23 Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipe Ideas Everyone Secretly Comes For

There’s something comforting about having 23 vegan Thanksgiving sides ready to choose from when you want the table to feel warm and inviting without putting extra pressure on yourself. I like collections like this because they give you room to mix familiar ideas with something a little different, depending on what the day calls for. Having this many options makes planning feel easier.

Creamy Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole

Thanksgiving just isn’t complete without this Creamy Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole making its way to the table. It’s like the underdog that always steals the spotlight with its rich, hearty feel, and the best part? No dairy in sight. People tend to scoop a small helping at first, but you’ll notice them coming back for seconds because that creamy flavor hits just right alongside everything else.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Brussels Sprout Casserole

Fresh Harvest Salad

Amid the sea of creamy, warm dishes, this Fresh Harvest Salad brings a bright, crisp moment that everyone welcomes. The seasonal flavors, with pops of freshness, almost act like the palette cleanser people didn’t realize they needed. As soon as it’s served, you’ll notice how fast guests grab servings; they practically make excuses to go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Harvest Salad

Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

The holidays are better with a classic dish like this Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole, and this one is about to surprise everyone who tries it. It delivers that comforting texture people love in traditional green bean casseroles but skips the dairy without losing flavor. Plates are always piled high, usually with someone asking how it’s vegan. For a Thanksgiving table, you just can’t go wrong serving this memorable side!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

There’s just something magical about these Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes on a holiday plate. That melt-in-your-mouth texture feels smooth and creamy, almost making it hard to believe it’s dairy-free. It’s a side that ties everything together, whether you’re pairing it with gravy or letting it shine on its own. Most meal spreads need a crowd-pleasing classic like this.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese

Is it even Thanksgiving if macaroni and cheese isn’t somewhere nearby? This Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese brings rich, velvety goodness that feels almost too indulgent, but trust me, it always finds its way onto everyone’s plate, and often a second time. Kids love that it’s familiar, adults love that it’s comforting; it’s kind of that perfect balance between nostalgic and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Mac and Cheese

Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Sweet potatoes always feel right for Thanksgiving, but these Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges are next-level good. They’re soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and have that rich, warm flavor people can’t resist. As an appetizer or plated up with the main feast, they add something special with simple flavors done just right.
Get the Recipe: Golden Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Fresh Quinoa Salad

It’s a surprise to most, but dishes like this Fresh Quinoa Salad stand out at Thanksgiving every time. It has light textures and bold seasonal flavors that contrast beautifully against heavier meals, and if you’re watching plates, you’ll notice people grabbing for this quicker than expected. Quinoa has that knack for being filling without weighing you down, which makes this dish quietly a favorite at the feast.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Quinoa Salad

Hearty Red Lentil Soup

Cozy Thanksgiving gatherings call for warmth that feels comforting to your core, and this Hearty Red Lentil Soup delivers. It’s rich, thick, and beautifully balanced without feeling heavy, making it perfect for dipping into bread or adding to any plate. Soups like this are great because they bring that “second bowl” feeling; the kind of dish nobody minds going back for even after they’ve loaded up on the main spread.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Red Lentil Soup

Golden Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, but these Golden Roasted Potatoes deserve their own category at Thanksgiving. Packed with flavor, crispy on the outside, and perfectly golden, they bring that simple, familiar warmth that goes with literally everything. Every time dishes like this are served, they leave people wishing there was just one more bite.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Potatoes

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

These Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze redefine what people expect from a side dish. That slight sweetness combined with tangy glaze makes each bite unforgettable, and yes, they always disappear faster than you’d expect! No matter how you look at it, Brussels sprouts are a winner when cooked just right like this, leaving people asking how they tasted as good as they did.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

If you’ve got earthy, sweet, and savory flavors all rolled into one pan, you must be serving this Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables dish. Besides looking absolutely stunning with all those rich autumn colors, the caramelized edges and tender bites just scream holiday season. People always hover near this one; it’s the dish everyone grabs “just one more piece” without realizing, until it’s gone.
Get the Recipe: Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Hearty Vegetable Casserole

Every holiday spread needs a dish with real substance, and this Hearty Vegetable Casserole doesn’t shy away from delivering exactly that. Packed with flavor and filling enough to stand out from lighter sides, it’s one of those recipes that guests quietly love after their first bite. I’ve noticed casseroles like this often balance a holiday table perfectly; it’s comforting and filling.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Vegetable Casserole

