Let's face it, Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without all those delicious side dishes. And you don't need butter, cream, or other animal products to make them taste good. These Vegan Thanksgiving Sides are great whether you're planning a completely vegan dinner, cooking for a few plant-based guests, or just want more vegetables on the table.
You'll find everything from creamy mashed potatoes and stuffing to roasted vegetables, casseroles, and fresh salads. There are plenty of traditional favorites, along with a few different ideas if you feel like trying something new. Whether you're bringing one dish to Thanksgiving dinner or making the whole spread yourself, there's plenty here to choose from.
1. Instant Pot Collard Greens – Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Side
These Instant Pot collard greens bring a savory twist to the holiday table with sun-dried tomatoes adding a slightly sweet and salty flavor. The greens turn tender in the pressure cooker while still keeping plenty of character in every bite. A touch of lemon at the end adds fresh flavor that helps balance richer Thanksgiving dishes. It’s an easy plant-based side when you want something green, flavorful, and a little different from the usual holiday vegetables.
2. Lemon Garlic Broccoli for a Vegan Holiday Table
Simple vegetables can be just as inviting as the richer dishes on Thanksgiving, and this lemon garlic broccoli proves it. The Instant Pot quickly steams the broccoli until tender, while lemon and garlic give it a bright, savory finish. It’s a lighter side that pairs nicely with creamy potatoes, stuffing, and hearty casseroles. Add it to your Vegan Thanksgiving Sides when the table needs something fresh and green.
3. Best Dang Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes – Thanksgiving Favorite
A Thanksgiving spread hardly feels complete without a generous bowl of creamy mashed potatoes. This vegan version brings the same smooth, comforting experience to the table without relying on traditional dairy ingredients. Its mild, creamy texture makes it an easy match for stuffing, vegetables, casseroles, and other savory holiday favorites. It’s the kind of familiar side that can help a plant-based Thanksgiving dinner still feel wonderfully traditional.
4. Vegan Green Bean Casserole – Classic Thanksgiving Side
Green bean casserole is a holiday classic, and this vegan version makes it easy to keep that tradition on a plant-based menu. Tender green beans and a creamy, savory sauce give it the comforting texture people expect from this Thanksgiving favorite. The contrast between the creamy center and topping makes every serving feel a little more special. It’s a cozy classic that fits naturally alongside stuffing, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables.
5. Best Vegan Stuffing for Thanksgiving
Stuffing deserves a prime spot on the Thanksgiving table, and this plant-based version delivers plenty of cozy holiday flavor. It has that familiar savory character and satisfying texture that makes stuffing so hard to pass up when the serving bowl comes around. It also pairs easily with vegetables, potatoes, and other Vegan Thanksgiving Sides without feeling out of place. Warm and comforting, this is one of those traditional dishes that helps make the entire meal feel like Thanksgiving.
6. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole – Cozy Holiday Side
Sweet potato casserole brings a little sweetness to a table filled with savory Thanksgiving favorites. This vegan version keeps the cozy, comforting character of the traditional dish while making it suitable for a plant-based holiday spread. Its creamy texture and sweet finish provide a delicious contrast to green vegetables and savory stuffing. It’s a holiday favorite that can make the Thanksgiving table feel extra warm and inviting.
7. Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Gratin
Cauliflower gets a holiday-worthy makeover in this rich and comforting vegan gratin. The creamy texture turns an everyday vegetable into something that feels much more indulgent and special enough for Thanksgiving dinner. It’s especially useful when you want a vegetable side that can stand alongside potatoes and casseroles rather than feeling like an afterthought. This is one of those comforting sides that may tempt even cauliflower skeptics to scoop up a serving.
8. Crispy Vegan Hasselback Potatoes for Thanksgiving
Hasselback potatoes instantly make the dinner table look a little more impressive with their beautifully sliced, crisp-edged appearance. The thin cuts help create a satisfying combination of crispy edges and tender potato underneath. They bring something different to Vegan Thanksgiving Sides while still delivering the familiar potato comfort everyone loves. Crispy and cozy, they’re a great alternative when you want to serve potatoes beyond the usual mash.
