10 Vegetarian Favorites for Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving 2020 is going to look quite different than most years for a lot of people. We’re pretty lucky — I’m an only child, and my in-laws don’t really make a big deal out of Thanksgiving since they’re British, so my husband Ed and I always celebrate Thanksgiving at my parents’ house. We’ve been around my parents since the pandemic began, so we feel super safe keeping it to a party of four. Whatever YOU’RE doing this Thanksgiving, remember, kids — stay safe, wear a mask and keep your distance!
Enough pandemic talk — let’s get down to the food! Each dish below is a tried-and-true favorite, full of delicious flavors, packed with veggies and guaranteed to please both vegetarians and omnivores alike. From Creamy Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese to Jalapeño Popper Crescent Rolls (yep, you read that right), there’s something here for everyone. Enjoy, and have a Happy (and safe) Thanksgiving!
Cheesy Veggie Wild Rice Casserole
I love a good Thanksgiving casserole, especially one that yields a lot so I’m guaranteed lunch the next day. And with hearty wild rice, melty mozzarella, fresh herbs and green veggies, this Cheesy Veggie Wild Rice Casserole will definitely make you glad that there’s leftovers!
Vegan Portobello Pot Roast
Vegan Portobello Pot Roast is the ultimate fall food! Portobello mushrooms + red wine add tons of richness to this simple slow cooker recipe. Serve it on its own, or pair it with brown rice or egg noodles. This might not be the most traditional Thanksgiving recipe, but it’s a great option to whip up as a vegetarian main dish.
Jalapeño Popper Crescent Rolls
What’s Thanksgiving without crescent rolls? But seriously, once you make these Jalapeño Popper Crescent Rolls, you’ll never go back to the original version! They're incredibly simple and made from just five ingredients, meaning you won’t be slaving away all afternoon in the kitchen. Warning: leakage may occur if you overfill them...but you can always just dip the rolls in the excess cream cheese 😋
Cauliflower Cheese & Peas
Just because it’s Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to load up on carbs! Prepare to thank your lucky stars for this Cauliflower Cheese & Peas. Choosing a high-quality sharp white cheddar makes all the difference (don’t waste your time on that pre-shredded garbage!). Cheese and veggies is always a good idea.
Garlicky Miso Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
Spice up Thanksgiving dinner with these Garlicky Miso Sriracha Brussels Sprouts! These beautiful Brussels are roasted with tablespoons of minced garlic and tossed in a creamy, spicy miso + sriracha sauce. They’re packed with umami, are not overly sweet and might even turn the staunchest sprouts hater into a fan.
Lentil Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie with Purple Cauliflower Mash
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to whip up a (vegan-friendly) vegetarian Lentil Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie with Purple Cauliflower Mash and homemade Vegetarian Brown Gravy. Did you know purple cauliflower gets its color from anthocyanin, the same antioxidant found in red cabbage and red wine?
Fennel & Rosemary Bread with Sautéed Onions & Garlic
Freshly baked bread is one of those simple joys in life, and you’ll definitely want some bread on your table to help sop up all the tasty vegetarian gravy! This Fennel & Rosemary Bread with Sautéed Onions + Garlic will do just the trick. The flavors are subtle, but they still shine through.
Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese
Get ready to add this Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese to your favorites list! Roasted/puréed butternut squash is the perfect complement to a classic sharp cheddar cheese sauce. Toss it together with some elbow noodles, top it with breadcrumbs and bake it until it’s GBD — golden brown & delicious.
The Ultimate Veggie Plate
Prepare yourself for the Ultimate Veggie Plate! This features slow cooker Burgundy mushrooms, roasted garlic redskin mashed potatoes, steamed green beans with sautéed red bell peppers + onions and orange balsamic glazed carrots. Make a small batch of each as the perfect veggie-centric additions to your Thanksgiving table.
Parmesan Potato, Purple Cabbage & Brussels Sprouts Hash
Another sort of out-there dish for Thanksgiving — but, hey, it’s delicious! This hash is a perfect side dish for fall or winter when root vegetables reign supreme. The potatoes and Brussels sprouts are par-boiled and roasted simply with olive oil, salt & pepper, making them crispy and succulent without losing their true flavors. Purple cabbage incorporates a sweetish crunch that pairs perfectly with the potatoes and sprouts.
BONUS RECIPE: Bourbon Maple Cranberry Sauce
What’s Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce? Homemade cranberry sauce might seem intimidating, but it’s actually incredibly simple. This one is flavored with Bourbon + maple syrup, and it’s seriously the best I’ve ever had.
INGREDIENTS
8 oz. fresh cranberries
2/3 c. maple syrup
1/3 c. water
1 cinnamon stick
Juice + zest of a small lemon
2 oz. Bourbon
STEPS
Add the cranberries to a saucepan over medium heat with the maple syrup, water, cinnamon stick and lemon zest/juice. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Once the liquid starts thickening, add the Bourbon. Light that baby on fire to burn off the alcohol.
Once the fire dies, remove from heat, remove the cinnamon stick and allow to cool. When the sauce has come down to room temperature, place it in the refrigerator to chill before serving.