Need some vegetarian Thanksgiving sides and mains? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to make the entire Thanksgiving meal vegetarian this year or just need a couple vegetarian sides to supplement the usual Thanksgiving meal, read on for the curried and non-curried Thanksgiving winners. Most of these can be made vegan as well for the ultimate plant-based Thanksgiving meal.
Vegetarians need not eat just the mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. These vegetarian Thanksgiving sides and mains are hearty and filling and manage to look festive at the same time.
Curried Hasselback Butternut Squash: This Hasselback Butternut Squash will be a showstopper as soon as you put it on the table because of the elegant festive look. Beyond the presentation, the curry spices and cool raita (which can be vegan) make this dish tasty as well. (Click here for recipe)
Vegan Quinoa Paella: Quinoa is a great healthy stuffing alternative. This recipes uses chickpeas to make it filling and olives add a nice festive holiday twist. Bonus: This recipe cooks on the stove so you have more room in the oven on Thanksgiving. (Click here for recipe).
Healthy Pumpkin Curry Paneer: This is a lighter paneer recipe that uses pumpkin and cashew for the gravy instead of heavy whipping cream. The curry spices add to the sauce and the paneer is every bit as filling as any turkey. (Click here for recipe)
Polenta Cauliflower Vegan Stuffing with Pine Nuts: The polenta adds a unique vegan twist on the usual Thanksgiving stuffing. This is unique enough to make for everyone at your table, even the meat eaters. Another timesaver, this dish uses store bought polenta rolls that meld with the traditional Thanksgiving flavors or sage and pine nuts. If you use colored cauliflower it will be a visual stunner as well. One brand of polenta roll is https://www.melissas.com/Organic-Polenta-p/279.htm (Not an ad). (Click here for recipe).
Curried Sweet Potato and Broccoli: You have to have sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving but this version is a little different because it adds broccoli. This dish comes together quickly, can be made ahead of time and heated up in the microwave. (Click here for recipe).
Shaved Curried Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes: Brussels sprouts are another must have for Thanksgiving. Not everyone likes them whole however so this version uses shaved brussels sprouts and adds potatoes and curry spices for a unique flavor. This dish can also be made ahead of time and heated up in the microwave. (Click here for recipe).
Plant-based Sausage & Peppers Game Day Recipe: This is a game-day dish which means it goes perfectly with another Thanksgiving tradition: football! This vegan sausage & peppers uses either Field Roast Italian Sausages or Beyond Meat Italian Sausages. Both are meatless and vegan. (Click here for recipe).
Curried Butternut Squash Soup-Vegan: You can serve this soup as an appetizer while you are warming up everything else or as a side with the meal. A mix of butternut squash, coconut milk and curry spices, it will be a warm and comforting way to welcome your guests as they arrive. (Click here for recipe).
Purple Sweet Potato Pumpkin Soup: Another unique way to use sweet potatoes, this dish also uses up the mini pumpkins that you are using as décor. The flavor and the color will make everyone want to try some. (Click here for recipe).
Canned Chickpea Hummus with Roasted Red Pepper: If you’ve been assigned an appetizer for Thanksgiving this year, try to this roasted red pepper hummus. It used canned chickpeas so you can make it on Thanksgiving morning, chop up some pita and you are good to go. (Click here for recipe).
Vegan Canned Chickpea “Egg” Salad: A bruschetta is always a good appetizer. This Vegan Canned Chickpea “Egg” Salad actually contains no eggs at all! You can make it quickly the night before and refrigerate. On Thanksgiving day just spread on toast and serve. (Click here for recipe).
