Between the turkey, gravy, and pies, Thanksgiving can be a carnivore's delight but a vegan's nightmare. Fortunately, we've put together our favorite meat-, egg- and dairy-free recipes so you can watch a delicious meal unfold. These recipes are so good, guests will be surprised to learn your secret!
Made with veggie broth and naturally sweetened with pear, dried cranberries, and freshly pressed apple cider, this stuffing will generate smells in your kitchen that are sure to send your family into autumnal overload.
Made without any butter or butter substitutes, this savory side dish will please your vegan-loving friends as well as those trying to watch their waistline — it's only 157 calories per serving.
You can prep this vegan and gluten-free chickpea and sweet potato curry recipe in your slow cooker before guests arrive, so you'll have more time later to spend with them. This recipe adds spinach (for some added vitamins and fiber), but you can omit it if you're not a fan of greens in your curry.
This roasted roots soup plays up the natural flavors of the produce, simmering it all in a coconut bath. It's hearty, warm, and filling!
6 / 43
Cilantro Cauliflower Smash
Mashed potatoes may be a staple of the Thanksgiving table, but we're loving this cauliflower cilantro smash as a spud replacement. This side dish is rich in flavor and low in calories. The creaminess of the smash comes from the addition of white beans, which increases the protein content of the dish too. Hands down, it's a vegan recipe that everyone will love.
7 / 43
Rich and Creamy Vegan Gravy
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without gravy! Although it seems to make everything better, it's dripping in butter and meat. This vegan gravy recipe will fool even the biggest carnivores at the table. It's rich and creamy, but not loaded with saturated fats.
This twist on the always-loved butternut squash soup recipe includes sweet potatoes and carrots for extra fiber and vitamin A. White cannellini beans not only boost protein, but also add creaminess without a drop of dairy.
Brussels sprouts are one of our favorite veggies to serve up for Thanksgiving. This recipe pairs the bitter brussels sprout with the sweetness of maple syrup and saltiness of tamari, making for complex flavors. It's bound to make more than a few brussels-sprout converts. And it's vegan!
This metabolism-boosting chickpea and kale stew packs 24 grams of protein per serving, so it will keep you feeling as full and satisfied as turkey with all the trimmings.
Mac and cheese for Thanksgiving? Why not?! In this recipe, cheese gets replaced with nutritional yeast, butter with Earth Balance spread, and cream with veggie broth.
Colorful detox rainbow salad will add some brightness and flavor to the Thanksgiving table. The water content in romaine works to hydrate your body, while the high fiber content in the red cabbage and carrots aids in healthy digestion.
Loaded with fiber and vitamins, this immunity-boosting cauliflower soup also supports healthy digestion — a win-win combination for a typical day full of nonstop eating.
This tofu stir-fry is so easy to whip up — it's foolproof — and only takes about 40 minutes. Tofu is a great alternative way for vegans to get their protein on Thanksgiving day.
Set up your slow cooker and whip up this easy butternut squash lentil soup that packs 17 grams of fiber. Simple and satisfying.
19 / 43
Black Rice and Butternut Squash Salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff
This delightful dish is so vibrantly colored, it's sure to wow your guests at the table.
20 / 43
Sesame Carrot Salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
The spicy and sweet flavors of this sesame carrot salad hold up even better the next day. So prep it the night before Thanksgiving Day and wow your friends and family.
As a appetizer or side dish, these squash fries are so so good. If you don't have a kabocha squash, use a delicata.
22 / 43
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
This quinoa tabbouleh salad is so good and spicy, you may actually do a double scoop onto your plate.
23 / 43
Roasted Butternut Squash
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
This basic roasted butternut squash recipe is versatile since it can be eaten alone, added to a salad or whole grain, or used to make soups.
24 / 43
Turmeric-Spiced Mushroom Pilaf
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
This turmeric-spiced mushroom pilaf is made with a generous dose of turmeric added to a brown rice and mushroom mixture — the raisins add a surprising sweetness to each comforting bite.
25 / 43
Two-Bean Sweet Potato Soup
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
Try a twist on classic black bean soup, and opt for low-calorie black and white bean soup with sweet potatoes. This hearty soup makes an easy and delicious Thanksgiving meal — less time in the kitchen means more time with family.
Settle in with a large, comforting bowl of cumin-spiced lentils. Packed with protein and fiber, this is a great recipe for those also following a gluten-free diet.
Slice into a piece of this apple crumble pie, and you'll find a crunchy almond, oat, and coconut crust, oozing with juicy, sweet apples and sprinkled with a crumbly oat, coconut, and brown sugar topping. No one will guess it's butter-free.
This pumpkin pie is raw, vegan, and gluten-free — a win for everyone at the table! With oven space at a premium, you'll love that you don't need to turn yours on for this recipe.
29 / 43
Vegan Sweet Potato Pie
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
Regular sweet potato pie can include high amounts of butter and eggs, so with some common vegan substitutes (coconut oil for butter and cornstarch for the eggs), this dessert is lightened up without compromising taste. And the best part is the dollop of whipped cream on top!
You only need four ingredients: dates, soy milk, apples, and the topping of your choice. These treats on a stick are so cute — your guests will love them, especially the kiddos.
Since it's vegan, this apple crisp is lower in fat and cholesterol than the traditional dessert, and the pear adds a subtle, sweet twist, plus increases the fiber. The smell from your oven is what Thanksgiving is all about!
32 / 43
Vegan Pumpkin "Cheesecake"
A feast isn't complete without a piece of pumpkin pie, and if you're vegan or lactose intolerant, this is one dessert you don't have to go without. This pumpkin "cheesecake" is completely dairy-free but still full of flavor. Plus it's easy to make — no baking required.
Sweet, sticky pecan pie — it's a Thanksgiving staple. This raw version is made with all-natural ingredients, has no added sugar, and requires absolutely no baking.
Soft, chewy, and only 86 calories per serving, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are vegan and grain-free. Perfectly spiced and since they contain no eggs, you can lick the bowl clean!
38 / 43
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
Enjoy the sweet taste of this pumpkin bread pudding, which happens to be the perfect dairy-free dessert for guests who aren't pie-lovers.
Not only is this recipe deliciously butter-free, it's also high in manganese; this antioxidant aids in digestion and fatigue — perfect for that post-Thanksgiving food coma!
Made with less sugar than a traditional loaf, this bread is still so naturally sweet from the bananas, apples, and applesauce. Serve it for dessert, or, if you have guests staying with you, make a loaf for breakfast the next day.
Made with just dates, soy milk, and vanilla, this creamy caramel served with fresh fruit is a healthy dessert alternative for those not wanting to overdo it.