36 Vegan Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

ByBrittany Roche

If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling the internet trying to find vegan Thanksgiving side dishes you can actually trust for the big day, welcome home. This is the wildly helpful, no-nonsense guide you’ve been waiting for.

A grid with four photos of various traditional Thanksgiving side dishes made plant-based with text reading 36 vegan thanksgiving sides you can trust

This post contains affiliate links. As Amazon Associates, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (at no cost to you). Click here to read our full policy about affiliate links. Thank you for shopping our affiliate links, as it helps us keep the free vegan recipes coming your way!

Why You’ll Love This Guide (and Why You Can Trust It)

T and I have cooked and hosted vegan Thanksgiving for a wild variety of people for over 11 years – vegans, non-vegans, picky eaters, food snobs, “but turkeys don’t make milk?” relatives (you know the ones), and everyone in between. Every recipe on this list has been served to real family and friends on real holidays, then refined, improved, and fine-tuned until it earned a spot here. These aren’t just vegan Thanksgiving sides; they’re trusted vegan Thanksgiving sides.

I also know how overwhelming the holiday can feel when you’re the vegan in the family. You want to shine, you want people to actually eat your food, and honestly? You want the grumpy vegan-doubter uncle to shut up for once and whisper, “Wait…that was actually good.” These vegan recipes help make that happen. They’ve done it for us year after year!

To make this huge list actually useful, I organized it into 8 easy sections: soups, vegetables, breads, potatoes, pasta/rice, salads, casseroles, and gravy! This is so you can jump right to what you need. For each category, there’s a mix of traditional Thanksgiving side dishes made vegan and fun, non-traditional Thanksgiving sides that bring excitement, comfort, and big cozy holiday energy. No flops. No guesswork. Just recipes you can rely on.

Save this recipe!

Add your email below to get this recipe collection sent right in your inbox!

Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes

​Let’s get started with the best vegan Thanksgiving side options!

🥣 Vegan Thanksgiving Soups

If you want something cozy, make-ahead friendly, and impossible to mess up, soup is your secret weapon. These vegan side soups are easy to prepare ahead, reheat beautifully, and make the whole menu feel more intentional and elevated.

1
Overhead view of two round white bowls filled with vegan curry pumpkin soup topped with spicy red pepper flakes and toasted pumpkin seeds next to a slice of rye bread
Vegan Pumpkin Soup
A classic fall flavor with the most inviting twist of warm curry spices, this silky pumpkin soup was always a hit at my mom’s fall dinner parties. It’s cozy, slightly sweet, and the perfect non-traditional Thanksgiving side dish to balance all the rich, starchy classics. You can also sub butternut squash for the pumpkin to make a vegan butternut squash soup!
Check out this recipe
2
Overhead view of a round white bowl filled with creamy vegan wild rice soup with a sprig of thyme in the upper left corner
Vegan Wild Rice Soup
Like the creamy chicken and wild rice soup you grew up eating…only fully vegan and somehow even more comforting. Loaded with hearty veggies, chewy wild rice, and a deeply savory broth, this soup feels nostalgic and festive all at once.
Check out this recipe
3
Close up overhead view of a round white bowl of easy cauliflower soup topped with parsley and pepper with a spoon pulling creamy soup out of the bowl in the top right corner
Vegan Cauliflower Soup
Shockingly rich without heavy cream, butter, or flour, this blender soup is smooth, dreamy, and flavorful enough to impress even your dairy-obsessed cousins. A great “set it and forget it” option with a lighter feel that balances a heavier holiday plate.
Check out this recipe

🥦 Thanksgiving Vegetable Sides

Vegetables may be the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving, but they bring color, balance, freshness, and texture to your table. These vegan vegetable side dishes help round out the feast while adding vibrant flavors.

4
Overhead close up view of a round white plate piled high with lemon pepper green beans and a lemon wedge to the right side
Lemon Pepper Green Beans
Bright, citrusy, and fresh! These green beans bring the perfect splash of lightness to a heavy Thanksgiving spread. They wake up the whole plate!
Check out this recipe
5
Overhead shot of half a plate of green beans and peppers with a large serving spoon and black and white plaid linen in the top left corner
Spicy Green Beans
A bold, exciting twist for anyone bored of basic green beans. This version adds spicy peppers, sweet roasted red peppers, and a beautifully seared finish that makes each bite pop.
Check out this recipe
6
Overhead close up shot of a pile of oven-roasted brussel sprouts sprinkled with white sesame seeds
Sesame Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This recipe turned me, a former Brussels sprout hater, into a diehard fan. Tossed with sesame oil and spices, then roasted until crispy, these sprouts have a deeply savory flavor that pairs with just about everything on the table.
Check out this recipe
7
French Fried Onions in the Air Fryer - healthy, easy, and delicious! #vegan #airfryer #recipe #onions // plantpowercouple.com
Air Fryer Crispy Onion Strings
A healthier homemade take on French fried onions that’s perfect for topping green bean casserole or honestly just snacking straight off the plate. Crispy, salty, and undeniably delicious.
Check out this recipe

🍞 Vegan Thanksgiving Bread Sides

You need something to sop up all the gravy, right?! These bread sides range from beginner-friendly to bakery-impressive, and they never fail to wow the table!

