Thanksgiving is almost here, can you believe it? I’m speaking for myself here, but please don’t worry about having a meat-like substitute for us vegetarians, or even a fancy designated entree. I’m happy enjoying a big plate of hearty side dishes (and dessert afterward, of course).
If you’ve been wondering what to serve the vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free eaters at your Thanksgiving table, this roundup is for you. All of the recipes are meatless. The recipes that are also gluten free and/or vegan are labeled accordingly.
I organized the recipes by category (mains, hearty salads, soups and sides), starting with the main events. At the end of the post, you’ll find links to recipes that will round out Thanksgiving Day, including breakfast options, cocktails and desserts. I’m hoping to publish some pie recipes in time for the big day.
For more ideas, check out my full Thanksgiving archives and fall recipe archives. Have a great weekend! I’m working on a big project and can’t wait to share it with you next week.
Meatless main dishes
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
Gluten free and easily vegan
“This is the best recipe I have tried this year. It was scrumptious. I am going to incorporate this as a new side dish for my Thanksgiving meal.” – Rita
Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas & Herbed Crème Fraiche
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I made this with Christmas dinner and wow this was certainly my signature dish! It was scrumptious and so pretty. I was so intrigued by it, I had to make it and so glad I did!” – Leslie
Broccoli, Cheddar & Quinoa Gratin
Easily gluten free
“I made this for dinner last night, and my very non-vegetarian “meat and potatoes” boyfriend loved it (and so did I)! He even asked to have the leftovers for lunch today. :) Thanks for all the delicious and healthy recipes!” – Rach
Spinach Artichoke Lasagna
Potentially gluten free
“I feel like after making this recipe about 10 times it’s time I let you know how much I love it! It’s easily my favourite vegetarian lasagna recipe. If you come up with any more veggie lasagnas I’d love to know :)” – Leigh
Arugula and Cremini Quiche with Gluten-Free Almond Meal Crust
Gluten free
“This is a definite “Keeper” Made it tonight and will NEVER make a “traditional” Quiche base again. Thank you for sharing.. it was absolutely wonderful!!!” – Claudia
Easy Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms and Fresh Oregano
Gluten free and easily vegan
“This is among the best risotto I have ever eaten. Even my risotto-phobic daughter was sneaking seconds. I’ve made it according to the recipe’s directions, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I have also switched it around and given it a fresh thyme and Sherry flavouring, which was just as delightful. Thank you for such a fabulous recipe. I love when they’re both nutritious and delicious – a common combination on C and K. Thank you again.” – Chelsea
Creamy Roasted Brussels Sprout and Quinoa Gratin
Easily gluten free
“We made this for Thanksgiving and it was the big hit of the meal! We’re definitely adding it to our rotation.” – Deb
Steel-Cut Oat “Risotto” with Butternut Squash and Kale
Easily gluten free and vegan
“I just finished making this tonight and oh.my.gosh! This was literally just what I needed…comforting, warm and delicious. My meat loving father even approved. I will for sure be having this for breakfast tomorrow and without a doubt make this again! Thanks Kate!” – Samantha
Hearty Salads
Balsamic Butternut, Kale and Cranberry Panzanella
Easily vegan
“SOOOO Yummy, Kate–this salad was the star of tonight’s supper and the combination of flavors is just perfect. Will definitely do this one again for guests–too delicious not to share. Thank you!” – Cindy
Arugula, Dried Cherry and Wild Rice Salad with a Zippy Lemon Dressing
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I have made this salad so many times – everyone loves it – kids, adults, veggie and meat lovers alike. Thank you!!” – Eija
Herbed Quinoa & Chickpea Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I made this salad tonight and it was delicious. All of the ingredients are perfect together. We have enjoyed all of your recipes that we have tried so far!” – Nancy
Colorful Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa & Spinach
Gluten free and easily vegan
“This was the most amazing salad. Such a good balance with proteins and veggies and dairy free to boot. We loved the layers of flavours! Thank you so much :)” – Lisa
Autumn Kale Salad with Fennel, Honeycrisp and Goat Cheese
Gluten free
“I don’t want to sound dramatic, but this salad could possibly be life changing. No, ya know what, I’m going to say it….. this is the best salad I have ever had in my entire life, and I have had A LOT of salad. Thank you so much!” – Lindsay
Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad
Gluten free and vegan
“I do not often leave comments after making recipes I find online (I know … shame on me!!); but your Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad was so successful that I had to thank you! The flavors were incredible – balanced, assertive, and addictive. It makes a lot so I shared (but only with people I really like). Every recipient called to demand the recipe. Great job and thank you for sharing! I will be returning often.” – Heather
Quinoa Broccoli Slaw with Honey-Mustard Dressing
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I made 1/2 this recipe tonight for a store bought bag of broccoli slaw and omitted the crushed red pepper due to a guest who can’t take any slice at all. It was PERFECT! It will be my go-to slaw recipe from now on. Thank you!” – Lynda
Favorite Green Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Pepitas
Gluten free and easily vegan
“A favorite in our house, we eat this salad at least once a week!” – Sherie
Honey Mustard Brussels Sprout Slaw
Gluten free
“Kate! I made this slaw for Thanksgiving. I was a little worried about how it would be received by my very traditional, mid-western in-laws but it was a ROARING success! Everyone asked for the recipe :)” – Emma
Fall Soups
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I just made this soup for my family. I think it is the best soup I have ever made. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.” – Christa
Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
I’m cheating! This is a recipe in my cookbook, Love Real Food (page 94). It’s one of my favorites, as are all of the soups in the book (I mean that).
Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Gluten free and vegan
“Oh my gosh!! Best soup I’ve made in a long time! I live in Reno, NV and it’s finally Fall like weather. I figured it was a good time to make a comfort soup, and this Roasted Pumpkin Soup hit the spot! Thank you for the recipe! I will definitely be sharing with my family and friends” – Julie
More Vegetarian Side Dishes
Rosemary Parmesan Sweet Potato
Gluten free
“Hi Kate. Just wanted to pass on how much my housemates enjoyed this for dinner tonight! We’ve all been under the weather and wanted something simple and healthy. This totally fit the bill but we couldn’t get over how incredible it tasted too!!! It was definitely more than the sum of its parts – we’re already planning to make it again this weekend. Thanks for a spectacular recipe!” – Anna
Lucille’s Mashed Potatoes
Gluten free
This is my family’s go-to mashed potatoes recipe! I hope it makes an appearance on your holiday table.
Green Bean Salad with Toasted Almonds & Feta
Gluten free and easily vegan
“This was DELICIOUS! Making green beans this way forever, loved the tangy dressing.” – Nicky
Cranberry-Maple Skillet Cornbread
“Kate, this is SO delicious, and pretty to look at, too! Taking a few cues from your baked dessert recipes, I made this dairy-free by substituting the butter with coconut oil and the buttermilk with almond milk (made “sour” with a bit of white vinegar). It came out great! I have been so happy since I recently discovered your blog, Kate! Loving these amazing and beautiful recipes.” – Nicole
Almost Homemade Green Bean Casserole
Easily gluten free
“I made this last night for our ‘Friendsgiving’ dinner, and it was the hit! Everyone absolutely loved it. :) It’s what the classic recipe has been asking for—fresh green beans and lots of flavor. Thank you for such a fantastic recipe!” – Leah
Vegan Mac and Cheese
Easily gluten free; vegan
“I made this at my daughters request and have to admit I was skeptical as we are neither vegan or vegetarian. It was awesome, all three of my children and my wife raved about it, we will definitely be making this again.” – Patrick
Cranberry Sauce and Goat Cheese Crostini
“I made this for Thanksgiving, loved it, got compliments, and was asked for the recipe. We did some with goat cheese and some with Brie, and it was great both ways. I think the sauce smells just like Christmas :)” – Karissa
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Breakfast & brunch
Cinnamon Toast Breakfast Quinoa
Apple Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Healthy Pumpkin Bread
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Oat Pancakes
Maple-Sweetened Pumpkin Muffins with Oats
Pumpkin Pecan Scones with Maple Glaze
Pumpkin Oat Waffles
Simple desserts
Apple Crisp
Gluten-Free Apple Tart
Pear Cranberry Crisp
Thanksgiving cocktails
Spiced Apple Margaritas
Maple New York Sour
Pear Nectar with Reposado Tequila
Fresh Cranberry Margaritas
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
Pumpkin Pineapple Cocktail
Wassail (warm spiced and spiked apple cider)
Happy Thanksgiving from Cookie and Kate!
