Save Time in the Kitchen This Thanksgiving With These 15 Easy Vegan Mains

The holidays are a busy time for all. Most of us will be spending more time at work in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and on top of that, it’s time to start thinking about what we want to make and bracing ourselves for the grocery shopping apocalypse. But sometimes, you just don’t get the time to think through what you’re going to make. Well, don’t worry — we have your back! If there is anything we love, it’s easy vegan mains that taste like a million bucks but take as little time as possible to prepare. You can make delicious food in no time at all. Really. So, sit back and enjoy the day with friends, family, and significant others. Whether you’re working the holiday or you just plain don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen, you can still have a glorious feast!

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  – with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!

Also, don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to plant-based recipes for Thanksgiving!

So, get ready, because we have 15 fantastic and flavorful easy holiday vegan mains for you to try. Let’s get started.

1. Patates au Vin: French Potatoes and Mushrooms in Red Wine Sauce

Source: Patates au Vin

This Patates au Vin by Pallavi Gupta is a meat-free spin on coq au vin, or chicken in wine, a classic French dish in which chicken is braised in a red wine sauce with mushrooms, bacon, onions, and garlic. In this version, spiced potatoes take the place of meat and paprika adds a smoky flavor to replace the bacon, so the dish remains flavorful and comforting. It looks fancy, but it takes hardly any time or effort to make! Serve this hearty stew with sliced baguette and rice.

2. Stuffed Eggplant Cutlets in Red Pepper Sauce 

Source: Stuffed Eggplant Cutlets in Red Pepper Sauce

These savory Stuffed Eggplant Cutlets in Red Pepper Sauce by Lydia Filgueras are rich with Levantine flavors: curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and ginger. A small handful of raisins add contrasting texture and sweetness while the simple sauce is a variation of regional red mojo sauce. In combination with the eggplant and curried textured vegetable protein, the flavor is outstanding. You’ll find that this is a meal worthy of serving to all guests.

Gratitude: Plant-Based Thanksgiving Cookbook

No other holiday captures the spirit of home cooking the way Thanksgiving does. This is why you need the ultimate Thanksgiving cookbook, One Green Planet’s Gratitude: Plant-Based Recipes to Create your own Thanksgiving Tradition! In the cookbook, you’ll find our 100 most popular plant-based Thanksgiving recipes like Soft Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts, Spiced Apple Cake with Cashew Frosting, Sweet Potato Chocolate Pudding with Nut Crumble Topping, Cinnamon Apple Hand Pies, and hearty entrees like Roast Root Vegetable Stack With Dukkah, Vegducken: Butternut Squash Stuffed With Eggplant, Zucchini, and a Mushroom Lentil Stuffing, and Seitan Roast With Sausage and Pear Stuffing and Apple Cider Gravy and so much more!

3. Sweet Potato and Root Veggie Shepherd’s Pie

Source: Sweet Potato and Root Veggie Shepherd’s Pie

There’s nothing like making a big ol’ casserole when you want to take it easy. This Sweet Potato and Root Veggie Shepherd’s Pie by Alena Grahn is hearty, easy to make, and worthy of being the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving table. Coriander lends a unique flavor to this fall favorite dish, loaded with sweet potatoes and colorful root vegetables.

4. Goulash

Source: Goulash

Mmm… Goulash! This easy, meat-free take on a Hungarian classic by Attila Hildmann is made with textured vegetable protein instead of meat. They are soaked in water or vegetable broth to make them tender, then sautéed with spices, aromatics, and vegetables with red wine and tomato paste to make a savory sauce. For anyone who likes dishes with a meaty texture, this dish is perfect. Plus, it’s served in a bread bowl.

5. Creamy Butternut Squash Curry

Source: Creamy Butternut Squash Curry

Loaded with spicy flavors and tasty veggies, this Creamy Butternut Squash Curry by Kirsten Kaminski is guaranteed to become a household favorite. It is creamy, filling, and the perfect recipe for chilly days when you want a comforting meal that doesn’t take ages to prepare. Pair with basmati rice, smashed avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice to finish it off.

