46 Thanksgiving Recipes (Vegan & Oil-Free)
The holidays are almost here, so let the festivities begin with these amazing Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes that are perfectly plant-based and entirely oil-free.
If you are hoping to make a special vegan Thanksgiving meal this year that will entice family and friends alike, look no further than this list of delicious holiday recipes.
Tips for making amazing Thanksgiving recipes:
- Start planning at least a couple (or more) weeks ahead! I can’t stress this enough. Begin looking now for recipes that your family might enjoy. This time of year, they are likely going to want some of the traditional recipes they’re used to, so finding the right ones in an ocean of options is very important.
- Do a trial run of each recipe in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. You’ll want to make sure they actually taste good to you, and you will be a lot less stressed getting to know the recipe and how long it takes to make it before the actual holiday.
- Every recipe doesn’t have to be a new one. Maybe throw in some that you’re comfortable with and know that your family already loves.
- I like to try one new recipe at a time, so I can focus on the prep and making any tweaks to it that might make it even better. It’s just less overwhelming to me when I’m dealing with one thing at a time.
- If you’re looking for very kid-friendly recipes, also take a look at the recipes in this link- Kid-Friendly Recipes.
- More tips for hosting a whole-food plant-based party.
Vegan Thanksgiving recipes you’ll find here
If you’ve ever wondered what vegans eat for Thanksgiving, just take a peek at the recipes listed in the categories below.
- Main Dishes
- Sides
- Casseroles
- Appetizers
- Desserts
We have even more vegan holiday recipes on our special category page. You will find a lot of our newest recipes there that are perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays.
Get the Thanksgiving holiday meal started right with one of these terrific main entree options!
Main Dishes:
Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes
These hearty vegan Thanksgiving main dishes make a beautiful and delicious table display for guests and family. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.
This tender seitan-based vegan roast is surprisingly simple to make and perfect for dinner and even special occasions like parties and holiday meals.
When we are going to a family gathering and need to take a dish or two, this homestyle vegan meatloaf is always my first go-to. During the holidays, you can bet it will be on the menu.
This mouth-watering vegan shepherd’s pie is packed with chunky vegetables, savory sauce, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Believe me, it’s going to be a hit!
This warm and cozy vegan casserole is loaded with wholesome ingredients and perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and holidays!
This crispy-on-the-outside and slightly-meaty-on-the-inside, crispy baked tofu is absolutely delicious smothered in gravy made by using the leftover marinade sauce.
Lasagna is such a hearty and filling meal, and it feeds a pretty big crowd! It takes a little bit of work but is so worth the effort. I remember when I used to do in-home cooking lessons, this vegan lasagna is one recipe that always received the best reviews.
Casseroles are always a terrific holiday option, whether you’re hosting at your home or taking a dish to a gathering. Many of these vegan casseroles can be made ahead of time and then cooked the next day in a beautiful casserole dish.
Casseroles:
Vegan Holiday Casseroles
Casseroles are a warm bubbling oasis of comfort and yumminess that reminds us of childhood trips to Grandma’s house and holidays. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.
Creamy cheezy and amazingly delicious Vegan Scalloped Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any meal, especially for Thanksgiving and the holidays.
This oil and dairy-free version of the traditional American hash brown casserole is delicious and hearty-healthy. With potatoes, onions, red bell peppers, creamy vegan cheese sauce, and smoked paprika, there is no skimping on taste. No artery-clogging butter and eggs either! Vegan Breakfast Casserole is amazing!
This Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time of the year. It’s made with whole food plant-based ingredients and sweetened perfectly with pure maple syrup or date paste.
Bursting with savory flavor, this classic holiday dish will be a hit any time of the year. Vegan green bean casserole is loaded with wholesome ingredients and so delicious that even the kids will eat it.
Warm, creamy, and cheesy, this vegan Broccoli Casserole is amazingly delicious and perfect for dinner or taking to social functions.
I love quiche because it’s creamy, delicious, and perfect for any meal–breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even holiday brunch. This vegan quiche casserole is packed with flavor and will be a huge hit no matter when you serve it.