Charred Grilled Zucchini

Thanksgiving isn’t just for the heavy dishes when you’ve got this Charred Grilled Zucchini sneaking its way to the table. Zucchini’s smoky, grilled flavor adds something totally unexpected that somehow fits right in with all the classic sides. It’s the dish that quietly surprises everyone with its bold yet simple vibe. Don’t be surprised if it’s one of the first things people talk about the next day!
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Zucchini

Cheesy Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole

It’s impossible not to grab a big spoonful of this Cheesy Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole at any feast. The creamy layers, mixed with perfectly cooked rice and broccoli, are enough to make anyone instantly fall in love with it. This dish doesn’t need the spotlight to be memorable; it’s one of those sides that people instinctively know they’ll be coming back for halfway through the meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Vegan Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Tender Sautéed Kale

Kale might not scream Thanksgiving, but once you taste Tender Sautéed Kale, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t on the table sooner. Lightly cooked to bring out its best flavors, tender greens like this round out those heavier sides with ease. It’s one of those dishes that quietly wins hearts by adding something fresh without trying too hard; you could almost call it unexpectedly perfect.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sautéed Kale

Cheesy Vegan Hashbrown Casserole

Crowd-pleasing sides don’t get much better than Cheesy Vegan Hashbrown Casserole, especially when it’s creamy, crispy, and just plain comforting. Dishes like this always catch people’s eye and have them guessing how that cheesy flavor could possibly be vegan. Trust me, casseroles like this never leave leftovers; it’s the kind of recipe people hope you make twice.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Vegan Hashbrown Casserole

Creamy Broccoli Casserole

Whether it’s nostalgia or pure flavor, casseroles like this Creamy Broccoli Casserole feel absolutely essential at Thanksgiving. This one has that rich, indulgent texture people crave during the holidays, without overshadowing the other sides on the table. It’s one of those dishes where guests always sneak “just one more bite” as the meal goes on; you’ll want to grab a serving early!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Casserole

Mushroom Gravy

If there’s one thing that pulls a Thanksgiving plate together, it’s good gravy, and this Mushroom Gravy is in a league of its own. Bold, savory, and earthy, it complements everything from mashed potatoes to roasted veggies but doesn’t feel too heavy. You’ll notice people reaching over each other to drizzle this on just about everything they grab; it’s that good.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Gravy

Sweet Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

You can’t have Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes, and this Sweet Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole is what everyone secretly waits for. With the perfect balance of soft texture and warm sweetness, it’s one of those dishes that just feels like the spirit of the season. There’s something about comforting sides like this that seems to disappear way before anyone notices; it’s pure holiday magic in casserole form.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

Rich Pumpkin Risotto

Risotto may not be your first thought for Thanksgiving, but this Rich Pumpkin Risotto is here to change that. The creamy texture and warm pumpkin flavor practically scream fall, making it a unique addition that adds variety to the spread. Dishes like this always make an impression; it’s unexpected, flavorful, and the kind of side people talk about long after the last forkful.
Get the Recipe: Rich Pumpkin Risotto

Sweet Vegan Corn Casserole

If there’s one dish that knows how to feel festive and cozy, it’s this Sweet Vegan Corn Casserole. Soft, slightly sweet, and rich with holiday vibes, it’s exactly what Thanksgiving side dishes are all about. The thing that makes this shine is how every bite reminds folks of childhood holidays without being too heavy; it always vanishes quickly!
Get the Recipe: Sweet Vegan Corn Casserole

Rustic Homemade Ratatouille

Thanksgiving spreads always benefit from a little rustic charm, and this Rustic Homemade Ratatouille brings that in full force. It’s a hearty mix of tender veggies that you can scoop up alongside just about any dish, and its classic farmhouse vibe feels perfect for the season. When sides leave people smiling and satisfied, you know it’s a win, and this one? It deserves its moment.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Homemade Ratatouille

Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes

These Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes might make you do a double-take at first, but trust me; they’re a holiday table powerhouse. Crispy edges, golden bites, and bold flavor somehow pair beautifully with everything from creamy sides to hearty mains. Thanksgiving is about comfort, and dishes like this give people all the feelings they hope for; it’s impossible not to grab more than you planned.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Vegan Breakfast Potatoes