Get ready for the biggest food holiday of the year with my 50 delicious and MAINLY Healthy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes! This is THE GUIDE to cooking your best Thanksgiving meal yet.
Hi everyone!
Thanksgiving has become such a big deal in my family. It's turned into the one time that a big chunk of both the Hubs and my family all get together and have an epic weekend of fun. This is part of the clan from a few years ago and this just warms my heart. While we aren't doing the big party at the house this year I'm hoping to get back to the kitchen next year when the boys are a little older.
Since I'm the only one at our Thanksgiving who doesn't eat turkey, our meal is not entirely vegetarian. The Hubs does cook two turkeys for everyone; one smoked and one fried. But since I'm in charge of the rest of the meal I make sure the sides are the star of the show, are all meat-free and give me plenty to eat! I've never once felt like I was missing out on anything with my vegetarian dishes for Thanksgiving. Need some tips on hosting? Make sure to check out my How to Host Thanksgiving Guide! Between this recipe collection and my hosting Thanksgiving guide you have everything you need to host a vegetarian Thanksgiving.
This year I've even added a few vegetarian "main courses" to make the menu even more well rounded.
Now about that "mainly" healthy part. I'm a firm believer in balance and have no problem with a little butter on Thanksgiving. I like to balance it out with dishes that are nutrient-packed, light and healthy! You can find a little bit of both in these 50 amazing healthy vegetarian Thanksgiving dishes! I've put a * next to the dishes that are more health-conscious, which this list is full of!
My two favorite dishes that aren't as healthy are my Apple & Sage Vegetarian Stuffing and my Mom's Famous Sweet Potato Casserole. These are tried and true family favorites that are totally worth the splurge. Balance them out with some of the stared dishes!
50 Delicious and Mainly Healthy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes
Main Dish - The Star of my Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes
Apple & Sage Vegetarian Stuffing
Hidden Veggie Baked Cauliflower Mac & Cheese *
Lightened UP Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Caps *
Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushroom Caps
4 Ingredient Maple Rosemary Delicata Squash *
Farro, Mushroom and Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash *
No Butter or Sugar Acorn Squash *
Lentil, Sweet Potato and Feta Salad
Harvest Farro with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
No Noodle Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna *
Sensational Sides - The Best Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dishes
Mom's Famous Sweet Potato Casserole (Use vegan marshmallows to make completely vegetarian!)
Crock Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Oven Roasted Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprouts
Crock Pot Honey Cinnamon Glazed Carrots *
Honey Balsamic Rainbow Carrots *
Parmesan Garlic Mashed Cauliflower *
4 Ingredient Sweet Potato Bites *
4 Ingredient Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato Bites *
Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries
5 Ingredient Parmesan Roasted Carrots *
Healthy Honey Mashed Sweet Potatoes *
Skinny Crock Pot Creamed Spinach *
Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts *
Pumpkin Cornbread * (publishing Monday!)
Soups & Salads
Greek Yogurt Simple Pumpkin Soup *
Chopped Kale Salad with Almonds and Cranberries *
Appetizers and Snacks
Pomegranate Goat Cheese Crostini *
5 Ingredient Pomegrante Salsa *
Sweets
6 Ingredient Healthier Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Fudge *
Easy & Healthy Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Muffins *
Pumpkin Oatmeal Sweet Potato Bars *
Thanksgiving Morning Breakfast Ideas
Vegetarian Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole
Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole * <---oven version
Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal *
Crock Pot Healthy Apple Pumpkin Butter
Crock Pot Healthier Pumpkin Pie French Toast Casserole *
Crock Pot Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal *
Healthy Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Bread *
Hope you enjoy these fabulous healthy vegetarian Thanksgiving dishes!
Pin for later!
AND! Don't forget to check out my How to Host Thanksgiving Guide.
Your turn!
