28 Vegan Thanksgiving Sides You Need to Try

Crusty Homemade Bread

Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. Pair it with your favorite vegan turkey alternative. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Now everyone can enjoy this classic Thanksgiving side. Just a few small tweaks make this a vegan green bean casserole, but no one will taste the difference! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cranberry Sauce

Bring on the cranberry sauce! This vegan version is just what you need on your vegan-friendly Thanksgiving table. Plus, this recipe can be made on the stovetop or in your trusty Instant Pot.

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Mushroom and Sweet Potato Potpie

The last time I was in the U.S., I had an amazing mushroom and beer pot pie at a small brewpub. It was so rich and comforting. I tried numerous versions when I got home and I think I’ve come pretty close! — Iben Ravn, Copenhagen, Denmark

Vegan Stuffing

Filled with fresh bread, onion, celery and carrots, Running on Real Food’s vegan stuffing recipe will leave you, well, stuffed. If you’re looking for even more festive flavor, she recommends throwing cranberries, chopped nuts, diced apples or chopped mushrooms into the mix.

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Pomegranate Persimmon Salad

To bring some sunshine to the table, I toss up a bright salad of persimmons and pomegranate seeds, dressed with a puckery vinaigrette. —Linda Tambunan, Dublin, California

Vegan Cornbread

Vegans, rejoice! You can now savor in the sweet, flaky goodness of cornbread—without the eggs and butter. Save a serving of this vegan cornbread recipe to enjoy alongside your Thanksgiving leftover meal the next day (you’ll thank me later).

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Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Roasted Carrots & Fennel

This addictive vegetable combo is a fresh take on one of my mother’s standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes

It’s hard for our family to imagine eating mashed potatoes any other way but this. It tastes great on its own or drizzled with tahini sauce. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland

Red Wine & Cranberry Poached Pears

While being poached, the pear absorbs the sweetness and spice from the sugar, wine, cinnamon and peppercorn. It makes an easy, yet elegant, dessert that’s perfect for a special night. —Kiersten Atkinson, Birmingham, Alabama

Roasted Pumpkin and Brussels Sprouts

While traveling to Taiwan, I had the pleasure of trying a unique vegetable dish that included fresh pumpkin. It inspired me to roast pumpkin with Brussels sprouts. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania

Citrus Sweet Potatoes

A mild orange glaze lets the taste of sweet potatoes shine through in this nut-topped side dish. When I was dating my husband, my mother would make this whenever he’d come over for Sunday dinner. We’ve been married more than 40 years, and he thinks I can make it almost as well as Mom did. —Pauline Kelley, St. Peters, Missouri

Garlic-Herb Fried Patty Pan Squash

The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. This fried patty pan squash recipe is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Rice Pilaf with Apples & Raisins

I love making bulgar pilaf with apricots. So glad I tried it with dried apples and golden raisins! —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi

Green Beans in Red Pepper Sauce

For easy veggies, I make a simple sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. We also like this sauce with zucchini or roasted cauliflower. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Grilled Cauliflower Wedges

This meal is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California

Beets in Orange Sauce

To ensure your family eats their veggies, why not top your beets with an irresistible orange glaze! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts

Even people who normally don’t care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Air-Fryer Herb and Lemon Cauliflower

This air-fryer cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

Warm, Tasty Greens with Garlic

My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado

Sweet Potato Lentil Stew

I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this slow-cooked lentil stew. Add whatever ingredients you have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas

Cider Baked Squash

I’m a freelance writer who sometimes needs a break from a long session of working on a story. That’s when I escape to the kitchen to whip up something that’s good to eat, yet easy to prepare. This is one of my favorites! —Christine Gibson, Fontana, Wisconsin

Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro Black Beans

As a vegan, I’m always looking for impressive dishes to share. Sweet potatoes loaded with beans and a touch of peanut butter are one of my mom’s favorites. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California

Air-Fryer Roasted Green Beans

Our family loves roasted green beans, but they can take a long time in the oven. I tried these air-fryer green beans and we loved them! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Oven-Roasted Spiced Carrots

I started roasting veggies and serving them often with dinner. Now my children say, “Is it OK to finish the veggies?” Pinch me. —Joan Duckworth, Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Air-Fryer Red Potatoes

Roasting is one of my favorite ways to prepare veggies. Some fragrant rosemary, fresh or dried, gives these air-fryer red potatoes a distinctive but subtle taste. The dish is simple to prepare, yet elegant in color and flavor. It’s a wonderful addition to any menu. —Margie Wampler, Butler, Pennsylvania

Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes

Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren’t into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York