Vegan Thanksgiving - Recipes For A Complete Holiday Dinner (2024)

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
― Albert Einstein

Posted in 2015

I love this circle of compassion quote from Albert Einstein.

It was in response to a rabbi who asked him how to explain to his daughter her sister's death. I think Einstein was reminding us that our personal preoccupation with our lives and sorrow will cheat us of the connection with the universe.

Einstein was also a big believer in a vegetarian diet for the survival of all life on earth.

I have had my challenges along the way but I am so happy to say that this is my fifth compassionate vegan Thanksgiving.

I don't experience any struggles with the holidays anymore because I know I can have the same delicious holiday meal as everyone else, minus the meat and dairy. It is all about the flavors, not the protein.

This year I am attending a potluck, and I am bringing all the food for a majority of carnivore guests.

I am convinced that once people taste these yummy vegan recipes, they will start adding more plant-based foods to their diets and eventually go the distance.

This vegan Thanksgiving will be a lot of work, but I am on a grassroots mission to educate the world about the health benefits of plant-based cooking.

Not only is a vegan diet great for your health, it is also about widening your circle of compassion to include all living things.

So here it is my complete vegan Thanksgiving dinner menu. Hope you enjoy it. Happy holidays everyone!

Don't miss any of Ordinary Vegan's FREE recipes by subscribinghere. Also, please join or community onFacebook. It is fun and full of wonderful, compassionate people just like you.

Salad

Vegan Thanksgiving – Tricolor Chakra Salad with Arugula, Pomegranates and Shaved Persimmons

There is always room for a bright, tangy and light salad on the Thanksgiving table. This salad is easy to throw together and has a hint of sweetness and a good crunch factor. Here is the link to the recipe.

Next up: Side Dishes:

Side dishes are where the cook gets to play and introduce bold flavors, textures and exciting combinations of ingredients. I decided I was going to throw out all the old standards, and have fun with it this year. This is what I came up with.

ps I always like to include a couple of simple, crisply cooked unadultered vegetables that tastewonderful, even with nothing on them just like those beautiful carrots and green beans in the photograph.

Side Dish 1

Vegan Thanksgiving – Sweet Potato Gratin with Coconut Milk

Rich, delicious and the chile in adobo sauce gives it a nice little kick.

Ordinary Vegan Recipes For A Complete Vegan Holiday Thanksgiving Dinner

Vegan Thanksgiving - Recipes For A Complete Holiday Dinner (4)

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Easy, rich and delicious

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 medium), peeled and sliced into ¼ inch rounds
  • 1 15-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degress F
  2. Mix together sweet potatoes, coconut milk, chipotle chile, lime juice, salt, maple syrup, pepper and garlic in a medium bowl.
  3. Transfer mixture to a baking dish (7 by 11). Cover, then bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the sweet potatoes are just tender.
  4. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes until the tops are browned.

Side Dish 2

Vegan Thanksgiving – Stuffed Butternut Squash with Rice, Squash, Cranberries and Raisins

There are so many different ways to stuff squash, but this is one of my favorites.

I posted it last week and it is a meal in itself, but also a yummy side dish. Here is the recipelink.The squash pictured was stuffed with sauteed kale, shallots and mushrooms and mixed with some left-over rice. Trust me, anything goes when you are stuffing a squash.

Side Dish 3

Vegan Thanksgiving – Brussels Sprouts and Chestnuts in Mustard Sauce

Every year I make the same brussels sprout recipe, but this year I decided to try something new. I choose these ingredients because I love the idea of crunchy chestnuts being served alongside brussels sprouts.

The mustard sauce adds a nice zest , and this dish is a good reminder of how delicious chestnuts can be.

I did feel like it needed a little more bite, so next time I will add a little horseradish mustard instead of the grainy mustard.

Brussels Sprouts & Chestnuts in Mustard Sauce

Vegan Thanksgiving - Recipes For A Complete Holiday Dinner (7)

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Author: Ordinary Vegan

Recipe type: side dish

Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil (start with ½ cup and add more if needed)
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • ½ pound fresh chestnuts
  • 20 ounces fresh Brussels Sprouts, trimmed
  • 8 tablespoons vegan butter (use less if you desire) Sometimes I add some veggie broth instead of butter

Instructions

  1. With a paring knife, cut an X in the flat side of each chesnut shell. In a sucepan, cover chestnuts with water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel chestnuts

You can also roast the chestnuts by slitting the shells and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Roast them in a 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes.

