A holiday that celebrates turkey as the star might seem like one where vegetarians sit uncomfortably and push around salad on a plate. However, there are plenty of vegetarian dishes that can more than share the spotlight with turkey and make the omnivores at the table droll enviously. From a hearty, lentil shepherd's pie to a creamy carrot bisque, here are 12 vegetarian recipes you'll want to save a place for at your Thanksgiving feast.
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1
Lablabi (Middle Eastern Spicy Chickpea Stew)
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Who knew that the humble chickpea could taste so bright and light? Creamtea's Lablabi called to mind the experience of eating pho, in that it consists of a relatively mild base soup that each diner personalizes with different bright, bold garnishes. - nola_t
Photo: James Ransom
Who knew that the humble chickpea could taste so bright and light? Creamtea's Lablabi called to mind the experience of eating pho, in that it consists of a relatively mild base soup that each diner personalizes with different bright, bold garnishes. - nola_t
Photo: James Ransom
2
Thanksgiving Root Vegetable Pie
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I am a vegetarian, and this is what I serve on Thanksgiving. Make the pie crust, the mushrooms, and the sweet potato mash a day or two beforehand, and all you'll have to do on the day of is roast your vegetables and compose and bake everything. - Marian Bull
Photo: Eric Moran
I am a vegetarian, and this is what I serve on Thanksgiving. Make the pie crust, the mushrooms, and the sweet potato mash a day or two beforehand, and all you'll have to do on the day of is roast your vegetables and compose and bake everything. - Marian Bull
Photo: Eric Moran
3
Jeweled Millet
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The best side dish ever, this will please even your non-healthy friends! Packed with spicy, crunchy chickpeas, nutty almonds and sweet, caramelized onions, this combination transforms millet. If you’re not 100% vegan, eat this with a large spoonful of plain yogurt. - Weird & Ravenous
Photo: James Ransom
The best side dish ever, this will please even your non-healthy friends! Packed with spicy, crunchy chickpeas, nutty almonds and sweet, caramelized onions, this combination transforms millet. If you’re not 100% vegan, eat this with a large spoonful of plain yogurt. - Weird & Ravenous
Photo: James Ransom
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4
Vegan Lentil Shepard's Pie
Get the recipe on Food52.
To make this delicious, hearty dish a lot more accessible, try cooking the lentils and prepping the vegetables one day in advance. On the day of assembly, mash the potatoes and parsnips early in the day, and sautee the veggies and assemble the pie later on, before dinner. Leftovers can easily be frozen. - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: Linda Xiao
To make this delicious, hearty dish a lot more accessible, try cooking the lentils and prepping the vegetables one day in advance. On the day of assembly, mash the potatoes and parsnips early in the day, and sautee the veggies and assemble the pie later on, before dinner. Leftovers can easily be frozen. - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: Linda Xiao
5
Creamy Carrot Ginger Bisque with Cashew Cream
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This sweet and spicy soup shows off the magic of cashew cream in all of its glory. Using just 1/3 cup of the cream (plus a generous swirl of it for plating) adds tremendous richness and flavor to the soup. - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: James Ransom
This sweet and spicy soup shows off the magic of cashew cream in all of its glory. Using just 1/3 cup of the cream (plus a generous swirl of it for plating) adds tremendous richness and flavor to the soup. - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: James Ransom
6
Wintry Cornbread Pudding
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This corn bread pudding ingeniously uses yeasted bread in place of cornbread, gleaning its classic flavor from cornmeal folded into the mix. It's a smart move: the sturdier bread cubes hold up well during cooking, which creates a nice texture and crumb in the final dish. - Amanda and Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
This corn bread pudding ingeniously uses yeasted bread in place of cornbread, gleaning its classic flavor from cornmeal folded into the mix. It's a smart move: the sturdier bread cubes hold up well during cooking, which creates a nice texture and crumb in the final dish. - Amanda and Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
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7
Hearty Kale Salad with Kabocha Squash, Pomegranate Seeds, and Toasted Hazelnuts
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I think of this as a perfect winter salad. Creamy kabocha squash adds heft and comfort to the dish, while a tart vinaigrette and pomegranate seeds liven it. You can serve it as a denser appetizer, or as a light meal. (less) - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: James Ransom
I think of this as a perfect winter salad. Creamy kabocha squash adds heft and comfort to the dish, while a tart vinaigrette and pomegranate seeds liven it. You can serve it as a denser appetizer, or as a light meal. (less) - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: James Ransom
8
Radish and Pecan Grain Salad
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This salad is made with farro, wild rice, quinoa, and barley. The grains are threaded with pecans, raisins, and dried cranberries and the salad is brightened with bits of arugula, radishes, and a wash of sherry vinegar and walnut oil. It is the kind of salad that sounds like a starchy do-gooder, but it has grace and conviction, and you'll want to eat it every day for lunch. - Amanda Hesser
Photo: James Ransom
This salad is made with farro, wild rice, quinoa, and barley. The grains are threaded with pecans, raisins, and dried cranberries and the salad is brightened with bits of arugula, radishes, and a wash of sherry vinegar and walnut oil. It is the kind of salad that sounds like a starchy do-gooder, but it has grace and conviction, and you'll want to eat it every day for lunch. - Amanda Hesser
Photo: James Ransom
9
Leek and Greens Tart with Cornmeal Crust
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Nothing heralds the arrival of autumn like a rustic tart, the perfect centerpiece to any harvest table. This innovative cornmeal version, brimming with delicate leeks and hearty greens, is reason alone to turn your oven back on. - Kukharka
Photo: Nicole.Franzen
Nothing heralds the arrival of autumn like a rustic tart, the perfect centerpiece to any harvest table. This innovative cornmeal version, brimming with delicate leeks and hearty greens, is reason alone to turn your oven back on. - Kukharka
Photo: Nicole.Franzen
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10
Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprout, and Bread Stuffing with Apples
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The first time I served this stuffing to my (omnivore) family, they were so enchanted that they didn't even know it was vegan. I've made a few tweaks over time, but the core of the recipe--a savory mix of winter squash, brussels sprouts, and good bread--has remained. - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: James Ransom
The first time I served this stuffing to my (omnivore) family, they were so enchanted that they didn't even know it was vegan. I've made a few tweaks over time, but the core of the recipe--a savory mix of winter squash, brussels sprouts, and good bread--has remained. - Gena Hamshaw
Photo: James Ransom
11
Quinoa Salad with Hazelnuts, Apple and Dried Cranberries
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We love how thoughtful darksideofthespoon's quinoa salad is: from the just-cooking-through of the onion and celery, to the skinning of the hazelnuts, to the hazelnut oil finish. This might be the perfect brown bag lunch -- or side dish at an elegant autumn dinner party. - Amanda and Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
We love how thoughtful darksideofthespoon's quinoa salad is: from the just-cooking-through of the onion and celery, to the skinning of the hazelnuts, to the hazelnut oil finish. This might be the perfect brown bag lunch -- or side dish at an elegant autumn dinner party. - Amanda and Merrill
Photo: James Ransom
12
Leek Risotto
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The leek is indeed to be a humble vegetable, but doctored with butter, cheese and cream, turning a basic white risotto -- an old standby -- into something worthy of a dinner party. - minipanda
Photo: James Ransom
The leek is indeed to be a humble vegetable, but doctored with butter, cheese and cream, turning a basic white risotto -- an old standby -- into something worthy of a dinner party. - minipanda
Photo: James Ransom
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