34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (2024)

Whether you're looking for a satisfying meatless alternative to turkey or want to have a variety of vegetable-forward side dishes, these vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes are all ideal for holiday gatherings. Start off your meal with crispy kabocha squash fritters or a flavor-packed caramelized onion dip. For your main, serve a presentation-worthy Greens-and-Cheese-Stuffed Cinderella Pumpkin, Carrot Steaks with Roasted Garlic Hollandaise, or a rainbow gratin with six layers of colorful vegetables. Don't worry, we didn't forget the stuffing. Here are our favorite recipes that enhance Thanksgiving for vegetarians and vegetable lovers alike.

01of 34

Fennel and Apple Salad with Hazelnuts

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (1)

Tucked in among the tender lettuce leaves, fragrant fennel, sweet-tart Granny Smith apple, and toasty hazelnuts add a refreshing crunch to this fall salad.

Get the Recipe

02of 34

Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli with Cranberry Agrodolce

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (2)

A quick, high-temperature oven roast on a baking sheet yields crispy, golden brown brussels sprouts and almost-charred, smoky broccoli. Tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce studded with tart cranberries, Fresno chiles, and shallots, the vegetables become an easy, elegant side dish.

Get the Recipe

03of 34

Roasted Butternut Squash with Curry Leaves

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (3)

"A sprinkling of marash chile flakes and curry leaves with coconut oil add a bit of heat and an intoxicating fragrance, while the black mustard seeds add a hint of nuttiness," cookbook author Nik Sharma says of this butternut squash recipe.

Get the Recipe

04of 34

Citrus, Beet, and Arugula Salad with Halloumi Croutons

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (4)

Resplendent with mixed citrus and jewel-toned roasted beets, this peppery arugula salad gets elevated to holiday status courtesy of crispy halloumi croutons.

Get the Recipe

05of 34

Savory Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Sesame Seeds

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (5)

With brown sugar, vinegar, and liquid aminos, these sweet potatoes are the best balance of savory and sweet. You'll know they are perfectly cooked when they are tender but not falling apart.

Get the Recipe

06of 34

Garlic-and-Herb Mashed Potatoes

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (6)

These mashed potatoes are a speedy, nearly effortless dish thanks to a flavor-packed special ingredient: a garlic-and-herb-flecked spreadable cheese (such as Boursin). For a colorful twist, use purple Peruvian potatoes instead of Yukon Golds to make vibrant, violet mashed potatoes.

Get the Recipe

07of 34

Potato–and–Celery Root Biscuits

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (7)

Biscuit pro Chadwick Boyd's biscuits get an upgrade from a thyme-infused mash of potatoes, celery root, and cream. Substitute in one and one half cups of mashed potatoes, if desired. Run your hands under very cold water and dry well before working butter into flour in step two and working the dough in step three. "This is the granny method," says Boyd. "It's the tactile way of merging the butter and flour — with your hands. You literally snap it between your fingers and thumb."

Get the Recipe

08of 34

Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potato Hand Pies

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (8)

Made with Lisa Ludwinski's Sister Pie All-Butter Pie Dough, the golden, crispy pastry encasing these savory hand pies shatters almost like a croissant. Lightly mashed sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, tangy sour cream, and aged cheddar make up the creamy-cheesy filling. It's a simple mixture, but it tastes like a handheld bite of Thanksgiving. If the brussels sprouts are large, quarter them instead of halving.

Get the Recipe

09of 34

Rustic Bread Stuffing with Swiss Chard and Chestnuts

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (9)

Swiss chard lends a pleasant earthiness to this hearty stuffing; meaty chestnuts add texture and richness. Choose high-quality crusty bread for this recipe to ensure a fluffy texture and crisp top.

Get the Recipe

10of 34

Kabocha Squash Fritters with Yuzu-Garlic Dipping Sauce

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (10)

Japanese korokke are the basis for these cheesy squash fritters, which can be made with freshly steamed kabocha squash or canned pumpkin puree. A drier squash, kabocha has a sweet flavor and cooks down into a custardy texture that's still dry enough to fry into these crispy two-bite appetizers. Serve them with a shortcut dipping sauce, a blend of fresh garlic, bright yuzu juice, and silky Kewpie mayo.

