Wondering what to serve instead of turkey? From Thanksgiving "meatballs" to a showstopping whole roasted cauliflower, these 10 vegan Thanksgiving main dishes are hearty, festive, and naturally gluten-free too. I hope you find a few to enjoy!
I've been getting lots of questions from readers about vegan Thanksgiving main dishes, and I realized the answers were already right here on the blog. So I rounded them all up in one place!
Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based, you just don't eat (or don't love!) turkey, or you're hosting someone with dietary restrictions, I want you to feel excited about what's on your plate this year. There are SO many delicious options!
My compassion for animals is a big part of why I'm vegan, and turkeys especially tug at my heartstrings. They're such intelligent, social birds - they can even recognize each other by their voices and faces! And while a turkey's natural lifespan can be up to 10 years, most turkeys raised for food live only about three to five months. Having seen turkey farms firsthand, it makes me sad to think about their short lives and the conditions in which many are raised.
The good news? Thanksgiving can be every bit as delicious and meaningful without turkey, and these mains are proof!
And let's be honest...the sides are often the best part of Thanksgiving anyway! You'll find some of my holiday sides paired with these mains below. Many of them call for vegan butter (it's an option in the shepherd's pie topping as well), which makes this the perfect excuse to try my new easy homemade vegan butter!
My Favorite Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes
Vegan Mushroom-Walnut Balls
Also known as my Thanksgiving "meatballs"! These hearty, savory mushroom-walnut balls have all the familiar flavor of the Thanksgiving herbs we all love. They're perfect with a big scoop of my creamy and fluffy dairy-free mashed potatoes, and a spoonful of my easy cranberry sauce on the side never hurts! One of my top recommendations...I usually make them for myself every year!
Grab the recipe:
Vegan Mushroom-Walnut Balls
Easy Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Another one of my top picks, and it's brand new to the blog! A savory lentil filling with caramelized onions and herbs gets tucked under garlic mashed potatoes, making this shepherd's pie cozy, comforting and a complete holiday main all on its own!
Grab the recipe:
Easy Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash over Black Rice and Lentils
Technically this one's a salad, but trust me, it's substantial enough to be the main event! Forbidden black rice, lentils, crispy chickpeas and maple roasted delicata squash make it so satisfying...and it's absolutely stunning on the table too!
Grab the recipe:
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash over Black Rice and Lentils
Quinoa-Pecan Stuffed Acorn Squash
Why have one centerpiece when everyone can have their own?! This quinoa-pecan stuffed acorn squash is beautiful, festive and the perfect individual centerpiece for your holiday table!
Grab the recipe:
Quinoa-Pecan Stuffed Acorn Squash
Vegan Lentil Meatloaf
Craving something a little more traditional? Meet my vegan lentil meatloaf! It's hearty, satisfying and sliceable - the perfect holiday entrée alternative. Pair it with my vegan green bean casserole and easy no-nut sweet potato casserole for a plate full of Thanksgiving classics!
Grab the recipe:
Vegan Lentil Meatloaf
Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta with Caramelized Onions
Creamy, cozy and full of seasonal flavor! Butternut squash and caramelized onions turn this pasta into a comforting holiday main for anyone who'd rather twirl than carve!
Grab the recipe:
Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta with Caramelized Onions
Caramelized Onion Apple Pasta with Sage
Apples, sage and caramelized onions?! It doesn't get much more Thanksgiving than that! Those three classic fall flavors make this pasta a natural fit for your holiday table!
Grab the recipe:
Caramelized Onion Apple Pasta with Sage
Maple Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Quinoa Salad
Want a main that can double as a side? This maple roasted butternut squash and apple quinoa salad can be either - serve it as a lighter main or right alongside everything else! Plus, quinoa is a complete plant-based protein!
Grab the recipe:
Maple Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Quinoa Salad
Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Garlic Pasta
Comforting and creamy, this pumpkin garlic pasta plays almost the same role mac and cheese does at Thanksgiving! And if you'd like both on the table, my vegan mac and cheese is calling for you!
Grab the recipe:
Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Garlic Pasta
Hemp Seed-Crusted Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Green Tahini Sauce
Talk about stealing the show! A hemp seed crust and green tahini sauce turn a whole head of cauliflower into such a gorgeous holiday centerpiece! Serve it over fluffy quinoa, or make it a feast with my quinoa stuffing on the side!
Grab the recipe:
Hemp Seed-Crusted Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Green Tahini SauceSave Room for Dessert!
No Thanksgiving table is complete without dessert! Even better, my two top picks are both no-bake, which means more oven space for everything else.
My no-bake vegan pumpkin pie is cheesecake-style, with a spiced cashew and pumpkin filling over a date and pecan crust. It sets in the freezer, so it's an easy one to make ahead! And for the pecan pie lovers, my no-bake vegan pecan pie bars are a must!
Can't get enough pumpkin? My vegan pumpkin pie pudding is another delicious way to enjoy it! If apples are more your thing, my easy vegan apple crisp is a cozy fall dessert that also happens to be refined sugar-free!
And don't forget the cookies! Bake up a batch of my cranberry chocolate chunk oatmeal cookies for a festive pop of cranberry. Or keep it classic with my soft and pillowy vegan snickerdoodles!
Looking for even more ideas? You'll find them all in my full Thanksgiving recipe collection. And these mains aren't just for Thanksgiving...they'd be wonderful for Christmas or any holiday dinner too!
I hope you find a vegan Thanksgiving main dish (or two!) that steals the show at your table this year. Please comment below or tag me @eatingbyelaine so I can see what you're making!
Leave a Reply