Thanksgiving dinner can still feel full, cozy, and special without meat on the table.
These vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes are perfect for anyone who wants hearty holiday dishes, classic sides, and easy meatless recipes everyone can enjoy.
This list includes the best vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes for sides, mains, casseroles, stuffing, roasted vegetables, salads, potatoes, and make-ahead dishes.
They work well for family dinner, Friendsgiving, potlucks, or serving guests who prefer meat-free holiday food.
Use these vegetarian Thanksgiving ideas when you want simple recipes that feel festive but not complicated. From traditional side dishes to cozy vegetarian mains, these recipes help you build a delicious Thanksgiving menu without turkey or meat.
VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING RECIPES
1. Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington
Layers of sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions wrapped in puff pastry, baked until it shatters when you slice it. This is the dish that finally makes vegetarian guests feel like the main event.
💡 Tip: Cook the mushroom filling ahead so it’s fully cooled before it hits the pastry — soggy bottoms are the enemy here.
2. Green Bean Casserole With Crispy Onions
Tender green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with a thick layer of crispy fried onions. It’s the dish nobody admits to loving until the pan’s already empty.
3. Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes piled with butter, cheese, and chives (sour cream if you’re feeling extra). Simple, but there’s a reason it never leaves the lineup.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows And Candied Pecans
Whipped sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallows and a crunchy candied pecan layer. It sits somewhere between a side dish and dessert, and nobody’s complaining about that.
5. Baked Mac And Cheese
A sharp cheddar sauce baked over elbow pasta with a crisp, buttery top. Works best for tables with kids, since it disappears faster than anything else on the counter.
6. Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Just three ingredients — sprouts, olive oil, and a balsamic drizzle at the end. Roast them hot and don’t crowd the pan, or you’ll get steamed sprouts instead of crispy ones.
7. Herb Bread Stuffing
Cubed bread tossed with celery, onion, sage, and thyme, then baked separately (not stuffed in anything) until golden on top. Swap in vegetable broth and it’s fully vegetarian without losing any flavor.
8. Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash With Cranberries
Roasted squash halves filled with orange-infused quinoa, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans, finished with a bit of goat cheese. Best for guests who want a second main option beyond the wellington.
9. Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Velvety pumpkin puree simmered with warm spices and a splash of cream. A small bowl before the mains gives everyone a reason to slow down before the real eating starts.
10. Honey Butter Dinner Rolls
Soft, pull-apart rolls brushed with honey butter right out of the oven. Ready in about 30 minutes, which is more than I can say for half the dishes on this list.
11. Lemon Herb Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Thick cauliflower slabs roasted until browned, finished with a bright lemon herb gremolata. It holds up as a light main for anyone skipping the heavier dishes.
12. Roasted Root Vegetable Medley
Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roasted with rosemary until the edges caramelize. Colorful, easy, and it fills up empty space on the table without much fuss.
13. Homemade Cranberry Orange Sauce
Fresh cranberries simmered with orange zest and a little sugar until they burst and thicken. Takes maybe 15 minutes (and it’s genuinely nothing like the can).
14. Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf
Nutty wild rice simmered with vegetable broth, then tossed with dried cranberries and toasted pecans. A good in-between side, less heavy than stuffing but still filling.
15. Baked Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom caps filled with a cream cheese, herb, and pecan mixture, baked until golden. Set these out while everything else finishes cooking (they buy you a good 20 minutes of peace).
16. Creamy Scalloped Potatoes Au Gratin
Thinly sliced potatoes layered in a rich, cheesy cream sauce and baked until bubbly. Slicing the potatoes evenly takes a bit of patience (a mandoline makes this so much easier).
⚠️ Budget Note: Skip the mandoline and a sharp knife plus a steady hand works just fine.
17. Sweet Corn Spoonbread Casserole
Corn muffin mix, creamed corn, and sour cream baked into something halfway between cornbread and pudding. Dump-and-stir simple, and it’s usually gone before the pies come out.
18. Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach and artichokes folded into a warm, cheesy base, baked in a skillet until bubbling. Serve it with crusty bread and watch it vanish before anyone sits down.
19. Harvest Kale Salad With Pomegranate And Roasted Squash
Massaged kale tossed with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Best for balancing out a table that’s otherwise all butter and cheese.
20. Vegan Mushroom Gravy
Caramelized mushrooms simmered with vegetable broth and a splash of soy sauce for depth. Rich enough that meat-eating guests reach for it too, gravy boat and all.
