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 Cookbook
If you're looking for even more vegetarian and vegan recipes for Thanksgiving - be sure to check out our complete Vegan Thanksgiving E-Cookbook!
It's packed with my favorite tried and true Thanksgiving recipes to make the holidays easy and delicious.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Look at you go sassy pants! Way to hook us up!
Lena says
The vegetarian nut loaf sounds great. I think I need to give this a test before Christmas, I think I mentioned before that I am already looking for the perfect dish for me and my sis.
This is a great round-up. Thank you.
Kiersten says
I really want to make that nut loaf too! Let me know how it turns out if you try it. 🙂
Carolyn says
Yummy collection. I'm not going veg for this holiday, but these recipes are all great for future uses!
[email protected] says
Kiersten, what an amazing list! So honored to be a part. 🙂
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
What a fabulous colletion!
JulieD says
Great list, Kiersten! Now I'm starving! 🙂
[email protected]'s Recipes says
What a great roundup!
Jennifer The Quirky Momma says
I am starving and I want everything now! Again, you amaze and inspire me. Can't wait to do some cooking today!!!!! Thanks again!
Kiersten says
I could totally go for everything too. If someone else was doing the cooking!
Kelly says
Everything looks great!!!! I just wanted to point out Martha Stuarts butternut square lasagna is not vegetarian, it is made with chicken stock. Obviously you can swap out with Veggie stock but thought you might want to but a disclaimer 🙂
Kiersten says
Argh! Whenever I pin something that calls for chicken broth or stock, I add a note saying to use veggie broth instead--I must have forgotten with this one. Thank you so much for catching that!
Meg @ Beard and Bonnet says
Yay! I made the list, haha! Thank you for including my recipe with all of these other delectable treats. Now...which one am I going to make first?!
Kiersten says
No problem--it looks so good! 🙂
Courtney Rae Jones says
So many awesome vegetarian recipes. Thanks for including my shepherd's pie. 🙂 That is one of my very favourite comfort foods. Adding in the goat cheese and roasted garlic classes it up a bit for the holidays. 🙂
Kiersten says
I make a shepherd's pie too, but it's definitely not holiday-worthy like yours is. 😉
Stephanie @ henry happened says
What a fabulous roundup! I'm forwarding to all my veggie relatives because, well, I'm not planning to cook for them 🙂
Luv What You Do says
I love stuffed mushrooms. We make them every year for new years and I love that you used kale in this recipe. I can't wait to add it to my must make list!
[email protected] says
This is such an incredible list! 40 recipes and they all look so delicious, lot's of inspiration here. Thank you so much for making my humble lentil loaf a part of this inspiring list. Have a wonderful holiday! Cheers 🙂
Kiersten says
Thank you for the recipe--I totally want to try your lentil loaf! I've actually never made one. 🙂 I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
Balvinder says
Hey Veggies are good! I have so many friends those are totally vegetarian and we enjoy the vegetarian food on special holidays.
Jeanette says
Oh my - these all look and sound fantastic! What a great resource for anyone cooking vegetarian this Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for including me. Happy Thanksgiving!
Kiersten says
Thank you for the recipe! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
My daughter is veggie and she'll be here for Christmas, so we'll be doing something Italian because that's so easy to do meatless.
Kiersten says
That's usually what my husband's family does for Christmas too!
Mumseword says
I'm bookmarking this page. You've outdone yourself again!!! -)
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
What a great list and a good resource for any holiday meal.
Robin says
Awesome roundup! I love the idea of the pizzas & flatbreads. My kids aren't as picky as they used to be, but when they were littler, those would have gone over real big with them!
Maryann says
what smart ideas. I love the pot pie idea, I wouldn't have thought of it myself.
Notorious Spinks says
That mushroom looks great! Love it.
Sheri says
Everything looks so good!
Taylor says
Ohmygosh stuffed mushrooms! So delicious. Yours look amazing. Also, the website I linked above has other amazing thanksgiving recipes that are really easy. It's a well written piece. Share the veglove! Enjoy 🙂
Kiersten says
Thanks! I don't think your other comment went through, though--I don't see one with a link...
Jackie @ The Beeroness says
Wow. I want to go to your house for Thanksgiving. I would take these over turkey any day.