Celebrate Thanksgiving with delicious and colorful recipes inspired by a nourishing vegan Mediterranean diet. These omnivore-approved recipes are full of flavor and nutrients, making them the perfect way to enjoy the holiday without sacrificing your health goals.
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Let's be real; the typical Thanksgiving plate is beige on beige, with maybe a speck of brownish green.
But we can do so much better.
If you're craving a vibrant dinner that won't leave you with regrets, a vegan Mediterranean diet Thanksgiving is for you.
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What is a vegan Mediterranean diet?
A vegan Mediterranean diet combines the principals of veganism with those of a Mediterranean diet.
Meals are centered around minimally processed ingredients including the following:
- Plenty of fruits and veggies
- Whole grains
- Plant-based protein sources like beans, legumes, and tofu
- Healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil
- Herbs and spices, both fresh and dried
In addition, this lifestyle encourages spending time with loved ones and daily exercise. So enjoy your meal with friends and family. And take a walk together before or after dinner.
Foods to avoid
Leave these ingredients out of your recipes this holiday to enjoy the full benefits of a vegan Mediterranean diet Thanksgiving:
- Animal products
- Processed sweeteners (choose pure maple syrup, unrefined sugar, or dates and other fruits instead of refined white sugar)
- Butter and margarine (use extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil instead)
Appetizers
Holiday appetizers can be as simple as a raw vegetable platter with cashew herb dip or sun-dried tomato bean dip to tide your guests over until the main meal. Or try one of the festive options below.
Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms are baked in the oven with a filling made with sweet-tart sun-dried tomatoes, meaty walnuts, and plenty of garlic.
Pumpkin Hummus is smooth, creamy, and a delicious way to enjoy fall flavors.
This healthier version of Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip is made with fresh spinach instead of frozen and is always a holiday favorite.
Main dishes
While plenty of options for faux turkey exist, it's easy to make a Thanksgiving main dish out of wholesome ingredients like beans, legumes, and tofu. These entrees are the perfect complements to the vegetable side dishes that will be filling our plates.
Known as "Thanksgiving tofu" in my house, baked Rosemary Nutritional Yeast Tofu is crispy and loaded with savory flavors.
Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash is made with a delicious quinoa, chickpea, and tomato filling that can also be served on its own.
Vegan Tofu Meatballs may not look or taste like the traditional version, but they are hearty, scrumptious, and satisfying. Try them with vegan gravy or cranberry sauce for a festive main dish.
Perfectly sized Lentil Meatloaf Muffins are topped with a balsamic ketchup glaze you may want to double. Look for sugar-free ketchup to make this recipe.
Mediterranean Baked Balsamic Tofu is saucy, savory, and tangy with no marinating time required.
Salads
While simple green salads are not very popular at Thanksgiving, these hearty grain, fruit, and vegetable salads will be a welcome addition to your menu.
Fruity Wild Rice Salad is a whole grain salad made with apples, pomegranates, dates, and pine nuts in a tangy vinaigrette.
Thanksgiving is the season for sweet and tart pomegranate. This Herbed Pomegranate Quinoa Salad gets a double-dose of this Mediterranean fruit in both the salad and the dressing.
Broccoli Salad without Mayo features apples and cranberries tossed in a sweet Dijon mustard dressing.
When you prep the components in advance, Spinach Butternut Squash Salad comes together in no time. It's made with lentils, pumpkin seeds, and a mustardy vinaigrette.
Side dishes
Side dishes are always the most popular dishes at the holiday table, perhaps even more so at a vegan Mediterranean diet Thanksgiving. These colorful options are easy to prepare, so you can offer a variety for your guests to enjoy.
Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes made with olive oil taste rich and creamy without any milk or butter.
If you prefer oven roasted to mashed potatoes, Vegan Pesto Potatoes are a wonderful alternative loaded with herby flavor.
Cubed and cooked in the oven, Roasted Sweet Potatoes are flavored with garlic and paprika.
Seasoned with citrusy sumac, Mediterranean Roasted Fall Vegetables feature a medley of Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and red onions.
Sauteed Mushrooms and Green Beans is a lighter and healthier alternative to a tradition green bean casserole.
Mouthwatering Mediterranean Green Beans with Tomatoes are made with garlic, pine nuts, and a squeeze of lemon.
Dijon Roasted Cauliflower elevates the flavor of this humble vegetable with garlic, mustard, and fresh dill.
Brussels Sprouts with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is an incredible combination of tangy, sweet, and bitter flavors.
Or if you're a fan of fruity flavors, try this Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts. It's simple to make and will look beautiful on your holiday table.
Made with pine nuts, parsley, and lemon, Roasted Baby Portobello Mushrooms have the perfect meaty texture.
When you want a quick and satisfying side dish, nothing beats Lemon Garlic Spinach and White Beans. And it can be served warm or at room temperature.
Mediterranean Sourdough Bread Stuffing contains olives and sun-dried tomatoes for a fresh take on traditional holiday dressing.
Vegan Mac and Cheese with Potatoes and Carrots is made without cashews or dairy-free cheese alternatives, yet tastes incredibly like the classic dish.
Sauces and condiments
The Thanksgiving table isn't complete without cranberry sauce and gravy. It's easy to make them without highly refined sugar or meat.
No-cook Apple Cranberry Relish is a wonderful combination of sweet-tart flavors and crunchy textures from fresh fruit and pecans.
Cran Raspberry Sauce is delicious made with either fresh or frozen fruit and pure maple syrup.
Vegan Onion Gravy is loaded with savory flavor while requiring minimal time and ingredients.
This simple Vegan Mushroom Gravy is full of umami flavor and quick to make.
Desserts
If you've saved room for dessert, try one of these naturally sweetened treats along with tea or coffee.
Baked Cinnamon Apple Slices sweetened with pure maple syrup are a healthier alternative to traditional apple pie and just as delicious.
Pumpkin Spice Balls are a no-bake treat made with oats, peanut butter, and pure maple syrup. While they call for chocolate chips, you can either leave them out to make this dessert refined sugar-free, or look for naturally sweetened chocolate chips.
Balsamic Glazed Figs can be made with coconut sugar or your favorite raw sugar such as turbinado sugar. They're wonderful on their own or served with naturally-sweetened vegan oat milk ice cream.
Final thoughts
The best part of a vegan Mediterranean diet Thanksgiving is sharing scrumptious food with friends and loved ones. It's more important to focus on being thankful and creating joyful memories than on cooking the perfect feast.
I'm grateful for your interest in a vegan Mediterranean diet lifestyle. Wishing you and yours a lovely, peaceful, and delicious holiday season.
Made this recipe? Have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for community, inspiration & fun!
Love and Veggies,
Amy
Chessie says
What a lovely assortment of tempting recipes! My mind is boggling because I want them all. 🙂
Amy Katz says
Thank you so much, Chessie! 🙂