Get the Recipe

11of 34

Greens-and-Cheese-Stuffed Cinderella Pumpkin

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (11)

Inspired by Cassie Piuma's squash spanakopita at her restaurant, Sarma, in Somerville, Massachusetts, this stuffed pumpkin is filled with a nutty, creamy blend of Gruyère and feta cheeses; sweet, anise-scented fennel; and hearty green lacinato kale for a stunning vegetarian main dish fit for any holiday table.

Get the Recipe

12of 34

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Onions with Mushroom Lardons

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (12)

A duo of alliums — shallots and pearl onions — becomes irresistibly sweet when roasted, making them the ideal partner to slightly bitter brussels sprouts. Bacon, the usual star in recipes like this, is replaced with lardons made from king oyster mushrooms.

Get the Recipe

13of 34

Lemon-Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (13)

A quick whirl in a food processor is all it takes to make this fresh-tasting sauce — no cooking required. For a savory boost, stir in finely ground toasted coriander.

Get the Recipe

14of 34

Mushroom Parmesan

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (14)

This light, beautiful, briny take on eggplant Parm stars panko-coated hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, from photographer Andrea Gentl's 2022 cookbook,Cooking with Mushrooms: A Fungi Lover's Guide to the World's Most Versatile, Flavorful, Health-Boosting Ingredients.

Get the Recipe

15of 34

Vegetarian Wild Mushroom Sourdough Dressing

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (15)

Tangy, crusty sourdough creates a dressing with contrast: chewy center pieces that have soaked up the stock and crispy, toasted edges. To ensure a balance of flavors and textures, keep stirring the mixture until stock and eggs have absorbed into the bread completely and none is pooled at the bottom of the mixing bowl.

Get the Recipe

16of 34

Roasted Butternut Squash Parmesan

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (16)

Nestled under a super-savory breadcrumb and Parmesan topping, layers of tender butternut squash and marinara add up to a rich vegetarian main dish from Raquel Pelzel.

Get the Recipe

17of 34

Vegetarian Meatballs

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (17)

Marianne Williams' umami-rich meatless meatballs have quinoa, black beans, deeply roasted vegetables, and nutritional yeast. You can make these vegan by omitting the egg.

Get the Recipe

Baked Shells with Gremolata Breadcrumbs

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (18)

Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. This version features a combination of fontina for optimal gooey texture and cheddar for its tangy flavor. A crispy, bright mix of toasted panko, parsley, lemon, and garlic complements the richness of the ultra-creamy baked shells.

Get the Recipe

19of 34

Creamy Swiss Chard Gratin with Crispy Gnocchi

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (19)

A riff on creamed spinach, this cheesy gratin is studded with buttery toasted gnocchi. Swiss chard adds an earthy bite, while a duo of nutty Gruyère and salty Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses brings richness and depth to the béchamel. Store-bought gnocchi help this gratin come together in a flash, and toasting them in butter instead of boiling adds a compelling crunch.

Get the Recipe

20of 34

Carla Hall's Buttermilk Biscuits

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (20)

Made with a combination of grated cold butter for flavor and vegetable shortening for tenderness, chef Carla Hall's biscuits owe their towering, flaky layers to her classic laminating technique.

Get the Recipe

21of 34

Raclette-Gruyère Mac and Cheese with Pickled Shallots

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (21)

Inspired by älplermagronen — Alpine farmers' macaroni — this Swiss twist on a Thanksgiving classic gets rich flavor from Gruyère and a lush creaminess from raclette. Traditional versions of this dish are served with applesauce, and as a nod to that flavor play, we've added some shallots that are quickly pickled in apple cider vinegar to balance the cheesy richness.

Get the Recipe

22of 34

Green Bean Casserole with Almost-Burnt Almonds

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (22)

This riff on the Thanksgiving classic features tender-crisp green beans in a silky vegetarian sauce. With incredible crunch and intense nutty flavor, almost-burnt almonds take this dish to the next level; carefully cut one almond in half after the initial bake to make sure it's browned all the way through.

Get the Recipe

23of 34

Curried Pumpkin and Buss Up Shut (Paratha Roti)

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (23)

Fresh habanero chiles add a touch of fruity heat to the chunks of tender pumpkin and softened callaloo leaves in this curried pumpkin from Nina Compton. It's served with Buss Up Shut, a flatbread that gets its name from "busted-up shirt," which describes the bread's torn, crinkled texture, perfect for sopping up flavorful curry.

