Tips for Creating a Vegan-Friendly Thanksgiving Spread

Thanksgiving. Family. Friends. Food.

What’s not to love?

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, but hosting or attending gatherings can sometimes feel overwhelming - especially when catering to various dietary preferences. That’s where planning and your friends at Elmhurst come in!

Whether you’re hosting a completely vegan Thanksgiving dinner or just want to ensure your table offers something for everyone, here are our vegan Thanksgiving ideas to help you create a memorable spread.

Plan a 100% Vegan Thanksgiving Like a Pro

If you're organizing an entirely plant-based Thanksgiving, you’ll want to serve delicious, hearty, and comforting dishes that delight everyone’s taste buds!

Along with the tips and ideas we’re sharing, be sure to check out our list of 5 delicious dairy-free Thanksgiving dishes, or explore our recipe library for even more inspo. Happy planning!

A Winning Vegan Main

Here’s a little secret: you don’t need a turkey to create a memorable centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. The variety and quality of vegan options available in grocery stores have greatly expanded, but there are also plenty of delicious dishes you can make yourself. Consider these options:

Roasted Butternut Squash: Stuffed with wild rice, cranberries, and nuts, this festive dish not only looks stunning but also offers a wonderful mix of flavors and textures.
Vegan Wellington: Prepare a rich and creamy filling with mushrooms and lentils – our Unsweetened Cashew Milk is perfect for creating a creamy sauce – then wrap it in puff pastry for an eye-catching centerpiece.
Roasted Cauliflower “Steak”: Seasoned and roasted until perfectly caramelized, this dish is a favorite among plant-based eaters and a must try for meat lovers. It makes a fantastic main dish or pairs beautifully with roasted squash or vegan Wellington.

Classic Sides for Vegans

While we're calling these classic sides for vegans, the truth is that most of these can be enjoyed by everyone at your table without anyone noticing the difference.

Mashed Potatoes: Swap out regular milk and butter for our Unsweetened Cashew Milk and vegan butter. For an elevated version, check out our Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe.
Vegan Stuffing: Combine your favorite finely chopped veggies with lentils in a vegetable broth or stock to create a delicious vegan stuffing. This can serve as a standalone side or complement your roasted squash. For a tasty vegan gravy, thicken vegetable broth with flour and herbs and spices for flavor.
Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry sauce is typically vegan, just remember to double-check the label! You can enhance the flavor by adding maple syrup or citrus zest to make it taste homemade.

Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts

For a classic treat, you can’t go wrong with Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie.

If you’re seeking alternatives, our Chocolate Avocado Mousse made with our Unsweetened Hazelnut Milk is a chef’s kiss dessert, as are our Apple Pie Fudge Cups and Chocolate Cream Pie. These indulgent options will delight your guests and provide a sweet ending to your Thanksgiving feast.

Balancing “Traditional” with Vegan-Friendly Thanksgiving Dishes

Hosting both vegan and non-vegan guests doesn’t have to mean doubling your workload! Here are some additional options that will help you satisfy everyone’s dietary preferences without the stress this Thanksgiving.

Shared Appetizer Options

Appetizers are a fantastic way to bridge the gap between vegan and non-vegan guests. Focus on plant-based options like:

Veggie Platters with Hummus: A colorful array of chopped veggies paired with flavored hummus is always a hit. If you’re serving meat options, remember to set out separate dips to avoid cross-contamination. Don’t forget to try our tasty Vegan Sour Cream, too!
Roasted Nuts and Spiced Olives: These simple, flavorful options will appeal to everyone at the table.

And to kick off the festivities or as a fun night cap, be sure to serve a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini to all your (adult!) guests to set the mood!

With these options, you can create a welcoming atmosphere for all your guests without added stress.

Mixed and Matched Sides

Creating both vegan and non-vegan sides doesn’t have to be stressful! If you’re preparing both, consider establishing a friendly house rule encouraging non-vegans to try the vegan options. You might even host a blind taste test for some fun!

Stuffing: Make your plant-based stuffing alongside traditional sausage stuffing, starting with the vegan version to prevent cross-contamination.
Mashed Potatoes: Prepare Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes alongside traditional mashed potatoes. If you prefer to stick with just the vegan version, we promise we won’t tell!
Roasted Vegetables: A Thanksgiving staple, roasted vegetables can be enjoyed by everyone. You could separate serving dishes for vegans and non-vegans and drizzle a simple olive oil and herb dressing over the top for flavor.

With these mixed and matched sides, you can cater to all your guests without added stress!

Vegan-Friendly Mains That Complement “Traditional” Dishes

If you’re serving turkey at your Thanksgiving table, the vegan mains we suggested earlier will be hearty enough to satisfy both plant-based and non-plant-based guests. However, here are a couple more options to consider:

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie: either as a main or side option for all, or a
Lentil Loaf: packed with vegetables and spices, this flavorful dish is filling and satisfying, providing a tasty alternative that everyone will enjoy.

These vegan-friendly mains can complement your traditional dishes beautifully, ensure that all your guests leave happy!

Vegan Thanksgiving Desserts for All

Our Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Avocado Mousse, and Apple Pie Fudge Cups are so delicious that we can almost guarantee no one will even guess they’re dairy-free. If you're looking for even more crowd-pleasing desserts or after-dinner treats, consider these options:

Completing Your Vegan-Friendly Thanksgiving Spread

Whether you’re going fully vegan or blending traditional and vegan-friendly dishes, the key is to offer a Thanksgiving spread that brings all your guests together.

Our vegan Thanksgiving ideas will help you ensure your table is bursting with flavor and variety, showcasing some of the best vegan-friendly dishes around. Your guests will be so satisfied that even the meat eaters won’t mind what was or wasn’t in their meals.

Happy Thanksgiving!