Welcome to the modern Thanksgiving table. In 2025, the tradition is evolving, with more families than ever opting for satisfying, meatless holiday feasts. Preparing a delicious, plant-based meal is a simple process, and choosing to forgo the turkey is better for the environment and your health. This choice also ensures you can accommodate guests who follow vegetarian or vegan diets or have specific food restrictions.
A roast turkey has been the traditional edible centerpiece nationwide. However, as dietary preferences broaden and hosts aim to make their celebrations more inclusive, many are finding that turkey alternatives are the perfect solution. By offering delicious, cruelty-free versions of classic Thanksgiving recipes, hosts can relax knowing everyone at the table has a wonderful meal.
Join the movement and upgrade your menu for maximum hospitality. Here are 10 terrific options to make your vegan-friendly feast the best one yet.
1. Plant-Based “Turkey” With Savory Stuffing
Delight in holiday feasting minus the gobble-gobble with our plant-based turkey. Rich in hearty vegetables and savory spices, it’s as flavorful as the traditional entrée, if not more. Suitable for both skilled and new plant-based chefs, this recipe is a crowd favorite, leaving guests craving seconds.
2. Butternut Squash Lasagna
Transform your holiday table with a spectacular centerpiece: butternut squash lasagna. This creamy, savory dish offers a hearty, satisfying alternative to traditional meat mains, ensuring everyone has a memorable, festive meal. It’s the perfect, comforting recipe to lighten up your holiday spread.
3. Vegan Wellington
Wow dinner guests with a gourmet vegan Wellington. The final dish is a flaky puff pastry crust stuffed with nutritious plant-based ingredients – plus a side of mushroom gravy – that would impress the Duke of Wellington himself!
4. Vegan “Turkey” Loaf
If you’re looking for a more traditional, protein-focused swap, this plant-based “meatloaf” is a must. The recipe calls for quinoa, gluten-free oats, walnuts, flax seeds, peas, garbanzo beans and more.
5. Vegan Pumpkin Lasagna Roll-Ups
Whether you need a main to serve during the holiday season or a delicious, year-round plant-based entrée, this pumpkin lasagna roll-ups recipe fits the bill. Creamy pumpkin sauce, spinach-almond “ricotta” and sage breadcrumbs round out the elegant dish. However, unlike traditional lasagna, this version comes in rolls, adding a fun and kid-friendly twist.
6. Stuffed Squash With Einkorn Wheat Berries
This recipe for stuffed squash features a flavorful filling of einkorn wheat berries, earthy mushrooms and fragrant herbs in roasted acorn squash. For a stress-free Thanksgiving, you can even prepare these squash a day ahead and refrigerate. Simply reheat in the oven when ready to serve!
7. Curried Chickpea Pot Pie
Warm and flaky on the outside, hot and savory on the inside – this meatless pot pie is comfort food at its finest. Although not the most traditional item on this list, it’s an Indian-inspired recipe that will surely bring some flare to your feast. Introduce new flavors, including aromatic curry powder and spicy cayenne pepper, plus a variety of veggies, protein-packed chickpeas, creamy almond milk and cheezy nutritional yeast.
The best part? The entire dish is homemade (and it’s easy!). From the crust to the filling, this perfectly balanced pot pie is a nutritious entree option that will make you and your guests forget about you-know-what.
8. Sweet Potato Vegan Mac and Cheese
This Thanksgiving, let your vegan main dish steal the show with unexpected flavor and texture. Sweet potatoes blend into a lush, creamy sauce, transforming mac and cheese into a decadent, dairy-free casserole centerpiece. It is the perfect satisfying dish to anchor your entire holiday menu.
9. Vegan Glazed Ham
The holidays call for a stunning main course, and this glazed vegan ham is ready to take the turkey’s place at the center of your table. Crafted with savory spices, liquid smoke, and a sweet maple glaze, it delivers the festive flavor everyone craves. This hearty, plant-based centerpiece slices beautifully and is guaranteed to satisfy every guest.
Bonus Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Gravy with Herbs
One seasonal sauce that never ceases to invoke a strong sense memory is holiday gravy. In this recipe, a variety of mushrooms and a splash of tamari result in rich umami flavor that will make your family extra grateful.
Hungry for more? Give these tasty plant-based sides a try!
Walnut, Apple & Cranberry Stuffing
Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate, Kale & Parsley
Roasted Squash with Candies Pecans & Apple Cider Vinaigrette