These vegan Thanksgiving sides prove you don't need meat or dairy to add festive flavor to your holiday dinner.
31 Vegan Thanksgiving Sides You Need to Try
1/31
Crusty Homemade Bread
From the Recipe Creator:
Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Crackling homemade bread is always a huge hit. Dip into olive oil for a gourmet experience.
2/31
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Now everyone can enjoy this classic Thanksgiving side. Just a few small tweaks make this a vegan green bean casserole, but no one will taste the difference! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Green bean casserole is such a classic holiday dish. Trust us, no one will be able to taste the difference.
3/31
Cranberry Sauce
Bring on the stunning and delicious cranberry sauce! This vegan version is just what you need on your vegan-friendly Thanksgiving table.
4/31
Mushroom and Sweet Potato Potpie
From the Recipe Creator:
The last time I was in the U.S., I had an amazing mushroom and beer potpie at a small brewpub. It was so rich and comforting. I tried numerous versions when I got home and I think I've come pretty close! —Iben Ravn, Copenhagen, Denmark
This mushroom and sweet potato pot pie is rich and comforting. Instead of beer, you can use a dry red wine as an alternative.
5/31
Vegan Stuffing
Filled with fresh bread, onion, celery and carrots, this dish will leave you feeling satisfied and happy. Fresh herbs and savory mushrooms make this flavorful vegan stuffing recipe a crowd-pleaser.
6/31
Pomegranate Persimmon Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
To bring some sunshine to the table, I toss up a bright salad of persimmons and pomegranate seeds, dressed with a puckery vinaigrette. —Linda Tambunan, Dublin, California
This bright salad bursts of flavor thanks to the persimmons and pomegranate seeds. The tangy vinaigrette is the cherry on top.
7/31
Vegan Cornbread
Now, vegans can savor the sweet, flaky goodness of cornbread—without the eggs and butter.
8/31
Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash
From the Recipe Creator:
With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash is sweet as can be. This is comfort food—and it’s easy to prepare.
9/31
Roasted Carrots & Fennel
From the Recipe Creator:
This addictive fennel recipe is a fresh take on one of my mother's standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
This addictive vegetable combo is a fresh and simple recipe that is great paired with leafy greens.
10/31
Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
It's hard for our family to imagine eating mashed potatoes any other way but this. It tastes great on its own or drizzled with tahini sauce. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Mix up a classic with this divine Mediterranean-inspired mashed potatoes. It tastes great on its own or drizzled with tahini sauce.
11/31
Roasted Pumpkin and Brussels Sprouts
From the Recipe Creator:
While traveling to Taiwan, I had the pleasure of trying a unique vegetable dish that included fresh pumpkin. It inspired me to roast pumpkin with Brussels sprouts. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania
The combination of roasted Brussels sprouts and pumpkin results in a savory and sweet side dish you won’t be able to get enough of.
12/31
Glazed Sweet Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh sweet potatoes Mom grew disappeared fast at our family table when she served them with this easy, flavorful glaze. She still makes them this way, and now her glazed sweet potato recipe has become a favorite with the grandchildren as well! —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland
13/31
Garlic-Herb Fried Patty Pan Squash
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. This fried patty pan squash recipe is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
This air-fried dish tastes like fall in a bowl. The thyme and parsley add a wonderful, earthy flavor.
14/31
Rice Pilaf with Apples & Raisins
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making bulgar pilaf with apricots. So glad I tried it with dried apples and golden raisins! —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi
This nutritious rice dish is a vegan’s dream. The apple and raisins add a light sweetness.
15/31
Green Beans in Red Pepper Sauce
From the Recipe Creator:
For easy veggies, I make a simple sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. We also like this sauce with zucchini or roasted cauliflower. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
This simple sauce is made up of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. It’s also great on top of salads.
16/31
Grilled Cauliflower Wedges
From the Recipe Creator:
This side is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California
This side dish is incredibly easy, yet is packed with a smoky flavor from the grill. The red pepper flakes add some heat.
17/31
Beets in Orange Sauce
From the Recipe Creator:
To ensure your family eats their veggies, why not top your beets with an irresistible orange glaze! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Top your beets with a stunning orange glaze. Now all your family members will be able to get their veggies in.