  1. Add cleaned brussels sprouts to a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook until tender but a tiny bit firm, about 5-6 minutes. Drain and run under cold water.
  2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add peeled chestnuts and sprouts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, turning occasionally until vegetables are browned, 10-15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove vegetables to a large serving platter.
  3. Whisk dressing - juice from lemons, dijon mustard, grain mustard, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Pour a small amount over vegetables. Add more slowly being careful not to overdress. It should take about a ¼ cup of dressing.

Side Dish 4

Vegan Thanksgiving – Mashed Potatoes with Nutritional Yeast

In my opinion, you don't have to do much to make delicious mashed potatoes. I like to use small gold potatoes and leave the skin on. I mash them with warmed, unsweetened almond milk and a couple of dashes of nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Delicious!

Side Dish 5

Vegan Thanksgiving – Cranberry Sauce with Tangerines

I love my cranberries paired with a bit of tangy citrus, and there is nothing better than tangerine juice.

Cranberry Sauce with Tangerines

Vegan Thanksgiving - Recipes For A Complete Holiday Dinner (10)

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Prep time

Cook time

Total time

This can be made 2 days ahead and chilled.

Author: Ordinary Vegan

Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 tangerines, and 1 tsp zest from tangerines and 1 strip
  • ¾ pound fresh cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon grated peeled ginger
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Remove a 4 by 1 inch strip of zest from 1 tangerine, then scrape off any white pith from strip.
  2. Zest one tangerine for approximately 1 tsp of zest.
  3. Squeeze ½ cup juice from tangerines, removing seeds.
  4. Bring juice, zest strip, and remaining ingredients to a boil in a heavy medium saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer uncovered, until berries have burst, 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and cool completely. Discard zest strip. Refrigerate until serving.
  6. Serve with 1 teaspoon fresh tangerine zest on top.

Gravy

Vegan Thanksgiving – Rich & Delicious Mushroom Gravy

I have been making this mushroom gravy for a couple of years, and it can't be beat. Rich, flavorful and absolutely delicious on your main course, mashed potatoes and stuffing. Here the recipe link

Stuffing

Vegan Thanksgiving – Bread Stuffing with Tempeh Bacon, Mushrooms, Cranberries, Pistachios and Jalapeno

I posted this recipe last week. So yummy. Here is the link to the recipe.Since my main dish is pretty rich, I decided to put my stuffing into individual phyllo (aka fillo) cups for a smaller and very sweet presentation. Buy prepared vegan phyllo cups, fill with cooked stuffing and cook until stuffing is hot. Or you can make your own with vegan phyllo dough pastry ususally found in the frozen food section.

Main Dish

Vegan Thanksgiving Nut Loaf

Even with all the side dishes, I always like to make sure there is a front and center dish to replace the turkey.

This year I made this savory, meatless, nut loaf with all the flavors of Thanksgiving. It was delicious smothered in vegan gravy.

Ordinary Vegan Thanksgiving Loaf

Vegan Thanksgiving - Recipes For A Complete Holiday Dinner (14)

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Prep time

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This is a very rich and yummy dish and a little goes a long way. If you cut this recipe in half, you could possibly serve 6.

Author: Ordinary Vegan

Serves: 10

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
  • ½ ounce dried porcini mushrooms
  • 1½ cups walnuts
  • ½ cup cashews
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 ounces sh*take or white mushrooms, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 1½ cups cooked brown rice
  • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram
  • 3 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 teaspoons fresh chopped sage leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 4 ground flaxseed eggs (4 tbsp ground flaxseed whisked with 10 tbsp water in a small bowl - leave in refrigerator for 10 minutes to emulsify)
  • 1 cup of extra-firm tofu, crumbled
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 by 4 loaf pan with vegan butter, line with parchment paper. The butter helps it adhere.
  2. Make flaxseed eggs
  3. Place dried porcini in a small bowl and add boiling water to cover. Let soak for 20 minutes, drain, finely chop, and set aside.
  4. Toast walnuts and cashews on a baking sheet until lightly browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes, careful not to burn. Finely chop with a knife or in a food processor, set aside.
  5. Increase oven to 375 degrees.
  6. Melt butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes Add garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring constantly until the mushrooms are golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
  7. Stir in rice, nuts, parsley, marjoram, thyme, sage, flax seed eggs, tofu, salt and pepper.
  8. Form mixture into a loaf and place into prepared pan. Bake until golden brown, about 50 minutes.
  9. Let cool in pan approximately 10 minutes then transfer loaf in parchment paper to a serving plate. Trim the parchment paper for a nice presentation. The parchment paper helps keep it's shape.
  10. Garnish with sage leaves.

