🌱 Ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dish Collection – 9 Plant‑Based Classics to Wow Your Guests
From creamy cauliflower to hearty lentil stuffing, these 9 vegan Thanksgiving sides will impress everyone at the table—vegan or not. Easy to prepare and packed with seasonal flavor, they complete any holiday meal perfectly.
Thanksgiving doesn't have to mean giving up flavor. These 9 plant-based side dishes deliver the same comforting, festive flavors of the classics but with vegan twists that celebrate seasonal vegetables, wholesome grains, and compassionate cooking. Perfect for feeding vegan guests, reducing meat consumption, or simply adding variety, these recipes are designed to wow your crowd with vibrant colors, bold flavors, and holiday-ready appeal.
Whether you're hosting a vegan Thanksgiving from scratch or supplementing a traditional menu with cruelty-free options, this collection offers a balanced mix of textures and tastes—from creamy and cheesy to crunchy and spicy. Each recipe is easy to scale, pairs beautifully with turkey, and uses pantry staples you likely already have.
The dishes follow the Complete the Look principle of Pinterest food pairing: roasted carrots with orange glaze complement spiced lentil stuffing, while sweet potato mash pairs harmoniously with herbed parsnip gratin. For best effect, plan your menu using these complementary flavors and serve as a cohesive whole.
From quick-to-prepare sides like herb-roasted Brussels sprouts to showstoppers like pumpkin risotto, these recipes are perfect for small families, large gatherings, or even meal prepping for holiday leftovers. All are gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with nutrient-dense ingredients for a well-rounded meal.
Start with the anchor recipe—creamy cauliflower mash—and build your menu around the curated pairings. For Pinterest visibility, post each dish as part of a 9-day pinning series, starting with the protein-based sides and ending with the dessert-completing dishes.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower - 1 large head, for creamy mash
- Savoy Cabbage - 3 large leaves, for lentil stuffing
- Russet Potatoes - 4 medium, for sweet potato puree
- Butternut Squash - 3 cups, roasted and pureed
- Wild Rice - 1 cup dried, for stuffing
- Kale - 2 bunches, for slaw
- Brussels Sprouts - 24 large, halved
- White Mushrooms - 8 oz, sliced
- Garlic Shitake - 4 oz, for lentil filling
- Coconut Milk - 2 cans (13.5 oz) for pumpkin risotto
- Hazelnuts - 1 cup, for gratin topping
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper for the roasted squash, Brussels sprouts, and stuffed mushrooms.
- Step 2: Make the lentil stuffing by sautéing onions, celery, and garlic in olive oil until tender, then combine with cooked lentils, cabbage, and herbs.
- Step 3: For the sweet potato mash, peel and boil potatoes until fork-tender. Mash with vegan butter, nutritional yeast, and smoked paprika.
- Step 4: Prepare the pumpkin risotto by toasting arborio rice, then gradually adding warm vegetable broth while stirring continuously.
Why This Collection Works
🌟 9 Timeless Classics
From Butternut Squash Risotto to Apple Cider Roasted Carrots, these recipes are tried-and-true Thanksgiving staples with vegan twists.
🔥 Easy to Prepare
Most recipes require minimal hands-on time and use one-pot or one-bake methods, letting you focus on other Thanksgiving preparations.
♻️ Nutrient-Dense
Packed with plant-based proteins, fiber, and antioxidants from lentils, leafy greens, and seasonal roots vegetables.
🌿 Compassionate Eating
All recipes are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and designed to satisfy even the heartiest Thanksgiving eaters without using animal products.
Vegan Lentil Stuffed Cabbage
🛒 Ingredients
- Cabbage Leaves (3 large Savoy leaves)
- 1 cup Green Lentils (1/2 lb)
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 2 stalks Celery, diced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
👨🍳 Instructions
Prepare Filling: Sauté onion, celery, and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add lentils and 1.5 cups vegetable broth. Simmer 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
💡 Add dried thyme, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper for depth of flavor.
Stuff Cabbage: Spoon lentil mixture into cabbage leaves to form 8 parcels. Place in baking dish and cover with foil.
💡 For best results, use Savoy cabbage for extra juiciness and flavor.
