I used to think a vegan Thanksgiving meant a sad, empty plate. But all those cozy, carby, comforting sides you crave can be totally plant-based and ridiculously good. I've gathered 34 recipes that bring the classic holiday warmth without a single compromise. Time to fill that table, friends.
1. Vegan Stuffing
A casserole of stuffing is essential for any holiday spread. This vegan version is packed with aromatics, herbs, and veggies, so every bite is full of flavor. Whole grain bread cubes get toasted and then perfectly moistened with vegetable broth. It leaves me feeling completely satisfied.
2. Cheesy Vegan Cauliflower Casserole
This is comfort food at its finest. Tender cauliflower florets baked in a creamy vegan cheese sauce until golden and bubbly. The secret to all that cheesiness is nutritional yeast, which makes it a real treat. I call it the ultimate guilt-free indulgence for the holidays.
3. Vegan Dinner Rolls
These rolls are the perfect little sidekick to your hearty main dishes. They bake to a gorgeous golden brown with a soft, delicate crumb that pulls apart beautifully. Made with wholesome ingredients, they're a worry-free addition to the table. Warm, tender, and so comforting.
4. Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are non-negotiable on Thanksgiving, and this vegan version is the definition of comfort food. They're velvety smooth with a buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. A good dose of vegan butter is the secret to that creamy texture, and a final sprinkle of fresh herbs makes every bite pop.
5. Vegan Kale Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing
This salad will brighten up your entire feast. Crisp kale, baby spinach, red apple, pecans, and cranberries bring so much fresh flavor. The real star is the lush maple balsamic dressing, which coats every element with a balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. The colors alone bring holiday spirit to the table.
6. Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These mashed sweet potatoes are pure decadence. Each spoonful brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes. Rich vegan butter, creamy almond milk, and savory nutritional yeast make the texture absolutely dreamy, while a sprinkle of cinnamon and fresh parsley gives it that warm, cozy character. It's comfort and nostalgia on a plate.
7. Vegan Pumpkin Soup
I dive face-first into a bowl of this cozy soup every fall. It is autumn in a dish, period. Pureed pumpkin and almond milk blend together to make something impossibly smooth and creamy. Warm spices and a touch of maple syrup add a gentle flavor, and every spoonful is like a hug from the inside, especially with that crunchy sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds on top.
8. Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
This soup is a sweet and savory dream come true. The rich flavor of roasted butternut squash meets the earthy notes of thyme and basil. A splash of coconut milk brings in so much creaminess and a subtle hint of sweetness. I want to savor it slowly, spoonful by spoonful.
9. Roasted Beet Salad with Vegan Goat Cheese
This salad brings earthy sweetness and creamy richness to the table. Roasted beets pair perfectly with a tart, vegan goat cheese crumble. A medley of fresh greens and balsamic dressing rounds the whole thing out. It's a work of art on your plate and a treat for your tastebuds.
10. Best Vegan Cornbread
This vegan cornbread is light as air but still rich with that wholesome cornmeal goodness. It has a subtle sweetness that plays nicely with all the savory dishes on your plate. A golden square on the table just feels like home. I reach for it constantly to soak up those saucy bites.
11. Vegan Fall Harvest Salad
This salad is a full celebration of the season's bounty. Fresh greens, tart apples, butternut squash, dried cherries, nuts, and hearty roasted pumpkin seeds fill the bowl. A drizzle of raspberry balsamic glaze brings a tangy sweetness that ties it all together. Every single forkful tastes like autumn.
12. Roasted Pumpkin Hummus
This hummus is a fun twist on the classic. It has all the creamy texture of chickpeas blended with the sweet, earthy flavor of roasted pumpkin. Sesame oil, lemon juice, and olive oil infuse it with incredible flavor. Serve it with pretzels, crackers, or breadsticks and get dipping.
13. Classic Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
Is there anything more comforting than mac and cheese? This vegan version is a wholesome twist on the classic that everyone will adore. The macaroni is perfectly coated in a creamy, velvety cheese sauce made with coconut milk, seasonings, Dijon, and vegan butter. The golden-brown, crispy bread crumb topping seals the deal. It's a nostalgic bite that makes me feel like a kid again.
14. Southern-Style Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits
These biscuits are the definition of Southern comfort. They're light, flaky, and incredibly soft, yet completely plant-based. The secret is making "buttermilk" by combining soy milk with apple cider vinegar. It creates that gentle tang we all love, and honestly, they're just irresistible. Eat them warm from the oven, obviously.
15. Vegan Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli always makes a delicious appearance in hearty casseroles. This vegan version is creamy, dreamy, and guaranteed to be a favorite. The broccoli is bathed in a velvety vegan cheese sauce loaded with mushrooms and cashews, with a crunchy, golden topping for contrast. Everyone will be reaching for seconds.
16. Best Vegan Rice Pilaf
This rice pilaf is a warm, comforting embrace. Made with basmati rice, orzo, celery, and aromatics, it bursts with flavor in every bite. It's a heartwarming side dish that's as pretty as it is satisfying. Simple, wholesome, and absolutely delicious.
