A Plant-Based Menu With a Main That Wows

Proof that you can have your vegan feast, and eat it too.
Stuffed Squash With Preserved Lemon Gravy with a Frise Radicchio and Fennel Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

The star of this menu is a Moroccan-inspired stuffed squash filled with dried fruits and barley—a hearty but vegan centerpiece that still calls for a carving knife. But before we get there, we'll traipse past a refreshingly light cocktail and a dip that makes the most of plant-based dairy, as well as side dishes that ensure your guests get their fill, even without any meat or meat substitutes on the menu. We end with not one but two desserts that stay true to sprit of the holiday without compromising on the vegan promise. No one is going to miss a thing.

Head this way to find our full slate of Thanksgiving recipes and ideas.

Sips and Snacks

Start the afternoon with a sparkling gin cocktail flavored with cucumber and lime. For nibbles, set out seeded crackers, crispy and custardy chickpea fritters, and a “sour cream” dip (that's actually made with vegan cream cheese).

Two glasses of Cucumber Gin Cocktail on a marble countertop.

Cucumber Gin Cocktail

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
Seeded oat crackers on a plate with a buttery spread.

Seedy Oat Crackers

Photo by Alex Lau
Panisses with Sage Leaves and Lemon
Photo of vegan onion dip with crudite.

Vegan Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell

Squash and Sides

For a small gathering, you may only need the stuffed squash and a simple salad, but if you'd like to go a step further, round out your menu with orange-scented green beans and cauliflower florets that are roasted and tossed in a miso-tahini dressing.

A serving of Stuffed Squash with Preserved Lemon Gravy.

Stuffed Squash With Preserved-Lemon Gravy

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
Cooked cauliflower with tahinidipped serving spoon in blue and white bowl on splattered canvas surface.

Roasted Cauliflower with Sesame

Photo by Bobby Fisher
Image may contain Plant Food and Produce

Citrusy Haricots Verts

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
Frise Radicchio and Fennel Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette on a marble countertop.

Frisée, Radicchio, and Fennel Salad With Mustard Vinaigrette

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

Sweets and Slices

This egg- and dairy-free pecan pie gets its thickening power from tapioca flour (also called tapioca starch). But the truly great thing about both of these desserts is that they need to be completely cool before slicing. That means you can make them at least a day ahead.

Vegan Pecan Pie on a kitchen counter.

Vegan Pecan Pie

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
Slice of a lemonpistachio loaf with white icing a white plate.

Lemon-Pistachio Loaf

Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott