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    Home » Vegan Recipes

    The Best Vegan Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes

    By Sarah Pilley Updated Nov 22, 2023 · Published Nov 22, 2023

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Collage of vegan gluten-free thanksgiving recipes, including sweet potato pie, gravy, salad, stuffed squash, and roasted carrots. text reads "VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE THANKSGIVING RECIPE" and "ALTERNATIVEDISH.COM"

    Here, you’ll find the Best Vegan Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes. Use this roundup of 25+ recipes to finalize your Thanksgiving menu and get cooking!

    Collage of vegan gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes including gravy, soup, stuffed squash, mashed cauliflower, pie, and roasted vegetables.

    Planning a Thanksgiving feast can be stressful!

    There can be such high expectations to have a variety of dishes, and it seems everyone has a different favorite dish. From mashed potatoes to stuffing to mac and cheese. The list goes on!

    Now, making all of those items vegan and gluten-free adds a whole other layer of intimidation!

    Or maybe you’re here to pick out a few dishes to include within a more traditional Thanksgiving spread. That’s great too!

    Either way, have no fear; this compilation of the best vegan Thanksgiving recipes will walk you through each course with a variety of ideas for each one.

    Choose which recipes stand out to you, and by the end, you will have pieced together the perfect vegan gluten-free Thanksgiving menu. 

    Your holiday table will certainly impress your friends and family members!

    Jump to:
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    Appetizers

    Who doesn’t love an appetizer? They are perfect for grazing as your guests are still arriving, and the larger meal is still in the oven. 

    With bigger courses yet to come, it’s a good idea to start simple with dips or finger food.

    Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa

    Tortilla chip dipped into cranberry jalapeno salsa with chips and cranberries in the background.

    Start Thanksgiving off with a kick! Cranberry jalapeño salsa is bursting with flavors, both tart and tangy. Serve alongside your favorite chips or gluten-free crackers.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • Quick preparation + can be made in advance for a stress-free start to your vegan Thanksgiving dinner!
    • This dish looks super festive for the holiday season with the combination of red and green.

    Pumpkin Spice Balls

    A hand holding 1 pumpkin protein ball. In the background there is a plate of the balls with 4 pumpkins surrounding it.

    Pumpkin protein balls are great for those with a sweet tooth that just can’t wait for dessert. They are packed full of fall flavors and protein.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • Easy to serve as finger food; no need for plates!
    • Perfect for prepping a couple of days in advance.

    Cinnamon Apple Chips

    Baked apple chip with cinnamon sprinkled on top with more chips in the background.

    Sweet and crunchy, baked apple chips are a delicious way to graze until you get to the main dishes. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • They’re a light snack, so your guests won’t feel too full eating them.
    • They're a great addition to a charcuterie board or vegan cheese platter!

    Tofu Ricotta Cheese

    Vegan tofu ricotta in a white bowl with two basil leaves on top. A lemon is sliced in half in the background along with a plate of crostinis.

    This creamy, cheesy dip is perfect for snacking on before the holiday meal begins. Make a charcuterie board with chickpea chips and tofu ricotta as the star! Add grapes, strawberries, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts to round out the platter.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It is ready in just 5 minutes!
    • It nicely leads into the next course because it’s also perfect for serving alongside the main and side dishes.

    Main Dish Recipes

    Yes! It can be a Thanksgiving main dish without turkey!

    Just because it’s a vegan Thanksgiving doesn’t mean the main dish can’t be extra special and something you look forward to all year.

    Wild Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash

    Two halves of stuffed acorn squash on a baking tray.

    Stuffed acorn squash is a dish you can look forward to all year because it feels special! Because it is! Acorn squash is transformed into a delicious, cozy, warm dish that should be no less than the star of your Thanksgiving plate.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • November is peak acorn squash season!
    • It combines a side dish of stuffing with squash to make a hearty and filling main.

    Fall Harvest Salad

    Vegan fall harvest salad in a bowl on top of a white cloth with apple chips and pepitas scattered around.

