Let’s be sincere, aspect dishes are the true stars of Thanksgiving. I load my plate up with mashed potatoes, inexperienced beans, and (two or three) dinner rolls. Yearly, with out fail. Thanksgiving is undoubtedly an indulgent meal, but it surely doesn’t should be unhealthy. When my older sister first needed to make dietary modifications, we had two separate Thanksgiving buffets: one which was gluten-free and vegan and one other that was conventional. Nevertheless, after plenty of analysis and recipe tasting, we’ve landed on a menu with vegan Thanksgiving sides that the entire household drools over.
15 Vegan Thanksgiving Sides Everybody Will Love
This listing is filled with each traditional and artistic recipes for your whole favourite Thanksgiving sides that nobody will even know are vegan. As a result of between potlucks, Friendsgiving celebrations, and all the numerous gatherings you’ll host and attend this season, you’re sure to come across a pal or member of the family who will recognize creamy mashed potatoes (sans the cream). And right here’s my sizzling take: they could even be higher than the actual deal.
Roasted Honeynut Squash with Sizzling Honey, Pecans, and Rosemary
Why We Love It: In the event you’re going for ‘wow’ think about each presentation and style, it’s a must to make this aspect dish. Teeny and cute honeynut squash spends slightly time within the oven getting caramelized and crisp. Layered in your favourite platter with radicchio, pecans, garlic, and honey (sub maple syrup to make it vegan), this recipe is my new Thanksgiving fave. Observe: the recipe consists of goat cheese, however you’re welcome to sub in a dairy-free possibility or skip it completely.
Hero Ingredient: I’ve a factor for squash, and honeynut is my new favourite. Significantly, have you ever ever seen something cuter? They usually’re not simply fairly to take a look at. As Camille notes, “Deep orange in shade and barely paying homage to a mini butternut, the honeynut squash is filled with sweetness, nuttiness, and an plain allure that elevates any dish.” Now doesn’t that sound completely delish?
Honey Roasted Carrots With Spicy Citrus, Sage & Pepitas
Why We Love It: Even in the event you aren’t a cooked carrot fan, this recipe would possibly win you over with its secret sauce. It has the right stability of acidity, sweetness, and spice completed with contemporary sage that offers it main autumn vibes. You possibly can’t say you don’t like cooked carrots till you do that recipe.
Hero Ingredient: The pan sauce, as a result of it may be added to any fall veggie in your fridge.
Harvest Kale Salad
Why We Love It: Each fall and winter’s greatest substances shine on this aspect salad. It’s made with a easy olive oil and lemon French dressing, and it would simply be your new favourite Thanksgiving merchandise. Served as a aspect or an appetizer, everybody can get pleasure from this recipe. Simply be sure you ditch the brie or swap in a dairy-free different to maintain it vegan.
Hero Ingredient: It’s a toss-up between the pear and pepitas, however I’ll go together with the previous—as a result of throughout the colder months, it’s my favourite fruit.
Candy & Bitter Cider-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Dates & Pecans
Why We Love It: As an alternative of leaning on her typical technique of roasting halved sprouts till crispy, Camille shreds these into skinny little ruffly bites, then does a tough sear in a cast-iron skillet to get the right char. A fast toss in a candy vinegar sauce with a secret ingredient (apple cider!) and a sprinkle of toasted pecans, dates, and chili flakes, and voilá. You’ve a killer vegan Thanksgiving aspect.
Hero Ingredient: Apple cider offers this dish main fall feels.
Make-Forward Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Why We Love It: You had me at make-ahead, however vegan too? Unbelievable. In the event you’re internet hosting the feast this vacation, these mashed potatoes are a must-make in your meal. With the entire craziness concerned in cooking on Thanksgiving day, you’ll be glad about the additional stovetop area these taters liberate.
Hero Ingredient: Rosemary is the flavor-packed star of this vegan present. I really like the fragrant, peppery style the herb imparts.
