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If you love the traditional flavors of a Southern Thanksgiving dinner, but you or your guests are eating meat-free, I have great news for you. I've rounded up vegetarian and vegan recipes that deliver all the downhome deliciousness you're craving, minus the meat and/or dairy. Speaking as a Southerner, I know it's rare to swap out meat-filled Thanksgiving dishes like collard greens and baked beans for a side that is free of animal products. But speaking as a vegan, I think you'll enjoy the options you'll find here so you can create an entire feast or even just include a few of the dishes for the vegetarian/vegan eaters at your Thanksgiving table. Scroll through to check out the recipes.
Vegan Stuffing
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Photo by Rita
Arguably, the best part about Thanksgiving dinner is arguing about the name for this recipe. Is it stuffing or dressing? Either way, this side combines mushrooms, apples and herbs to make a gluten-free and vegan stuffing (or dressing). Your palate will thank you after the rich combination of apples and cranberries hits your plate.
Smoky Vegetarian Collard Greens
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Photo by Gerry
These collard greens don't get their smoky flavor from ham. Instead, the secret ingredients are smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Home cook Sally Ann Ball says, "I made this recipe last Thanksgiving and again for Easter. It was delicious, probably best greens flavor I've ever had and not greasy."
Vegetarian Baked Beans with Canned Beans
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Photo by Soup Loving Nicole
Similar to the collard greens, this dish traditionally has meat crumbles or bacon added to it, especially in a Southern kitchen. But in this recipe, you'll use onions, jalape?o peppers, garlic, tomato paste, maple syrup, molasses, and apple cider to create a deeply flavorful dish.
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
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Photo by Rita
"Super good recipe! A bit too much cinnamon for me but still good. I love the topping, and I suggest at least doubling the amount called for so the top can be covered. My boys gobbled it up and had no idea that it was vegan." — User MommaBean3
Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese
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Photo by Mart
Is it really a Southern Thanksgiving dinner without baked mac and cheese? This popular side could give the entr?e a run for its money, and it’s easy to substitute it for a vegan version. Remove all the animal products in the recipe and add vegan Cheddar shreds and non-dairy milk to veganize it. Or, try this recipe for vegan Mac and ‘Shrews made with rich cashew milk.
Best Green Bean Casserole
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Photo by Cynthia Ross
Similar to macaroni and cheese, a green bean casserole is a dish that is traditionally vegetarian. If your dairy-free friends are attending your Thanksgiving dinner, you can cater to their dietary needs by removing the traditional cream of mushroom/cream of chicken and substitute it for a dairy-free soup.
Vegan Butternut Squash Casserole
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Photo by Corinne Helderman Yelton
This casserole is bound to impress your guests with its rich and sweet taste. If you're looking to have a more neutral flavor, cut down the sugar. SANDI149 says, "I made this dish for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. It tasted fantastic and wasn't very hard to make at all. Even my kids ate it. It was just fabulous."
Vegan Mashed Potatoes
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Photo by Christina
"??Made this for Thanksgiving. Everyone, including non-vegans, loved it! I was asked if I could make it again for Christmas. This is very creamy and smooth. It's easy to make and a real party winner." — Tbone
Vegan Gravy
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Photo by Mackenzie Schieck
"I've been making this gravy for years and my family loves it. I have added saut?ed mushrooms to it to switch it up. Great tasting basic gravy." — impatientmiss
Vegan Agave Cornbread Muffins
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Photo by maureenott214
Cornbread is a staple in a Southern household, so save some room in your oven to bake these! In order to make them accurately vegan, this recipe substitutes honey for agave to keep the consistent sweetness. Beware: this only makes six muffins, so count your guests ahead of time.
Tofu Turkey I
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Photo by Adam
This vegan-friendly main dish comes complete with stuffing in the middle. "I was very impressed with the way this turned out," says reviewer Can Can. "I served it for Thanksgiving to 9 meat eaters and EVERYONE said it tasted like turkey! I couldn't believe it." Be sure to allow plenty of time to press and drain the tofu for best results.
Delicious Lentil Loaf
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Photo by HurdBird
If you need an alternative to vital wheat gluten, lentils will do. Although this recipe adds a barbecue glaze on top of the loaf, you can use gravy or any similar sauce to complement the lentil loaf.
Amazing Vegan Pumpkin Pie
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Photo by Britt
The best part about Thanksgiving dinner is the dessert. Vegetarians won't have any problem when it comes to the dessert course, but vegans will appreciate dairy-free choices, like this vegan pumpkin pie. Recipe submitter autumn says, "This is a modification of my mother's from-scratch pumpkin pie recipe. I'm not vegan myself, but I made this variant for some vegan friends and loved it so much that I don't make the original recipe any more."
Vegan Pumpkin Brownies
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Photo by fabeveryday
If you're in search of a dessert that strays from the usual Thanksgiving menu, these pumpkin brownies are fall-friendly and delicious. Made with pumpkin and chocolate, these tempting brownies will have your guests eyeing them all night.
Spiked Caramel Apple Cider
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Photo by Allrecipes Magazine
Hot apple cider simmers slowly with caramel ice cream topping to deepen the flavor for an iconic fall drink that'll warm you up from the inside out. To dress up the presentation, dip the rims of the glasses in a little of the caramel topping, and then in a sweet and spicy mixture of sugar, salt, and apple pie spice. The recipe calls for a measure of spiced rum in each serving, but you can leave it out for the under 21 crowd.
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