17. Vegan Corn Casserole
Prepare to be blown away by this corn casserole. It transforms golden corn into a creamy, savory delight. Each spoonful is packed with tender kernels bathed in a luscious, plant-based creaminess. Baked to perfection with a golden crust, eating this feels like a warm, cozy embrace.
18. Mashed Butternut Squash
This side dish is fall flavor in its simplest form. The nutty notes of the squash come through so clearly, especially with the addition of nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup. It's whipped until completely creamy and velvety. Simple, delicious, and it belongs on your vegan Thanksgiving table.
19. Classic Vegan Coleslaw
I come back to this coleslaw every year. Thinly sliced cabbage and carrots get slathered in a creamy, tangy vegan dressing. The crisp freshness of the veggies mixed with that velvety dressing is an unforgettable combo. It's a cool, refreshing side that adds a nice crunch to the meal.
20. Garlic Smashed Potatoes
Want to add a rustic touch to your holiday spread? Whip up these smashed potatoes! Tender Yukon potatoes are lightly smashed and then oven-crisped to golden perfection. A brush of plant butter and olive oil with garlic powder and red pepper flakes works wonders. The outside is satisfyingly crunchy while the inside stays fluffy, and fresh herbs make it feel festive.
21. Best Lentil Soup
Take a break from the holiday rush and settle into this heartwarming soup. It's loaded with nutritious lentils, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Each bowl is full of comforting flavors that meld together beautifully. I always come back to this when I need a taste of home.
22. Vegan Crispy Roasted Cauliflower
Crispy, crunchy, and oh-so-satisfying, this cauliflower is an authentic flavor fiesta. Each floret is coated in a blend of spices before being roasted to perfection. The outside gets satisfyingly crunchy, while the inside stays tender and juicy. Serve it with a tangy vegan dipping sauce.
23. Easy Vegan Brussels Sprouts
If you need an easy side that comes together in under an hour, this is it. These Brussels sprouts roast until the outside is beautifully crispy and the inside is tender. The recipe uses tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, spices, and nutritional yeast, giving them a sweet and tangy charm that's hard to beat.
24. Easy Vegan Gravy
You have to have something to pour over everything, and this vegan gravy is it. A hearty vegetable broth creates a savory base that takes the whole meal up a notch. Onion powder, soy sauce, and a little Dijon mustard add so much flavor. It's the soul-warming finishing touch your feast is asking for.
25. Southern Vegan Potato Salad
This potato salad is pure Southern charm. Tender cubes of potato mingle with crisp celery, sweet relish, and fresh green onions, all enveloped in a lush, vegan mayo-based dressing. A little hint of mustard adds a lovely zing that balances the richness perfectly. It's a fresh, satisfying side for the holiday.
26. Vegan Roasted Vegetables
This is a gorgeous medley of the season's best veggies: zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli. They come out of the oven all caramelized and tender with their natural sweetness amped up by the heat. An earthy, herby tahini sauce gets tossed in for good measure.
27. Roasted Carrots
Need a side dish ASAP? These roasted carrots are your answer. They cook in the oven until perfectly caramelized, bringing out all that natural sweetness. A light glaze of olive oil, garlic, and maple syrup enhances every single bite. A simple garnish of parsley finishes them off.
28. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
This casserole is pure velvet. The sweet potato base is luxuriously creamy and warmed up with cozy autumn spices, while a little non-dairy milk and vegan butter give it that dreamy texture. Then there's the crunchy pecan crumble on top, all gleaming and golden. I love how it balances silky and crisp.
29. Vegan Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce is a tangy, sweet little surprise. Plump, ruby-red cranberries burst with flavor, and I simmered them with a hint of bright orange zest and maple syrup. The result is a jewel-toned side that makes the whole table glow.
30. Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
Need the perfect side for your vegan turkey roast? These sweet potato wedges are just the ticket. They're coated in olive oil, salt, and thyme before hitting the oven. They bake up to caramelized perfection with the most amazing natural sweetness. Serve them with creamy vegan aioli.
31. Easy Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
This stuffed squash is hearty elegance at its finest. Tender roasted butternut squash is brimming with a savory filling of beans, rice, and spinach. A blend of herbs and spices takes the flavors up a notch, and every bite balances sweet, nutty, and earthy notes. It's a nutrition-packed side.
32. Vegan Squash Casserole
This casserole captures the true essence of the season. Sweet and nutty squash swims in a luscious, creamy vegan sauce, and a crispy top layer gives you the most beautiful contrast against that velvety filling. It's warm and inviting, and it proves just how incredible plant-based cooking can be.
33. Stuffed Acorn Squash
This acorn squash is hearty and a little fancy. The roasted squash serves as a cradle for a savory medley of quinoa, mushrooms, herbs, and spices. Each bite delivers an intriguing mix of textures and flavors. It's rustic meets gourmet, and it fits right into a festive vegan feast.
34. Vegan Green Bean Casserole
This one takes me through all the flavors. Crisp, fresh green beans swim in a rich and creamy mushroom sauce, and I piled on plenty of crispy fried onions for that crunch. It's a plant-based spin on a classic that I simply cannot resist. Honestly, it's too good.