Get the Recipe

24of 34

Rainbow Vegetable Gratin

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (24)

Six layers of colorful vegetables cook together in Justin Chapple's free-form gratin; panko and Parmigiano-Reggiano absorb extra juices and provide a nice crunch.

Get the Recipe

25of 34

Shaved Beet and Carrot Salad With Citrus-Scallion Dressing

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (25)

When salad greens become scarce in late fall, try making this gorgeous, colorful salad of thinly shaved beets, carrot ribbons, and rounds of juicy clementine, served atop arugula and dressed with a citrus-scallion vinaigrette. The dressing is so delicious, recipe creator Leah Koenig says, "I sneak it straight from a spoon."

Get the Recipe

26of 34

Wild Mushroom Galette

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (26)

Roasting the mushrooms reduces excess moisture and concentrates their meaty flavor, which pairs perfectly with the fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage in this flaky and crisp galette.

Get the Recipe

27of 34

Caramelized Five-Onion Dip

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (27)

A mix of five alliums — shallots, scallions, and sweet, yellow, and red onions — give this classic caramelized onion dip layers of flavor. Yellow and red onions give it bite, while Vidalia onion and shallots lend a pleasant sweetness. Taking the time to cook the onions slowly over low heat concentrates their flavor, while adding scallions halfway through cooking keeps them just fresh enough to serve with chips, toasted bread, or vegetables like endive, steamed fingerling potatoes, and roasted Broccolini.

Get the Recipe

28of 34

Whole Baked Pumpkin Soup

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (28)

Baking pumpkins whole traps steam inside the vegetable, resulting in a lush, velvety pumpkin puree, and making the skins easy to remove. In this recipe from chef Christian F. Puglisi, a simple reduction of dry white wine mingles with butter to balance the sweetness of the pumpkin.

Get the Recipe

29of 34

Braised Greens with Crispy Garlic and Miso Butter

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (29)

Hearty autumn greens take on new life when braised in a miso butter–laced broth. These richly flavored greens make a versatile side dish for everything from turkey and fish to sweet potatoes and squash.

Get the Recipe

30of 34

Potato Gnocchi with Butter and Cheese

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (30)

The secret to the lightest, most tender potato gnocchi is to bake the potatoes instead of boiling them.

Get the Recipe

31of 34

Carrot Steaks with Roasted Garlic Hollandaise

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (31)

Chef Kate Williams' beautifully layered carrot steaks at the now-shuttered Lady of the House in Detroit were a mainstay on her menu. Here, she's shared an at-home riff using large horse carrots, balancing their natural sweetness with plenty of salt and lemon. The silky hollandaise drizzle comes together easily using a blender, which virtually guarantees an effortless sauce.

Get the Recipe

32of 34

Crushed Potatoes with Spiced Olive Oil

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (32)

Pressing the boiled potatoes through a wire baking rack is a neat trick for easily peeling and coarsely crushing them all at once. A trio of toasted and ground seeds — caraway, fennel, and coriander — mixed with extra-virgin olive oil gives these potatoes a delicately fruity but warmly spiced flavor. Because of the generous amount of olive oil in this recipe, the potatoes are great served warm or at room temperature.

Get the Recipe

33of 34

Roasted Butternut Squash with Chorizo-Spiced Kale

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (33)

With its earthy sweetness and dense texture, butternut squash makes a hearty vegetable steak. Chef Damian Sansonetti highlights its complexity with his chorizo spice mix. He blooms the blend of cumin, Pimentón, and coriander in oil to release each ingredient's aroma, which provides a smoky foundation for this shoulder-season dish.

Get the Recipe

34of 34

Red Cabbage Salad with Baked Cherries, Apples, and Almond Dukkah

34 Phenomenal Vegetarian Recipes for Thanksgiving (34)

This refreshing salad features bright cherry vinegar and sweet roasted cherry juice. Dukkah — a blend of spices, herbs, and nuts — grounds the flavor and adds an earthy crunch.

Get the Recipe

Note: Some of these recipes include cheeses that are often made with animal rennet. If you prefer not to use that type of cheese, you can omit it if applicable or swap in a vegetarian-friendly substitute.