9. Vegan Corn Casserole – Comforting Thanksgiving Side
Warm corn casserole brings sweet corn flavor and comforting texture together in one crowd-friendly holiday dish. It offers a nice change from the potatoes, stuffing, and green vegetables that usually fill a Thanksgiving plate. The soft, cozy texture also makes it especially inviting when served warm from the oven. This comfort-food side adds another familiar flavor to a vegan Thanksgiving spread without making the menu feel repetitive.
10. Maple Glazed Carrots – Colorful Vegan Thanksgiving Side
These maple glazed carrots bring beautiful color and a touch of sweetness to the Thanksgiving table. The maple glaze complements the carrots' natural sweetness while turning a simple vegetable into something that feels worthy of a holiday meal. They provide a bright contrast to creamy casseroles, potatoes, and savory stuffing. Sweet and colorful, they’re an easy way to give your Vegan Thanksgiving Sides a little more variety.
11. Creamy Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Mashed sweet potatoes bring smooth, cozy comfort to Thanksgiving without needing an elaborate presentation. Their naturally sweet flavor gives the plate a welcome contrast to savory stuffing, greens, and vegetable dishes. The creamy texture makes them feel indulgent enough for a special occasion while keeping the dish firmly plant-based. They’re a simple favorite for anyone who wants a softer, less casserole-style way to serve sweet potatoes.
12. Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing With Cranberries
This wild rice stuffing is a colorful alternative to traditional bread-based stuffing and brings a lovely mix of savory and slightly sweet flavors to the table. Cranberries give the dish a festive touch that feels right at home during Thanksgiving. The wild rice also provides a hearty texture that helps this side hold its own next to casseroles and vegetables. It’s a festive twist for anyone looking to bring something a little different to a vegan holiday feast.
13. Cranberry Quinoa Salad – Fresh Vegan Thanksgiving Side
This cranberry quinoa salad adds a refreshing change of pace to a table filled with warm and creamy comfort foods. The combination of quinoa, cranberries, greens, and crunchy walnuts creates plenty of contrasting texture in each bite. Its sweet and savory character fits naturally with the flavors of fall without making the plate feel too heavy. Fresh and colorful, it’s a great Vegan Thanksgiving Side for balancing richer holiday dishes.
14. Air Fryer Vegetables – Easy Plant-Based Thanksgiving Side
A colorful platter of air-fried vegetables is an easy way to bring more variety to a Thanksgiving spread. Air frying gives the vegetables tender centers and lightly crisp, golden edges, while herbs and garlic provide plenty of savory flavor. The mix of colors also makes this simple dish especially appealing when placed among the richer casseroles and potatoes. It’s a quick vegetable side that keeps the holiday menu fresh without adding another complicated recipe.
15. Whole Roasted Cauliflower – Showstopping Vegan Thanksgiving Side
Whole roasted cauliflower makes a beautiful centerpiece-style side when you want vegetables to have a little more presence on the Thanksgiving table. The cauliflower is roasted until tender and paired with a creamy turmeric-tahini sauce, crunchy pistachios, herbs, and colorful garnishes. The combination creates layers of savory, nutty, tangy, and gently spiced flavor in every serving. Beautifully impressive, it’s a Vegan Thanksgiving Side that can easily become one of the dishes everyone talks about.
16. Three Sisters Stew – Hearty Vegan Thanksgiving Side
Three Sisters Stew brings warm harvest flavors to the table with a comforting combination of squash, beans, corn, and other vegetables. The recipe has Indigenous roots and is specifically presented as a dish suitable for harvest celebrations and Thanksgiving. It cooks into a thick, hearty consistency rather than an overly soupy one, making it substantial enough to serve alongside other holiday dishes. This harvest-inspired dish is a cozy choice when you want something beyond the usual casseroles and potatoes.
17. Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Sauce for a Vegan Thanksgiving
Tart cranberries, sweet apples, and warm spices come together in this colorful holiday sauce. The combination creates that familiar sweet-tart flavor that can brighten richer dishes across the Thanksgiving table. It can also be prepared ahead of time, which is always helpful when several dishes need attention on the big day. Bright and festive, it makes a flavorful finishing touch for a plant-based Thanksgiving spread.
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