Move over turkey, my Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu will impress your guests, regardless of their diet. This menu combines a meatless main course, traditional stuffing, vegetable side dishes, potatoes, and bread to round out the perfect holiday menu for everyone including vegetarian and vegan guests.
Planning Thanksgiving? Also, read my 50+ Healthy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes and How to Host Thanksgiving.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
Look no further for the best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu. I've been cooking and creating dishes for a plant-based Thanksgiving for over a decade and have over time created what I believe to be the very best menu for Thanksgiving that works great for everyone including meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. This one is so flavorful and colorful, that you will not miss the meat. You will just love these vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes!
As a mainly vegetarian eater (I occasionally eat fish) I'm always on the lookout for good menus for holidays. Sure you can just eat a few side dishes, but it doesn't take much effort to really let the vegetables shine to create a beautiful holiday menu that works for everyone. If you are having meat-eaters at your dinner, just add turkey! These side dishes are cozy and tasty for everyone to enjoy.
If you are vegetarian I hope you'll give this menu a try. If you're not, pick a recipe or two to add or your traditional menu this year. If you are looking for more of an extensive list of Thanksgiving recipes on my site, I have over 50! Check out my 50+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes. You'll love all of the creative ideas!
The Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
This Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner Menu is a compilation of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving-themed recipes on Running in a Skirt put together in a way that will make the BEST meal for your Thanksgiving table. It includes a vegetarian main dish, stuffing, and enough sides for you to feel indulgent by the end of the meal. I also noted how to make this menu vegan, if that is possible.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Course - Pick One
Vegetarian Stuffed Butternut Squash
Your first choice for the vegetarian Thanksgiving menu main course is my gorgeous Vegetarian Stuffed Butternut Squash filled with wild rice, mushrooms, cranberries, and kale. These are not only so pretty to serve but also taste delicious. They are nice and hearty to serve as a vegetarian Thanksgiving main course.
Farro, Mushroom, Cranberry & Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash
These beauties, My Stuffed Acorn Squash with farro, mushrooms, and walnuts will be the star of your meal and your vegetarian Thanksgiving menu! They are roasted and stuffed with hearty ingredients like farro, cranberry, mushrooms, and walnuts. They look and taste sufficiently fancy for a Thanksgiving feast. Plus these are vegan!
If you are looking for a slightly easier acorn squash recipe without the stuffing, try my Simple Healthy Roasted Acorn Squash.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu Side Dishes - Pick a Few
The Best Vegetarian Stuffing
This Vegetarian Stuffing recipe is a family favorite and the stuffing I make for my meat-eating family each year. It's always on my vegetarian Thanksgiving menu. It's full of flavor and vegetables plus you get that traditional Thanksgiving feel with it. It's like savory classic stuffing but with an upgrade of fresh veggies like onions and celery, herb, fresh sage, and cranberries.
To make the recipe vegan reduce the amount of butter and sub vegan butter.
Crock Pot No Boil Mac & Cheese
Another hearty and delicious addition to this Vegetarian Thanksgiving menu is my Crock Pot No Boil Mac & Cheese. This is the cheesiest and creamiest Mac & Cheese you will ever try with Velveeta and cheddar cheese. It's even super easy because you don't have to fuss around with pre-boiling the noodles, which is a big time saver for a busy cooking day like Thanksgiving.
If you want a healthier Mac & Cheese, try my Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese.
Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
You need to serve some good potatoes on Thanksgiving and my Crock Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes are the best. If you are making a full Thanksgiving feast, your oven and stovetop can get very busy, so it's nice to have a dish or two made in the slow cooker to free up oven space. These potatoes come up fluffy and delicious every time. To make these vegan, sub vegan or plant-based butter for the butter.
If you'd like to go with a healthier or low-carb route, make my Parmesan Garlic Mashed Cauliflower.
The Best Sweet Potato Casserole
This is my Mom's famous sweet potato casserole recipe and it's a recipe we have to make for Thanksgiving each year. It's not Thanksgiving without it. Use vegetarian marshmallows or leave them off if you don't eat marshmallows.
If you are looking for a healthier sweet potato recipe make my Creamy Honey Mashed Sweet Potatoes or my 4 Ingredient Roasted Sweet Potatoes. The second option is vegan-friendly!
Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts & Cranberries
I love having at least one fresh green vegetable at Thanksgiving and these Thanksgiving Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries are perfect. This delicious recipe hits both the green veggie and the cranberry box on the menu! It's simple, fresh, and tastes incredible with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. It is vegan.
Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
My Cheesy Green Bean Casserole is another fabulous addition to this Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu. It uses fresh green beans and elevates the dish with yummy cheese. You could serve this or if you are dairy-free or vegan, pick the simpler, healthier green beans below instead.
Garlic Roasted Green Beans
If a traditional green bean casserole isn't your favorite, try my simple but tasty Garlic Roasted Green Beans. This 3-ingredient dish is a perfect one if you want something healthier or are looking for an easy side dish to add to your vegetarian Thanksgiving menu. They are made on a sheet pan.
Cranberry Orange Relish
Every good vegetarian Thanksgiving menu needs a cranberry relish! My Cranberry Orange Relish is bright, fresh, and healthy. It's the perfect way to finish off this menu! I love this more than a cranberry sauce.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu Soups & Salads - Pick One
Chopped Kale Salad
If you want a green salad to round off your vegetarian Thanksgiving menu, I have three delicious options. First off is my addictive Chopped Kale Salad which is massaged and made with toasted almonds, parmesan cheese, and cranberries. The dressing is super light with olive oil, honey and lemon.
Apple Cranberry Salad
Another great salad option is my Apple Cranberry Salad. It's great for a plated salad to serve before the main meal and features fresh, in-season apples.
Arugula and Pear Salad
The final salad option to add to your vegetarian Thanksgiving menu is my Arugula and Pear Salad which is a gorgeous salad with fresh pear and pomegranate.
Pumpkin Soup
If you want a soup, I have two delicious options. My Pumpkin Soup is made with canned pumpkin and is rich and tasty.
Crock Pot Butternut Squash Soup
The other soup choice is my Crock Pot Butternut Squash Soup which is so rich and delicious with lots of fall flavors.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu Appetizer
Turkey Cheese Ball
This Turkey Cheese Ball will be the star of your vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu. It's super cute and you can make it ahead of time to serve on Thanksgiving.
Everything Bagel Stuffed Celery
Another great addition to your vegetarian Thanksgiving menu is my Everything Bagel Stuffed Celery which is perfect for Thanksgiving. The crisp celery pairs perfectly with the cream cheese and everything but the bagel spice. This one is super simple to make!
Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs
Some folks must have deviled eggs on their vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu, and here's my healthy take on them. My Greek Yogurt Deviled Eggs are simple, tasty, and delicious.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
I just love how tasty this vegetarian Thanksgiving menu is! You can see that even if you are skipping the turkey, you will have plenty of lovely dishes to eat for the holiday. If you have a mixed group of meat-eaters and vegetarians, this menu will give vegetarians plenty to eat... just add turkey! That's what I do!
If you are looking for more vegetarian side dishes for Thanksgiving check out my more extensive post with 50+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes, which covers so many more delicious options for the big day.
Pin for Later...
Farrah says
I'm definitely going to have to try some of these out for Thanksgiving this year! *-*! They look so good!
Sarah says
So many delicious options but I'm all about those brussels and cranberries!!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
Now this is my kinda thanksgiving menu!! Yuuuuummmm!
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Kristy!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I now really want to try mashed cauliflower and the fudge! Like try it right now 😉 Thanks for sharing Julie!
JulieWunder says
HOpe you get a chance to try!
Deborah Brooks says
I have a very similar stuffed squash recipe-it's my favorite part of Thanksgiving.
JulieWunder says
So good! Thanks Deborah!
Eileen says
I just printed out every one of these divine recipes. I was so panicked about hosting Thanksgiving this year, but I'm feeling a little better with these in my back pocket. Thank you! Much love.
JulieWunder says
yayayayayayyyy!! Thanks so much Eileen! xoxo
Bento Momentos says
YUM! I love stuffed acorn squash. Cranberries and chopped almonds add great flavors and textures. Adding a runny egg on top is bliss ????
JulieWunder says
Ohhhh now you just took it to the next level girl!!!
Andrea on Vacation says
I'm all about the sides on Thanksgiving! Even better if they are vegetarian and somewhat healthy.
JulieWunder says
Haha! Me toooo!
Lisa Ballantyne says
Great ideas Julie! Especially the pumpkin fudge!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lisa!
Katie @ Hungry Runner says
We're doing Thanksgiving at Mark's parents' house so I may have to show his mom that stuffed squash recipe. She would LOVE it! And no Thanksgiving is complete without sweet potato casserole!
JulieWunder says
Yay! Hope you get a chance to try it.