15 Grain-Free Thanksgiving Entrées

Eating grain-free and vegan is can be a difficult task… and once the holidays roll around, it gets even tougher. It seems all of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes include dairy, meat, grains, or all three. So, we searched through our grain-free recipes on the Food Monster App and found some lovely entrées for you to enjoy at this year’s Thanksgiving feast. These dishes will fill you up just as a Thanksgiving meal should.

1. Mushroom and Celeriac Shepherd’s Pie 

Source: Mushroom and Celeriac Shepherd’s Pie 

This simple-to-make comfort dish is sure to please this fall. Celeriac, which takes the place of potatoes in the filling, is nutritious-it’s high in dietary fiber and protein as well as many crucial vitamins and minerals. This Mushroom and Celeriac Shepherd’s Pie recipe by Rachel Carr is so delicious and filling, you’ll feel just as full as the rest of the family!

2. Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant 

Source: Mediterranean Eggplant Boats

3. ‘Cheesy’ Veggie Divan 

Source: “Cheesy” Veggie Divan 

Chicken Divan is a casserole dish traditionally made with broccoli and a béchamel sauce that includes butter, cream, sherry, and cheese. Despite being so heavy in dairy, this classic recipe can easily be made vegan without sacrificing cheesy flavor or creamy texture! Diane Smith‘s “Cheesy” Veggie Divan sauce is made with super good-for-you cannellini beans and red roasted peppers. Plus, carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli are all mixed in for some added nutritional value.

4. Basil and Almond Crusted Tofu

Source: Basil and Almond Tofu 

Looking for a way to get crispy, warm tofu without having to deep fry it in oil? This recipe for basil-crusted tofu forgoes oil by baking instead of pan frying or deep frying. The grain-free crust is made from a mixture of nuts, seeds, dried basil, and dried oregano. Molly Patrick‘s Basil and Almond Tofu recipe makes a delicious and protein-rich dish that is a perfect, grain-free entrée.

5. Double-Baked Butternut Squash With Quinoa, Spinach, and Rosemary 

Source: Double-Baked Butternut Squash With Quinoa, Spinach, and Rosemary 

Double-Baked Butternut Squash With Quinoa, Spinach, and Rosemary is Maria Engbjerg‘s tribute to the fall and is the perfect accessory for the dinner table. Serve them with a beautiful salad – make a dinner that is healthy, beautiful, and filling! This is a butternut squash recipe that gets twice as good for two laps in the oven!

6. Spinach and Pepper Potato Bowls

Source: Spinach and Pepper Potato Bowls

Potato Bowls With Spinach Filling is a very simple but very creative recipe by Deniz Kilic. You already make stuffed mushrooms, peppers, eggplants, and more, so why not filled potato bowls? The ingredients are easy to find and familiar, but the result is truly awesome.

7. Fried Plantains in Tomato Gravy 

Source: Fried Plantains in Tomato Gravy

Who says vegans have to skip the gravy? Rini Desai‘s Fried Plantains in Tomato Gravy recipe combines the sweet starchiness of the vegetable and pairs well with the indulgent tomato gravy. It is so hearty, and unique, and works perfectly as an entrée.

8. Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Source: Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Kathleen Henry‘s recipe for this juicy, Portobello Steak will satisfy your cravings and fill you up. Sautéed with onions, balsamic vinegar, mirin, and herbs it’s a compassionate alternative to traditional, Thanksgiving entrées.

9. Creamy Butternut Squash and Mushroom Pasta

Source: Creamy Butternut Squash and Mushroom Pasta

Tagliatelle-style butternut squash noodles and meaty Chanterelle mushrooms are served with a rich, creamy cashew-based sauce that is gently spiced. This grain-free, Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta dish by Laura Kuklase is a great way to put your butternut squash to good use.

10. Quinoa Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash

Source: Quinoa Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash

Bursting with the seasonal flavors of cranberry and rosemary, Kathryn Pfeffer-Scanlan‘s Stuffed Acorn Squash is a must-make for Thanksgiving. The simple, but flavorful filling combines onions with tender Shiitake mushrooms with fresh rosemary in fluffy quinoa. This healthy entrée is ready in just 40 minutes, but to make your day simpler, cook the quinoa ahead of time.

11. Roasted Cauliflower Piccata With Mashed Potatoes

Source: Roasted Cauliflower Piccata With Mashed Potatoes With Sour Cream and Chives

When you cut a head of cauliflower like you would a loaf of bread, the resulting slabs can be roasted and served as delicious steaks. These Roasted Cauliflower Steaks by VEGANIZE IT! are seasoned with a luscious lemony piccata sauce and mushrooms atop a serving of creamy mashed potatoes will be your new favorite way to serve this versatile veggie.

12. Morel Mushrooms With Butternut Squash Pasta 

Source: Morel Mushrooms With Butternut Squash Pasta

Claire Ragozzino‘s delicious Butternut Squash “Pasta” is the perfect light fall entrée. Butternut squash is spiralized, then paired with shallots, garlic, onion, fresh sage, and meaty Morel mushrooms. It’s then topped with a nut-free dandelion green and spinach pesto. If you can’t find Morels in your area, substitute with Chanterelle.

13. Lion’s Mane Mushroom ‘Liver’ and Onions

Source: Lion’s Mane Mushroom ‘Liver’ and Onions

This is one of those epic meals that you and your friends will be talking about for months to come … these Lion’s Mane mushrooms are legitimately amazing! They are pressed and grilled before being slow-roasted and drizzled with decidedly sticky and savory glazed onions and served atop a bed of fluffy whipped potatoes. Wicked Healthy‘s Lion’s Mane Mushroom ‘Liver’ and Onions recipe does take a bit of time and effort – but it’s worth it.

14. Spaghetti Squash Boats With Caramelized Onions and Quinoa

Source: Spaghetti Squash Boats With Caramelized Onions and Quinoa

Spaghetti squash never goes out of fashion. When cooked, it separates into spaghetti-like strands which add a unique twist to your meal. So in this Spaghetti Squash Boats recipe by Laine Rudolfa, you’ll learn how to cook spaghetti squash boats with quinoa and caramelized onions. It’s perfect for serving at parties, gatherings with friends, or family dinners.

15. Squash Ravioli With Kale Pesto and Pine Nuts

Source: Squash Ravioli With Kale Pesto and Pine Nuts

It isn’t often that pasta is made grain-free! Try these Squash Ravioli by Alison Marras that contain delicious fall flavors in a homemade ravioli shell! Grain-free ravioli with a seasonal filling, topped with simple kale pesto and toasted pine nuts.

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!