60 Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes (On a Budget!)

This is your go-to list of 60 easy vegan Thanksgiving recipes, all from my site, tested by me, and made with budget-friendly ingredients. From appetizers and soups to stuffing, gravy, mains, and pumpkin pie, you’ll find everything you need for a delicious plant-based Thanksgiving. I’ve also included sample menus and a make-ahead timeline to make the big day easy!

How to Plan a Vegan Thanksgiving on a Budget

• Shop your pantry first: Flour, broth or bouillon, spices, and canned pumpkin are the base of a lot of these recipes.
• Build the menu around inexpensive produce: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, onions, and cranberries are at their cheapest in November.
• Pick one main and let the sides shine: A lentil loaf or stuffed squash feeds a crowd for a lot less than a store-bought roast.
• Make your own gravy and cranberry sauce: Both are easy, and they cost much less than store-bought.
• Potluck it: Ask guests to bring a side or dessert from this list.
• Plan for leftovers: Turn extra mashed potatoes, gravy, and veggies into mini vegan pot pies or vegan lentil shepherd’s pie.

Sample Vegan Thanksgiving Menus

The Classic Feast (Serves 8)

• Appetizer: Stuffed Mushrooms
• Main: Easy Lentil Loaf
• Sides: The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes, Easy Vegan Gravy, The Best Vegan Stuffing, Vegan Green Bean Casserole, Easy Cranberry Sauce
• Bread: Easy Vegan Dinner Rolls
• Dessert: Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie

The Make-Ahead Menu

• Appetizer: French Onion Dip with veggies and crackers
• Main: Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
• Sides: Easy Cornbread Stuffing, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Easy Vegan Mushroom Gravy, Easy Cranberry Sauce
• Dessert: Apple Cranberry Crisp or a make-ahead sweet potato pie

A Small Thanksgiving for 2 to 4

• Main: Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
• Sides: Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts, Easy Vegan Gravy
• Dessert: Mini Pumpkin Pies

Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Timeline

• 1 to 2 weeks before: Choose your menu, make a grocery list, and stock up on pantry staples.
• 3 to 4 days before: Buy fresh produce and make the cranberry sauce.
• 2 days before: Make the gravy, chop your onions, celery, and carrots, and bake the pies.
• 1 day before: Assemble the stuffing and casseroles, make any dips, and set the table.
• Thanksgiving Day: Bake the main and casseroles, make the mashed potatoes, reheat the gravy, and enjoy!

The Best Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

Here are all 60 recipes, organized by course so you can build your menu from appetizers to dessert.

Vegan Thanksgiving Appetizers and Soups

1. Stuffed Mushrooms

These well-spiced stuffed mushrooms make an excellent appetizer for your vegan Thanksgiving dinner, because you can prepare them the day before. That way, they’re ready to bake when needed! But, of course, these tasty morsels are so worth the effort, too!

2. French Onion Dip

This classic sweet, sour, creamy dip is a must-have at game-day celebrations and other parties, Thanksgiving included! Load up a dish with the dip and various crudites/crackers and place it on the table with the other appetizers.

3. Easy Mushroom Pate

A bit like regular pate, this mushroom pate continues to impress at any special event, vegan Thanksgiving dinner included! Serve it up with some crackers as part of an appetizer spread and watch it disappear! Looking for even more appetizer ideas? Check out my list of 50 Easy Vegan Appetizers!

4. 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Soup

You can prepare this simple pumpkin soup with as little as two ingredients, plus salt and pepper. Or jazz it up with extra herbs and spices. Either way, this frugal soup is a delicious Thanksgiving starter and perfect for enjoying with buttered dinner rolls!

5. Roasted Delicata Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

This comforting squash and sweet potato soup takes advantage of the bounty of Fall squashes available. The result is a hearty, flavorful soup, no dairy required! Also, swap out the squash based on what’s available to you for a versatile, easy vegan thanksgiving recipe.

6. Broccoli Soup

There’s never a bad time for a warming bowl of broccoli soup. I love it so much that I’ve also shared broccoli and potato soup. However, this easy broccoli soup relies on simple aromatics, potatoes, and homemade cashew cream for a creamy, warming vegan Thanksgiving appetizer!

