishes like green bean casserole, fluffy mashed potatoes, and even tofu turkey with everyone gathered around the dinner table.

01 of 18

Savory Pumpkin Hummus

Savory Pumpkin Hummus with sage leaves
NancyLou

Hummus is a go-to appetizer for many and this version is all dressed up for Thanksgiving with the addition of pumpkin purée and toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve with seedy crackers or toasted crusty bread for dipping.

02 of 18

Spinach Pinwheels

Spinach Pinwheels
smartt

Three ingredients are all you need to whip up these bite-size beauties. No one will know how easy they were to make and you're guaranteed to have no leftovers.

03 of 18

Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms on a blue and white plate
Mackenzie Schieck

Decadently creamy and rich, guests will never guess that a blend of cashews and nutritional yeast give these stuffed mushrooms their cheesy flavor without an ounce of dairy.

04 of 18

Tofu Turkey

Tofu Turkey on a white plate
luba

Filled with stuffing and coated with a tangy orange glaze, this tofu is nearly unrecognizable once prepared. "This is an incredibly delicious and guilt-free alternative to the traditional bird, and I make it every holiday," says recipe creator Holly. "I've even tried this out on meat eaters, and they were asking for seconds!"

05 of 18

Lentil Loaf

Sliced up Lentil Loaf
tibbadee

If carving the turkey was an old family pastime, then try slicing the lentil loaf at the dinner table instead. Made with green lentils, eggs, bread, and plenty of spices, it's just begging to sop up a ladle of vegetarian gravy.

06 of 18

Holiday Cranberry Sauce

cranberry sauce with whole cranberries in a glass container
Melissa Goff

Whether you love it or hate it, it doesn't really feel like Thanksgiving unless cranberry sauce is at the table. This recipe is infused with whole spices like cinnamon and cloves for a boldly flavored dish.

07 of 18

Vegetarian Gravy

Vegetarian Gravy in a pot
Ceiya Dawn

Vegetarian gravy is simple to make, no pan drippings required! A dash of soy sauce and nutritional yeast add deep umami for irresistible flavor, meaning you'll probably have to refill the gravy boat a few times during your feast.

08 of 18

Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad

Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad
PeanutKrow

Salads may be considered traditional vegetarian fare, but this Brussels sprouts version is anything but ordinary. The thinly sliced sprouts are tossed with sweet apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy almonds in a honey mustard vinaigrette.

09 of 18

Basic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes in a turquoise bowl
lutzflcat

This year we're thankful for the humble spud and how easy it is to transform it into these stellar mashed potatoes. All you need to serve them is a pat of butter and drizzle of gravy.

10 of 18

Butternut Squash with Onions and Pecans

Butternut Squash with Onions and Pecans
naples34102

You'd never guess how simple it is to make this impressive side dish. Roasted butternut squash is tossed with buttery onions and toasted pecans for a seasonal dish that is sure to be a new family favorite.

11 of 18

Best Green Bean Casserole

Best Green Bean Casserole in a white dish
Cynthia Ross

Creamy, cheesy, and comforting, this green bean casserole simply needs four ingredients to be whipped up. "This is the third time I've made it; and we've gotten awesome reviews. The bowl is always cleaned out," says reviewer NATSCOOK1.

12 of 18

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Vegan Mushroom Gravy in a white boat
fabeveryday

This rich, creamy mushroom gravy starts with vegetable oil instead of dairy. Make it in less than 30 minutes.

13 of 18

Happy Hippy Stuffing

Close up of Happy Hippy Stuffing
Rachel Gearhart

You'll wear the label "hippy" with pride when presenting this flavorful vegetarian stuffing. Each bite is studded with crunchy seeds, sweet cranberries, savory veggies, and plenty of herbs.

14 of 18

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

double layered pumpkin cheesecake on a plate with whipped cream topping
An Do

Pumpkin pie who? You'll forget all about that boring basic when baking this luscious pumpkin cheesecake, featuring a vanilla bottom layer and spiced pumpkin top layer.

15 of 18

Pecan Pie Tarts

Pecan Pie Tarts on a red dessert tier
Cakebaby

Pecan pies, with their gooey texture and crunchy topping, can be hard to slice and hand out at holiday events. Instead, whip up these handy mini pies, each packed with that classic pecan pie flavor but none of the fuss.

16 of 18

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake
Photo by Diana Moutsopoulos.

This vegan-friendly sheet cake, made with ingredients you probably already have on hand, is a great stand-in for pumpkin pie.

17 of 18

Apple Cobbler Crumble

Apple Cobbler Crumble on a white plate
SmellyPrawn

Five ingredients are all you need to create this wow-worthy cobbler. Tart Granny Smith apples pair up with cinnamon under a buttery sweet crust.

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