Ready for a truly stress-free holiday? This is your ultimate guide! We've gathered 35+ easy vegan Thanksgiving recipes-from simple cozy starters and classic sides to hearty, impressive mains and delicious desserts. Use this roundup to build your perfect, simple, plant-based menu without overthinking it. Let the feasting begin!
Thanksgiving menus can feel overwhelming, right? Over the years I've learned that the dishes people love most are the simple, flavorful, reliable ones-so that's exactly what you'll find here. Each recipe has been tested in my kitchen and chosen because it consistently delivers great results, even if you're new to vegan cooking.
This collection is designed to keep things easy while still feeling special. You'll find hearty mains, cozy sides, and classic desserts that fit right into a relaxed holiday meal. A helpful way to plan your menu is to choose one main dish, a potato side, and a couple of seasonal vegetable options. You can also pick recipes that can be prepped ahead of time to keep Thursday morning nice and calm.
Everything is organized below to make planning simple. We've broken it into Appetizers, Sides, Mains, and Desserts so you can browse quickly and build a menu that works for you. All the dishes are plant-based and made with everyday ingredients. Ready to create your own stress-free feast? Scroll down and take a look!
Jump to Section
- 🥣 Appetizers
- 🥔 Sides
- 🍽️ Mains
- 🍎 Desserts
- 📝Tips
Vegan Thanksgiving Appetizers
The main event may be the dinner table, but appetizers keep everyone happy (and out of the kitchen!) while you finish prepping. Forget complicated recipes-we're focusing on cozy, bite-sized starters that work great to make ahead. These festive dips, small bites, and crowd-pleasing snacks are full of flavor, require minimal fuss, and are the perfect way to welcome your guests without adding any stress to your Thursday.
Vegan Thanksgiving Sides
Side dishes are often the real stars of the Thanksgiving table, and going plant-based lets you pack in tons of flavor without adding extra work. These vegan Thanksgiving sides include all the cozy classics you'd expect, plus a few fun seasonal options to round out your menu. Every recipe is simple to execute, helps you use your oven space efficiently, and brings big, comforting flavors to your holiday meal-without any of the fuss.
Vegan Main Dishes
If you think a vegan Thanksgiving can't have a true centerpiece, think again. These mains are hearty, satisfying, and impressive enough to anchor your entire holiday menu. You'll find savory roasts, cozy casseroles, and flavorful bakes that feel festive, comforting, and perfect for sharing. Each dish brings big holiday energy while keeping the prep manageable, making them ideal for a relaxed, memorable Thanksgiving meal.
Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts
After a big meal, dessert should feel cozy, seasonal, and easy to enjoy-no complicated pastry work required. These vegan Thanksgiving desserts highlight classic fall flavors like pumpkin and apple, and they come together without much effort. Each recipe is simple to assemble and bake, giving you a sweet, comforting finish to your holiday meal without adding any extra stress.
Simple Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Day
These small steps can make a big difference when planning your menu from scratch!
Prep Ahead Power: Make your appetizers and desserts the day before. Dips, pies, and even your Tofu Mousse taste great chilled, and prepping them early frees up both your oven and your time on Thursday.
Divide the Labor: Many mains-like the Vegan Meatloaf, Lasagna, and Lentil Loaf-can be assembled and cooked earlier in the day. Reheat them slowly, covered, about 30 minutes before serving.
Strategic Oven Use: Save your oven for dishes that need to be piping hot at the last minute. Keep your Vegan Gravy warm on the stove, and finish your Sweet Potato and Green Bean Casseroles just before the meal.
Hands-Off Mashed Potatoes: If you have a slow cooker or Instant Pot, use it! Cook your Mashed Potatoes there to keep them warm and creamy until mealtime, and free up a much-needed burner.
Chop Everything Early: Spend 30 minutes on Wednesday night chopping all the veggies for your Stuffing, sides, and mains. Store them in airtight containers, and your cooking time on Thursday will be cut way down.
Your Stress-Free Thanksgiving Awaits!
Planning a holiday meal, even a plant-based one, can feel like a lot-but I put this collection together to show just how simple and delicious a plant-based Thanksgiving can be. Choose your main dish early, prep your sides ahead of time, and most importantly, relax and enjoy the company.
Which recipe is making it onto your menu this year? Let me know in the comments below!
And if you found this roundup helpful, don't forget to save it to Pinterest so you can easily find these recipes again when you're ready to start cooking!
About Iosune!
Hi, I’m Iosune! I’m a food lover, home cook, recipe creator, and co-founder of Simple Vegan Blog, which I started in 2014 to share how easy and delicious vegan cooking can be.
I love experimenting in the kitchen and finding new ways to make plant-based cooking simple, delicious, and fun. Cooking is my passion, my creative outlet, and my favorite way to connect with others.