12 Healthy, Easy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

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No Turkey? No problem. There’s no need to have to settle for plain ol’ mashed potatoes just because turkey isn’t your thing—on Thanksgiving or ever! When you have delicious and nourishing vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes in your arsenal you and your guests can enjoy Thanksgiving geared just for you.

Ahead, you’ll find tasty recipes—both mains and side dishes—that will satisfy all your Thanksgiving cravings, and make everyone (non-vegetarians too) at the table happy while you’re at it.

Even better, these vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes are simple and easy to prepare, so you can spend more time with good company and less time stressing in the kitchen. Consider us thankful.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes

Sheet Pan Roasted Squash and Feta Salad

When you need a quick and easy-to-prep dish, sheet pan recipes are the answer. This one from Epicurious includes delicious squash and nutrient-dense bitter greens that provide the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Mashed Butternut Squash

Step aside mashed potatoes, mashed butternut squash is here to take your place at the Thanksgiving table. This subtly sweet veggie is loaded with fiber and carotenoids, which are highly effective antioxidants. Roast the entire squash to skip the peeling and chopping, and you’ll keep prep time to a minimum.

Twice Roasted Squash With Vanilla, Maple and Chile

Speaking of roasting squashes whole. This recipe from Bon Appetit does it with kabocha squash this time. After roasting once, the squash is glazed with a slightly spicy sauce and then roasted again to seal the deal. Gorgeous color, aroma and flavor for the win!

Stuffing Stuffed Whole Cauliflower

You won’t miss the turkey with this holiday-worthy main from Food Network. Raw, roasted, mashed or riced—cauliflower is delicious no matter how you prepare it, but this stuffing-filled whole cauliflower might just beat them all. Did we mention that this nutrient-dense veggie does some amazing stuff, such as help reduce inflammation and cancer risk and keep your bones stronger for longer.

RELATED: The Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Black and Wild Rice Salad with Roasted Squash

If you haven’t tried black rice yet, now’s the time. High in protein, fiber and iron, this tasty grain pairs perfectly with wild rice, butternut squash, pistachios and pomegranate seeds to create a delicious fall salad.

Cranberry Walnut Salad

Add some greens to your Thanksgiving meal with this easy cranberry walnut salad. The walnuts provide anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, while chopped apples and cranberries bring some cold-fighting vitamin C. Tossed in a simple olive oil and apple cider vinegar dressing, this salad will lighten up your meal.

Stuffed Acorn Squash Bowl

Antioxidant-rich acorn squash doubles as dishware in this veg-friendly recipe. Stuff this fall veggie with a protein-rich quinoa salad or chili for a satisfying main dish that even meat-eaters will love.

Shaved Brussel Sprouts with Pecorino and Hazelnuts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are delicious, of course, but raw shaved Brussels sprouts deserve some love too. Shaved sprouts provide the perfect crispy salad base that’s packed with nutrients such as folate, potassium and B vitamins. Citrusy grapefruit, crunchy hazelnuts, and sweet figs are added to create a simple yet sophisticated salad.

Spiced Cranberry Relish

This spiced cranberry relish has all the yummy flavor you want from a cranberry sauce without all the excess sugar. Not to mention, it’s rich in anti-inflammatory vitamin C and cinnamon, both of which may help reduce stress. This relish is delicious with meats or added to wraps and salads, so you can use it with all your
Thanksgiving leftovers.

Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Lighten up the traditional green bean casserole with this vegan version from Delish. The green beans in this Thanksgiving staple provide a healthy dose of protein, fiber, and vitamins C, K and A.

Wild Rice & Bulgur Stuffing

Stuffing, but elevated. Substituting bread with wild rice and bulgur not only boosts flavor, but also adds fiber, B vitamins, and important minerals such as magnesium and iron. Make extra; Your guests will go back for seconds.

Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole

Indulge in some nostalgia with this classic Thanksgiving dish. Sweet potatoes provide tons of fiber and nutrients such as beta carotene, vitamin C and potassium. Just grab some vegan marshmallows if you want to keep the dish veg-friendly.

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