    I know what you’re thinking… isn’t salad a side dish? Maybe, but this vegan fall harvest salad is no side dish. It will surely impress as a main course. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It’s packed with veggies, plant-based protein, and delicious tangy and sweet flavors!
    • It doesn’t feel too heavy but is still super filling.

    Butternut Squash Soup

    Butternut squash soup with a swirl of coconut cream.

    Butternut squash soup is warm and comforting. It’s also a great way to enjoy more squash for your Thanksgiving celebration!

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It’s ready in just 40 minutes!
    • It’s creamy and rich with a slightly spicy kick.

    Garlic and Rosemary Braised White Beans

    Zoe's braised white beans copycat in a bowl with a sprig of rosemary on top. The background is a blue and white striped cloth napkin with 2 more sprigs of rosemary lying on top.

    These creamy, garlicky braised white beans are sure to be a hit at Thanksgiving dinner.  

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It's ready in less than 30 minutes with canned white beans!
    • They go great with homemade crostini made with gluten-free bread!

    Eggplant Rollatini

    Eggplant rollatini on a plate with a fork and a basil leaf.

    Eggplant rollatini is hearty and decadent. This is perfect for the veggie lovers who want a pasta-like dish. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It uses tofu ricotta, so make a double batch if you also plan to serve it as an appetizer!
    • It’s a great, nutrient-dense dish.

    Portabello Mushroom Shepherd's Pie

    Shepherd's pie inside the cap of a portobello mushroom.

    This shepherd’s pie is warm, flavorful, and packed with hearty ingredients to keep you full long after you eat. This elegant dish will fit right in on your dinner table.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It’s made with the caps of portobello mushrooms for easy individual servings!
    • It’s filled with veggies from mushrooms to carrots to parsnips.

    Side Dish Recipes

    For those of you who make the side dish the main dish! Combine enough of these delicious sides, and you will be set.

    Maple Dijon Roasted Carrots and Apples

    Maple dijon roasted carrots and apples with red onion and garlic on a serving spoon with the roasting pan in the background.

    These roasted carrots and apples are tangy but sweet. The maple Dijon glaze helps the vegetables beautifully caramelize in the oven.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • They pair great with butternut squash soup or the mashed cauliflower!
    • It’s a pretty easy recipe since the cooking time is all hands-off.

    Maple Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

    Up close photo of maple Dijon roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts.

    These Brussels sprouts take notes from the roasted carrots and apples. Still including the delicious maple Dijon glaze! 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • Make extra maple Dijon dressing, add another sheet pan, and cook these veggies with the carrots and apples.
    • They’re great if you want to get more green on your table!

    Wild Rice Stuffing

    Bowl of wild rice stuffing.

    Wild rice stuffing is a delicious gluten-free take on traditional stuffing and is filled with all the flavors you love. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • This gluten-free stuffing can be made 3 days ahead of time!
    • Make extra and use it to stuff acorn squash, too.

    Butternut Mac and Cheese

    Plate with butternut squash mac and cheese.

    Who doesn’t want vegan mac and cheese on their Thanksgiving plate? This classic side dish could be a main dish, depending on how much you scoop onto your plate!

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It’s filled with delicious creamy butternut squash and cashews for a satisfying dish.
    • This dish is primarily hands-off by roasting the squash in the oven.

    Cauliflower Mash

    Creamy mashed cauliflower with herb garnish.

    Mashed cauliflower is perfect for the veggie lovers at your Thanksgiving dinner.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It’s creamy and filled with roasted garlic and herbs!
    • It only takes about 10 minutes to make using steam-in-the-bag cauliflower florets.

    Smashed Potatoes

    Parchment paper with smashed potatoes.

    These classic, crispy, crunchy smashed potatoes are perfect for those who aren’t as big of a fan of the mashed variety. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. 
    • They are bursting with garlic flavor and are delicious alongside maple Dijon roasted veggies.

    Kale Apple Salad

    Kale salad with apples and pecans.

