17 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes to Try This Year

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year to load up a plate with all the tasty sides. From creamy mashed potatoes to crispy roasted veggies and casseroles, there are so many delicious vegetarian dishes that deserve a spot on the table.

If you’re hosting a vegetarian Thanksgiving, bringing a dish to share, or just looking to add more variety to your usual menu, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite recipes from the blog to help you plan out your menu. There’s a little bit of everything here, including classic Thanksgiving sides, seasonal salads, and a few fun options to switch things up.

Of course, you definitely don’t need to make all of these recipes. Pick a few that sound good, mix and match your favorites, and you’ll have a delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving spread that everyone can enjoy!

Vegetarian Thanksgiving side dishes

1. Healthy Mashed Potatoes with Cauliflower and White Beans

These creamy mashed potatoes get a nutritious upgrade from cauliflower and white beans, but they’re still every bit as comforting and delicious as the classic! They’re also a tasty way to sneak some extra veggies and protein onto your Thanksgiving plate while still enjoying a staple side dish.

2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Arugula Salad

Roasted Brussels sprouts meet peppery arugula in this salad, which brings a fresh and flavorful bite to the Thanksgiving table. It’s the perfect choice when you want something a little lighter to balance out all those rich holiday dishes.

3. Roasted Radishes

Roasting radishes transforms their crisp, peppery bite into something surprisingly sweet, tender, and delicious. They’re an easy, colorful side dish that can bring something a little different to your Thanksgiving spread.

4. Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy butternut squash soup tastes like fall in a bowl, with tons of flavor and a silky smooth texture. Serve it as a starter or alongside your favorite Thanksgiving sides to round out your dinner.

5. Vegan Fall Pasta Salad

Packed with seasonal flavors and tossed in a tangy pumpkin-Dijon dressing, this fall pasta salad is a fun way to add a lighter, make-ahead-friendly dish to your Thanksgiving dinner.

6. Lemon Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These roasted Brussels sprouts are crispy around the edges, tender in the middle, and finished with lemon and Parmesan for even more flavor. They’re easy enough for a weeknight but still special enough to serve at your Thanksgiving table.

7. One-Pot Lemon Veggie Rice

Fluffy rice and colorful veggies come together in this simple one-pot side dish with a fresh pop of lemon. It’s an easy addition to a holiday menu when you want something flavorful but don’t want to add another complicated recipe to your to-do list.

8. Easy Tomato Pesto Tarts

These flaky tomato pesto tarts look fancy enough for a holiday dinner but use premade puff pastry to keep things super simple. They make a fun vegetarian appetizer or side dish that’s handheld and great for sharing.

9. Swiss Chard Pasta with White Beans

This pasta combines Swiss chard, creamy white beans, and cherry tomatoes for a satisfying side dish or main. It’s filling, flavorful, and packed with protein and fiber.

10. Roasted Broccoli with Lemon, Walnuts, and Parmesan

Roasted broccoli gets a major flavor boost from bright lemon, crunchy walnuts, and savory Parmesan. This is an easy vegetable side that can bring lots of color and texture to your dinner.

11. Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Casserole

This savory spinach and feta casserole is creamy, comforting, and packed with veggies, making it a hearty addition to any vegetarian Thanksgiving feast. It’s also a solid choice when you want something a little different from the usual holiday sides.

12. Easy Lemon Rice with Parsley

Bright, fluffy, and ridiculously easy to make, this lemon rice is a simple side that works with just about everything on your Thanksgiving plate.

13. Roasted Beet Whipped Feta

Sweet roasted beets and creamy whipped feta come together in this colorful appetizer that looks gorgeous on the table (and tastes just as good!). Serve it with crackers, bread, or pitas for an easy starter everyone can snack on before dinner.

14. Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta

This creamy pasta gets its velvety texture and gorgeous golden color from butternut squash, making it a natural fit for your Thanksgiving menu. It’s also satisfying enough to serve as a vegetarian main or hearty side.

15. One-Pan Pesto Chickpea Rice Bake

This easy baked rice dish combines chickpeas, pesto, and fluffy rice in one pan for a hearty side with no shortage of flavor. It’s a particularly good pick for a vegetarian Thanksgiving since the chickpeas add extra protein and fiber.

16. Spiral Veggie Tart

This colorful veggie tart is a great option if you want to impress your guests. It’s surprisingly easy to make, works as a beautiful centerpiece for a vegetarian holiday spread, and can be a fun way to get more vegetables onto the table.

17. Vegan Mac & Cheese with Tempeh Bacon

No holiday table is complete without something cheesy and comforting! This vegan mac and cheese gets an extra savory boost from crispy tempeh bacon for a plant-based twist on a classic crowd-pleaser.

How to build a vegetarian Thanksgiving menu

Luckily, planning a vegetarian Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean making a dozen different dishes or finding a complicated turkey substitute. Instead, it’s all about finding a few tried-and-true favorites and serving them alongside a handful of veggie-forward dishes so your plate has plenty of variety.

Here are some tips for creating a healthy vegetarian menu.

Start with a hearty main dish

While you definitely can enjoy Thanksgiving without a traditional turkey alternative, I recommend including at least one substantial dish with a good amount of protein. A lentil loaf, chickpea pot pie, or hearty casserole can give your meal a satisfying centerpiece without requiring a meat substitute.

Add a classic starch

Don’t forget to add a delicious starch or two, because this is Thanksgiving, after all! Mashed potatoes are always a good idea, but you can also switch things up with rice, pasta, or another grain-based dish.

Include some veggies

Aim for a couple of colorful vegetable sides to round out your meal. Roasted Brussels sprouts, broccoli, radishes, beets, and butternut squash are all delicious ways to add seasonal flavor, fiber, color, and texture to your table.

Include something fresh

With all the creamy, cheesy, and carb-filled dishes that tend to make an appearance at Thanksgiving, a fresh salad can be a welcome addition. Try a kale or arugula salad with roasted veggies, or choose a bright grain salad with lots of herbs.

Don’t go overboard

You definitely don’t need to make every recipe on this list! For a smaller gathering, I’d choose one hearty main, two or three sides, and a salad or appetizer. For a larger crowd, add in a few more favorites and let everyone bring something to share.

FAQ

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Conclusion

A vegetarian Thanksgiving can be just as delicious as a traditional holiday meal, especially when you have a variety of flavorful dishes to choose from.

Whether you’re sticking with classic mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts or trying something new like butternut squash pasta or roasted beet whipped feta, I hope these recipes give you a little inspiration for the holiday.

Pick a few favorites, gather your friends and family, and enjoy!