Vegan Thanksgiving Dishes That Won't Ruffle Guests' Feathers

While the turkey is the star of most Thanksgiving feasts, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of delicious options out there for vegans, whether you want to make an all-vegan feast or just accommodate non-meat-eating dinner guests. Let’s run down some options for making your Thanksgiving spread more vegan-friendly.

Appealing Appetizers

If your Thanksgiving Day plans include noshing appetizers before dinner (maybe while watching some football), there are loads of different recipes for vegan-approved appetizers. Consider spinach artichoke dip with vegan-friendly crackers, roasted acorn and squash hummus, walnut and sage stuffed mushrooms, or stuffed cherry tomatoes.

The Main Course

Letting this year’s turkey escape your carving knife means replacing it with something appealing and plant-based that won’t ruffle the feathers of your dinner guests. Whole-roasted cauliflower heads, pumpkin risotto, lentil loaf, vegetable pot pie, and mushroom Wellington are all popular and yummy options to consider.

Make Classic Side Dishes Vegan-Friendly

Nearly all things that you normally serve for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can be made vegan if you prepare it with vegetable stock and vegan butter. So, a Turkey Day spread filled with your gang’s favorite sides can be a filling way to celebrate the day without feeling too deprived. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, mac and cheese, corn casserole, broccoli casserole, and green bean casserole are timeless choices. Load up their plates with oodles of roasted veggies—from cauliflower and carrots to brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes—and you’ll have an appealing table that most guests can appreciate. Don’t forget to add some sweet, snappy, and tangy flavors to the mix by serving some type of cranberry, pear, or pomegranate dish, relish, or chutney.

Have Fun With It

If you’re looking to incorporate more plant-based options into your diet in general, it can be tough to balance your desire to serve a classic Thanksgiving meal with your commitment to eat less (or no) meat. Try not to take the food that’s served on this holiday too seriously and instead enjoy time with family while you expand your food palate.