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The Ultimate List of Plant-Based Thanksgiving Recipes

This round up includes all of my favorite drinks, sides, main dishes, and desserts for a completely plant-based, vegan Thanksgiving! Even carnivores can find something to love here.

overhead shot of thanksgiving table with stuffing, potatoes, and gravy

Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday – there is no pressure to gift-give and everyone can gather together to enjoy some of the best comfort food around. This does not been it is a low-stress day, especially for the person hosting! With the following recipes (nearly 40), my goal is to provide a clear range of options to ensure your holiday is as smooth as possible, whether you’re having people over or not.

The following round up is structured sequentially by drinks, appetizers, sides, mains, and desserts. There is definitely something for everyone to love!

Want a simple, pre-made Thanksgiving menu?

If so, be sure to check out this Two Person Thanksgiving page. I wrote it the first year of COVID but honestly it’s still very applicable if you’re hosting or attending a smaller gathering. All of the featured recipes can be easily scaled up to feed more people.

Don’t miss out on the corresponding downloadable menu, the printable shopping list, and the mobile grocery list.

I hope you enjoy this round up of my favorite recipes for my favorite holiday! Please be sure to comment if you try any.

All the Best Plant-Based Thanksgiving Recipes

glass of autumn sangria with a burnt sprig of rosemary

Easy Autumn Sangria

This Easy Autumn Sangria Recipe is perfect for fall, with fruity flavors and a sparkling finish! Red wine is mixed with seasonal fruits for a refreshing beverage perfect for celebrations or nights at home. It’s a super-simple traditional recipe that everyone will love!

side view of two glasses of hot toddy cocktails next to a candle

Hot Toddy

This warming Classic Hot Toddy recipe will warm you from the inside out! Lemon, honey (or maple syrup), and ginger are perfect complements if you’re feeling under the weather. Add a shot of whiskey and you’re all set for the best winter cocktail.

sparkling water pouring into a concord grape gin fizz cocktail

Concord Grape Gin Fizz

This Concord Grape Gin Fizz recipe is a festive and vegan cocktail! It’s easily made with aquafaba (the water from a can of chickpeas!) and a few simple ingredients. It’s ready in 5 minutes, so try it tonight!

glass of cranberry gin fizz on a marble board in front of Hendricks gin

Sparkling Gin Cranberry Cocktail

This Cranberry Gin Fizz is a great Thanksgiving or Christmas cocktail, but delicious any time of year! Made with cranberry sauce, fresh lime, gin, and sparkling lime water it’s a refreshing and festive drink.

angled shot of a cinnamon maple whiskey sour cocktail

Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour

This Maple Cinnamon Whiskey Sour cocktail recipe is SO simple to make and ideal for winter months! Sub apple cider for mocktail version.

smoky apple cider sangria with cinamon, apple slices, and rosemary on a wood board

Apple Cider Sangria

This Apple Cider Sangria recipe is my new favorite summer-to-autumn cocktail! With a combination of dry white wine and a hint of sparkling apple cider, it’s full of warming fall flavors while still refreshing. A delicious Halloween or Thanksgiving cocktail idea!

close up of hand pouring coconut cream into a vegan pumpkin spice white russian in front of a roaring fire

Pumpkin Spice White Russian

This Vegan Pumpkin Spice White Russian Recipe is a twist on a classic and the ideal drink for chilly fall evenings. We made this cocktail dairy-free with coconut cream & espresso and flavored it with warming spices of nutmeg and cinnamon. Cheers!

glass of autumn sangria with a burnt sprig of rosemary

What Fall Drink Are You? Quiz

Nothing says festive fun like a warming beverage on a cool fall day. This quiz includes all of my favorite drink recipes for the season – perfect for sharing with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options!

rosemary spiced nuts in a silver spoon

Rosemary Spiced Nuts

Inspired by Trader Joe’s, these delicious rosemary spiced nuts are a perfect party mix! Ready in just 15 minutes, vegan, and gluten-free for a healthy party appetizer.

overhead shot of thanksgiving table with stuffing, potatoes, and gravy

Guide to Making the Best Vegan Gravy

You’ve come to the right place for the ULTIMATE guide on preparing vegan gravy! This dish will be a hit on any holiday table, and is ready in just 20 minutes. It’s made with pantry staples and totally meatless. Perfect with mashed potatoes!

Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips, a fun salad option ready in just 15 minutes! Individual leaves of Brussels speckled with flaky sea salt and juicy pomegranate, making for a perfectly unique roasted Brussels sprouts side. This simple Thanksgiving recipe is delicious all year long!

Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips

Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips, a fun salad option ready in just 15 minutes! Individual leaves of Brussels speckled with flaky sea salt and juicy pomegranate, making for a perfectly unique roasted Brussels sprouts side. This simple Thanksgiving recipe is delicious all year long!

bowl of cranberry sauce shot from above in a white bowl

15-Minute Cranberry Sauce

My favorite Cranberry Sauce Recipe, so simple you may memorize it! The perfect complement to any holiday table, this delicious cranberry relish is healthy and sweetened with fruit & maple syrup. A perfect sweet/tart addition to your Thanksgiving sides!

bowl of rosemary garlic braised white beans with a gold spoon and crusty bread

Cozy Braised White Beans with Garlic and Rosemary

This recipe for Braised White Beans with Garlic and Rosemary is the definition of plant-based comfort food! It’s creamy, hearty, full of warming flavors, and ready in just 30 minutes. Serve with crusty bread!

food processor with an overhead shot of whipped purple sweet potatoes

Whipped Sweet Potatoes

This recipe for Vegan Whipped Sweet Potatoes is as colorful as it is delicious! Using orange, white, and purple sweet potatoes, this fluffy side dish is flavored with nutty brown butter and a wonderful addition to any holiday table.

plate of vegan cornbread sliced next to two bowls of easy vegan chili

Perfectly Fluffy Vegan Cornbread Recipe

This Fluffy Vegan Cornbread Recipe is my absolute favorite! Moist and full of cozy corn flavors, it’s a great pairing for soup or stuffing. It’s made with pantry staple ingredients and ready in under an hour! This recipe is easily halved.

bowl of vegan mashed potatoes with a grey cloth on a black tile table

Uncomplicated Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Here’s an easy recipe for Vegan Mashed Potatoes, one of my favorite comfort foods! Without needing animal products, this recipe comes together very quickly (in about 30 minutes total). The gravy is also easily frozen for quick prep! A time-saving, delicious, and vegetarian/vegan Thanksgiving recipe.

overhead shot of arugula fennel and orange salad on a white platter on a black table

Arugula Fennel Salad

This Arugula Fennel Salad is a bright and zesty addition to any fall or winter table! Peppery arugula leaves are coated in a citrus dressing and then topped with chopped dates, orange wedges, sliced fennel, and tangy feta (vegan as needed). Ready in 10 minutes!

hand holding a golden spoon scooping some croissant stuffing out of a glass dish

Croissant Stuffing with Walnuts and Cranberries

Traditional stuffing gets turned on it’s head with this croissant-infused treat! Flaky pastry cloaked in hearty walnuts, juicy cranberries, and aromatic herbs. It’s sure to be the star of any holiday table!

black plate with two instant pot purple sweet potatoes next to a fork

Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

How To Cook Sweet Potatoes in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker: my go-to easy method + some weeknight dinner recipe ideas! This simple technique insures perfectly cooked potatoes every time. No oven required!

overhead shot of rosemary potato focaccia on a sheet tray

Rosemary Potato Focaccia Bread

This Rosemary Potato Focaccia recipe will be a new household favorite! Topped with fragrant herbs and crispy potatoes, this simple bread recipe is fluffy, light, and full of garlic flavor. It’s the perfect appetizer for feeding a crowd at a party, no stand mixer required.

broken open garlic rolls on a white plate next to garlic olive oil in a jar

Garlic Stuffed Rolls

Filled with toasty whole cloves, this simple recipe for Stuffed Garlic Rolls is perfect for garlic lovers everywhere! When made with store-bought pizza dough it’s ready with minimal hands-on work. As a bonus, you’ll have a lot of garlic-infused olive oil left over! These vegan rolls are inspired by the garlic knots at Milo and Olive in Los Angeles.

marble board with pumpkin-shaped gnocchi and a candle

Pumpkin-Shaped Gnocchi

Pumpkin-Shaped Gnocchi – the cutest addition to your autumn table! Easily made with just a few ingredients in 20 minutes, these simple bites are festive and cozy.

two bowls of vegan leftover mashed potato gnocchi in an herb butter sauce on a black tile table

Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi

This recipe for easy Leftover Mashed Potato Gnocchi is a perfect way to repurpose the classic holiday side dish! Easily made vegan (without egg), this method is ready in minutes and perfect for tossing with your favorite sauce.

fork cutting into a quinoa stuffed honeynut squash

Quinoa Stuffed Honeynut Squash

This recipe for Quinoa Stuffed Honeynut Squash is hearty, satisfying, vegan, and gluten-free! It works well as a main course for the holidays but is an equally tasty weekday lunch. Also delicious with butternut!

plate of vegan pumpkin pierogi with yogurt on wood table

Vegan Pumpkin Pierogi

Try this recipe for Vegan Pumpkin Pierogi for a unique fall dinner that’s easier to prepare than you’d think! Filled with savory, spiced squash puree and creamy cashew cheese, this is a perfect dish for entertaining on a cozy fall evening.