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
What a collection! I love all the colour in your photos – this would make one heck of a Thanksgiving!
Saniel
Just remember when cooking a vegan meal to use pot or pan that has not been used for meat dish. Most won’t know it but for ethical reasons please don’t use the same roasting pan you cooking chicken in to now roast potatoes or another vegetable.
Donna
I would have thought this was a given.
Ella
I know it’s not a conventional Thanksgiving flavor profile… but I’m totally making slaw this year. I mean… duh. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Kate
Haha, awesome! :D
KL
so many wonderful meatless recipes! Thank you! Also liked your confec sugar post yesterday.
Kate
Thanks, KL! :)
Mary
Thanks for these great recipes. I’m always looking for gluten free vegetarian recipes that are also soyfree.
Kate
You’re welcome, Mary! Your comment reminded me that I don’t have a gluten free, soy free diet page, so I made one for you: https://cookieandkate.com/gluten-free-soy-free-vegetarian-recipes/. Hope it’s helpful!
Mary
Thanks so much for putting this together for me. It’s a great resource.
Kate
You’re welcome, Mary! Happy early Thanksgiving!
Mary
We already celebrated thanksgiving last month but Happy Thanksgiving to you.
KJ
Great list — I also always make sure to have your cranberry brussel sprouts with the maple vinaigrette on my Thanksgiving table — the cranberries make them so festive!
Kate
Thanks, KJ! I love that dish!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Yum! So many great choices here. I do a 90% vegetarian Thanksgiving (the only dish at my table that won’t be vegetarian is the turkey!) so this round-up is full of great ideas for me!
Kate
Perfect! Thanks, Liz!
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir
Loving your cran-goat cheese crostini! Would look so beautiful up against the orange sweet potato version I have on my blog today. Would love to plate these two together!
Chelsey
Love these (and all of your recipes!). Menu planning this week so this is going to be SUPER helpful! Thanks, Kate!
Gaby
So excited for Thanksgiving!! These all look mouth-watering!!
S Lauren @ Modern Granola
What a fabulous round up! I can’t wait to try that pear and cranberry crisp. That sounds incredible!
Grace
Yup! I brought #13 (Brussels Sprout Slaw) to Thanksgiving last year and it was the run-away hit!! I’m for sure bringing a huge bowl of it this year!! :D
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
I think I am in love with every single recipe on this post! Although I’m not GF or Vegan, I love that these options are so much healthier and lighter in contrast to everything else that is on our Thanksgiving menu ;)
Kate
Thanks, Jennifer! These would definitely liven up any table! I can’t stand for beige Thanksgiving plates. ;)
Lisako
I love so many of your recipes! Another option, while not a Cookieand Kate special, might be a whole roasted cauliflower. It’s delicious and hearty.
Kate
Thank you, Lisako! I’ve actually never roasted a whole cauliflower. I think it’s about time!
Kelly
Thanks Kate! I really want to try the cranberry sauce and goat cheese crostini and the sweet potato and kale soup and…
It looks delicious and healthy!
rachel
alll of these look so unique and delish! thanks for sharing!
Hannah
Such delicious veggie thanksgiving ideas! Everything that I’ve tried making from your blog has been so delicious — I’m always always reusing your recipes, so thank you for sharing your gift with us! Have you ever considered a cookbook? I for one would definitely buy it! xx
Kate
Thank you, Hannah! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my recipes. I have considered a cookbook, stay tuned! :)
laurasmess
This is such a beautiful round up of recipes Kate! I’m sitting at my work desk as I type and I actually got a little happy jump in my stomach as I saw some of my favourites in a happy Thanksgiving mingle (I like to think that they are having a party of their own on this page!). We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but I’m hosting Christmas this year so I’ve written some notes to add happiness to our Christmas spread. Particularly that bright cranberry spotted cornbread, eep! I’m already imagining it warm with cultured butter xxxx HAPPY THANKSGIVING beautiful!!
Raïssa
All of it looks delicious! However, a note for anyone making the rosemary parmesan sweet potato: double check to make sure you use a vegetarian parmesan (if you’re serving it to veggies), because most parmesan’s are not vegetarian-friendly.
