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    40 Best Meatless Thanksgiving Recipes (Vegetarian Menu)

    By Julia | Updated: Nov 16, 2023 | Published: Nov 04, 2023 | 8 Comments

    1.3K shares
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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

    This meatless, vegetarian menu proves you don't need meat to celebrate Thanksgiving. It includes plenty of vegetable-based side dishes, salads, and main dishes that showcase a variety of Fall vegetables: butternut squash, acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green beans, spaghetti squash, and much more!

    Fall Salad with roasted butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, baby spinach, creamy goat cheese, and bow-tie pasta - in a white bowl.

     

    As a vegetable-lover, you'll find everything you need in this Meatless Thanksgiving menu: Autumn-inspired holiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast. This holiday menu includes some of my most popular holiday recipes (our top 40 Meatless Thanksgiving Dishes) that have been reader favorites for years (I've been publishing recipes on this website since 2012). Impress your family and friends by trying some (or all!) of these dishes for your next Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving party.

    This menu will provide you with many tasty, meatless, vegetable-based main dishes to replace regular turkey. The traditional Thanksgiving green bean casserole (that usually includes bacon) is replaced with much fresher and, may I say, more delicious alternatives. This menu features many salads packed with fresh flavors, hearty greens, and Autumn ingredients. You'll love vegetarian side dishes that highlight traditional Fall ingredients that we associate with Thanksgiving: green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkin, pecans, cranberries, and Brussels sprouts.

    apple stuffed acorn squash on a baking sheet.
    Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Green Beans, Pecans, and Dried Cranberries - in a white bowl.

    Table of Contents

    Jump to:
    • My other Thanksgiving Recipe Collections
    • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
    • Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes
    • Thanksgiving Appetizers
    • Thanksgiving Salads
    • Thanksgiving MEATLESS Main Courses
    • Thanksgiving Desserts
    • Thanksgiving Day Breakfast
    • What's your favorite meatless Thanksgiving dish?

    My other Thanksgiving Recipe Collections

    • If you're looking for Thanksgiving salads, check out my collection of 30 Best Thanksgiving Salads. 
    • If you're looking for a complete list of my holiday side dishes, don't miss my 60 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
    • If you're looking for a complete Thanksgiving menu that features everything: Fall-inspired holiday appetizers, side dishes, salads, main courses, pasta recipes, desserts, and even breakfast, check out my 50 Best Thanksgiving Recipes (The Complete Holiday Menu).

    Thanksgiving Side Dishes

    This selection includes my most popular meatless holiday sides that use classic Thanksgiving ingredients, such as butternut squash, acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, green beans, pecans, pumpkin seeds, apples, and more.

    • Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries in a white bowl.
      Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Green Beans with Pine Nuts
      Green Beans with Pine Nuts
    • 4 acorn squash halves stuffed with apples on a baking sheet
      Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries - on a white plate.
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
    • Thanksgiving Green Beans with Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries in a white bowl.
      Green Beans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
    • Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze and Pine Nuts in a cast-iron pan
      Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
    • Garlic Green Beans with Parmesan
      Garlic Green Beans with Olive Oil and Parmesan
    • Stuffed Acorn Squash
    • Green Bean Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans, Bow-Tie Pasta, and Dried Cranberries - in a white bowl.
      Green Bean Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans, and Cranberries
    • Roasted Acorn Squash
    • mandarin orange salad with dried cranberries, walnuts, roasted Brussels sprouts, and balsamic glaze on a white plate
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mandarin Oranges, Walnuts, Cranberries, and Balsamic Glaze
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries on a white plate.
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Maple Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries
    • Asiago Roasted Broccoli - on a baking sheet.
      Asiago Roasted Broccoli
    • Spaghetti Squash, Quinoa and Parmesan Fritters
    • Parmesan Zucchini and Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts
    • Asiago Roasted Brussels Sprouts - on a baking sheet.
      Asiago Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • caramelized onion sauce with spinach and mushrooms in a stainless steel pan.
      Sautéed Spinach, Mushrooms, and Caramelized Onions
    • butternut squash black bean soup - in a bowl.
      Black Bean Butternut Squash Soup

    Thanksgiving Potato Side Dishes

    If you want to prepare your holiday potatoes in a slightly different way than regular mashed potatoes, give these delicious recipes a try for your upcoming holiday gathering:

    • mashed potatoes with roasted garlic in a white bowl
      Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
    • Easy Scalloped Potatoes

    Thanksgiving Appetizers

    These meatless Thanksgiving appetizers feature colorful and festive Autumn ingredients, such as apples, cranberries, pomegranate, and pecans.

