Make your Thanksgiving stress-free and delicious with these gluten-free & vegan recipes! 🦃 From warming soups and vibrant salads to comforting sides, these holiday dishes are perfect for guests with special diets and everyone at the table.
Hosting a Gluten-Free & Vegan Thanksgiving? 🦃
Planning a Thanksgiving that everyone can enjoy can be challenging—especially when guests have special diets or food allergies. Being on a restricted diet can naturally cause concern during the holidays, and it’s easy for hosts to feel stressed about what to serve, while guests may worry about missing out on the festivities.
The good news? A vegan and gluten-free holiday meal that satisfies all your guests is absolutely possible! With a little planning, you can create a holiday spread full of flavor, color, and festive appeal. From hearty soups to fresh salads and comforting sides, this roundup features the best gluten-free and vegan Thanksgiving recipes, making it easy to host a stress-free, inclusive holiday feast that everyone will love.
Soups 🥣
Warm up your holiday table with these comforting gluten-free and vegan soups. From sweet root vegetables to earthy mushrooms, these soups are packed with flavor and seasonal ingredients. Perfect for a stress-free Thanksgiving, many recipes can be made ahead of time so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your guests. These soups are not only comforting but also a festive way to start your holiday feast.
1. Spicy Carrot Sweet Potato Soup 🌶🥕
A cozy, warming soup featuring naturally sweet carrots and sweet potatoes with a gentle kick of spice. Perfect for a gluten-free and vegan Thanksgiving starter, this soup is quick to make and full of seasonal flavor.
2. Winter Squash Soup🎃
Smooth, creamy, and naturally sweet, this roasted winter squash soup is a holiday classic. Serve it as an elegant appetizer to start your festive meal on a comforting note.
3. Ginger, Turmeric Spiced Carrot Soup ✨
Bright and golden this carrot soup is infused with fresh ginger and turmeric. A light but flavorful gluten-free and vegan option to add warmth to your Thanksgiving table.
4. Roasted Mushroom Soup🍄
Earthy roasted mushrooms and tender cauliflower blended into a creamy, savory soup. Perfect for guests with dietary restrictions, this gluten-free and vegan soup makes a hearty starter that’s both satisfying and elegant.
5. Carrot Pumpkin Soup 🥕
Creamy, dairy-free, and gluten-free, this vibrant soup blends carrots and pumpkin for a silky texture and naturally sweet flavor. Perfect for chilly days and festive holiday gatherings.
Salads 🥗
Brighten your holiday spread with these fresh, colorful gluten-free and vegan salads. Featuring seasonal produce like squash, persimmons, apples, and pomegranate, these salads bring both flavor and nutrition to the table. Easy to prepare ahead, they offer a crisp, refreshing contrast to richer holiday dishes. Whether you’re serving family, friends, or guests with dietary restrictions, these vibrant salads ensure everyone has a healthy, festive option to enjoy.
1. Delicata Squash Salad 🍊
Roasted delicata squash, sweet persimmons, and pomegranate seeds tossed in a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. This festive gluten-free and vegan salad adds color and seasonal flavor to your Thanksgiving spread.
2. Shredded Brussels Sprout and Kale Salad 🥬
Crunchy shredded greens with a lightly sweet maple Dijon dressing make this salad both refreshing and satisfying. A perfect addition to your vegan and gluten-free holiday menu.
3. Cabbage Apple Salad 🍏
Crisp cabbage and tart apples are lightly dressed for a refreshing, gluten-free and vegan salad that balances richer holiday dishes and adds a burst of seasonal flavor.
4. Festive Red Beet Slaw 🍂🥗
Bring radiant color and crisp texture to your holiday spread with this beet and cabbage slaw — shredded beets and cabbage tossed with apples, pomegranate seeds and walnuts in a tangy pomegranate‑molasses vinaigrette.
5. Holiday Fruit Salad 🍓
Seasonal fruits dressed with spiced vanilla bean syrup create a naturally sweet, refreshing, and festive addition to your holiday spread. Perfect for guests seeking lighter, gluten-free and vegan options.
Sides 🥔
No holiday meal is complete without flavorful, comforting sides! These gluten-free and vegan side dishes range from roasted vegetables to creamy gratins and hearty pilafs, perfect for rounding out your Thanksgiving menu. Many of these recipes can be prepped in advance, helping you create a stress-free, inclusive feast. Full of seasonal flavors, textures, and aromas, these sides are sure to impress your guests while keeping your holiday cooking manageable and enjoyable.
1. Sweet Potato Casserole with Butternut Squash🥘
Sweet potato and butternut squash baked to creamy perfection. This comforting gluten-free and vegan side is perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday feast.
2. Maple Roasted Delicata Squash 🍏
Sweet and savory roasted squash and apples with crispy sage make this dish a simple yet festive vegan and gluten-free side. Ideal for pairing with any holiday main.
3. Mashed Sweet Potatoes 🍠
Add a touch of cozy comfort to your holiday table with these creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Lightly sweet, perfectly smooth, and made with simple wholesome ingredients, it's a crowd-pleasing side that pairs beautifully with any Thanksgiving spread.
4. Sage Roasted Butternut Squash🍂
Simple, elegant roasted squash with fragrant sage. A flavorful, gluten-free, and vegan side that adds autumnal color to your Thanksgiving plate—a classic holiday side.
5. Cauliflower Rice Pilaf 🥗
A light, fragrant pilaf made with cauliflower rice, carrots, and cranberries. This unique, gluten-free, and vegan side dish is perfect for adding variety and festive flair to your holiday menu.
Your Festive Meal 🍽️
With these gluten-free and vegan Thanksgiving recipes, you can create a festive holiday table that’s flavorful, inclusive, and stress-free. From comforting soups to vibrant salads and savory sides, these dishes prove that accommodating dietary restrictions doesn’t mean sacrificing taste. Enjoy a holiday meal that everyone at the table can celebrate together! 🍁🦃
Happy Holidays!
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
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