8
Overhead view of a half sliced loaf of vegan bread on a wooden cutting board in front of a stick of butter
Easy Vegan Bread
This is the bread that makes guests go, “Hold on…you made this?” It’s unbelievably simple with a fantastic texture. Pop it in the oven as people start arriving and let the smell do the talking.
Check out this recipe
9
Close up head-on photo of a pile of bread rolls on a rectangular cutting board
Vegan Dinner Rolls
Soft, fluffy, golden perfection…and surprisingly low-effort. These rolls feel like the classic grandma-style roll you miss, only totally dairy-free and Thanksgiving-worthy.
Check out this recipe
10
Head-on shot of a person in an apron setting a plate of dairy free biscuits on a table.
Vegan Herb Biscuits
Buttery and flaky with cozy “chicken herb” flavor, these biscuits are made with half whole wheat flour and no dairy. My mom loves these, and they’re always one of the first things gone.
Check out this recipe
11
Overhead view of a white rectangular casserole dish filled with vegan stuffing with pumpernickel and sourdough bread
The Best Vegan Stuffinf
A veganized version of T’s dad’s childhood recipe, made with pumpernickel and sourdough bread mixed with a vegan chicken broth for flavor depth and a showstopping presentation. Just prep the bread the night before and let it soak up all that savory goodness!
Check out this recipe

🥔 Vegan Potato Side Dishes

A Thanksgiving plate without potatoes? Impossible. Here are classic and non-traditional vegan potato sides that always impress!

12
Overhead close up view of a round white bowl filled with vegan potato salad made with red potatoes topped with chopped scallions
Vegan Potato Salad
My Nana’s classic potato salad – now fully vegan! Ideal for warm climates or for anyone who needs a completely make-ahead side that actually gets better as it chills.
Check out this recipe
13
Head on view of a slice of vegan hash brown casserole with a fork next to it that has a bite taken out of the casserole on it
Vegan Hash Brown Casserole
Creamy, cozy, and perfect for serving a crowd, this casserole is great for Thanksgiving or the perfect addition for brunch with out-of-town guests. Bonus: It reheats beautifully!
Check out this recipe
14
Overhead close up view of easy roasted potatoes scattered on a parchment-lined baking sheet with a big spoon digging into them
Easy Roasted Potato Recipe
Our go-to crispy roasted potatoes. They’re foolproof, golden, and crunchy on the outside with a pillowy center. A crowd-pleaser every single year!
Check out this recipe
15
Make these easy vegan au gratin potatoes for your holiday table, and they definitely won't disappoint! My family loves them even more than the au gratin potatoes my mom used to make. :) #potatoes #vegan #dairyfree #glutenfree #veganrecipes // plantpowercouple.com
Vegan Au Gratin Potatoes
Super simple and deeply satisfying with a homemade vegan parmesan made from cashews and nutritional yeast. Elegant but easy, they’re incredible with seitan ham or roast.
Check out this recipe
16
This is our go-to vegan mashed potato recipe for everything from holiday gatherings to our favorite comfort food dinners (like shepherds’ pie + bangers and mash)! It requires only 4 basic ingredients and has a consistently creamy dreamy texture. #vegan #mashedpotatoes #veganmashedpotatoes #potatorecipes #veganrecipes #comfortfood #easyveganrecipes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
THE must-make vegan potato side dish. Buttery, fluffy, and nostalgic, these taste just like the mashed potatoes we grew up on, minus the dairy.
Check out this recipe
17
These Dairy Free Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes are a healthy vegan mashed potato recipe packed with flavor. They are a great plant-based holiday side dish or cozy everyday dinner side. Instead of butter, they use a creamy roasted garlic sauce made with silken tofu that adds extra protein without a ton of fat!
Healthy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Made with a silken tofu + roasted garlic cream sauce, these mashed potatoes are rich, tangy, and secretly protein-packed. Perfect if you want something dreamy but lighter.
Check out this recipe
18
These Vegan Broccoli Ranch Twice-Baked Potatoes are the perfect dairy-free AND gluten-free side dish for almost any meal, or make a meal out of them alone! This is plant-based comfort food at its finest. Russet potatoes are baked and then filled with a creamy ranch-and-broccoli-infused whipped potato filling and re-baked to crispy perfection.
Vegan Broccoli Ranch Twice-Baked Potatoes
Creamy, tangy, herby, and loaded with broccoli! These twice-baked potatoes are gluten-free, dairy-free, and beloved by vegans and meat eaters alike.
Check out this recipe

🍝 Vegan Thanksgiving Pasta & Rice Sides

Perfect for guests who love something hearty and comforting. These vegan side dishes go far beyond basic pasta salad.