Bake: Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Remove foil, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and bake 10 minutes more for a caramelized topping.
💡 For extra richness, top with vegan parmesan at the end.
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Green Lentils
These quick-cooking lentils hold their shape well and provide a satisfying meaty texture. Red lentils would be too soft for stuffing.
Substitutes: White or brown lentils require longer cooking, but pre-cooked lentils can replace in a pinch.
Balsamic Glaze
Reduces balsamic vinegar in a saucepan until thick and syrupy. This adds tangy depth to the roasted cabbages.
Substitutes: Apple cider vinegar thinned with 1 tsp maple syrup, or simply skip if short on time.
Savoy Cabbage
The leafy Savoy variety wilts beautifully and holds stuffing better than green cabbage. Remove the hard core before cutting leaves.
Substitutes: Use collard greens if you can't find Savoy - blanch for 10 seconds to soften.
Celery
Adds essential crunch and earthy flavor contrasting with soft lentils. For extra flavor, roast the celery before adding to stuffing.
Substitutes: Carrot or leek can replace, but will change the flavor profile significantly.
Pro Tips for Perfect Vegan Side Dishes
🕒 Timing Tricks
Prepare make-ahead items first - lentil stufifng freezes well, roasted veg can be stored 3 days.
🔥 Flavor Boost
Add maple-balsamic glaze to roasted veggies before serving for a golden, caramelized finish.
♻️ Waste Not
Use vegetable scraps to make holiday stock - carrot peels, onion ends, herb stems go into the pot.
👀 Presentation
Plating tip: Arrange by color - red beets next to green kale, golden squash beside leafy greens.
Variations & Customizations
Spicy Variation
Add 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon cumin to the lentil filling for extra heat.
Couscous Stuffed Cabbage
Replace lentils with 1 cup couscous cooked in vegetable stock and herbs. Add chickpeas for extra protein.
Mini Servings
Use small cabbage leaves and serve as appetizers for a bento box-style presentation.
Sweet Variation
Mix roasted apple chunks into the filling with maple syrup and cinnamon for a Thanksgiving twist.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Roasted Cabbage & Lentils pairs perfectly with Savory Wild Rice Stuffing and Herb-Baked Apples
- Butternut Squash Risotto serves beautifully alongside Maple-Glazed Carrots and Cranberry-Orange Sauce
- Garlic Mushroom Gravy completes the feast with Vegan Lentil Stuffed Cabbage and Spiced Sweet Potato Mash
🍷 Drink Pairings:
Try a rich Barolo wine with the heartier dishes, cider with roasted vegetables, or sparkling water with citrus for a light pairing.
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
Prep all ingredients the night before. Cook stuffing, roast squash and mushrooms separately, then combine just before serving for best texture.
Refrigerator Storage
Store in airtight containers for 4 days. Reheat individual components separately to maintain texture - stuffing rewarms in oven, roasted items in skillet.
Freezer Storage
Freeze unroasted lentil filling for 3 months. Reheat in microwave, then roast in oven to restore crispness.
Reheating Instructions
For best results, reheat in oven at 300°F. Steamed or boiled items can be served at room temperature for 48 hours.
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: Cabbage leaves tear when stuffing
A: Blanch for 20 seconds in boiling water to soften. Pat dry before adding filling.
Q: Lentils are too dry after cooking
A: Add 1/4 cup broth to the finished mixture and stir until desired moisture is achieved.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Cook on LOW for 6 hours. Remove lid in final 2 hours to thicken the filling.
Q: How to store leftovers?
A: Store in airtight containers in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze uncooked lentil mixture separately for best results.
Final Thoughts
These vegan Thanksgiving side dishes prove that plant-based eating can be both festive and deeply flavorful. Whether you're embracing the Thanksgiving season with full vegan plates or incorporating cruelty-free twists on traditional favorites, this collection offers the perfect balance of comfort food and modern nutrition.
With 9 versatile recipes that range from quick-to-prepare to elegant showpieces, you'll be equipped to create a meal that satisfies everyone at the table. From the smoky lentil-filled cabbage to the comforting butternut squash gratin, these dishes showcase how plant-based ingredients can create that same holiday magic we all love.
