If you’re vegan or expecting guests at your Thanksgiving table who are, you know how important it is to make sure that there are plenty of options for them to choose from. Luckily, classic side dishes are often vegetable-forward anyway, so it’s actually not that difficult at all to make it happen. From side dishes to salads to plant-based mains, here are 35 vegan Thanksgiving recipes for an animal-free meal that everyone around the table will love.
Everyone needs a simple, versatile side that’s easy to partner with whatever they’re cooking for dinner.
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Garlic
Take your standard roasted Brussels sprouts routine (olive oil, salt, pepper) from good to memorable by adding two ingredients you probably already have around: lemon and garlic.
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This basic recipe results in the very best roasted delicata squash that’s perfectly tender and caramelized.
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This colorful lentil salad is packed with flavor, thanks to a few cloves of garlic that are roasted until soft and nutty alongside the veggies. Then they’re mashed into the vinaigrette.
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This vegan mac and cheese is made with sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast for the finest plant-based comfort food.
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This easy method for crispy smashed potatoes will be your new go-to side dish.
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Roasting thin slices of oranges along with the carrots adds just a bit of bitterness to this side dish that makes it much more complex and interesting than most.
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3-Ingredient Roasted Dijon Potatoes
Tossing the potatoes in whole-grain Dijon mustard not only adds a pop of tang, but also makes them even crispier and crunchier.
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Roasted Cabbage with Mustard Vinaigrette
These thick wedges of roasted cabbage are not only a great vegan side dish, but they’re also hearty enough to be a main dish at the Thanksgiving table.
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These garlicky potatoes are so creamy and lush — without a single drop of cream or butter.
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Lemony Green Beans With Almond Breadcrumbs
This recipe is a brighter, fresher, and vegan-friendly version of classic green bean casserole. Feel free to make the breadcrumb mixture a couple of days before to get ahead.
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This basic sweet-tart condiment comes together with just three simple ingredients.
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This plant-based version of the classic beef Wellington will please everyone at the table, thanks to three kinds of earthy mushrooms and plenty of savory herbs.
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Opt for olive oil instead of brown butter to keep these extra-savory roasted sweet potatoes vegan.
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Basic cranberry sauce gets an upgrade with dried figs, warm spices, and a splash of booze.
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No meat, no problem! This vegan gravy gets lots of deep flavor and savory richness from caramelized onions and earthy mushrooms.
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With a couple easy substitutions (that are noted in the recipe), this veggie-forward dish makes an impressive main course.
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This breezy side dish makes the most of the roots, roasting them to bring out their natural sugars and dressing them in nothing but a happy mix of fresh herbs and minced garlic.
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Easy 10-Minute Garlic Broccolini
Broccolini is basically broccoli’s lazier — and arguably tastier — cousin. The best way to prepare it is also the simplest: Toss it in a hot pan with olive oil and lots of garlic until it’s vibrantly green and tender.
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This broccoli takes just a few minutes to throw into the oven and emerges toasty around the edges and garlicky and a little spicy.
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A cousin to broccoli, this recipe starts by quickly blanching the broccoli rabe to reduce bitterness.
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We can tell you from experience that this slaw is all but guaranteed to be a new holiday favorite.
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Sheela Prakash
Senior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master’s degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
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