Lasagna is such a hearty and filling meal, and it feeds a pretty big crowd! It takes a little bit of work but is so worth the effort. I remember when I used to do in-home cooking lessons, this vegan lasagna is one recipe that always received the best reviews.
These are classic holiday sides that have been veganized, and I’m betting even you’re non-vegan family is going to love them.
Side Dishes:
Vegan Thanksgiving Sides
Classic side dishes are a very important part of any vegan Thanksgiving meal. The recipes in this collection are the traditional dishes that have been tweaked to make them healthier. Believe me, they are going to be a hit! Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.
Making gravy doesn’t get any simpler than this Easy Vegan Gravy in 10-Minutes. Ladle it over mashed potatoes, mushroom roast, pasta, biscuits, and on everything else you can think of.
There’s nothing more warm and comforting than creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and if they are served with brown gravy they’re even better!
This gluten-free vegan mac and cheese dish is one of my favorite dairy-free comfort foods! The cheese sauce can also be used in lots of other recipes and dishes as well.
This vegan broccoli salad is so creamy and light, even broccoli haters will like it. Broccoli slaw salad lovers will never realize it has a fraction of the fat and calories of the traditional recipe they are used to.
An acorn squash's natural shape is perfect for adding stuffing. This delicious Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe is packed with beta carotene and fiber, and makes a beautiful table display for the holidays!
Need something special for that cookout, picnic, or potluck? These Country Smoked Vegan Baked Beans are sure to be a hit! Only 1 gram of fat and a whopping 22 grams of protein per serving!
This vegan potato salad is excellent for family gatherings and picnics. No one will ever realize it’s a low-fat, healthier version. I promise, if my family can’t tell, yours won’t either.
The key to getting a good char on roasted Brussels sprouts is baking them in a single flat layer, and making sure they don’t overlap. This is a great recipe to show how to do that without using any oil.
This vegan coleslaw makes a perfect side dish option for cookouts and potlucks and can be ready in less than 15-minutes. The healthy oil-free dressing is what really sets this recipe apart.
This classic mixed bean salad a perfect side dish for picnics and social gatherings. It’s so versatile, it can be made with just about any type of beans you have on-hand.
Dessert, snack, or whatever you want to call it, these chocolatey stuffed sweet potatoes made with bananas, peanut butter, cocoa, maple syrup, and walnuts are going to rock your world!
This Kale Quinoa Salad with orange miso citrus dressing is crazy delicious and so easy to make. An amazing nutrition powerhouse salad of kale, quinoa, mandarin oranges, and so much more!
When I need a quick crowd-pleasing dish that doesn't require any cooking, my first go-to is this simple Black Bean and Corn Salad recipe.
Hands down, this vegan potato recipe is the best you’ll ever try. Even people who aren’t vegan love these!
This quinoa chickpea salad is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that make it not only delicious but also beautiful and filling.
These collard green vegan wraps with creamy peanut sauce offer a fresh, healthy main dish or appetizer that is bursting with vibrant color and loads of nutrition. Checkout out my cooking demo video of this recipe
The appetizers listed here are a great way to let everyone get a taste of the wonderfulness that is about to come their way. My family likes to set a snack table for everyone to sample for an hour or so before the actual meal is served.
Some folks like to serve appetizers at the table before the main course. Either way, you decide to serve them, these appetizer dishes are going to be a hit!
Appetizers:
Vegan Thanksgiving Appetizers
The best way to begin a great holiday meal is with delicious and healthy appetizers like these. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.
These Crockpot Carrots are simmered in tangy bbq sauce and are mouthwateringly delicious. They are perfect for holidays, game days, birthday parties, and even family dinners. Be forewarned, they’re super addictive!
This naturally sweet vegan sweet potato soup is bursting with flavor! It's smooth and creamy and has chunks of soft sweet potato flavored with rich smoked paprika.
This low-fat Italian Vegan Hummus is delicious on sandwiches, in wraps, or served with fresh vegetables and pita bread. It’s completely oil and tahini-free, so the calories and fat per serving are very low.
These Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms are a fabulous side dish or appetizer for any occasion. This is a simple and savory recipe that’s a snap to assemble and a real crowd-pleaser dish.
Creamy, rich, and hearty, this delicious Vegan Mushroom Soup is healthy and bursting with flavor!
A classic favorite, cheddar broccoli soup was one dish I missed after going dairy-free, so I worked hard to come up with this deliciously satisfying vegan version that is loaded with flavor by the spoonful.
These Garden Spring Rolls are one of our favorite recipes. Add a big bowl of steamed rice, and we've got dinner!
Get ready for a creamy, full-bodied taste and texture, that is loaded with protein and calcium, yet has no added dairy or oil! It's sure to be a hit at any pot-luck or game night!
No kidding! This healthy chocolate hummus is so easy to make. If you've got 5-minutes and a blender, you've got a delicious easy dessert.
Sometimes you just need something a little sweet that doesn’t require a lot of effort. Whether you’re making a snack for yourself or for a crowd, these easy stuffed dates are the perfect healthy dessert or snack.
This easy vegan hummus takes only about 10-minutes to make and requires absolutely no cooking. It also happens to be completely gluten-free.
Finish your holiday meal with a bang! These amazing vegan Thanksgiving desserts will help you do just that.
Desserts:
Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts
There is no better way to complete a fabulous holiday dinner than with these crowd-pleasing vegan desserts. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.
This Vegan Pumpkin Pie recipe is perfect for the holidays and it is super simple to make with only 8 ingredients. It's a real crowd-pleaser at family and social gatherings!
Incredibly moist and packed with grated carrots, this secretly healthier version of Vegan Carrot Cake guarantees you will never miss the extra calories.
This vegan chocolate fudge cake is so simple to make and is dripping with the best ooey-gooey chocolatey topping of your dreams.
If you love pumpkin, this vegan pumpkin bread is going to knock your socks off! Warmly spiced and super moist, it’s a perfect fall (or any season) dessert.
All the taste of Grandma’s cookies, but none of the fat! These Vegan Oatmeal Cookies are oil-free, dairy-free, and egg-free, with only 88 calories and 1 gram of fat per cookie!
Vegan No-Bake Chocolate Pie recipe can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 5 ingredients that you’re likely to already have on-hand and a blender.
These healthy pumpkin cookies are completely dairy-free and egg-free and are loaded with fiber, beta carotene, and have zero cholesterol. They can be ready in only about 25-minutes!
Sometimes, I just need a little chocolate and this dairy-free silken tofu vegan chocolate mousse recipe fills the spot without me having to wear it on my hips. It can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 4 ingredients that you’re likely to already have on-hand.
This beautifully decadent chocolate cake recipe is not only amazingly delicious, but it also happens to be vegan and completely sugar-free (unless you don’t want it to be).
Chocolate vegan cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, weddings, holidays, and any other special occasion you can think of. Believe it or not, they can even be made completely sugar-free!
This easy vegan banana bread is the best you’ll find, and even though it is egg-free and dairy-free, no one will ever know the difference.
Your Questions Answered:
- Q: Are these Thanksgiving recipes gluten-free? Some are and some are not. Those that are gluten-free are disclosed in the articles about them. Many that aren’t already can be made to be gluten-free, and those options are listed in the ‘Tips’ or ‘Your Questions Answered’ sections at the bottom of each recipe.
- Q: What do vegans eat on Thanksgiving? Everything in the lists above and more. There are so many options for main dishes, sides, and desserts! We typically have a vegan roast or meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Sides include broccoli salad, scalloped potatoes, and green bean casserole.
- Q: What is a good replacement for turkey? My personal favorite is vegan meatloaf, and there are many others including vegan seitan roast, lentil shepherd’s pie, and mock chicken casserole.
- Q: Where can I find more vegan holiday recipes? I’m so glad you asked! Try my Ultimate Vegan Christmas Dinner article and these 21 Vegan Holiday Recipes for even more inspiration.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…