    Accompanied by some fresh apple slices, this kale salad is the perfect dish to balance your meal. Balsamic vinaigrette is massaged into kale to make it super tender.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • To get some more greens onto that plate! 
    • No cooking is required, so it’s great if you run out of time and room in the oven or stove.

    Cornbread

    Cube of vegan cornbread being held by a hand with more cornbread in the background.

    This is the best vegan gluten-free cornbread! It’s moist, light, and fluffy, like a cloud next to the other food on your plate. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It doubles as a delicious dessert with a drizzle of maple syrup!
    • It can sop up all the other flavors from your plate.

    Gravy

    Vegan brown gravy being poured over mashed potatoes on top of a red and white plaid napkin.

    In comes the sea of gravy to provide a perfect harmony to all the other flavors cohabitating on your Thanksgiving plate.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • This easy vegan gravy is ready in under 10 minutes!
    • It uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.

    Dessert Recipes

    Let the real fun begin! For those who have saved room for dessert, these are some of the tastiest fall dessert recipes.

    From delectable pies to fudgy brownies, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

    Sweet Potato Pie

    Slice of vegan sweet potato pie with dollop of whipped cream on top. Background shows the rest of the pie in a dish, a white plate, and a fall colored gingham napkin.

    Pie is essential for a Thanksgiving celebration, and this sweet potato pie is guaranteed to be a favorite of your entire family. The sweet potatoes make for a creamy, decadent filling with just the right amount of sweetness.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It’s the perfect dessert to make beforehand, so it has time to set, which means less cooking the day of!
    • The gluten-free pie crust perfectly complements the smooth pie filling.

    Pecan Pie

    Pecan pie with a slice being lifted out.

    Once you try this pie, you, too, will become a pecan pie lover!

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It can be served chilled or at room temperature!
    • It’s delicious with a dollop of coconut whipped cream.

    Cranberry Apple Crisp

    Vegan cranberry apple crisp in a bowl with a scoop of ice cream. The background shows a red and green apple and the crisp in a baking dish on top of a red and white gingham napkin.

    This cranberry apple crisp is filled with sweet and tangy fall flavors. It’s also delicious with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • If you’re intimidated by pie-making, this crisp is a great option!
    • It only takes about an hour to make, which is great if you’re short on time.

    Vegan Apple Crisp

    Dairy free apple crisp in a bowl with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream on top with cinnamon sprinkled over. The background shows the dish of vegan apple crisp, a red apple, green apple, and two sticks of cinnamon.

    Like cranberry apple crisp, this delicious vegan apple crisp takes all the sweet cinnamony flavors of an apple pie into one easy-to-make dish.

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • It only requires about 10 minutes of hands-on time.
    • You can make it ahead and freeze it.

    Maple Pecan Roasted Pears

    Half of a maple pecan roasted pear with a dollop of whipped cream.

    Maple pecan roasted pears are a simple yet elegant dessert option for Thanksgiving. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • They’re a light and refreshing dessert after a heavy meal.
    • They’re perfect alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

    Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

    Gluten-free vegan pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips on a white plate. One pumpkin cookie has a bite taken out of it. Plate is on top of a red and white cloth.

    Pumpkin cookies are soft, fluffy, and filled with delicious chocolate chips. 

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • These cookies are great for a smaller dessert option.
    • They don’t require a plate to be served, perfect if you are low on dishes!

    Fudgy Chickpea Brownies

    Hand holding up a chickpea brownie with more in the background.

    For the chocolate lovers, of course, you are not forgotten! While everyone else fighting over the pies, you can be enjoying these fudgy, chocolatey chickpea brownies!

    Why You Should Make It: 

    • They are fudgy, chocolatey, and delicious!
    • They are quick and easy to make. You can even skip the baking part and serve it as brownie batter hummus with strawberries.

    What will you be serving at your gluten-free vegan Thanksgiving table?

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    Headshot of Sarah Pilley.

    Hi, I'm Sarah!

    I’m so excited you stopped by! I'm thrilled to share my passion for tasty vegan food with you on the Alternative Dish. I focus on creating recipes that everyone can enjoy with allergy-friendly tips! 

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