    • Baked Brie with Cranberry Balsamic Sauce
      Baked Brie Recipe with Cranberries, Pecans, Pomegranate
    • Baked Brie with Apples
    • Strawberry Baked Brie - 30-Minute Appetizer

    Thanksgiving Salads

    Thanksgiving salads deserve a separate category on the menu as they are not quite side dishes (even though you can serve them as sides). These festive vegetarian salads will steal the show and will be a hit with your vegetarian friends!

    • Fall Salad with roasted butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, baby spinach, creamy goat cheese, and bow-tie pasta - in a white bowl.
      Fall Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
    • Apple Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, and Goat Cheese in a white bowl.
      Apple Spinach Salad
    • 30-Minute Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
    • Christmas Salad
    • Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Beets, Pecans, and Cranberries
      Winter Vegetable Salad with Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Beets
    • Creamy Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries - in a white bowl.
      Broccoli Cashew Salad with Apples, Pears, and Cranberries
    • Arugula Salad with Apples, Cranberries, Pecans, and Balsamic Dressin
      Arugula Salad with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans
    • Beet Salad with spinach, mandarin oranges, red onion, pine nuts, feta cheese, and homemade Honey-Mustard Lemon Vinaigrette - in a white bowl.
      Beet Salad with Spinach and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
    • Fall Harvest Salad with Apples, Pecans, Spinach, and Maple-Lime Dressing
    • Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, Pomegranate Seeds and Poppy Seed Honey-Lime Dressing on a white plate
      Butternut Squash and Spinach Salad with Pecans, Cranberries, Pomegranate
    • Beet Salad with Spinach, Cashews, and Goat Cheese
    • strawberry spinach salad with blueberries, pecans, feta cheese, and balsamic glaze in a bowl
      15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad
    • Mango Salad with Spinach and Blueberries
    • Winter Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing, with red apples, pears, clementine oranges (or mandarin oranges), kiwi fruit, dried cranberries, and pomegranate seeds
      Winter Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
    • Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries, Raspberries, Pecans, Feta Cheese, and Balsamic Dressing - in a white bowl.
      Berry Spinach Salad with Blueberries and Raspberries
    • Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing
      Spinach and Fruit Salad with Maple-Lime Dressing

    Thanksgiving MEATLESS Main Courses

    Below is a selection of tried and true vegetarian (meatless) main courses that have been popular with the readers of this food blog. These Thanksgiving mains include Fall ingredients, such as butternut squash and sweet potatoes. You will not miss turkey with this delicious vegetable-based alternatives.

    • Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna
    • Vegetarian Enchiladas with Butternut Squash and Black Beans in a cast iron pan.
      Vegetarian Enchiladas with Butternut Squash, Black Beans, and Bell Pepper
    • Black Bean and Butternut Squash Casserole
    • Butternut Squash Ravioli with Browned Butter and Pecan Sauce
      Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce and Pecans
    • Roasted Butternut Squash Halves (two) stuffed with Feta Cheese and Spinach, topped with pine nuts - on a white platter.
      Roasted Butternut Squash with Feta and Spinach
    • 30-Minute Ravioli and Sweet Potato Veggie Skillet
    • creamy orzo pasta with butternut squash and spinach in a white bowl.
      Creamy Orzo Pasta with Roasted Butternut Squash and Spinach
    • Creamy Spinach and Mushroom Gnocchi (One-Pan, 20 Minutes)
    • Roasted Butternut Squash (2 halves) stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, and Cheese - on a white platter.
      Roasted Butternut Squash stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, and Cheese
    • pumpkin ravioli.
      Pumpkin ravioli with brown butter sauce and pecans
    • Pumpkin Chili with Black Beans and Chickpeas
    • Meatless Pumpkin Quinoa Chili with Black Beans and Chickpeas - in a bowl.
      Meatless Pumpkin Quinoa Chili with Black Beans and Chickpeas

