13 EASY Plant-Based Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching – it’s time to whip out that notepad to build a hefty Plant-Based Thanksgiving Side Dishes list that everyone can enjoy. 

If you want something light for Thanksgiving, check out our fall soup recipes.

We have Thanksgiving classics here, with a few cool ones thrown into the mix. Either way, everything on this list is plant-based and vegan-friendly. 

Meaning, you won’t see any dairy, meat, eggs, or animal byproducts in these dishes. See a swirl of butter in that dish of mashed potatoes?

Yeah, that’s plant-based too. 

How Many Sides Should You Have? 

How many sides you choose to have for Thanksgiving dinner is up to you. I like to make a mix of carb-heavy, leafy, vibrant, and light Thanksgiving side dishes show up on the dinner table. 

If I am not having a potluck and I am the sole cook, I try to have around 6-8 Thanksgiving side dishes.

If you’re looking for a moist, chocolate cake that’s great for a party of four to six, check out this devil’s food cake recipe. It’s out-of-this-world good.

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Replacement 

However, you choose how many you want to have. You can have just three or twenty-five. Just consider how many people will be showing up, what their food preferences are, and if there are any dietary restrictions. 

Most Thanksgiving sides can be recreated to be plant-based. But what about the main dishes? 

We might not have turkey, but we can have tofu – and that’s still delicious. This quick, pan-fried tofu “chicken” is a great main to have at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

You just need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes.

Additionally, there are plenty of other meatless mains showing up at grocery stores.

Here are pre-made vegetarian, Thanksgiving mains to consider: 

• Tofurky Roast & Gravy 
• Gardein Savory Stuffed Turk’y
• Field Roast With Stuffy & Gravy

Or, you can go with the homemade route and consider main dishes including Puerto Rican vegan Pastelón and mushroom pernil.

Fluffy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Enjoy a thick bowl of Fluffy Garlic Mashed Potatoes as your next dinner or Thanksgiving side! Made with just 6 ingredients and ready in 20 minutes! Dig in – this recipe is VEGAN, gluten-free, and 100% dairy-free.

Check out this recipe

Smoky Vegan Mac and Cheese

Get your spoons ready and dig into this smoky vegan mac and cheese. It's a healthy, oil-free alternative that's kid-friendly and out-of-this world good!

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Dairy-Free Coconut Creamed Corn

Made with pantry-friendly, plant-based ingredients, this dairy-free coconut creamed corn is everything you want in a comfort food dish. It’s sweet, creamy, packed with flavor, and served warm. 

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Vegan Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

A creamy, savory, rich vegan "butter chicken" recipe made with tofu. This recipe is 100% meat-free and packed with insane flavor. Pair this dish with rice, naan, or roti.

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Oil-Free Mushroom Gravy

Oil-free mushroom gravy, made FIVE with plant-based ingredients. Smother this gravy with fries, add to mashed potatoes, or serve with breakfast biscuits!

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Mushroom Lentil Loaf

Let’s crank on the oven for an umami-blasted Mushroom Lentil Loaf made with plant-based ingredients! Made with juicy mushrooms, protein-packed lentils, spices, and topped with a sweet-and-savory glaze

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3-Ingredient Plant-Based Applesauce

Things are beginning to be a bit cozy as the fall breeze settles in – so of course, a warm bowl of homemade 3-ingredient plant-based applesauce is always a great idea. This recipe is vegan, plant-based, healthy, and easy to make.

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Mashed Carrots With Cinnamon and Brown Sugar

Creamy, plant-based mashed carrots spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweetened with brown sugar. The perfect, wholesome side dish for the fall season, holidays, or just to flavor-up a dinner meal.

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Air Fryer Red Potatoes

Flavorful Air Fryer Red Potatoes are the perfect weekday dinner side dish or holiday side! Made with garlic salt and tossed in parsley, it’s loaded with flavor. Done in just 15 minutes and EASY to make!

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Zucchini Stuffing Casserole

Zucchini Stuffing Casserole is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish! It’s made with zucchini, seasoned vegetables, stock, and herbs. This recipe is 100% VEGAN and easy to make.

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Vegan Creamy Red Potato Salad

Plant-Based Creamy Red Potato Salad is the perfect summertime recipe for your next BBQ, cookout, potluck, or your day out in the park. This recipe is gluten-free, eggless, and dairy-free!

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Jackfruit Pernil

A Puerto Rican meat dish turned vegan with all of the flavors you love. If you love a “meaty” side dish for Thanksgiving, this is it!

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Arroz Con Gandules (Puerto Rican Yellow Rice)

Arroz con gandules or Puerto Rican yellow rice with gandules is a Puerto Rican staple made with pigeon peas, long-grain rice, sofrito, sazon, adobo, tomato sauce, and sometimes Spanish green olives. It's a Puerto Rican dinner staple that is served with most meals.

Check out this recipe

Did you try any of the recipes on the list?

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