Meat-Free Thanksgiving Inspiration

I'll admit being vegetarian on Thanksgiving poses extra challenges. Nate was initially supposed to be away for Thanksgiving this year, and I stressed for weeks about how I was going to find a place to go for the holiday, only to show up as possibly the most difficult guest ever, a vegetarian!

So how does being a vegetarian on Thanksgiving work? If we have enough people Nate barbecues a turkey, one year we had two meat-eaters so we cooked a chicken, and if it's just us we go completely untraditional and eat meat-free. 

I have to say my first vegetarian thanksgiving made me a little sad. Not because I wanted turkey, but because I felt a bit isolated from the tradition. I wanted to big statement piece on the table, I wanted it to feel like the Thanksgivings I had growing up. And although I'm not sure I've quite found the answer, I figured I'd share a handful of my favorite meat-free, fall inspired meals. 

Vegetarian Mains: 
Farmstead Roasted Vegetable Risotto from Kneading Home
Spinach & Feta Quiche from Kneading Home
Butternut Squash Lasagna Skillet from How Sweet It Is
Roasted Autumn Vegetable Pot Pies from The Candid Appetite
Pumpkin Gnocchi with Crème Fraîche–Sage Sauce from Chow Hound
Holiday Stuffed Pumpkin from Green Kitchen Stories

Salads: 
Autumn Kale Salad in a Maple Vinaigrette from Kneading Home
Warm Farro Salad with Roasted Squash, Persimmons & Pecans from The Kitchn
Raw Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Tahini-Maple Dressing from Cookie and Kate
A Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Salad from Oh She Glows
Apple + Fennel + Pistachio + Apricot from Joy the Baker
Big Beautiful Harvest Salad with Delicata Squash and Kale from The Year in Food

World's best vegetarian gravy:
Vegetarian Mushroom Thyme Gravy, from Food52

Photo from Oh She Glows

Potatoes:
Sweet Potato with Chilies, Lime, and Cilantro from Alexandra Cooks
Twice Baked Potatoes with Kale from Food52
Thyme Parmesan Roasted Sweet Potatoes from Sprouted Kitchen
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli from Oh She Glows
Maple Sweet Potato Cakes with Curried Greek Yogurt  from Food52

Photo from Alexandra Cooks

Vegetable Sides:
Dijon Braised Brussels Sprouts from Smitten Kitchen
Coconut Curried Kale and Sweet Potato from Cookie and Kate
Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Butter from Alexandra Cooks
Autumn Root Vegetable Gratin from Food52

Bread:
Apple, Rosemary, & Sharp Cheddar Galette With Caramelized Shallots from Kneading Home
Buttermilk Biscuits with Maple and Sea Salt from Alexandra Cooks
Pumpkin Sage Biscuits from Minimalist Baker

Dessert: 
Roasted Pear + Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bites With Speculoos Cookie Crust from Kneading Home
Homemade Rugelach 3 Ways from Kneading Home
Brown Butter Apple Tart from Bon Appetite
Apple Sauce Cake with Caramel Glaze from Food52
Pear, Cranberry and Gingersnap Crumble from Smitten Kitchen