19
Overhead zoomed in view of a rectangular white casserole dish of vegan baked mac and cheese sprinkled with Sweet Chili Doritos
Vegan Doritos Mac and Cheese
THE crowd-pleaser. We’ve served this to kids, grandparents, and people who claim they’ve “never eaten vegan food before.” Everyone loves it and there are never leftovers.
Check out this recipe
20
Overhead close up view of a round white plate of vegan risotto with peas and herbs next to a clear pepper shaker
Rice Cooker Vegan Risotto
Creamy, cozy risotto without constant stirring?! This one cooks in the rice cooker while you focus on other dishes. Best served fresh, so it’s ideal for home hosts.
Check out this recipe
21
A square slice of vegan tofu mac and cheese on a plate sprinkled with minced herbs
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese Recipe
A Stouffer’s-style baked mac made with tofu instead of cashews! It’s budget-friendly and incredibly creamy. I’ve brought this to countless family gatherings and it disappears every time.
Check out this recipe
22
Close-up photo of vegan mac and cheese with sweet potato cheese sauce in a white bowl with a spoon digging into it and smoked paprika sprinkled on top
Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
Two Thanksgiving classics, sweet potatoes + mac, collide in the creamiest, dreamiest cheesy sauce. Vibrant, festive, and perfect for anyone who wants a fun, non-traditional Thanksgiving side!
Check out this recipe
23
This vegan bacon mac and cheese is made with an easy cashew-free vegan beer cheese sauce and topped with crumbled vegan bacon. The cheesy flavor and ooey gooey texture will blow your mind! It’s also easy to make gluten-free and includes an oil-free option. #vegan #veganmacandcheese #veganbacon #vegancheese #plantbased #vegandinner #veganlunchideas
Vegan Bacon Mac & Beer Cheese
A flavorful, fall-inspired twist with smoky vegan bacon and a rich beer cheese sauce. This one always gets an “ooh!” when it hits the table.
Check out this recipe
24
This Vegan Tikka Masala Lasagna is pure comfort food! All the things you love about traditional lasagna but with an Indian-inspired flavor that will knock you off your feet! Easy to make and freezer friendly too! // plantpowercouple.com
Vegan Tikka Masala Lasagna
A warm, aromatic twist featuring curried walnut-mushroom “meat,” pumpkin-cashew ricotta, and masala sauce. Unexpected, cozy, and surprisingly perfect for the holiday table!
Check out this recipe

🥘 Vegan Thanksgiving Casserole Sides

Casseroles are the queens of make-ahead cooking! They travel well, feed many, and can double as meal prep.

25
Head on photo of a slice of vegan pineapple stuffing on a round white plate with a jar of crushed pineapple behind it
Vegan Pineapple Stuffing
This sweet, fluffy pineapple casserole is a beloved holiday classic for many families. Our vegan version is egg-free, dairy-free, and unbelievably delicious.
Check out this recipe
26
This easy vegan chicken and rice casserole is going to rock your busy winter weeknights. It's rice and veggies and gravy all cooked up and topped with meaty soy curls. Just dump, bake, and enjoy. #vegan #casserole #broccoli #soycurls #rice #veganrecipes // plantpowercouple.com
Vegan Broccoli Rice Casserole
Comforting, creamy, and loaded with veggies and soy curls, this one-pot casserole is like rice, gravy, and broccoli all baked together into cozy perfection.
Check out this recipe
27
Overhead view of a large silver spoon scooping up some cheesy vegan vegetable casserole from the casserole dish
Cheesy Vegan Vegetable Casserole
A veggie side people actually want to eat. Frozen veggies baked under a homemade velveeta-style vegan cheese sauce and finished with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. Pure holiday joy.
Check out this recipe
28
Head on close up view of a slice of vegan shepherd's pie on a round white plate topped with green herbs
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Savory, meaty, and hearty (Thanks to TVP!), this can work as a main or a side. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and very non-vegan-approved.
Check out this recipe
29
This vegan pot pie casserole is a quick, easy, and delicisously vegan version of the chicken pie I fell in love with in London back in the 90s. Made with tremendously simple and easily found ingredients, the hardest part of this dish is waiting for it to be done cooking! #vegan #vegetarian #vegandinner #potpie #soycurls #veganrecipes // plantpowercouple.com
Vegan Pot Pie Casserole
Puff pastry, creamy gravy, tender vegan chicken, and veggies. If you bring this, there won’t be leftovers. Ever.
Check out this recipe
30
Overhead shot of a white bowl with dijon squash casserole in it surrounded by full squash and zucchini, a bottle of organicville dijon mustard, and a black and white linen
Dijon Maple Squash Casserole
Cozy fall flavors baked with soy curls, potato, and ribboned squash in a creamy dijon maple syrup sauce. A vegetable-focused side that feels like a warm hug.
Check out this recipe

