40 Vegetarian Main Dishes for Thanksgiving

Being a vegetarian can be a little bit awkward on a holiday often referred to as Turkey Day. Judging by all the “What do you eat on Thanksgiving?!” questions I get, a lot of people seem to think it’s impossible to celebrate the holiday without a plateful of turkey. (Really, it is possible!) These vegetarian entrees for thanksgiving prove just that.

Last year, I had a lot of people visiting my blog in the days leading up to Thanksgiving in search of advice on how to cook for their vegetarian guests. So I thought I’d make myself useful and put together a post with some vegetarian entrees for thanksgiving. If you’re cooking for a vegetarian this Thanksgiving, here are some helpful tips. Here are some vegan Thanksgiving ideas too.

Make Vegetarian-Friendly Sides
Most vegetarians are happy just eating sides on Thanksgiving. But make sure they’re vegetarian! Stuffing cooked in a turkey or gravy made with drippings don’t count.

Ask What Your Guest Will Eat
I know people who consider themselves vegetarians and eat poultry and fish. Others don’t eat meat, but will eat broth, gelatin, shortening, etc. Because so many people define vegetarianism in so many different ways, the best thing you can do is be clear on what your guest can and cannot eat before you make any meal plans.

Have Your Guest Bring a Dish
This is probably the easiest solution! These vegetarian entrees for thanksgiving will make that much easier.

While there are a few vegetarian faux turkey options out there, I much prefer a homemade main dish made with real ingredients. If my Savory Pumpkin Galette and Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash Rings aren’t your thing, here are 40 more vegetarian main dishes for Thanksgiving.

Stuffed Vegetables

Kale-Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
Roasted Hoisin-Glazed Stuffed Acorn Squash [Delicious Everyday]
Stuffed Peppers with Millet & Black Bean Pilaf [Jeanette’s Healthy Living]
Walnut-Stuffed Mushrooms [Vegetarian Times]
Squash with Wild Rice & Chanterelle Stuffing [VegNews]
Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew [Epicurious]
Tempeh Bacon & Apple Stuffed Sweet Potatoes [The Sweet Life]
Onions Stuffed with Rice-Lentil Pilaf [Fat-Free Vegan]

Tarts, Quiches & Pot Pies

Oh-So-Easy Broccoli Cheddar Pot Pies
Vegan Pot Pie [Delicious Everyday]
Harvest Galette [Martha Stewart]
Mushroom Pie in a Whole-Wheat Flax Crust [Vegetarian Times]
Brussels Sprouts & Grape Galette
Swiss Chard & Cheddar Quiche [Real Simple]

Pizzas & Flatbreads

Butternut Squash & Caramelized Onion Flatbread (pictured above; photo by Rikki Snyder)
Flatbread with Kale, Swiss Chard, Pine Nuts, Currants, Brown Butter & Ricotta Salata [Vegetable Matter]
Roasted Garlic, Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese Pizza [The Endless Meal]
Wild Mushroom & Potato Pizza
Fig, Apple & Gorgonzola Flatbread [Steamy Kitchen]

Meatless Loaves

Mini Vegetarian Meatloaves
Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf [Oh She Glows]
Seitan Stuffed with Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Mushrooms [Fat-Free Vegan]
Vegetables Wellington Redux [Vegetarian Times]
Lentil Loaf [The Muffin Myth]
Broccoli Cheddar Loaf [Vegetarian Times]

Casseroles

Mushroom & Kale Lasagna with Rosemary Cashew Sauce
Pumpkin Mac & Cheese with Apples and Caramelized Onions [Once Upon a Cutting Board]
Butternut Squash & Sage Lasagna (use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth) [Martha Stewart]
Butternut Squash & Duxelles Casserole [Vegetarian Times]
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Roasted Garlic & Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes [The Fig Tree]
Baby Bella & Kale Casserole
Creamy Baked Pumpkin Rigatoni [Kitchen Treaty]

For more meatless Thanksgiving ideas, click on the Thanksgiving link in my sidebar and visit my Thanksgiving pinboard on Pinterest.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Cookbooks!

If you’re looking for even more vegetarian and vegan recipes for Thanksgiving (or other holidays), here are some additional resources:

Vegan for the Holidays: Celebration Feasts for Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Day

Vegetarian Celebrations: Festive Menus for Holidays & Other Special Occasions

Vegan Holiday Kitchen: More than 200 Delicious, Festive Recipes for Special Occasions

Kristen Suzanne’s EASY Raw Vegan Holidays: Delicious & Easy Raw Food Recipes for Parties & Fun at Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Holiday Season

Vegetarian Times Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!