7. Curried Butternut Squash Lentil Soup

Start your vegan Thanksgiving menu with a bang with this spiced butternut squash lentil soup. The combination of ingredients makes for an easy appetizer packed with fiber, protein, and nutrients. Plus, you can adjust the amount of spice to personal preference!

8. Curried Carrot Ginger Soup

Carrots are one of my favorite ingredients (so much so, I wrote an entire guide to carrots!). They’re wonderfully frugal, with a sweet/savory flavor that makes for a delicate soup that will fill you up without weighing you down. That’s exactly what’s needed at your vegan Thanksgiving dinner!

9. Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup

Thick, creamy, and warmly spiced, this soup blends two fall favorites into one comforting bowl.

10. Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Sweet apples and savory butternut squash make this soup a lovely way to start the meal. Serve it in small cups as an appetizer.

Vegan Thanksgiving Salads

11. Easy Butternut Squash Salad

Roasted butternut squash and crisp apples bring color and crunch to the table. It’s a fresh contrast to all the rich sides.

12. Wild Rice Salad

Wild rice, crisp apples, dried berries, and pecans make this a hearty, colorful salad for the holiday table.

13. Brussels Sprout Slaw

This crisp, refreshing slaw is the perfect break from the richer, creamier Thanksgiving staples. Tossed in a fresh lemon poppyseed dressing and with the sweet crunch of apple, it makes a great palate cleanser (and a colorful, festive display)!

14. Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

With a combination of sweet potato (easily swappable with butternut squash or pumpkin), quinoa, and raisins, this simple but vibrant side dish is packed with fall flavors and perfect for a veggie thanksgiving offering!

15. Healthy Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Don’t overlook the fruit this Thanksgiving! This light and fresh salad is loaded with seasonal fruit and the perfect balance to savory dishes. The bright fruit makes an eye-popping dish that’s irresistible.

Thanksgiving Veggie Side Dishes

16. The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Do you remember that Friends episode where Monica has to prepare three types of potatoes to please everyone at Thanksgiving? Well, whether you want your potatoes with lumps, studded with peas and onions, or more, it’s always good to have the base recipe sorted. This simple vegan mashed potato recipe is creamy, fluffy, and just buttery enough to feel decadent while remaining healthy. Plus, topped with your herb of choice like scallions or rosemary. Feel free to add more- we won’t judge!

17. Mashed Cauliflower

For a lower-carb version of this classic thanksgiving side, why not try creamy mashed cauliflower? It’s super creamy and flavorful (especially with rosemary and optionally garlic) but much healthier (and lower-calorie) than the original!

18. Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Creamy, lightly sweet, and so easy. Serve them with gravy or alongside the classic mashed potatoes so everyone gets their favorite.

19. Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

As much as we love mashed potatoes, there’s something so amazing, comforting, and wonderfully creamy about these vegan scalloped potatoes. Plus, you can never have too many spud dishes at Thanksgiving. Luckily, this lightened-up version satisfies without weighing down.

20. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Tender potatoes roasted with rosemary, caramelized garlic, and shallots. Make these when you’d like a hands-off potato side.

21. Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Is it even Thanksgiving without green bean casserole in the middle of the table? This vegan dish captures all the deliciousness of the original, but minus the dairy!

22. Glazed Carrots

Glazed carrots are another must-have for any holiday menu. They’re simple, inexpensive, and packed with a sweet and savory flavor that takes the humble carrot to new levels of deliciousness.

23. Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

Golden, crispy edges make even Brussels sprout skeptics go back for seconds.

24. Cranberry Brussels Sprouts

Yes, two Brussels sprouts recipes in a row! If you’ve never tried roasted sprouts, you’re missing out. Roasted sprouts are tender yet lightly caramelized. Combined with cranberries (or pomegranate seeds), this simple thanksgiving side recipe is a festive addition to your vegan thanksgiving meal!

25. Candied Sweet Potatoes

These rich, delightfully spiced sweet potatoes with a crunchy topping are just like the classic Thanksgiving side dish, except vegan! Might want to make an extra-large batch, as they tend to be gobbled up quickly!

26. Roasted Pumpkin and Butternut Squash

A simple sheet-pan side with crisp, caramelized edges that tastes like fall.

27. Red Cabbage with Apples

When you have a vegan Thanksgiving menu loaded with carbs, and heavy, savory dishes (yum!), a lighter sweet and sour, slightly acidic pairing like this red cabbage with apples can be perfect for cutting through the richness. Plus, it’s just so pretty!

28. Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Casserole

This simple savory sweet potato and cauliflower casserole is a great savory way to enjoy sweet potatoes on your Thanksgiving table. It’s creamy, rich, and flavorful and tastes even better when drenched in vegan gravy!

29. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Any excuse to eat more creamy mac and cheese works for me! Along with this fall-flavored butternut squash mac and cheese, I also love serving baked potato mac and cheese as a vegan side for Thanksgiving! It’s frugal but filling and of course, kid-friendly – perfect!

Vegan Stuffing, Gravy, and Breads

30. The Best Vegan Stuffing

If there is a ‘perfect vegan thanksgiving stuffing,’ then I’ve found it! This delectable stuffing is made with flavorful sourdough bread, packed with herbs, and perfectly blends sweet and savory flavors with added cranberries and even a hidden apple! Everyone will be asking for the recipe of this easy vegan side for Thanksgiving!

31. Cornbread Stuffing

In the spirit of options, here’s another favorite variation: cornbread stuffing! Switch it up year to year, or make everyone happy by serving both! The natural sweetness of the cornbread combines magically with herby ‘butter’ and broth. Plus, this recipe has lots of variations to go as simple or as fancy as you want! Mushroom lovers will want my vegan mushroom stuffing too.

32. Easy Mushroom Stuffing

Savory mushrooms and herbs make this stuffing extra rich. Spoon gravy over the top!

33. The Best Cauliflower Stuffing

This low-carb stuffing swaps the bread for cauliflower, so it’s gluten-free and great for guests who skip grains.

34. Easy Vegan Gravy

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a gravy boat (or three) of delicious gravy. This vegan brown gravy is the perfect all-purpose option for your vegan Thanksgiving meal. Plus, it contains just 5 ingredients and is ready in under 10 minutes!

35. Easy Vegan Mushroom Gravy

I already listed a classic brown gravy. Still, if you have families that are anything like mine, it’s always good to have a second option on your table. This umami-rich mushroom gravy is perfect for any veggie thanksgiving! It’s comforting, warming, and is made almost entirely of pantry staples!

36. Homemade Cranberry Sauce

If you want an easy way to level up your Thanksgiving menu, skip the can of jellied cranberry for this richly flavorful (and quick!) homemade cranberry sauce. It’s so easy to make and the vibrant citrus and tart berry flavors will have you licking the bowl clean and never going back to the can!

37. Easy Dinner Rolls

Classic dinner rolls are a must for a vegan Thanksgiving dinner, and these soft, fluffy dinner rolls will impress all (especially when warm from the oven!). Serve alongside a dish of your favorite vegan butter, and watch the rolls disappear!

38. Quick and Easy Vegan Biscuits

Flaky, buttery, and ready fast. They’re perfect for soaking up gravy.

39. Sweet Potato Biscuits

Want some variety or to switch up the rolls game? These sweet potato biscuits are light, fluffy, naturally sweet, and savory, making for a wonderful vegan side for thanksgiving. They’re so versatile you’ll often find us nibbling on them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy with lashings of vegan brown sugar cinnamon butter or alongside gravy – delicious!

40. Skillet Cornbread

Any time there is gravy involved, I have to have some cornbread to mop it up. Even better, you can cook this version on the stovetop to save precious oven space! If you want to embrace the sweet potato theme, I also have a delicious sweet potato skillet cornbread.

Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes

41. Easy Lentil Loaf

Made with lentils, walnuts, and oats, this budget-friendly centerpiece is hearty, gluten-free, and makes great leftovers.

42. Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash

Butternut squash halves stuffed with quinoa, mushrooms, and chickpeas. It looks impressive but is easy to make, and it’s perfect for a smaller gathering.

43. Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Savory lentils and veggies under a layer of fluffy mashed potatoes. It’s a comforting one-dish main everyone will love.

44. Mini Vegan Pot Pies

Bite-sized pot pies made with vegan crescent dough, veggies, and a simple gravy. They’re an easy, fun main for potlucks and holiday dinners.

45. Pumpkin Tofu Curry

For the longest time, this hearty pumpkin curry was always my budget-friendly ‘offering’ to any Thanksgiving dinner I was invited to. Now it’s become a tradition at our table. It is warming, comforting, and packed with fall goodness!

