Meatless mains, veggie-packed sides, and dairy-free desserts.
Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed
The best part of Thanksgiving dinner is the variety. 🍽
And if you're looking for vegetarian or vegan recipes, we've rounded up a ton of favorites below — from meat-free mains, to vegetable-forward side dishes, to dairy-free (and gluten-free!) desserts.
If you're making this fully vegetarian or vegan, double check that your Worcestershire sauce checks out. (If it doesn't, here's an easy DIY version.)
2. Cauliflower Steak With Fresh Pesto
These roast in the oven at high heat until the edges are crispy — then they're topped with walnut-kale pesto.
This vegan-friendly centerpiece may *look* intimidating — but starting with store-bought puff pastry dough means prep is actually a lot easier than you think.
Recipe: Puff Pastry Mushroom Wellington
This versatile side comes together in less than 30 minutes and pairs with just about anything.
Recipe: Vegan Collard Greens Skillet
5. Maple & Walnut Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
For a lighter twist on sweet potato casserole, try these. They're high in Vitamin A and you can customize the sweetness level.
Ready in all of 10 minutes — with no boiling necessary.
7. Vegan Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Besides being vegan, these are also Paleo- and Whole30-friendly. The Instant Pot doubles as a warming station as well.
The trick to making sure the zucchini stays firm (and not flimsy) is quickly salting and drying the zucchini strips before layering them into the pan. Doing so draws out excess water and helps maintain texture as it bakes.
9. Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
Always a hit with carnivores and vegetarians alike, the cranberry, pecan, and maple syrup topping comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop — all while the brie bakes in the oven.
Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
This vegan-friendly side can be made in the slow cooker or on the stovetop — and makes enough to serve eight.
11. White Beans with Broccoli and Lemon
If you're keeping this fully vegetarian or vegan, leave out the Parmesan and anchovies. (In the latter's place, you could toss in a few capers!)
12. Creamy Vegetarian Chickpea Pot Pie
This has plenty of protein — and uses pre-made puff pastry so you don't have to stress about homemade crust.
Vegan, Paleo, and a total crowdpleaser.
14. Instant Pot Vegan Chili With Acorn Squash
This freezes really well — so stash leftovers for future winter nights.
This vegetarian-friendly side ditches the old-school canned soup and packaged fried onions and makes everything from scratch instead.
Recipe: Lighter Green Bean Casserole
Rich, warm, and creamy — without using any actual cream.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Tuscan Pumpkin Soup
17. Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing With Cauliflower and Mushrooms
If you're into salty-sweet stuffing, try this. It's got savory mushrooms, crispy cauliflower, and a bit of sweetness from the cranberries.
Recipe: Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing With Cauliflower and Mushrooms
The all-purpose balsamic marinade works with just about any winter vegetable — like carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts.
These soft and chewy cookies are dairy-free and gluten-free — and you don't even need to chill the dough in advance.
Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Cookies
Fair warning that this ultra-rich tart takes a bit of prep — but the end product is worth it. Don't forget the flaky sea salt on top!
Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Caramel Tart
