Every year, turkey tends to take center stage at the Thanksgiving table, but it’s important to serve a selection of plant-based options as well. Our best vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes boast a little something for everyone, and they incorporate ingredients like winter squash, grains, and all kinds of seasonal vegetables. Some are traditional and others are quite modern, and we promise each is more delicious than the next. So embrace the spirit of the holiday and add a few of these options to your menu this year.
Caramelized Pears and Red Onions
A surprising pairing, but it has all the flavors to prove everyone wrong. Sweet and savory get concentrated in this roasted side dish that’s perfect for balancing a heavy holiday meal.
Butternut-Squash Roast With Pistachio Yogurt and Grain Relish
Ryan Liebe
Seasonal butternut squash doesn’t always get the love it deserves during the holidays. This squash is roasted to perfection, served over a bed of creamy pistachio yogurt, and topped with a warm marinated farro and pomegranate mixture.
Green Bean and Artichoke Casserole
A creamy, flavorful green bean casserole updated with artichokes that will have everyone begging for seconds. For a dairy-free recipe, try using plant-based milk and butter—perfect to up your vegan game as well!
Honeynut Squash, Leek, and Brie Gratin
Brie Goldman
For the ultimate comfort food, make this delectable gratin. The meatless dish is filled with hearty honeynut squash and lasagna noodles, making it a perfect holiday side.
Acorn Squash With Mixed-Grain Stuffing
Louise Hagger
If there was a vegetarian main course designed specifically for Thanksgiving, this would be it. The hues of ruby red pomegranate seeds, chopped parsley, slivered almonds, and bright orange squash resemble the colors of the falling autumn leaves.
Mushroom-Eggplant Lasagna
Bryan Gardner
Who doesn’t love lasagna? For vegetarians, this silky layered pasta dish is the ultimate main course for a special meal. To make things easier, you can assemble the entire lasagna up to a day in advance, and then bake just before the holiday dinner.
Sauteed Collard Greens With Garlic
Collard greens are normally associated with a long, slow cooking time, but this method requires only 10 minutes of steaming. The garlic will balance the bitterness of the leafy veggie while adding depth and dimension to the side dish.
Mushroom-Gruyère Tart
Jonathan Lovekin
Wild mushrooms and nutty Gruyère cheese create a creamy filling with plenty of rich flavors in this vegetarian tart. Tahini is the secret ingredient —it adds richness to the classic tart dough.
Quick Chickpea Curry
This crowd-friendly take on the popular Indian dish is quick to make and full of flavors that will complement any traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Creamed-Spinach Gratin
Ngoc Minh Ngo
This is a classic, palate-pleasing steakhouse side that’s vegetarian-friendly. Transform easy creamed spinach into an even more delicious casserole by topping the mixture with golden brown panko breadcrumbs and bake until bubbling.
Cheesy Stove-Top Barley and Swiss Chard
Rachel Marek
With its creamy consistency and rich flavor, risotto is one of the ultimate vegetarian comfort foods. Our recipe has plenty of textures your family and guests will love, plus it’s easy to prepare—it all cooks in one pan, and you don’t need to add any stock.
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Kate Mathis
Indulge in this mouthwatering, meat-free version of the traditional British comfort food. French green lentils and sliced cremini mushrooms create a hearty filling that warms the soul.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes With Walnuts
Johnny Miller
Here’s a Thanksgiving main that truly tastes good and it takes minutes to roast it to perfection. The red grapes’ sweetness brings out the nutty notes in the sprouts, while the walnuts give them the right touch of crunchiness (you can also use almonds or pecans).
Vegan Stuffing With Mushrooms and Leeks
Bryan Gardner
Vegan or not, everyone at the table will love this flavorful stuffing. Crusty sourdough bread is a much more exciting choice than country white; leeks add a mild onion flavor and become silky when baked.
Roasted Vegetables With Pomegranate Vinaigrette
You can’t go wrong with a cauliflower-based dish, but adding pomegranate (both in juice in the vinaigrette and fruit seeds as topping) will change your Thanksgiving game. The marriage of flavors and textures is bound to conquer even the most picky palate!