Thanksgiving is the second most popular holiday next to Christmas.

What better time to celebrate delicious, nutritious and of course cruelty-free food than Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was meant to celebrate the harvest of the year that just passed. As cultures evolved, it has become so much more than that. 

For those that have recently become vegans, or have switched to a plant-based diet, it might be a time of stress trying to figure out what to eat at family gatherings.

Don’t worry, there’s a solution for everything!

If this is your first gathering since you’ve made the switch, try letting your host know about the change in your diet. In most cases, they would be able to make you a dish that is vegan. You could also ask them to set food aside for you before adding any non-vegan ingredients to it.

For example at our family Thanksgiving, I asked our host if she could set some salad on the side before adding the feta cheese to it. She also went ahead and put a ton of steamed vegetables on the side for me before adding the meat and cheese to them.

You’d be surprised how accommodating your family can be at times. But you’ll never know if you don’t ask.

If you just don’t want to discuss it with them yet or don’t want to be put on the spot about answering questions like ‘I knew a vegan once and they turned yellow’, then just make your own dish and take it with you.

This way you can also spark a conversation about your new lifestyle and why being a vegan is great.

Don’t start the conversation with “who even came up with the idea that we should kill a unique bird and stuff its behind with food.”

There is a time and a place for everything and stirring the pot on Thanksgiving isn’t one of them, especially if you’re new to veganism. But if you’re ready for all the questions and the nutritional expert remarks, then you better have studied your facts!

Regardless, most people have never tried dishes that have the label ‘vegan’ on them. So if they try your delicious meal, they will see that it is possible to be healthy AND eat delicious food!

There are a TON of absolutely mouthwatering vegan recipes that would blow them away!

I’ve compiled a few of my favorites to show you the possibilities.

If you’re only taking a small dish, eat before you go! That way if there’s nothing else to eat, you’re not left famished.

Best Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

Soups, Salads, and Sides

Vegan Spinach Dip – Recipe

Saffron Mashed Potatoes – Recipe

Fat-Free Vegan Gravy – Recipe

Vegan Cornbread – Recipe

Vegan Stuffing – Recipe

Delicious Vegan Biscuit – Recipe

Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Butternut Squash Bisque – Recipe

Cranberry Sauce – Recipe

Best Shredded Kale Salad – Recipe

Mains

Seitan Roast Stuffed with Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Mushrooms – Recipe

Red Quinoa Pilaf with Kale and Corn – Recipe

Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf – Recipe

Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Pot Pie – Recipe

Vegan Cauliflower Pot Roast – Recipe

Cranberry Spaghetti Squash – Recipe

Desserts

Vegan Maple Pecan Pie – Recipe

Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream – Recipe

Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crisp – Recipe

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cookies – Recipe

Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie – Recipe

Drinks

Homemade Apple Cider – Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate – Recipe

Fun fact about turkeys: did you know that a turkey’s head and throat color change based on their mood?!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and be thankful for everything in your life, cause as far as we know we only live once 😉 gobble gobble