Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, share a delicious meal, and express gratitude. While traditional Thanksgiving feasts often center around a turkey, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to create a holiday meal that everyone can enjoy. This guide offers a list of traditional sides that are naturally vegetarian and vegan, along with two vegetarian and two vegan recipes to inspire your holiday menu. Plus, we’ve included local restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinners if you prefer to leave the cooking to the professionals.

Traditional Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving Sides

Some classic Thanksgiving sides are already vegetarian and can be made vegan with simple substitutions, such as swapping butter for plant-based alternatives. Here are a few to consider:

Mashed Potatoes (Vegan if made with plant-based butter and milk)
Green Bean Almondine (Naturally vegan, made with olive oil and toasted almonds)
Cranberry Sauce (Naturally vegan, as it typically contains cranberries, sugar, and water)
Roasted Vegetables (Carrots, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts tossed in olive oil and herbs)
Stuffing (Can easily be made vegan by using vegetable broth and skipping sausage or bacon)

Recipes for a Vegetarian & Vegan Thanksgiving

Creating a Thanksgiving menu that is vegetarian or vegan doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or tradition. The recipes below offer hearty, delicious options that will satisfy everyone at your table, whether plant-based eaters or simply looking to try something new. From savory mains to cozy soups, these dishes showcase the versatility of vegetarian and vegan cooking while celebrating the flavors of the season.

Vegetarian Recipes

Wild Mushroom and Spinach Tart

A savory tart that’s both elegant and hearty.

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
2 cups wild mushrooms, sliced
2 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 garlic clove, minced
Olive oil for sautéing

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Roll out the puff pastry on a baking sheet.
In a skillet, sauté garlic and mushrooms in olive oil until softened. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
Spread the mushroom and spinach mixture on the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with Gruyère cheese and drizzle with heavy cream.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is golden and puffed.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

A seasonal favorite packed with a hearty filling.

Ingredients:

2 acorn squashes, halved, and seeds removed
1 cup quinoa, cooked
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup goat cheese
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Olive oil for roasting

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the squash halves with olive oil, sprinkle with cinnamon, and roast for 40 minutes.
Mix quinoa, cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese in a bowl.
Fill each squash half with the quinoa mixture and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Vegan Recipes

Lentil Loaf

A plant-based main dish that’s packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked lentils
1 cup oats
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup carrots, finely chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well incorporated.
Press the mixture into a greased loaf pan. Spread ketchup on top for a glaze.
Bake for 45 minutes and let cool slightly before slicing.

Pumpkin Soup

A creamy, vegan soup perfect for a cozy holiday meal.

Ingredients:

4 cups pumpkin puree
1 onion, diced
2 cups vegetable broth
1 can of coconut milk
1 teaspoon curry powder
Olive oil for sautéing

Instructions:

In a pot, sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add pumpkin puree, vegetable broth, and curry powder.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and blend until smooth. Serve warm.

Local Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

If you prefer to dine out this Thanksgiving, here are local restaurants in each market offering a holiday meal:

Grand Forks, ND: The Blue Moose Bar and Grill
- A staple in East Grand Forks for the past 28 years, The Blue Moose Bar and Grill has served a Thanksgiving meal. This year, their Thanksgiving entree meal includes turkey, corn, mashed potatoes, gravy, a fresh dinner roll, sausage wild rice stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Plus, for dessert, you can order a slice of pumpkin pie! Make a reservation and check out their latest Instagram post for more information.
St. Cloud, MN: Legends Bar & Grill – Holiday Inn & Suites Event Center
- Legends Bar & Grill will serve a delicious Thanksgiving buffet with options for meat lovers and vegans/vegetarians! Their buffet will include oven-roasted turkey with savory herbed gravy, maple glazed ham carving station, sweet potato casserole, garlic and herb mashed potatoes, garden green bean casserole, sweet sausage and cranberry stuffing, baked boursin mac & cheese, roasted butternut squash soup, and dinner rolls!
Detroit Lakes & Perham, MN: Holiday Inn Detroit Lakes- Lakefront
- The Holiday Inn will offer a delicious Thanksgiving buffet with traditional mains and sides. The buffet will be served from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm, and you can call for more details. Make sure you check out their Facebook page for updates!
Winona, MN: Signatures- Visions Event Center
- Signatures will once again host their annual Thanksgiving buffet at Visions Event Center. Enjoy all-you-can-eat options like oven-roasted turkey breast, sliced ham, broiled cod loin, sausage and sage dressing, buttermilk mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams, chef vegetable blend, cranberry sauce, chicken wild rice soup, garden salad, and for dessert enjoy a slice of pecan pie and pumpkin pie!
Alexandria, MN: The Depot Smokehouse & Tavern
- A local favorite, The Depot, will have its annual Thanksgiving Day buffet from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm. It will feature hand-carved smoked prime rib and turkey, Swedish meatballs, sweet potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green bean casserole, mac & cheese, stuffing, house-made cranberries, delicious desserts, and more! Check out their Facebook event for more details.
Fergus Falls, MN: Calvary Chapel
- Enjoy an early community Thanksgiving meal at Calvary Chapel on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Twenty turkeys have been donated, and their meal will be buffet-style. Get more information on their Facebook event page.

Final Thoughts

With a little creativity and planning, it’s easy to craft a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving feast that’s both delicious and festive. From classic sides to inspired main dishes, you can create a holiday spread that everyone at the table will enjoy. And if cooking isn’t on your agenda this year, visit one of the local restaurants for a stress-free and memorable Thanksgiving meal.