18/31
Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts
From the Recipe Creator:
Even people who normally don't care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Brussels sprouts are a great side dish option. With shredded ginger and minced garlic, this recipe takes Brussels sprouts to another level.
19/31
Air-Fryer Herb and Lemon Cauliflower
From the Recipe Creator:
A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
This air-fryer cauliflower side is easy to prep, and only uses a handful of ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a kick to this dish.
20/31
Warm, Tasty Greens with Garlic
From the Recipe Creator:
My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado
This tasty dish uses kale, tomatoes and garlic to create a delicious and healthy side. It’s a great recipe to make, especially if you have a bunch of kale.
21/31
Cider Baked Squash
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm a freelance writer who sometimes needs a break from a long session of working on a story. That's when I escape to the kitchen to whip up something that's good to eat, yet easy to prepare. This is one of my favorites!
With ingredients like apple cider and ground cinnamon, you’re in for a sweet treat.
22/31
Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Black Beans
From the Recipe Creator:
As a vegan, I'm always looking for impressive dishes to share. Sweet potatoes loaded with beans and a touch of peanut butter are one of my mom’s favorites. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California
This recipe is a contest winner for a good reason. Sweet potatoes loaded with black beans, peppers and onions gives this dish a southwestern flair. The peanut butter adds a wonderful nutty touch.
23/31
Air-Fryer Roasted Green Beans
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family loves roasted green beans, but they can take a long time in the oven. I tried these air-fryer green beans and we loved them! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
In only twenty minutes, this recipe will give you perfectly crispy green beans that are packed with flavor. The addition of mushrooms and onion adds a sweet and earthy touch to the dish.
24/31
Oven-Roasted Spiced Carrots
From the Recipe Creator:
I started roasting veggies and serving them often with dinner. Now my children say, “Is it OK to finish the veggies?” Pinch me. —Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri
If you’ve never had oven-roasted carrots, you are in for a treat. Warm cinnamon notes as well as some spice from the paprika and chili powder make these carrots delectable.
25/31
Air-Fryer Red Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
Roasting is one of my favorite ways to prepare veggies. Some fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these air-fryer red potatoes a distinctive but subtle taste. The dish is simple to prepare yet elegant in color and flavor. It's a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania
One of the best way to use up fall vegetables is by roasting them. The rosemary in this dish gives these air-fryer red potatoes a distinctive but subtle taste. It’s a wonderful addition to any menu.
26/31
Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side dish is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York
This sweet potato dish is topped with dried cherries and walnuts. The cherries add a hint of tartness, while the walnuts add a much needed crunch.
27/31
Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone
From the Recipe Creator:
This vegetarian soup features a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
This colorful soup is full of hearty vegetables and pasta. It’s colorful as can be.
28/31
My Underground Vegetable Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Oven-roasting root vegetables is a delicious way to get the most out of these earthy treats, bringing out their subtle sweetness. Serving them over endive with a homemade vinaigrette is just a bonus! —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
These oven-roasted root vegetables are earthy and subtly sweet. Feel free to add even more vegetables.
29/31
Garden Vegetable & Herb Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I submitted this recipe to a local newspaper and won first prize. I make this hearty soup whenever my family needs a good dose of veggies. —Jody Saulnier, Woodstock, New Hampshire
This soup is hearty, soothing and just plain good. The vegetables and herbs come together to create fall in a bowl.
30/31
Lemon Mushroom Orzo
From the Recipe Creator:
Sometimes I serve this side dish chilled, and other times we enjoy it hot.
It has a pleasant tinge of lemon and a nice crunch from the pecans.
—Shelly Nelson, Akeley, Minnesota
This dish is something to write home about. With earthy mushrooms and bright lemons, this orzo recipe comes together easily and will make your stomach happy.
31/31
Herb-Roasted Olives & Tomatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
Eat these roasted veggies with a crunchy baguette or a couple of cheeses. You can also double, or triple, the amounts and have leftovers to toss with spaghetti the next day. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Eat these roasted tomatoes and olives with fresh bread or crackers.
Also, explore our list of vegetarian substitutes for turkey.