plate of vegan pierogi next to beet kraut

Vegan Potato Pierogi

These Vegan Pierogi are the definition of comfort food! They’re boiled and pan-fried dumplings wrapped around a cheesy potato filling and perfectly satisfying. They work well as a party appetizer or celebratory dish!

overhead shot of vegan cranberry custard pie

Pomegranate Cranberry Custard Pie

This Pomegranate Cranberry Custard Pie is a bright and tart counterpoint for any Thanksgiving or holiday spread! Made with a gingersnap crust and topped with fluffy coconut cream, it’s a festive treat that’s totally vegan. Feel free to use fresh or frozen cranberries!

overhead shot of vegan pumpkin pie with coconut whipped cream and a silver spoon

Simple Vegan Pumpkin Pie

This Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe is a show-stopping addition to any Thanksgiving table, and it’s totally free of eggs and dairy! Ready in about an hour, it’s a festive holiday dessert the whole family will love. Top with coconut whipped cream!

overhead view of a woven fresh pear tart with multiple colors

Woven Fresh Pear Tart

This Woven Fresh Pear Tart is a breeze to make and a show-stopping vegan dessert! Thinly sliced fruit sits atop a simple fig jam spread across a buttery, flaky crust. This customizable recipe is as beautiful as it is delicious!

vegan apple hand pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top

Apple Hand Pies

This Apple Hand Pie recipe is the perfect sweet treat for fall, and great for a socially-distant Thanksgiving. Made with store-bought or homemade pie crust and cinnamon-spiced apples, they’re easily eaten without utensils or with a side of vanilla bean ice cream.

overhead shot of coconut whipped cream in a silver bowl next to a hand mixer

Coconut Whipped Cream (dairy-free)

The recipe explains how to make whipped cream out of coconut milk (or coconut cream). With just two simple ingredients, this dairy-free recipe is the perfect topper for so many cakes and pies.

NOTE: I recommend chilling the coconut cream the night before you plan to make this recipe.

Equipment: you will need a stand or hand mixer

side birds eye view of vegan pecan pie in a pie plate on a white table

Easy Vegan Pecan Pie

This Easy Vegan Pecan Pie is just what your dessert table needs! Made with just 8 healthier ingredients and ready in under and hour!

scoop of cranberry cornbread crisp on a plate with ice cream

Leftover Cornbread Crisp

This Cranberry Cornbread Crisp is a mashup of your perfect Thanksgiving leftovers! A healthy cornbread-inspired topping makes this vegan dessert so festive and perfect for the holiday season.

glass of apple cider next to baked apple cider donuts

Vegan Baked Apple Cider Donuts

These Vegan Baked Apple Cider Donuts are the perfect celebration of fall! Coated in cinnamon sugar, they are a great pairing with coffee. They’re easily made in a muffin tin as well!

powdered sugar falling down onto

Puff Pastry Apple Strudel

Puff Pastry Apple Strudel is a newer take on a classic recipe! It has a cinnamon apple filling with notes of warming spices and brown sugar. This simple Austrian dessert can be totally vegan and is a great treat for the holiday season (or really any time of year)!

overhead shot of turkish candied pumpkin on a plate with yogurt and pomegranate

Turkish Candied Pumpkin

This recipe for Turkish Candied Pumpkin (kabak tatlısı) is inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern dessert. Cut squash is cooked with sugar until it becomes a taffy-like sweet treat. Try it in place of pumpkin pie one day and see what you think!

vegan pumpkin cake on a tray topped with brown butter frosting

Vegan Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Brown Butter Frosting

Taste the flavors of fall in this simple Vegan Pumpkin Cake recipe! Topped with a spiced cinnamon brown butter frosting, you’ll want to eat this all autumn long.

Cranberry crumble pie close up

Cranberry Crumble Pie

Keep things festive with this Cranberry Crumble Pie! Inspired by Sister Pie in Detroit, it's a perfect holiday dessert that's totally vegan and great for Christmas.

Portrait of Emily Meyers, founder of Garlic Head

About the Author

Emily (Frigon) Meyers is the founder of Garlic Head, a plant-based recipe website for all eaters who want to easily, affordably, and sustainably incorporate more vegetables into their diets while saving time and money. She is a lifelong vegetarian and 10+ year vegan. Garlic Head does not focus on labels - it focuses on creating food that everyone can enjoy.

Emily earned a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University along with degrees in Economics, Spanish, and Global Sustainability from the University of Pittsburgh. She has been featured on numerous podcasts and websites including The Food Institute, VegNews, Buzzfeed, and the Boston Globe.

Meet Emily here.

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