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    Recipe Idea Shop » Entrees

    25 Vegan Main Dishes

    by Kathy Owen

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    These vegan main dishes can help you stick to your vegan lifestyle while also experiencing a holiday meal.

    Holidays, birthdays, office parties, etc., are the time for good food and making memories. And if  "good food" to you means vegan or vegetarian, you will love the recipes we've put together on this list.

    You can turn just about any traditional dish into a vegan version that the whole family will race to the dinner table to enjoy. 

    Vegan thanksgiving meal: mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, and green bean casserole

    If some or all of your family members are vegan, you can create a delicious meal that everyone can enjoy, and it's really easy, too. From vegan pumpkin pie to classic side dishes, you can turn any special occasion into a meal to be remembered. The savory flavor of a classic dish, the golden brown of a baked casserole, and the sweet delicious taste of dessert will have everyone returning to the kitchen for more. Don't forget the Thanksgiving punch!

    Here are some traditional vegan holiday recipes for main dishes, as well as some you may not have tried before. There are also vegan versions of some of your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, like mac n cheese. Which one will you try first? 

    Vegan Thanksgiving Main Dishes

    These easy vegan main dishes will help you save time and make your Thanksgiving meal memorable without the stress.

    Spicy Vegetarian Stew (Slow Cooker)

    Spicy Vegetarian Stew

    Easy to make in the slow cooker, the spices in this stew make it a little spicy and the fruit adds sweetness: the perfect combination!

    Vegetarian Chickpea Loaf with Indian Spices

    Vegetarian Chickpea Loaf Indian Spices

    This Vegetarian Chickpea Loaf with Indian Spices pops with East Indian flavor. Your vegetarian and vegan friends and family will love this recipe.

    A close-up of a stuffed eggplant topped with diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and grains, served on a plate with a cucumber garnish—an eye-catching addition to any table and a delicious option for vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.

    Stuffed Eggplant

    This Stuffed Vegan Eggplant is such an amazing combination of flavors! Rice, lentils, a little mint, mushrooms, and pine nuts, topped by Avocado Salsa: a truly wonderful meal!

    Balsamic Portobello Mushroom

    Balsamic Portobello Mushrooms

    These Grilled Balsamic Portobello Mushrooms are bursting with flavor, have a meaty, satisfying texture, and will put a smile on your face.

    A plate of roasted rainbow carrots drizzled with tahini sauce, sprinkled with sunflower seeds and fresh mint, sits on a dark textured surface next to a jar of sauce and scattered seeds—an elegant addition to any spread of vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: braisedanddeglazed.com

    Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Toasted Sunflower

    These roasted rainbow carrots are so good they can be enjoyed as a vegan main. Roasting the carrots gives them a naturally sweet flavor and the sunflower dressing provides a richness to balance them perfectly.

    A white baking dish filled with baked macaroni and cheese, topped with melted and shredded cheddar, sits on a light surface with a small green plant in the background—an inviting option that stands out among vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: www.thevgnway.com

    Southern Style Homemade Vegan Gluten-Free Mac And Cheese

    This Homemade Baked Vegan and Gluten-free Mac And Cheese recipe is rich, creamy, and delicious. Made with only 6 ingredients (not including the 3 plant-based cheeses) Baked to ooey-gooey perfection just like your Grandma’s. You're going to love this is a gluten-free & vegan twist on an irresistible comfort food classic.

    A vegetable Wellington with a golden, flaky crust sits on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs—making it one of the perfect vegan Thanksgiving main dishes. One slice is cut to reveal a colorful veggie filling. Sides of peas, cranberry sauce, and gravy are visible nearby.
    Photo Credit: veganhuggs.com

    Vegan Wellington

    Impress your guests with this gorgeous Vegan Wellington! The filling is meaty, satisfying, and ever-so-tasty! It's surprisingly easy to make too!

    A close-up of a glass bowl filled with quinoa salad, featuring chopped vegetables and greens in bright colors—an inspiring option for vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: honestandtruly.com

    Harvest Quinoa Salad

    This harvest quinoa salad is absolutely delicious and full of gorgeous colors with bursts of flavor. Quinoa is a perfect protein to enjoy as a main dish for vegans and delicious as a side accompaniment for those who are not.