46. Pumpkin Sage Stuffed Shells

This Fall-flavored pumpkin pasta dish can double as a side or main. Tender pasta shells are stuffed with a creamy pumpkin and tofu ricotta filling and topped with a rich cashew sage sauce. Plus, since this pasta dish tastes even better on day two, it’s perfect for prepping in advance and just warming up on Thanksgiving!

47. Cauliflower Steaks

If you’re all about the Thanksgiving sides (and who’s not?!) then a lighter Thanksgiving main like these cauliflower steaks makes a perfectly balanced plate. Plus, they taste amazing topped with vegan mushroom or brown gravy!

48. Pineapple Glazed Tofu Ham

Ham is often more traditional at Easter than Thanksgiving, but plenty of people prefer a rich, juicy ham (or tofu ham in this case!) even at Thanksgiving. The pineapple glaze is just delectable and will have you licking your plate clean!

Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

49. Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie

We can’t overlook the classic pumpkin pie! It’s rich and creamy while remaining dairy and egg-free. It’s even better when served with a dollop of vegan whipped cream.

50. Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

Nothing says vegan Thanksgiving dessert quite like this vegan pumpkin pie with a chocolate twist. Fall flavors? Check! Chocolate? Check! A pumpkin pie? Check! What’s not to love?! Plus, serve it up alone or with a big scoop of ice cream for the perfect way to end the meal for vegans and non-vegans alike!

51. Mini Pumpkin Pies

These adorable, bite-sized pies are hard to say no to! Perfect for little ones or really anyone who wants to sample all the different desserts available! Plus, let’s be honest, sometimes a mini pie is all we need after we’ve feasted all day!

52. Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Warm, spiced, and a great way to use up day-old bread. Serve it with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.

53. Pumpkin Brownies

There’s never a wrong time for brownies! At Thanksgiving, you have a choice of salted caramel brownies, sweet potato brownies, and these pumpkin chocolate brownies. Vegans and non-vegans alike will be clambering for seconds of this decadent vegan Thanksgiving dessert!

54. Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Another way to enjoy a pumpkin vegan dessert for Thanksgiving is with this sweet vegan pumpkin bread. Since it requires several hours ‘chilling’ time, this is also a great prep-ahead vegan thanksgiving dessert!

55. Apple Pie

Alternatively, swap out the cake above for a crisp apple pie (or apple pear pie – which is quite the showstopper). Then, serve it warm from the oven with some custard, cream, or ice cream for a frugal yet flavorful dessert!

56. Apple Cake

This fruity spiced cake is delicious on it’s own or served with ice cream or vegan custard for a more decadent option! It also makes for an excellent choice for serving alongside with a warm mug of coffee, cider, or even hot cocoa!

57. Apple Cranberry Crisp

Combine the sweet and tart flavors of apple and cranberry in this quick and simple apple cranberry crisp. Best of all, you can prep this dessert in advance and just warm it up before serving. Then, enjoy a portion alone with vegan cream, custard, or a scoop of ice cream!

58. Cinnamon Apple Bread

You may have sensed a theme here, but apples make such frugal yet tasty vegan desserts for your Thanksgiving dinner table. This time, in the form of this apple cinnamon bread. It’s loaded with raisins, walnuts, and chocolate chips for a great end to your vegan thanksgiving meal. You can’t even tell it’s vegan!

59. Apple Pie Cookies

All the flavor of apple pie in a handheld cookie. Pack them up for guests to take home.

60. Baked Pears

For a lighter dessert, ditch the pastry and cake for a simple but elegant baked fruit. These baked pears (or stuffed baked apples) are laden with a warming filling of walnuts, pecans, dried fruit, and a maple drizzle then baked! Then serve alone or with a scoop of ice-cream for a healthy vegan Thanksgiving dessert.

Want more? Browse my 45 fall dessert recipes.

FAQs

More Recipe Roundups

• 48 Amazing Vegan Apple Recipes
• Vegan Soup Recipes to Warm You Up
• 60 Ways to Use a Can of Beans
• 16 Savory Tofu Recipes You Need to Try!
• 15 Mouthwatering Vegan Burger Recipes to Try!
• 30 Delicious Vegan Chickpeas Recipes

If you tried any of these vegan Thanksgiving recipes, please leave a 🌟 star rating on the recipe and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments. Thanks, and happy Thanksgiving!