Thanks for stopping by. Sending you lots of vegan love and compassion! Please make sure you sign up so you don't miss any delicious plant-based recipes!

Vegan Thanksgiving - Recipes For A Complete Holiday Dinner (2024)

FAQs

How do vegans celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

"A traditional Thanksgiving menu has lots of options for vegans and vegetarians: green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, and sweet potatoes and yams—it's a carb-loaded feast, and we will happily lick our plates," says Peart.

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

These tips, tricks and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host's saving grace.
  1. Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ...
  2. Brine your bird. ...
  3. Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ...
  4. Serve batched co*cktails. ...
  5. Create simple centerpieces.
Nov 1, 2023

What is everything for a Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Different regions and households will have different specialties, but in general, the "standard, all-American" Thanksgiving feast generally includes:
  • A roasted turkey.
  • Stuffing.
  • Plenty of gravy.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Cranberry sauce/relish/chutney.
  • Some sort of green bean dish (casserole, with julienned almonds, etc.)
Nov 17, 2010

What do vegans eat instead of turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

by Gardein

Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan.

Do vegans eat bread and crackers? ›

Yes, bread can and often does contain other ingredients like sugar and molasses (not to mention preservatives and fillers in processed bread), but the majority of those ingredients are also vegan. Generally, most flatbreads, rolls, loaves, bagels, sandwich breads, and crackers don't contain non-vegan ingredients.

What is the key ingredient to a perfect Thanksgiving day dinner? ›

Starchy Sides

I think if we're all honest, we know that Thanksgiving is mostly about the starches. Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, fresh-baked rolls – these are the true heroes of the meal, and there will be a lot of them on the table, which is totally fine.

What is the most traditional Thanksgiving menu? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

What is the most popular side dish for Thanksgiving? ›

Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

What can I substitute for turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

So go ahead and shake things up this Thanksgiving with one of these flavorful alternatives to cooking up a whole bird this year, like mushroom, Gruyère, & spinach-stuffed pork tenderloin, vegan mushroom pot pie, or a juicy prime rib.

What do you drink on Thanksgiving? ›

  • Basic Red Wine and Brandy Sangria. 10 mins.
  • Simple Amaretto Sour co*cktail. 3 mins.
  • Keto Mulled Wine. 2 hrs.
  • Maple Pecan Latte Recipe. 12 mins.
  • Easy Rum Eggnog Recipe. 3 mins.
  • Eggnog Martini. 3 mins.
  • Keto Pumpkin Spice Latte. 10 mins.
  • Apple Cinnamon Mule. 5 mins.

What are 3 main foods on Thanksgiving? ›

Many Americans would regard Thanksgiving dinner as "incomplete" without stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and cranberry sauce. A recipe for cranberry sauce to be served with turkey appeared in the first American cookbook, American Cookery (1796) by Amelia Simmons.

How to host a successful Thanksgiving? ›

  1. Never turn down help. ...
  2. Make as much ahead as possible. ...
  3. Don't experiment with new recipes. ...
  4. Start early on your non-food prep. ...
  5. Consider making the turkey the day before. ...
  6. Set the table the night before. ...
  7. Have a co*cktail (or wine) ready to go. ...
  8. Don't make a big deal over appetizers.

What does Christianity say about vegans? ›

Genesis 1 identifies human beings as uniquely images of God and grants them dominion over other animals, but the end of the chapter prescribes a vegan diet for humans, so this original dominion does not include permission to kill animals for food.

Why is November 1 vegan day? ›

The first World Vegan Day was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the society, held on 1 November 1994. This was later extended to become World Vegan Week and, as we now know it, World Vegan Month. Every November, World Vegan Month is celebrated worldwide as a time to shine a light on the vegan movement.

What is Turkey like for vegans? ›

Staples like beans and rice are easy to find in most small shops, as well as in the big supermarkets, and they're cheap. Bulgar wheat is big in Turkey if you're into that, and oats are easy to find too. As I said, the fresh fruits and veggies are so good.

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