    Thanksgiving Desserts

    The Thanksgiving feast is not complete without desserts. Consider adding these simple desserts to your holiday menu:

    • A slice of apple pumpkin pecan bundt cake - on a white plate.
      Apple Pumpkin Bundt Cake
    • cranberry apple pecan bundt cake.
      Cranberry Apple Pecan Bundt Cake
    • Apple Cake in springform baking pan.
      Simple Apple Cake
    • Crepes stuffed with cooked apple chunks with cinnamon - on a plate.
      Apple cinnamon crepes, or apple pie - in a crepe!
    • Apple Bundt Cake
      Apple Cinnamon Buttermilk Bundt Cake
    • Apple squares
      Easy Apple Squares (Cake Bars)
    • browned butter pecan sandies.
      Browned Butter Pecan Sandies
    • Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake slice on a white plate.
      Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake
    • Mixed Berry Bundt Cake with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries
      Mixed Berry Bundt Cake with Lemon Glaze
    • a slice of Chocolate Pear Cake on parchment paper.
      Chocolate Pear Cake

    Thanksgiving Day Breakfast

    Remember to make something seasonal, Fall-inspired, and unique for the Thanksgiving Day Breakfast. With these vegetarian alternatives, you won't miss traditional bacon or sausage breakfast casseroles. Here is a mix of savory and sweet breakfast recipes that will set you in the mood for the Thanksgiving dinner later.

    • Breakfast Egg Muffins with Mushrooms and Spinach - on a plate.
      Breakfast Egg Muffins with Mushrooms and Spinach
    • Apple cinnamon yogurt pancakes
    • blueberry lemon bread with lemon glaze.
      Blueberry Lemon Bread with Lemon Glaze
    • Breakfast Egg and Gruyere Cheese Tart
    • Pumpkin Pancakes with Caramel Pecan Sauce
    • pumpkin banana bread with apples
      Pumpkin Banana Bread with Apples
    • Banana bread with walnuts
      Banana bread with walnuts
    • sweet cooked apples on a plate.
      Sweet cooked apples recipe
    • Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Muffins
    • Stuffed Crepes with Ricotta Cheese and Blueberry Filling

    What's your favorite meatless Thanksgiving dish?

    Maybe it's from this menu, or it's something else. Either way, let me know what you're cooking this Thanksgiving in the comments! Here are my 2 favorite meatless Thanksgiving main courses that I can happily eat any time during the Fall and Winter seasons (not just during the holidays):

    Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

    butternut squash and spinach lasagna - in a white casserole dish.

    Roasted Butternut Squash stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, Parmesan, and Cream Cheese

    Roasted Butternut Squash (2 halves) stuffed with Corn, Zucchini, and Cheese - on a white platter.
    « 30 Best Thanksgiving Salads (Autumn Ingredients and Flavors)
    Stuffed Butternut Squash with Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Bacon »
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    1. Tracy

      November 25, 2023 at 9:26 am

      I made your green beans but used cashew halves instead of pine nuts. Will definitely try more recipes!

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 03, 2023 at 8:18 pm

        Tracy, glad you loved my green beans recipe - thank you for your review! ❤️

        Reply
    2. Sally

      November 24, 2023 at 2:39 pm

      I made your bow tie butternut squash pasta salad - what a beautiful (and yummy) dish for Thanksgiving. I added the goat cheese!

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 02, 2023 at 11:34 am

        Sally, the goat cheese is an excellent addition to that pasta salad! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Joyce

      November 23, 2023 at 7:12 am

      A lot of your recipes have pecans. What could I substitute pecans for that would still give some crunch? We have a nut allergy in the family.

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 03, 2023 at 8:47 pm

        Joyce, you can use toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead.

        Reply
    4. Beth Ann

      November 22, 2023 at 11:18 pm

      Every week this November I made a recipe inspired by Julia’s Album. All are delish with great presentation. Thank you for making me the hero at dinner time.

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 01, 2023 at 10:03 am

        Beth Ann, wow, your comment really made my day - thank you - I really appreciate it! ❤️

        Reply

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    Julia is the author of JuliasAlbum.com (a food blog focused on easy dinner recipes, pasta dishes, salads made with seasonal ingredients). In this photo, Julia is pictured wearing a yellow sweater against an Autumn background.

    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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