23 Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dishes Everyone Talks About

Thanksgiving brings together the best sides, and these 23 vegan recipe ideas make the table shine without missing a thing. From hearty casseroles to fresh salads, each one is proof that plant-based cooking belongs at every holiday feast. I’ve gathered options that make guests talk long after the plates are cleared; dishes that feel comforting, colorful, and full of warmth.

Creamy Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole

Comfort and conversation come together in Creamy Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole. It’s rich without being heavy, and always draws curious smiles from those who thought they didn’t like Brussels sprouts. The creamy texture and golden top make it look and feel like celebration food. Once people taste it, they never skip it again.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole

Golden Roasted Potatoes

Everyone gathers around when Golden Roasted Potatoes hit the table. Their crisp edges and warm color pull attention even before the first bite. These are the kind of sides that make simple ingredients feel like a celebration, keeping things both familiar and impressive. They fit right in with any Thanksgiving spread, blending comfort and ease in every serving.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Potatoes

Tender Sautéed Kale

Few dishes bring balance to a heavy holiday table like Tender Sautéed Kale. It offers something light yet full, bringing freshness that pairs with every other side. This dish reminds guests that vegan food can feel just as homey as the classics. It’s the quiet kind of favorite that keeps getting scooped up until the bowl is empty.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sautéed Kale

Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Questions about what this is come up every single time Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole appears. It looks familiar, yet everyone’s surprised when they learn it’s completely plant-based. Smooth and rich, it delivers nostalgia in every spoonful. The best part? It wins over even the most traditional eaters at the table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

No Thanksgiving feels complete without Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes stealing a corner of the plate. Their smooth texture makes every bite taste like comfort itself. Guests often ask how something dairy-free can still feel so cozy. It’s a reminder that the classics can evolve without losing their charm.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese

When guests ask for seconds, it’s almost always Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese they’re reaching for. It feels indulgent but doesn’t weigh you down. Every spoonful delivers a cozy mix of nostalgia and surprise. It’s the kind of side that sparks conversations about how far vegan cooking has come.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese

Charred Grilled Zucchini

Bright and smoky, Charred Grilled Zucchini adds contrast to a table full of richer dishes. Its color pops against the heavier sides, offering a taste that cuts through the rest with freshness. It’s simple, memorable, and perfect for anyone who likes a lighter option amid the holiday comfort foods. The grill marks alone make it look festive enough for any Thanksgiving plate.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Zucchini

Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes

Some dishes just make people happy, and Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes never fail to do that. They’re hearty enough for dinner and bring the same energy to brunch leftovers the next morning. Each bite adds a little crunch among the softer sides. No matter when you serve them, these potatoes feel like a small win every time.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes

Fresh Harvest Salad

The vibrant mix in Fresh Harvest Salad adds life to a plate of warm casseroles and roasted dishes. It’s a moment of freshness on a table full of comfort foods. Each forkful brings a mix of color and brightness that balances the meal beautifully. Even those who skip salad usually take a bite and come back for more.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Harvest Salad

Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Autumn colors show up beautifully in Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables. Their natural sweetness and caramel tones make them as pretty as they are comforting. This is the kind of side that looks like fall itself. It fills the kitchen with a smell that announces Thanksgiving before anyone even sits down.
Get the Recipe: Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Creamy Broccoli Casserole

One bite of Creamy Broccoli Casserole and people always want to know how it feels both rich and plant-based. It delivers the same familiar comfort of a classic dish but fits right into a vegan table. The texture alone makes it memorable. It’s the sort of side that ends up being remade again long after the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Casserole

Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup

Cool evenings call for something warm and grounding, and Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup never disappoints. It fits the fall mood perfectly, offering comfort that lasts beyond the first bowl. It’s simple but deeply satisfying in a quiet way. Everyone needs at least one cozy soup like this for Thanksgiving week.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup

Loaded Vegan Tater Tot Casserole

Every table needs a fun surprise, and Loaded Vegan Tater Tot Casserole delivers that in layers. The crisp top draws people in, but it’s the rich, comforting flavor that keeps them coming back. It’s the kind of dish that vanishes before you even notice. Guests often laugh when they realize how something this fun can also be vegan.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Vegan Tater Tot Casserole

Mushroom Gravy

Thanksgiving spreads get better when Mushroom Gravy joins the lineup. It brings everything together, adding depth to every casserole and potato dish. Its aroma alone earns attention across the table. Even meat-eaters ask for extra because it complements everything in sight.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Gravy

Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad brings something bright to balance all the casseroles. It’s hearty yet refreshing, and people love how it changes the rhythm of the plate. The mix of warm and cool elements makes it stand out among traditional sides. It’s the salad that feels just right for the season.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad

Hearty Vegetable Casserole

When you want a single dish that feels like the whole season, Hearty Vegetable Casserole does the job. It’s generous, layered, and makes the table look complete. Guests often call it “the one that ties everything together.” It’s exactly the kind of comfort that makes Thanksgiving memorable.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Casserole

Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges offer a casual, hand-held twist among the casseroles and soups. They’re simple, golden, and always welcome no matter how formal the dinner is. Their color brings life to the table and pairs beautifully with everything else. Even picky eaters tend to grab a few more pieces.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Rich Pumpkin Risotto

Thanksgiving feels a little more special when Rich Pumpkin Risotto shows up. Its smooth texture and autumn flavor make every bite feel like fall. It’s elegant but still homey, the kind of dish that people quietly appreciate between louder favorites. One serving usually turns into two.
Get the Recipe: Rich Pumpkin Risotto

Sweet Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

One of the most talked-about dishes every year, Sweet Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole feels like comfort done right. It’s nostalgic, seasonal, and rich enough to count as both side and dessert. People always mention it first when they talk about the meal. It’s everything warm and familiar about Thanksgiving, just without the dairy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

Rustic Homemade Ratatouille

Thanksgiving menus sometimes need a wildcard, and Rustic Homemade Ratatouille fills that role beautifully. Its deep colors and layered flavors make it feel both classic and unexpected. It fits a vegan table naturally, offering something light yet rich. Every spoonful feels like a gentle nod to comfort food with a modern twist.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Homemade Ratatouille

Sweet Vegan Corn Casserole

Guests recognize Sweet Vegan Corn Casserole the moment it comes out, but they’re surprised when they find out it’s fully plant-based. It’s soft, golden, and nostalgic in all the right ways. People talk about this one long after the meal ends. It’s proof that simple recipes can be unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Vegan Corn Casserole

Fresh Quinoa Salad

Light and colorful, Fresh Quinoa Salad gives balance to a table full of rich sides. It’s refreshing without feeling out of place among Thanksgiving classics. The textures and colors make it stand out, even next to heavier favorites. Guests love having something crisp between all the creamy dishes.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Quinoa Salad

Cheesy Vegan Hashbrown Casserole

Few sides disappear faster than Cheesy Vegan Hashbrown Casserole. Its familiar comfort and golden finish make it one of those dishes people remember every year. It bridges the gap between brunch and dinner with ease. Somehow, it just feels like something every Thanksgiving table needs.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Vegan Hashbrown Casserole