Plant-Based Recipe Ideas for Thanksgiving

The holidays can be such a difficult time for plant-based and vegan eaters.

When the main component of your day is traditionally turkey or ham, it can be difficult to navigate when you don’t want to eat a lot of meat (or dairy — looking at you, mac and cheese)!

Don’t worry, we’ve got your backs. Below, we’ve listed a few plant-based Thanksgiving recipe ideas that were either created by Elana or rounded up from our other favorite food blogs. Each recipe that wasn’t created by Elana has been tested by her at least once, and we’ve included her notes.

If you’re struggling to come up with some dishes to supplement or replace what you’d normally make this week, read on!

Salad

Favorite Green Salad from Cookie and Kate

Elana’s notes: I, for one, like a salad at pretty much every meal. It’s a great way to get greens in (which are basically a calorie-free, nutrient-packed food — win-win!) and experience lots of flavor.

This recipe uses goat cheese, but if you’re vegan, leave it out. I did, and the recipe was still so good!

There’s also honey in the dressing, which you could very easily substitute for maple syrup to keep it 100% vegan.

Sides

1. Oven-Baked Green Beans with a Balsamic Reduction from Plum Savory

2. Smoky Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots from Sweet Potato Soul

Elana’s notes: If I made them again, I would add a touch more maple syrup (maybe another tablespoon) and red pepper flakes (level up to my preferred spiciness). It only took my veggies 30 minutes to cook. You could also cut the veggies ahead of time and mix them with the maple syrup/spices right before cooking. I’m all about something you can prep ahead of time!

3. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Pecans from Plum Savory

Main Dish

1. Vegan Pot Pies from Jessica in the Kitchen

Elana’s notes: This recipe is delicious! I would add more spice to it (as always).

I used olive oil instead of butter, dried thyme instead of fresh as I didn’t have any, and a frozen pie crust (don’t tell my mom — she would disown me for not making my own from scratch…), which all worked well. I do think the filo dough would have been even better with this, so I highly recommend following her tip for that!

I also put mine into a 7×11 pan instead of ramekins, since I was just making it for my husband and myself, and it worked great! Just be sure to put a baking sheet under the pan while cooking as mine spilled over into the oven a little (oops).

2. Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Simply Quinoa

Our notes: Hear us out. We know this isn’t a traditional main dish for Thanksgiving, BUT it’s delicious, and if you don’t like traditional Thanksgiving food, it’s perfect! Both Elana and Nicole LOVE this recipe and make it regularly.

Don’t skip the tahini or hot sauce here — the mixture of these two toppings is just the best!

Dessert

1. Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Plum Savory

2. Flourless Chocolate Cake with Tahini and Warm Pomegranate Compote from Simple Natural Nutrition

This cake is always delicious! You honestly wouldn’t know that it’s flourless, and it’s perfect for any gluten-free friends or family members! If you’re confused about where to find tahini, look for it in the peanut butter or Mediterranean sections of your local grocery store.

I also like to buy frozen pomegranate arils rather than going through the work of a fresh pomegranate (such a struggle). DON’T SKIP THE POMEGRANATE COMPOTE. I know it seems like extra work, but seriously. The slightly tart flavor with chocolate is the best thing ever.

Note: this recipe is not vegan and I haven’t tried any substitutions for the eggs (I do not think flax eggs would work in this recipe), but if you are dairy-free, you can always substitute vegan chocolate chips and vegan butter for those ingredients!

Well, that’s it, friends! We hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving with your loved ones — please practice social distancing and be as safe as possible! We’ll be back next week with another awesome plant-based recipe.

‘Til then,
Nicole and Elana