    Two eggplant halves stuffed with lentils and topped with a creamy orange sauce, garnished with herbs, placed on foil with green and white napkins on the sides—an elegant choice among vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: somebodyfeedseb.com

    Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash

    Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash features a very flavorsome lentil and porcini mushroom filling, made creamy with the help of light tahini. Further flavored with balsamic, miso paste, garlic, and mixed herbs, this recipe will not disappoint your tastebuds!

    A glass dish filled with chunky bread stuffing, featuring cranberries, chopped apples, and celery—a perfect addition to your vegan Thanksgiving main dishes. A wooden spoon rests on top, with a striped cloth and apples nearby.
    Photo Credit: maplewoodroad.com

    Recipe for Thanksgiving Stuffing with Fruit (you'll be thankful!)

    Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks, of course. The thing I’m most thankful for on my Thanksgiving table is my Thanksgiving stuffing with fruit. Just replace the butter with vegan butter.

    A round cake with white frosting swirls and caramel nut topping sits on a rustic wooden stand, draped with cloth, against a black background. Reminiscent of classic vegan Thanksgiving main dishes, this stunning dessert is finished with a small sprig of greenery decorating the side.
    Photo Credit: vegandollhouse.com

    Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Cake

    This Thanksgiving cake is a complete vegan thanksgiving meal in a cake. It's great for family meals or for bringing to Friendsgiving.

    Halved acorn squash filled with a stuffing of chopped nuts, cranberries, shredded cheese, and herbs—perfect for those seeking vegan Thanksgiving main dishes—displayed on a wooden cutting board.
    Photo Credit: www.tastygalaxy.com

    Instant Pot Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe

    This Stuffed Acorn Squash is super easy to make, elegant, and delicious! The acorn squash is stuffed with cauliflower rice, cranberries, and pecans for a perfect Thanksgiving dish.

    A serving of green bean casserole with crispy fried onions, a classic among vegan Thanksgiving main dishes, is plated beside a larger casserole dish on a white surface.
    Photo Credit: theurbenlife.com

    Dairy Free Green Bean Casserole

    This vegan green bean casserole without cream of mushroom soup comes together with 9 simple ingredients, from start to finish in about 30 minutes. The ultimate vegan version of a classic holiday side dish!

    Two plates of creamy scalloped potatoes and sautéed greens with red onions, set on a wooden board with pomegranates, limes, gold cutlery, and a white napkin in a bright dining setting—perfect vegan side dishes for any occasion.
    Photo Credit: www.thevgnway.com

    Vegan Scalloped Potatoes (Dairy-Free & Gluten Free)

    We veganized the classic scalloped potatoes recipe and trust us when we say you won’t miss the dairy. This recipe is easy to make; so creamy and cheesy.

    A close-up of a stuffed portobello mushroom cap filled with cooked quinoa, corn, spinach, zucchini, tomatoes, and red bell peppers—an appetizing option among vegan Thanksgiving main dishes—served on a white plate with parchment paper.
    Photo Credit: thedeliciousspoon.com

    Easy Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms - Perfect for Lunch or Dinner!

    Stuffed with quinoa and loads of veggies, these Easy Stuffed Vegan Mushrooms make a filling main course. This healthy vegan dish is easy and quick to make and can be easily customized to your taste.

    A white plate with roasted slices of delicata squash seasoned with herbs—a stunning addition to vegan Thanksgiving main dishes—accompanied by a vintage silver fork on a white marble surface.
    Photo Credit: theforkedspoon.com

    How to Cook Delicata Squash

    Learn How to Cook Delicata Squash with this easy, no peeling required, roasting recipe. Perfect for stuffing, mashing, and pureeing, serve this versatile winter squash vegan main for Thanksgiving dinners.

    A serving of shepherds pie with a golden, ridged mashed potato topping is on a white plate, garnished with parsley—a cozy addition to your vegan Thanksgiving main dishes. The rest of the pie is in a glass dish nearby, with a fork and napkin beside the plate.
    Photo Credit: www.conflictedvegan.com

    All Vegetable Shepherd's Pie No Beans Here

    Try this all veggies no beans 4-pound Shepherd's Pie. The pie packs a nice cheesy surprise and your guests are sure to be impressed.