Roasted Delicata Squash
Why We Love It: Like a few of the different sides on this roundup, you’ll wish to drop the crumbled feta and sub in maple syrup for honey to make it vegan. However past that, this no-fuss recipe comes along with ease and a lot deliciousness. Delicata squash is severely underrated, and it’s a favourite this season because it requires zero peeling in your half. (I can’t say the identical for butternut squash.) Key spices like cumin, coriander, and pink chili powder assist this recipe stand out, and thyme ties all of it collectively fantastically. Factors for beautiful presentation, too.
Hero Ingredient: All of the herbs, please. Cilantro, mint, and parsley are the trifecta of contemporary taste.
Vegan Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
Why We Love It: Do you’ve got mac and cheese at Thanksgiving? My household doesn’t, however this recipe makes me want we did. I might severely eat it day by day. The dish comes collectively in 20 minutes and is made with a simple thick and velvety vegan cauliflower cheese sauce poured over macaroni noodles (which may simply be subbed for gluten-free pasta).
Hero Ingredient: Cauliflower is a chameleon.
Apple Walnut Salad
Why We Love It: This fall salad is so easy, but it surely’s the deal with minimal, flavorful substances that helps it shine. I really like the peppery chew of arugula paired with crisp, thinly sliced apples. Drop the goat cheese to make it vegan, or benefit from my favourite dairy-free recipe that couldn’t be simpler.
Hero Ingredient: As they are saying, an apple a day—and this salad is my favourite technique to get my fill.
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Why We Love It: Soup won’t be essentially the most conventional Thanksgiving dish, however this vegan butternut squash soup pairs completely with the meal. It’s wholesome, but it surely has a lot taste that you just received’t even care.
Hero Ingredient: Coconut milk makes this soup so comforting and creamy (with out the cream).
Vegan Candy Potato Casserole with Maple Pecan Topping from Jessica within the Kitchen
Why We Love It: As an alternative of protecting your candy potato casserole with marshmallows, it’s a must to do that recipe that tops the dish with chopped pecans and loads of maple syrup. The nutty streusel-like topping makes the dish vegan but in addition provides a scrumptious taste that completely enhances the sweetness of the bottom.
Hero Ingredient: The completed product of the crumble topping is sweet sufficient to eat by itself.
Easy Vegan Dinner Rolls from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: Haven’t any worry, vegan dinner rolls are right here. And they’re solely seven substances and straightforward to make. Rolls are one in every of my favourite elements of the meal, so I really consider that nobody ought to have to show them down. This is without doubt one of the vegan Thanksgiving sides that may be a actual show-stopper.
Hero Ingredient: The vegan butter melts in your mouth.
The Finest Vegan Cornbread from Rainbow Plant Life
Why We Love It: I’m an enormous fan of cornbread within the fall. This easy vegan recipe requires solely 20 minutes of prep and pairs completely with all the things from Thanksgiving dinner to a heat bowl of chili. It’s additionally simply made gluten-free and refined sugar-free with only a few instructed swaps.
Hero Ingredient: What’s cornbread with out the yellow cornmeal?
Vegan Stuffing from Love & Lemons
Why We Love It: Stuffing is important at my Thanksgiving desk, and I’m obsessive about this vegan take. Onions, celery, and sautéed mushrooms fill it with a lot savory taste. And whereas different stuffing recipes lean slightly on the beige aspect, this recipe options kale, dried cranberries, and loads of sage on prime for a picture-worthy presentation.
Hero Ingredient: Sage is non-negotiable in stuffing.
Naturally Sweetened Cranberry Sauce
Why We Love It: Do-it-yourself cranberry sauce has by no means been simpler. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, and scrumptious. The orange, cinnamon, and maple syrup give this traditional Thanksgiving aspect a singular twist that your visitors will love.
Hero Ingredient: The orange zest actually is one of the best.
Roasted Cauliflower & Parsnip Mash from Unbound Wellness
Why We Love It: My mother made this recipe for Thanksgiving final 12 months, and it’s a brand new household favourite. The addition of parsnips to the traditional mashed cauliflower offers it much more of the beloved potato taste. It’s additionally paleo and Entire-30. Make sure to substitute ghee for olive oil or coconut oil to be 100% vegan.
Hero Ingredient: Parsnips give it each the feel and taste of potatoes.