Joanne
I had been feeling pretty Thanksgiving uninspired, but I am ready to get in the kitchen after seeing these!!
Pig and Potato
Thank you so much for this great vegetarian-friendly list.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
xo
Frances
I have used many of your recipes for Thanksgiving. Great! I would like to make a veggie, fruit w/sweetpotatoes on skewers as a dinner for a friends b’day. Please help me find a good one. :)
frances
How about winter skewers? AAHHAAAAA, life is good!
Kate
Hi Frances! That’s such a fun recipe idea. I couldn’t think of a recipe that would fit the bill off the top of my head, so I googled around and didn’t have much luck. This one could be promising? I think the challenge with adding fruit is that the fruit might be done cooking before the sweet potatoes are cooked through. Good luck!
Terry
Do you have a cookbook with all recipes that I can purchase?
Kate
I don’t yet, but my first cookbook will be for sale next May!
Sara @ Last Night's Feast
Yum! So many delicious choices…
Kate
Thanks, Sara!
Tori//Gringalicious.com
Wow, what an awesome list! Thanks for the inspiration, Kate!
Kate
Thank you, Tori!
Kati | black.white.vivid.
Oh this is awesome. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving (like everyone else outside the US and Canada :) )but this recipe collection is amazing nonetheless. So many delicious recipes. YUM!
Kate
Thanks, Kati! I hope you’ll get a chance to make some of them, just because!
Dawn Ayres
KATE
YOUR RECIPES AND PHOTOS ARE VERY ABSOUTELY AND BEAUTIFUL I LOVE IT. GREAT RECIPES…
Kate
Thank you very much, Dawn!
Maria
Oh my goodness!!! I am taking notes and pinning like crazy reading over this gorgeous list!! The brussel sprout and quinoa gratin looks to die for!!! I have made your broccoli cheddar quinoa version in the past and it was fab too!! Those roasted carrots look centerpiece worthy! And I want to cut myself a giant slice of your cranberry maple skillet cornbread! Your friends will be very very blessed!
Kate
Thank you so much, Maria! I’m glad this list inspired. :)
Histoires de Couture
I love all of the recipes you put together ! Always looking forward to receiving another email in my inbox ;)
Cassie
These recipes would work so well at a Christmas dinner too! I have to try the quinoa and Brussel sprouts gratin!
Cassie Autumn Tran
Who says Thanksgiving is mainly for meat?! I absolutely LOVE any side dish, especially one that includes sweet potatoes! Loving the look of your pumpkin soup, Brussels sprouts and quinoa, and brown rice risotto!
FoodPlottoPlate
We do not celebrate thanksgiving here but so many inspiring recipes… Thanks for putting this together
Elisa Roest
Hi Kate! I just want to say thank you for making my life easier. Your cookbook and blog frequent my weekly meal planning, and the variety of foods and flavors we eat each week are outstanding. I made your West African Peanut Soup last night, and it was incredible! I admit, I was skeptical about a peanut butter based soup, but it was amazing! Thank you for all your hard work and creativity.
Elisa
Kate
Elisa, thank you so much for your kind comment. I’m so glad to hear that! Have a wonderful weekend.
Kate
Elisa, I’m sorry for the slow response! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m delighted to hear that you’re enjoying my recipes! Have a great weekend!
Jan
Wow! What a great selection on recipes! I cannot wait to start cooking! Happy Thanksgiving!
Kate
Thank you, Jan! Let me know what you think once you give some a try :)
Brenda
Hi! I didn’t see a link to the roasted cauliflower soup. I know it is in your book but I can’t wait for it to come in the mail.
I wanted to make it for Thanksgiving. I will improvise for now.
I love your recipes!!!
Kate
Thank you! Yes, the cookbook is full of great recipes as well. I highly recommend the cauliflower soup when you get the book!
Brenda
Hi! I didn’t see you link for the recipe for roasted creamy cauliflower soup. Can you send it to me?
Thanks! I love your recipes!!
Kate
That recipe is actually in my cookbook, Love Real Food. If you have it, it is on page 94. I highly recommend getting the book :) It makes a great gift!
Maja Harder
I am so feeling the butternut squash soup and the risotto. Can’t wait to try them. Yes I am a big butternut squash fan :D Especially in this season.
Kate
Let me know what you think when you do, Maja!