Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. This year, why not do something different? That’s where vegetarian dishes come in handy! We’ve compiled 10 of the most top 10 vegetarian Thanksgiving menu ideas that are healthy and eco-friendly.
Whether you want to serve your guests a great meal, but you don’t want it to be too heavy, are newly vegetarian, or are entertaining vegetarian guests, here are some ideas for a vegetarian menu that will leave your guests feeling satisfied and surrounded by the best flavors of the holiday season.
We’ve compiled 10 of the most eco-friendly vegetarian Thanksgiving meal menus for you to try. With these recipes, you can enjoy the holiday with your loved ones without hurting the environment.
And no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without dessert! But since sugar is sometimes a concern for health-minded vegetarians, try this Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie Recipe instead. Scroll down for more of our favorite recipes!
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Appetizers
Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in America, but it can also be one of the most challenging for vegetarians. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving appetizers to choose from. These recipes use healthier ingredients like fresh herbs and vegetables, while still maintaining that classic holiday flavor.
Here are a few vegetarian Thanksgiving appetizer recipes for the eco-friendly momma.
White Bean Pumpkin Hummus
“Fluffy, savory, 10-minute white bean hummus infused with pumpkin, lemon, and crispy garlic and sage! A perfectly spiced, hearty, and wholesome dip or snack for fall! “
Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Crostini
“Spinach Artichoke Dip is one of those snacks that absolutely everyone loves. A cream cheese base is loaded with spinach, a bit of garlic, and of course marinated artichokes. Top it all off with more cheese and bake until golden and bubbly!”
Source: Spend with Pennies via Pinterest: @spendpennies
Vegan Beer Cheese Dip
“Creamy, dreamy, smooth and melty. this cashewless wuick and easy dip is the most delicious cheese dip ever!”
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Courses
While turkey is a traditional centerpiece, it doesn’t have to be the only entree. In celebration of Thanksgiving, here are some main course recipes to create an eco-friendly vegetarian thanksgiving centerpiece.
This year, try using a plant-based main dish for your dinner instead of a turkey. This can include vegan dishes as mushroom-baked seitan or homemade tofu turkey. Find out what you could do to make this holiday celebration more environmentally friendly with the following recipes.
Mushroom Seitan Roast
“This roast is delicious hot out of the oven, but what I really enjoy is making the leftovers into sandwiches. After refrigerating, slice the seitan very thin and warm it in some gravy. Serve on crusty French bread with lettuce and tomato. Heaven!”
Homemade Tofu Turkey
“A vegan alternative especially good for Thanksgiving dinner! Serve with a vegetarian gravy and all the fixings. Enjoy!”
Stuffed Acorn Squash
“This vegetarian stuffed acorn squash recipe is beautiful and delicious! The cheesy quinoa filling develops an irresistible crispy top in the oven. Make it for your holiday dinner or serve it on a relaxed weeknight at home. Recipe yields 4 stuffed squash halves.”
Vegan “Chicken” Pot Pie
“For a vegetarian and vegan pot pie main dish, try this easy homemade vegetarian pot pie recipe filled with vegan Gardein “chicken” scallopini, onions, carrots, and green peas and baked into a ramekin with thyme, sage, and other savory seasonings–all covered with a light and flaky puff pastry. You’ll find that this vegetarian pot pie with vegan chicken is just as hearty and filling as any other pot pie yet much lower in fat and completely cholesterol-free.”
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes
What is a Thanksgiving dinner without a great vegetarian side dish? Whether you are hosting or going to someone’s home, the best vegetarian side dish recipes will be a hit.
If you’re not sure what to make this year, here are some yummy dishes that will please your vegetarian guests and leave your meat-eating friends asking for the recipe.
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Skillet “Sausage” Stuffing
To make this recipe vegetarian, simply substitute your favorite vegetarian or vegan “sausage” to make this savory and delicious recipe! We like Morning Star Chorizo Crumbles for an extra little kick of flavor. The chicken broth can easily be swapped out for vegetable broth too.
“To make this sausage stuffing, I dressed up a package of stuffing mix with pork sausage, mushrooms, celery and onion. It impressed my in-laws at a family gathering and has since become a popular side dish with my husband and children.”
Pumpkin Maple Baked Bean Cornbread Casserole
“Maple baked beans with a pumpkin twist all topped with a lightly sweetened cornbread. The result is a casserole that kept us coming back for more and more.”
Baked Mac & Cheese
“This baked mac and cheese is a family favorite recipe, loved by both children and adults. It uses a combination of cheeses, layered in the dish as well as melted into a rich and creamy cheese sauce, for the ultimate in cheesy deliciousness! Perfect for a comforting dinner or as a holiday side dish!”
Cranberry Sauce
“The tart flavor of cranberries makes a nice complement to any Holiday feast. This is a classic!”
Garlic Yukon Mashed Potatoes
“These Garlic Mashed Potatoes made with roasted garlic and Yukon Gold potatoes are amazing in every way. These extra creamy, garlic mashed potatoes are simply the BEST!” By ELISE BAUER
Vegan Mushroom Gravy
“Creamy and rich in flavor, this easy vegan mushroom gravy is made with minimal ingredients and pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, biscuits and lentil loaves.”
Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Desserts
Check out these top vegetarian Thanksgiving dessert recipes for some great ideas! They’re perfect if you’re looking for some ways to make your Thanksgiving feast festive and delicious.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
“This PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE PIE is a combination of a classic pumpkin pie with silky creaminess of a cheesecake. This easy dessert is perfect to serve at holiday dinners or just because you feel like having a pumpkin treat.”
Mind-Blowing Vegan Chocolate Pie
“This vegan chocolate pie is a five-ingredient, no-bake miracle. The ultra-thick and creamy chocolate pie filling is made with (wait for it)… tofu, almond butter, almondmilk, and melted chocolate. Easy!”
Vegan Apple Pie
This heartwarming classic goes vegan, without sacrificing any of the delicious flavors you’d expect from apple pie!
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas
Thanksgiving is full of delicious food that often leaves you with lots of leftovers. It’s time to get creative! Here are some quick and easy ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers in order to reduce waste and save money.
Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast
“Apple pie for breakfast?! With this easy stuffed French toast, that dream can become a reality! We like it with a dollop of whipped cream, but if you’re feeling extra, try it a la mode!”
Pumpkin French Toast
“Thick layers of brioche get soaked in a mixture of egg, milk, pumpkin puree, and vanilla and then topped with a creamy pumpkin butter for the most fall brunch EVER.”
Pumpkin Pancakes
“These healthy pumpkin pancakes are so fluffy, you won’t believe they’re 100% whole grain. This pumpkin pancake recipe is sure to become your favorite. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup, too!”
“Turkey” Cranberry Bagels
Wondering what to do with all of that leftover homemade tofu turkey? Slice it thin and substitute your tofurky for the deli turkey meat in this delicious recipe. Our family likes them best on warm toasted everything bagels. Yum!
“Treat yourself to a deli-style bagel sandwich at home—stuffed with cream cheese, smoked turkey and whole berry cranberry sauce.”
Source: MyFoodandFamily.com
Happy Vegetarian Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and giving thanks. Now that you’re becoming more conscious about your footprint on the environment, it’s time to consider how you can be mindful of Thanksgiving as well. One way to do this is by creating an eco-friendly and vegetarian Thanksgiving menu.
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We hope these vegetarian thanksgiving ideas have given you a few ideas on how you can be more eco-friendly this year while preparing a delicious holiday dinner everyone will enjoy! Please share this article with friends and family looking for vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes.
Happy Thanksgiving!