I’m going to suggest for y’all 13 of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes that’ll make your holiday more fun-filled and your belly more belly-filled. Whether you’re a vegan looking for an alternative to a turkey, or a normal-y person looking for a recipe for your nephew or niece or strange plant-based relative, there should be something here for everyone!
- 1. Tahini Gravy
- 2. Cheddary Turmeric Scones
- 3. Mushroom Cabbage Rolls
- 4. Oven-Baked Paprika Jo Jo Potatoes
- 5. Roasted Butternut Squash
- 6. Roasted Cauliflower & Tahini Salad
- 7. Honey Mustard Cruciform Bowl
- 8. Golden Lentil Soup
- 9. Wild Rice Jackfruit Casserole
- 10. Pistachio Pesto Green Beans
- 11. Stuffed Delicata Squash
- 12. Chunky Roasted Leek & Potato Soup
- 13. Golden Milk
1. Tahini Gravy
Listen, people. It’s not Thanksgiving without gravy, and it wouldn’t be a good vegan Thanksgiving recipes list without a bangin’ gravy! And this is one gravy that you’re going to want to pour over everything: the seitan roast, the mashed potatoes, the roasted brussell sprouts.. heck, maybe even the cranberry sauce.
The tahini gives a traditional rue-based gravy that lil’ extra oompf that’s going to make your dinner guests go wild, and potentially start a fight or two over the possession of the gravy boat. Btw, if you can’t find the raw tahini you need for this recipe, you can make it yourself!
2. Cheddary Turmeric Scones
Yeah, these triangular confections are the bomb! Light, fluffy and flakey, tawny and bright, these canary-colored scones are going to look like a beautiful baked Pyramid of Giza on your Thanksgiving day table. Thank me later.
3. Mushroom Cabbage Rolls
This is one of those vegan Thanksgiving recipes that’s like.. a lot of work, but what the hell, it’s Thanksgiving! Everything food-related is a lot of work except the eating part, right? Yes, these cabbage rolls might take awhile to prepare, and roll and steam, but it’s totally worth it. I mean.. look how beautiful they are all lined up on a platter. You can’t tell me this wouldn’t make your Thanksgiving Day guests ooo and awww!
4. Oven-Baked Paprika Jo Jo Potatoes
Everybody like french fries.. and these are like the french-fry lover french fry.. french fries to the max, you could say. Deliciously pillowy and super easy to make, these paprika jojos are definitely an interesting alternative to other potato-based side dishes.
So scrap the simple mashed ‘taters for some rockin’ oven-based jojos – no deep frier required, FYI! Likewise, you can also use an air-frier, if you have one (I’m kinda envious if you do). Kind of an off-the-wall choice in this vegan Thanksgiving recipes list, but one worth making.
5. Roasted Butternut Squash
This is one of those soups that you want to dive into like Scrooge McDuck into a pile of coins. It’s absolutely delicious, and not to mention totally gorgeous to look at. Swirl some cinnamon-spiced cashew cream over a bowl full, and each guest for your Thanksgiving Day dinner will have their very own Rorschach ink blot test awaiting them – if anyone sees something vaguely political, you know it’s going to be a dinner to remember!
6. Roasted Cauliflower & Tahini Salad
Okay, admittedly this salad is pretty freaking weird, but also pretty freaking delicious, too. Roast some cauliflower (who doesn’t love it roasted?), and then lather it in a tahini dressing, alongside some candied walnuts for texture and taste and.. well just for seasonal flair.
It’s an unusual addition to this vegan Thanksgiving recipes list, but it has a flavor and f that your guests will be enchanted by, or at least too many mouthfuls full of that they won’t be able to say otherwise.
7. Honey Mustard Cruciform Bowl
Oh yeah, we got some yams in this compilation. This is a less traditional take to include in these vegan Thanksgiving recipes, but one I thought would suit the people who’re maybe looking for a lighter, more fresh option for a meal – very new-age, modern, minimalist kind of Thanksgiving… yeah, I don’t know if those people exist; but if you do, here’s a recipe for you!
8. Golden Lentil Soup
My mom made this soup, so it’s automatically good. Golden lentils, golden potatoes, golden curry… for her golden child: me!.. It was so good that I had to include it in my blog, and perhaps so good that you’ll include it as a side dish or starter for your Thanksgiving Day meal.. or a pre-game appetizer or something.. please, my mom would be thrilled if you used this as one of your vegan Thanksgiving recipes!
9. Wild Rice Jackfruit Casserole
Jackfruit is like the meatiest thing you can get that isn’t actually meat.. well, I guess technically it’s meat from an exotic fruit. Don’t be put off by the appearance of canned jackfruit – the stuff is bonkers good. Use it like you would shredded chicken in this casserole dish for your Thanksgiving Day feast!
Plus, vegan cheese is getting.. better, and more meltable.. well, at least this Follow Your Heart Parm. Mix it with panko, and discover a remarkable casserole topping. I ain’t gonna lie – I’d put this on my vegan Thanksgiving recipes shopping list now to ensure you get that darned parm!
10. Pistachio Pesto Green Beans
Maybe you’re thinking, “That Vegan Nephew, but pesto is a summer dish! How could you?” And to that I say, “Pesto knows no bounds, no season, no time of year. Pesto is eternal.” And then you realize that I’m right when you taste this glorious rendition of pesto smeared all over roasted green beans. So bookmark this as one of your vegan Thanksgiving recipes A.S.A.P. (the “.P” is for pesto).
11. Stuffed Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is just cool looking.. like it has stripes and is yellow and is a super cool shape. How could I not feature it in these vegan Thanksgiving recipes, right? Stuff the thing with rice and kale and walnuts and cranberries and the like, and bake it, and then top it with tahini gravy (that’s #1 from the list, btw!).
Another benefit of this delicata squash recipe is that it’s definitely centerpiece worthy, or at least has the ability to fight for the centerstage with its unusual but incredibly welcoming curb appeal.
12. Chunky Roasted Leek & Potato Soup
So if you’ve never had a leek and potato soup before, then this Thanksgiving is the time to do so! This soup is so darned delicious that it could be eaten any time of the year, but there’s something about the fall that makes an onion-y, potato-y soup like this truly spectacular, and truly a bowlful to be grateful for. Since the inception of this recipe, this soup has gotten some pretty rave reviews, so don’t miss your chance to rant and rave about its deliciousness with a group of love ones.
13. Golden Milk
And to really finish off your fantastically indulgent Thanksgiving day is a warm and bodacious cup o’ golden milk – truly a nectar of the Gods. It’s the perfect anti-inflammatory drink for cold fall weather and an after dinner belly. Relaxing, soothing, spicy, comforting.
I wouldn’t end this vegan Thanksgiving recipes list without it at the very end. Plus, this recipe is a batter, which means you could make it ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and then scoop out the batter and mix with warm milk later. Yay for meal prepping, huh?
Well, I hope that you all enjoyed these easy vegan Thanksgiving recipes. Consider checking some of them out this year for you Thanksgiving Day festivities. I am grateful for you all!
Happy Thanksgiving,
That Vegan Nephew
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