This will be my first holiday season as a plant-based eater* (read: vegan, from a food standpoint as opposed to a complete lifestyle one and, for me, minus the honey — I still eat honey), and so I’m on the hunt for some tasty Thanksgiving side dish options that will be easy to prepare but also feel celebratory. This post is a result of that search (and I have to say I’m pretty excited about what I’ve found). I’ve tried to aggregate dishes that pull in different ingredients so you could, theoretically, make all of these for a single meal and have a diverse collection of sides.
*I realize I still need to share more with y’all about this dietary transition! I’ll do that at some point — promise. For now, let’s focus on side dishes, shall we?:
- Shredded Brussels Sprout, Kale, and Grapefruit Salad: If you’ve been a curiouser & curiouser reader for a while now, this recipe may look familiar to you. That’s because I’ve featured it before, but it’s so tasty it warrants being included in this round-up as well. (Trust me.) I also love that this salad is easy to make ahead of time. Just mix together the salad portion and the dressing separately a day or two ahead, and combine the two 30-60 minutes before serving.
- Beet and Apple Salad: With bold flavors like dijon and horseradish, plus the deliciousness that pistachios bring to any recipe, this dish is sure to please. (And isn’t it beautiful?? There’s nothing like a beet dish to brighten up a Thanksgiving table!)
- Make-Ahead Roasted Butternut Squash Casserole: First of all, this is an Oh She Glows recipe, so you KNOW it’s good. Secondly, it’s being billed up front as a dish that minimizes day-of prep work. SOLD. (Plus, look at this. Delicious! And a “parmesan” made of pepitas, almonds, and nutritional yeast? That sounds so good!)
- One-Bowl Vegan Pumpkin Cornbread: One bowl and just 10 ingredients? With pumpkin incorporated to make this dish even more fall appropriate? I’m down. (And I’ve never made anything with quinoa flour before, but am betting it would be pretty incredible…)
- Simple Vegan Stuffing: Just because I’m passing on the turkey this year doesn’t mean I have to say no to stuffing, too! This lentil-filled, veggie-friendly version looks hearty and delicious — and just nine (simple) ingredients? Okay! (Oh, and this is a Minimalist Baker recipe — another super trusted source.)
- The Creamiest Vegan Mashed Potatoes: What’s Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? This vegan version, using cashew milk for extra creaminess, sounds completely dreamy.
If you choose to make any of these recipes for a holiday meal this year, I’d love to hear what you (and your family and friends) think of them!