6. Lentil Oat Meatloaf

Source: Lentil Oat Meatloaf

Many vegan versions of meatloaf are made with tofu, veggie meat, textured vegetable protein, or even seitan. Those who are tofu or soy-averse will be happy to know there are no tofu or veggie meats in this Lentil Oat Meatloaf by Dreena Burton. This savory version uses only lentils, cracked wheat, oats, and chia seed, along with a mix of seasonings to make it all magically come together! This loaf can serve a small crowd, but you won’t spend all day making it.

7. One-Pot Chickpeas Florentine With Portobello Mushrooms

Source: One-Pot Chickpeas Florentine With Portobello Mushrooms

This quick and easy One-Pot Chickpeas Florentine With Portobello Mushrooms by Gin Butters will be your new holiday favorite. While the combination of chickpeas and sautéed Portobello mushrooms with Italian herbs is deserving of an award, it’s the mushrooms that make the dish. They’re juicy, tender, and full of wonderful umami flavor. This dish takes hardly any time to make and it can serve three or two very hungry people. Try bulking it up with grains or doubling it if you’re serving a bigger crowd.

8. Gnocchi alla Genovese

Source: Gnocchi alla Genovese

This quick and easy Gnocchi alla Genovese by Clémence Moulaert is just the thing when all you want is a big bowlful of carbs coated with creamy sauce. Chewy gnocchi, dairy-free pesto, peas, and green beans are combined into one glorious dish that will be the star of the table. It’s probably hands-down the easiest dish you’ll ever make.

9. Unbelievably Easy One-Pot Seitan Chili

Source: Unbelievable Easy One-Pot Seitan Chili

This Unbelievable Easy One-Pot Seitan Chili by Natalie Tamara is an amazing dish to make when you don’t have a lot of time to spend on the main meal. You can even make a huge batch early in the week and keep it in the freezer! Presto, a simple and comforting dinner when you are running low on time and energy.

10. Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Source: Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

This Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash by Molly Patrick is so filling, it can be used as a main course and it takes hardly any time to prepare. It’s packed with mushrooms, crunchy cabbage, walnuts, and quinoa, making it a power-packed addition to gatherings with family or friends. Grab a big spoon and dig in!

11. Pumpkin Pasta With Tomatoes and Basil

Source: Pumpkin Pasta With Tomatoes and Basil

This colorful Pumpkin Pasta With Tomatoes and Basil by Sina is ready in less than half an hour, so it’s great as an easy holiday meal! Creamy pumpkin combines with tomato and basil to make a bridge between summer and fall flavors. To give the pasta an extra boost of iron and to stick with the pumpkin theme, it’s topped off with a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds.

12. Holiday Stir-Fry

Source: Holiday Stir-Fry

Want to get all the flavors of a holiday feast without spending the entire day in the kitchen? This Holiday Stir-Fry by Florian Nouh is a light but filling rice recipe paired with roasted vegetables and holiday flavors from cranberries and nuts. Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and onion create a combination that fills you up with nutritious veggies while keeping the holiday vibes alive.

13. Slow Cooker Tempeh Braised With Figs and Port Wine

Source: Slow Cooker Tempeh Braised with Figs and Port Wine

While this Slow Cooker Tempeh Braised with Figs and Port Wine by Kathy Hester needs some hours in the slow cooker to be cooked to perfection, it’s the minuscule prep time that’s earned this recipe a spot on this list. This recipe embodies what we love about slow cookers – very little hands-on time and it cooks without supervision. Tempeh, aromatics, figs, wine, and broth are combined in a slow cooker with fresh herbs … and that’s it. Serve this delicious meal with rice or any other grains.

14. Creamy Mushroom and Spinach ‘Orzotto’

Source: Creamy Mushroom and Spinach “Orzotto”

This Creamy Mushroom and Spinach “Orzotto” by Becky Cotter is great because the sauce takes just five minutes to make and then all you need to do is cook the pasta and stir it in! This dish is perfect for when you want a home-cooked meal for the holidays that comes together quickly and tastes great.

15. Portobelo Mushroom Steaks With Cheesy Rosemary Polenta

Source: Portobello Mushroom Steaks

These Portobello Mushroom Steaks by Michaell Johnson drizzled with a balsamic reduction, sit atop a bed of cheesy, creamy homemade polenta. Pair it with some zesty roasted carrots or sweet potatoes, kale salad, and a glass of wine for a sweet and complete Thanksgiving dinner.

Love these easy vegan mains? Hop on over to our vegan quick meals recipes page for more inspiration!

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