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. 

If you need a dash of sweetness with your savory Thanksgiving side dishes, try out hot chocolate with coffee or chia seed pumpkin muffins. 

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.

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. 

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 

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 vegetetarian, 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 lentil loaf, veggie shepherd’s pie, jackfruit “pernil”.

Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

We can all enjoy creamy, garlic mashed potatoes – without the butter and milk. All we need are the essentials: peeled potatoes, dairy-free milk, vegan butter, and the glorious bulb of garlic.

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

5-ingredient, oil-free mushroom gravy made with plant-based, easy-to-find ingredients. This recipe is vegan, fast, and a great way to pair with breakfast biscuits, mashed potatoes, or fries.

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Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce

If you love garlic, you’ve come to the right place. This homemade, easy garlic butter dipping sauce only requires 3 affordable, easy-to-find ingredients and one small saucepan. Serve with bread, mashed potatoes, or stir with vegetables.

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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.

Check out this recipe

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.

Check out this recipe

How To Make Home Fries

Pan-fried breakfast potatoes or home fries made with vegan butter and your favorite spices. Crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on teh inside!

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Vegan Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Creamy Vegan Roasted Tomato Basil Soup made with fresh ingredients including fragrant basil leaves and buttery, minced garlic. A great meal for when autumn and winter settles in and you just wanted a warm, comforting bowl of homemade soup from scratch.

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Vegan Potato Salad Recipe

Creamy, delicious, vegan potato salad. This recipe is 100% dairy-free, mayo-free, vegan, and gluten-free. It's a great side dish for a summer picnic or for a warm day.

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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!

Check out this recipe

Arroz Con Habichuelas

Puerto Rican-style yellow rice with pink beans and Spanish olives. Made with a vegetable base called "sofrito." It's a great vegan-option side dish that is typically paired with a stew or protein. Vegan, gluten-free.

Check out this recipe

Did you try any of the recipes on the list?

Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it, or tag a picture @plantbasedandbroke on Instagram and hashtag it #plantbasedandbroke. Show off that creation with us!