    A festive tray of kale, sliced delicata squash, white beans, red onion, and pomegranate seeds makes for a vibrant addition to your vegan Thanksgiving main dishes. Served with a bowl of creamy dipping sauce topped with sesame seeds, and two serving spoons resting in the tray, this beautiful dish brings color and flavor to any holiday table.
    Photo Credit: thefamilyfoodkitchen.com

    Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Tahini Dressing (Vegan)

    This vegan warm Delicata Squash Salad is loaded with sweet roasted onions, white beans, kale, and pomegranate seeds and topped with a tangy tahini dressing. It also looks as pretty as a picture on your thanksgiving table.

    A plate of ratatouille with sliced vegetables in tomato sauce sits on a wooden table, beside a baking dish containing more ratatouille, surrounded by fresh vegetables, herbs, and cutlery—an inviting option among vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: happykitchen.rocks

    Ratatouille Recipe

    Ratatouille Recipe: delicious and spectacular vegan gluten-free dish that will be a star of any table. Healthy, flavorful, impressive-looking, and comforting dish.

    Vegan Japchae
    Photo Credit: therunningbaker24.com

    Vegan Japchae Korean Glass Noodles Sweet and Gluten-Free

    Made of sweet potato starch noodles so it's naturally gluten-free and uses simple vegetables as ingredients.

    A plate of roasted vegetables with Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, pecans, pomegranate seeds, and a green sauce, with a fork on the side. Sliced squash, garlic, and more Brussels sprouts in the background make this dish a vibrant addition to any table—perfect as one of your vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: happykitchen.rocks

    Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Butternut Squash

    The best balsamic-maple roasted Brussels sprouts with butternut squash, pecans, cranberries, and avocado roasted garlic dressing. Ultimate healthy vegan Thanksgiving side or main dish ready in just 40 minutes!

    A slice of chocolate cake with cream sauce sits on an orange plate, with a fork resting beside it, on a teal surface—an indulgent dessert to perfectly complement vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: moonandspoonandyum.com

    The Best Vegan Meatloaf with Cashew Gravy (Gluten-Free)

    This vegan meatloaf recipe with cashew gravy makes a wonderful meat-free main course for Thanksgiving or other holiday get-togethers! Naturally gluten-free, too.

    A cast iron skillet filled with roasted vegetables and herbs, topped with fresh sage leaves, sits on a dark wooden table—an inviting addition to vegan side dishes—beside a small bowl of fennel seeds and sprigs of fresh herbs.
    Photo Credit: lovelylentils.com

    Polenta Cauliflower Vegan Stuffing with Pine Nuts -

    A stuffing made with polenta makes this hearty enough to be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner..

    A loaf of meatloaf with a shiny glaze sits on parchment paper, with one slice cut and slightly separated from the rest of the loaf—an inviting centerpiece that’s perfect for vegan Thanksgiving main dishes.
    Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.com

    Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf

    A hearty plant-based Thanksgiving dinner idea that will satisfy even meat-eaters! A Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf that mimics the classic meatloaf with no meat, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free! Get all your
    protein and veggies in this healthy recipe!

    Image for Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Oil-Free Red Kidney Bean Loaf
    Photo Credit: www.conflictedvegan.com

    Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Oil-Free Red Kidney Bean Loaf

    Try this Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Oil-Free kidney bean Loaf this holiday season packs a ton of flavor and is also pocket friendly.

    With these main dishes, you can eat vegan while also celebrating the holiday with hearty meals. You don't need to have a super-ambitious kitchen to pull it off. Many can be prepped in 10-15 minutes and they are simple to cook once you know how.

    Gather your grocery list and prepare your kitchen counter, because these Thanksgiving dishes can be made any time of the year, too.

    Each vegan recipe brings you layers of flavor, fond memories, and a full tummy! From a wild rice side to cranberry sauces and vegan gravy, there's something for every holiday table. 

    If you try any of the dishes on this list, we'd love to hear about them in the comments. 

    25 vegan Thanksgiving main dishes

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    About Kathy Owen

    Hi, I’m Kathy! I grew up on a farm in Arkansas where a massive family garden was the center of Summer life. Homemade meals with fresh ingredients and our family gathered around the dinner table for meals was the norm. Here, I share the comfort food recipes I love, practical ways to use up leftovers, and simple, everyday meals your family will actually eat.

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