🥗 Side Salads for Thanksgiving

Most of these healthy side dish options can be made ahead (even the Caesar if stored separately), and they’re perfect easy wins for newer cooks!

31
Overhead view of a round white bowl filled with vegan macaroni salad with colorful diced veggies
Vegan Macaroni Salad
A nostalgic macaroni salad made with a tangy silken tofu dressing, crunchy veggies, and eggy tofu chunks. The flavor gets better as it sits.
Check out this recipe
32
Overhead close up view of a round white bowl filled with creamy vegan pasta salad with diced seitan ham, peas, and sliced scallions
Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
Fancy twirly pasta coated in a creamy ranch made from silken tofu, plus peas and smoky seitan ham. Comforting but refreshing!
Check out this recipe
33
Overhead close up photo of a large white bowl filled with broccoli salad
Healthy Broccoli Salad
Crunchy sunflower seeds, sweet dried cranberries, and a creamy dressing make this surprisingly perfect for Thanksgiving. Hearty, colorful, and totally make-ahead friendly.
Check out this recipe
34
These Lemon Pepper Tofu Cutlets are the perfect meal prep staple! Frozen + thawed tofu is sliced and soaked in a bath of zesty lemon pepper flavor. Then, they’re slow-baked to achieve that perfect meaty texture. Slice ‘em up for salads, use them for sandwiches, or serve ‘em over a mountain of rice for a filling and easy vegan dinner!
Easy Vegan Caesar Salad
A crowd-pleasing favorite made with silken tofu for a creamy, light dressing that tastes shockingly classic. You only need a handful of ingredients; it's a super simple recipe!
Check out this recipe
35
Overhead close up photo of peppery lemon tahini coleslaw garnished with ground black pepper
Lemon Tahini Slaw
Savory, bright, a touch of sweetness, and loaded with crunch. This slaw brings a refreshing balance to a rich, heavy holiday plate.
Check out this recipe

Vegan Thanksgiving Gravy Options

Gravy is non-negotiable. These two are unconventional in method but produce “drink it from the gravy boat” results.

36
Overhead photo of a round white bowl of mashed potatoes drenched in vegan gravy and sprinkled with fresh minced herbs
10-Minute Cashew Gravy
Only three ingredients and made entirely in the blender – no stove needed! Silky, savory, and unbelievably easy. This easy vegan gravy is my favorite!
Check out this recipe
37
This vegan gravy is perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. It packs a ton of flavor and is SO easy to make but free of gluten + oil! #vegan #gravy #veganrecipe #vegetarian #thanksgiving // plantpowercouple.com
Low-Fat Oil-Free Vegan Gravy
Another easy recipe. This one has been drunk straight out of the gravy boat by multiple guests for multiple years. Deeply flavorful, comforting, and perfect over everything!
Check out this recipe

More Vegan Sides Resources

More Vegan Thanksgiving Resources

Looking for more resources for crafting the perfect vegan Thanksgiving table? We’re here for it!

Final Thoughts

Thanks so much for being here! I truly hope this list inspires you to try something new and helps take the stress out of cooking vegan Thanksgiving side dishes for your family. 

I know how hard it can be to put yourself out there, especially if your family is critical of vegan food! But you deserve delicious food too, and these trusted recipes are here to make the whole day easier (and tastier!).

Tell me in the comments: Which side are you making for your vegan Thanksgiving dinner this year?

Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you a delicious holiday season. 🙂

Similar Posts

  • Vegan Chicken Tetrazzini

  • Tequila Lime Tofu Cutlets

  • Easy Vegan Au Gratin Potatoes

  • Vegan Beef Bouillon Powder

  • One Pot Rice and Beans

2 Comments

  1. Hi,
    All the dishes you list in this post are here.. except fot #17 Healthy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes whisv really caught my eye for a number of reasons.

    I’m sure is just an oversight, can you share that recipe too please?

    Thanks in advance
    —Whack

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *