26 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

Whether you’ve been a vegetarian for a long time or you’re just starting out, we know that Thanksgiving may not always be the easiest holiday for you. It is often called “Turkey Day,” after all. While the dinner table is usually set around the turkey, there are plenty of vegetarian dishes that you (or your vegetarian guests) will thoroughly enjoy.

From appetizers to side dishes to main courses, we’ve rounded up over two dozen of the best vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes for you to consider.

1. Easy Sweet Potato Casserole >

Sweet potato casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side that’s usually packed with excess sugar, butter and other unhealthy ingredients. Our Easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe uses healthful foods like almond milk, fresh orange juice and dry oats to deliver the same flavor without nearly as many calories or fat.

2. Creamed Brussels Sprouts >

Packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals, Brussels sprouts are a nutritional powerhouse. This Creamed Brussels Sprouts recipe has them served in a delicious blend of half and half, milk, white cheddar and parmesan cheese. It’s a tasty side dish that tastes indulgent but is a mere 110 calories per serving.

3. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup >

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup makes the perfect starter to your Thanksgiving meal and this particular recipe will really deliver. It’s creamy and flavorful but also packed with antioxidants. Butternut squash is also known for being high in potassium, which can help keep blood pressure in check.

4. Fruit and Nut Baked Brie >

Baked brie is one of those dishes that looks and tastes super fancy, but is secretly super easy to whip up. This Fruit and Nut Baked Brie will easily be the star of your Thanksgiving sides. In our version, the combination of brie, fig spread, nuts, apricots and dried herbs comes together exquisitely.

5. Skinny Mashed Sweet Potatoes >

No Thanksgiving table would be complete without a side of mashed potatoes. But we’ve made that classic dish healthier by using antioxidant-packed sweet potatoes and steamed cauliflower. These Skinny Mashed Sweet Potatoes are so delicious that nobody will know they’re actually eating a highly nutritious dish.

6. Stuffed Acorn Squash >

Acorn squash is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, but we often hear that people don’t know how to cook with them. Well, we’ve made it easy with this deliciously simple Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe. It brings together the hearty flavors of quinoa, pomegranates and walnuts and is a side everyone will enjoy.

7. Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes >

Cheesy potato recipes are a staple at a holiday table, but they’re often packed with fat and calories. These Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes are made with light butter, reduced fat cheese and nonfat milk. They’re still full of flavor but not nearly so bad for your waistline.

8. Maple Roasted Root Vegetables >

This veggie dish brings together hearty root vegetables (beets, carrots and parsnips) and a sweet maple-based dressing for a really flavorful side. Maple Roasted Root Vegetables will make filling up on veggies easy.

9. Beetroot and Quinoa Superfood Salad >

With three superfoods (quinoa, beets and kale), there’s no question as to this side’s nutrition power. But what about flavor? Well, it’s huge on that, too. Toss in a lemony dressing, you’ll be surprised by the delectability of this Beetroot and Quinoa Superfood Salad.

10. Cranberry Brie Baguette Bites >

This Cranberry Brie Baguette Bites side dish is as presentable and beautiful as it is tasteful. It’s also a really fun way to get cranberries onto your Thanksgiving table. Though it tastes like an indulgent appetizer, with a whole wheat baguette at the base of this recipe, it’s still a healthy choice.

11. Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes >

In this Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes recipe, sliced sweet potatoes are turned into crispy coins coated in a yummy blend of light butter, minced garlic, freshy chopped rosemary and black pepper. Roasting really brings out the natural sweetness of these potatoes, making them even more delicious.

12. Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mashed Faux-Tatoes >

Faux-tatoes, made from cauliflower, broth and a bunch of delicious herbs and spices, are always a healthy substitute for classic mashed potatoes. What’s also great about this Garlic Herb Mashed Faux-Tatoes recipe is that it uses the slow cooker, meaning you don’t need to tie up your already-busy oven with another dish.

13. Sheet Pan Potatoes and Pears >

We know what you’re thinking … potatoes and pears together? Well trust us, it works. The hearty and savory flavor of potatoes is sweetened with juicy pears. A serving of this Sheet Pan Potatoes and Pears recipe is a mere 106 calories and makes a delicious side dish on your holiday table.

14. Twice Baked Cauliflower Casserole >

Nothing screams Thanksgiving like a good casserole and this one will certainly fulfill and even exceed your expectations. It’s not only creamy and cheesy (like a good casserole ought to be), but it’s also nutritious and guilt-free. Made from healthful ingredients like cauliflower, nonfat Greek yogurt and low-fat cheese, this Twice Baked Cauliflower Casserole recipe won’t disappoint.

15. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Rice Pudding >

Instead of traditional pumpkin baked goods or pies, why not try this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Rice Pudding? It still combines all the flavors of the season but in a dish that is guilt-free. And since it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s another recipe that will give your oven a break!

16. 5-Ingredient Baked Blackberry Brie Baguette >

Your guests will be impressed with this easy 5-Ingredient Baked Blackberry Brie Baguette appetizer. Simply cut your whole wheat baguette down the middle, making a crevice to stuff your brie filling, then top with blackberries and a drizzle of honey. It’s all baked to sheer perfection and looks as good as it tastes.

17. Green Bean Casserole >

We understand no Thanksgiving table is complete without a classic Green Bean Casserole. But instead of making the famous canned cream soup version, ours uses fresh green beans, mushrooms, onions and a healthier cream sauce. It still has the same flavor that you love but is truly guilt-free.

18. Cheesy Root Vegetable Tian >

Tian (pronounced ty-an) is a dish named after the large, round French earthenware baking dish in which it is traditionally cooked. Our Cheesy Root Vegetable Tian recipe includes a flavorful variety of root veggies mixed with herbs and cheese. It’s all roasted to delectable perfection.

19. Honey Balsamic Glazed Carrots >

These Honey Balsamic Glazed Carrots are tossed in a yummy balsamic mixture of honey, balsamic vinegar and olive oil, giving them just the right amount of sweet flavor. Sprinkled with some parsley, salt and pepper, they make a lovely side in your Thanksgiving spread.

20. Simple Slow Cooker Applesauce (No Sugar Added) >

Your guests young and old alike will love a side of applesauce at the holiday table and our version has no added sugar. Simply cook cored apples with water, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a slow cooker until ready. An added bonus—it will fill your house with the delicious smell of apples and cinnamon.

21. Baked Spicy Acorn Squash >

In this Baked Spicy Acorn Squash recipe, an acorn squash is baked as wedges and then finished with a zesty homemade topping. If you like a bit of spice, then this will be a new favorite in your Thanksgiving lineup.

22. Warm Brussels Sprouts Cranberry Salad >

Warm salads are the way to go as the weather gets chilly. In this Warm Brussels Sprouts Cranberry Salad recipe, shaved Brussels sprouts are mixed with cranberries, chopped shallots and pecans in the skillet. Tossed in a lemony dressing, it’s sure to be a hit.

23. Savory Brussels Sprouts with Apple >

Diced apples and Brussels sprouts (two antioxidant-rich choices) come together in this simple-but-flavorful dish that is really easy to whip up. Simply combine the apples and Brussels sprouts in a large bowl and toss them in apple cider vinegar, olive oil, fresh thyme and seasonings of your choice. Then bake the Savory Brussels Sprouts with Apple until roasted.

24. 2-Step Herb Mashed Potatoes >

Two-step anything is a win in our book any time of the year, but particularly during a holiday as busy as Thanksgiving. These 2-Step Herb Mashed Potatoes can be whipped up quickly and easily and are a much healthier version with lower-calorie ingredients. You’ll still get the flavor you love out of this classic side but without the guilt.

25. Fall Spinach Salad with Apple Vinaigrette >

Vitamin-rich spinach and radishes are paired with fiber-packed apples and juicy pomegranate seeds. Drizzle the flavorful, tangy, homemade apple vinaigrette on top and you’re ready to enjoy every bite of this Fall Spinach Salad.

26. Vegetarian Butternut Squash Mushroom Stuffing >

If you’re looking for a vegetarian stuffing recipe that’s hearty and satisfying, look no further than this Butternut Squash Mushroom Stuffing recipe. Packed with flavor, it’s perfect for your Thanksgiving gathering!