Tuck in to these Plant-Based Thanksgiving Favorites
To turkey or not to turkey? If you’ve been trying out a plant-based lifestyle, that is indeed the question. Maybe you enjoy eating plant-based, but you’re not quite ready to give up the nostalgia of turkey at Thanksgiving. Or perhaps you’re all-in committed vegan, but your loved ones aren’t ready yet to take that step.
We hear you. It’s going to be ok. Really.
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be either-or. Thanksgiving is about coming together and sharing the bounty. And here at OMD, we believe in abundance, not austerity — it’s a time to celebrate what’s being shared, not about excluding others or shaming. It’s a time to focus on what you’re putting on the table, and not worry so much about taking things away.
In that spirit, we’ve put together a list of some of our plant-based Thanksgiving favorites. These are dishes you can proudly serve right alongside that turkey as colorful sides that will make both vegans and omnivores alike feel welcome at your table. Or, if you’re taking the plunge and going 100% plant-based this year, they’re the perfect centerpiece for a celebratory harvest feast.
Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Image: Love & Lemons
We love this recipe because it delivers that nostalgic mashed potatoes experience, but with some healthy, plant-based upgrades. Traditional mashed potatoes rely heavily on ingredients like butter and cream for the smooth, rich taste you remember from childhood. This version swaps some of the potatoes for cauliflower to lighten things up without losing that creaminess. Roasted garlic and a generous amount of olive oil give it a deep, rich, silky flavor your whole family will love.
Vegan Pumpkin Pie Squares with Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Crust
Image: Oh She Glows
If you have a big family with hard-to-please palettes and dietary restrictions, this is the dessert for you. It’s dairy- and gluten-free, so it’s inclusive of people with a variety of food sensitivities, and it’s got all those old-timey pumpkin pie flavors that will satisfy the traditionalists at your table. Best of all, converting this recipe into pie squares makes it easy to feed a crowd. We love the suggestion to serve it with a dollop of whipped coconut cream and toasted pecans.
Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale and Farro Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Image: Making Thyme for Health
Let’s face it — a traditional Thanksgiving meal is front-loaded with dishes that are creamy, starchy, warm, comforting…and a little boring. This recipe is all about big flavor, with bright lemon, puckery tahini, and a kick of chili powder. And yet, anchored with seasonal ingredients like sweet potatoes and cranberry, it somehow fits in perfectly with your familiar Thanksgiving lineup.
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
This is the kind of showstopper that can either anchor a turkey-free table, or steal the spotlight as a spectacular side. It’s packed with vegetables, chickpeas and lentils, making it hearty and filling for those enjoying it as a main course. The rich, creamy sweet potato topping will appeal to all the candied-yam fans at your table. Best of all, it’s easy to make ahead of time so that you can just pop it in your oven to bake while you’re dealing with other dishes on Thanksgiving Day.
The Best Vegan Stuffing Recipe Ever
Sometimes you don’t mess with tradition. Whether there’s turkey or not, your family wants stuffing on Thanksgiving. Got it? Stuffing. Warm, comforting, savory stuffing. And, packed with onion, mushrooms, thyme, basil, rosemary, and marjoram, this recipe delivers. This stuffing tastes exactly how stuffing is supposed to taste: like stuffing. Do we need to say it again? Your family wants stuffing for Thanksgiving. This stuffing.
What's Next?
Looking for more comfort classics? Grab your free copy of Suzy’s Favorite Plant-Based Comfort Classics for five recipes straight from her book, The OMD Plan!