What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
kimmythevegan says
I'll be carefully pouring over these as I haven't been sure what to make next week. There are so many to choose from. Thanks for sharing all of these. I hope you have a wonderful celebration with your families next week =)
JulieWunder says
Thanks Kimmy! I'm so glad you liked them. Hope your Thanksgiving was amazing.
Kristy from Southern In Law says
We are currently working out our thanksgiving menu so I think I need to add some of these into the mix! Yum!
My favourite thanksgiving dish is anything carrot related. I risk turning orange every year by consuming ALL THE carrot sides 😛
JulieWunder says
Hi Kristy! Hope you get a chance to try some of them! I'm also a carrot fan! So good.
vicki says
What a great roundup of Thanksgiving recipes!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Vicki!!
Andrea on Vacation says
Thanksgiving sides in my house are mostly vegetarian and I fill up mostly on those with just a bit of turkey. But really the sides are my favorite part!!! My favorite is stuffing for sure. Good stuff!
JulieWunder says
Oh I know! I love those sides too! Hope you have a great Thanksgiving planned.
Farrah says
I'm not sure I can pick a favorite Thanksgiving dish! There are so many good ones--especially in here! So, so much deliciousness! *-* I want those sweet potato bites + brussels sprouts! <3
JulieWunder says
Hope you get a chance to try them!!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I'm so glad I ate before I read this post! Everything looks SO yummy! Don't laugh, but my favorite Thanksgiving treats are the simple things...the turkey...the sweet potatoes (unadorned)...the side salad...the green beans... and yes, the apple pie!
JulieWunder says
Haha!!!! I totally agree! I love some traditional Thanksgiving stuff too!
Blane Sherer says
That is a nice family picture from your Thanksgiving
from last year. Looks like you have what hopefully will
be a long running family tradition of celebrating with
family at your home.
JulieWunder says
Thanks so much Blane! Hope you have good plans too.
Annmarie says
These all do look delicious! Can't wait to try some of those maple cinnamon sweet potato bites!!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! Hope you enjoy them!
Patricia @Sweet and Strong says
My favorite thanksgiving dish has to be stuffing, because I usually only make it on Thanksgiving so it's a once a year treat. Or could I say all the desserts?!? I love making cookies and pumpkin cheesecake. Now I'm hungry thinking about all my favorites! 😉
JulieWunder says
Stuffing really is amazing! I only make it once a year too, but enjoy it! And those dessssserrrts!!! I bet you make some good ones.
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands says
So many delicious ideas! I'm all over all the veggie and cranberry options and sides. I don't usually get too excited since I'm not a fan of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, or pie (not a pie crust fan, but like some pies). These past couple years I'm all over all the veggies and sides even if that means I have to bring 3 or 4 things to Thanksgiving since everyone else focuses on the turkey, potatoes, pies, stuffing, and jello salads.
Can't wait o try some of these!
JulieWunder says
Haha! Yes! That's why I make so many at Thanksgiving... so I'll enjoy the meal too. 🙂
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Oh wow so much yummy in one place! I am still working on my Thanksgiving menu thanks for the ideas and for joining us for meatless Monday today
JulieWunder says
Hope that menu is coming together!!!
heather @Lunging Through Life says
Mmm. I always forget you're vegetarian! I am not a fan of turkey, or stuffing/mashed potatoes/gravy haha but I do love the sides! I've been debating what to make this year and I remember loving that you had Mac n Cheese last year (I think). I'm thinking I might give that a go!
JulieWunder says
YES! I always do mac and cheese and love it!!! Seems like you eat the same thing I do on Thanksgiving.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Feed me. Please. PLEASE.
I don't get to fix Thanksgiving dinner this year (sadface) but I'll be saving these for when we get back!
JulieWunder says
Haha! Come on over!!!!!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I want to eat all of these, but especially the brussels sprouts, as I am kind of obsessed with sprouts at the moment. I love snacking on them.
JulieWunder says
Oh me too!! They are delish! Hope you are doing well.