Turkey is the center of any traditional Thanksgiving table, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t create a vegan Thanksgiving tradition with your family and friends.
Across the nation, more people than ever before are choosing to celebrate Thanksgiving without the turkey. Several brands, like Tofurky, Field Roast, Gardein, and even Trader Joe’s make vegan turkey roasts that are the perfect centerpiece for any holiday table.
13 Meat-Free Mains for the Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving
There are also plenty of creative recipes for those who want to try their hand at making a plant-based Thanksgiving entree. These range from homemade vegan turkey to veggie-packed sweet potato lasagna, meatless wellingtons, veggie loaves, and more. If you need holiday inspo, look no further. We’ve got some of the best meat-free main Thanksgiving recipes to choose from. Happy eating.
1. Pecan and Mushroom Wellington
This meatless main is a centerpiece worth of any vegan Thanksgiving table. Mushrooms are sauteed with onions, garlic, and thyme and then blended together with raw pecans to provide a savory, meaty flavor and texture. The mixture is then wrapped in a dairy-free puff pastry arranged in an eye-catching cross-hatch pattern and then baked until golden and crispy. Serve with mushroom gravy and a side of cranberry sauce.
Get the recipe here.
2. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Full of flavor, yet easy to make. This vegan shepherd’s pie recipe features layers of creamy mashed potatoes over a savory filling of carrots, celery, lentils, thyme, peas, and corn. This protein-packed dish is so good you’re definitely going to want seconds.
Get the recipe here.
3. Stuffed Acorn Squash
This sweet and savory stuffed acorn squash is the perfect vegan Thanksgiving centerpiece. Roasting acorn squash brings out its sweet, nutty flavor that’s perfectly complemented by a stuffing of quinoa, roasted apples, mushrooms, tart cranberries, and fall spices.
Get the recipe here.
4. Vegan Meatloaf With Gravy
This vegan holiday main will delight all palates. It features onion, garlic, split red lentils, green lentils, mushrooms, walnuts, and breadcrumbs all baked into a delicious, healthy meatless Thanksgiving dish.
Get the recipe here.
5. Cauliflower Pot Roast
Cauliflower takes center stage in this festive vegan holiday centerpiece. A whole head of cauliflower is roasted with seasonal and colorful root veggies, then topped with savory gravy. This dish will make anyone fall in love with vegetables.
Get the recipe here.
6. The Vegducken
Meet the ultimate vegan Thanksgiving dish: “The Vegducken.” Whole butternut squash is stuffed with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and a plant-based stuffing made from lentils, chickpeas, and mushrooms. The perfect dish for those who love to impress.
Get the recipe here.
7. Vegan Turkey
Vegan Thanksgiving isn’t just about veggies, you can have turkey, too thanks to this meat-free stuffed seitan roast. This vegan turkey recipe is made to taste like the real thing, right down to the crispy skin. No one will miss the bird with this on the table.
Get the recipe here.
8. Vegan Holiday Roast
Please even the meat-eaters at your holiday gathering with this vegan holiday roast. Full of fall flavor, this savory meatless main features seitan made with red kidney beans and a number of other tasty ingredients and seasonings. Serve it with a heaping mound of mashed potatoes and gravy and a side roll.
Get the recipe here.
9. Roasted Stuffed Butternut Squash
This roasted stuffed butternut squash is a delicious and colorful Thanksgiving main made without meat. Halved butternut squash is baked and then stuffed with sauteed quinoa, caramelized mushrooms, and kale. All you need is 10 delectable ingredients to make this dish.
Get the recipe here.
10. Mushroom Bourguignon
Sometimes, you don’t need a whole feast and this mushroom bourguignon makes a great vegan Thanksgiving meal for two. Meaty porcini mushrooms replace beef in this hearty plant-based stew where dry red wine is used to create a full-bodied flavor.
Get the recipe here.
11. Chickpea Veggie Loaf
This vegan meatloaf is nut-free, soy-free, meat-free, and packed sweet and savory with holiday flavor. The “meat” is made from a blend of chickpeas and cannellini beans blended with onion, garlic, bell peppers, and a pinch of dried cranberries, then topped with a smoky BBQ sauce. Serve with a side of cranberry sauce, salad, and stuffing.
Get the recipe here.
12. Roasted Vegan Thanksgiving Bowl
This roasted vegan Thanksgiving bowl is a fuss-free main to serve in the center of your table. It’s packed with veggies, so it’s super healthy too. If you still want a meat-free main, serve a smaller version of the bowl alongside a plant-based protein centerpiece.
Get the recipe here.
13. Vegan Turkey Roll
If some of your guests fancy turkey and others don’t eat meat, this tofu-based vegan turkey roll is the perfect compromise. Smother it with gravy for an indulgent main.
Get the recipe here.
