Delicious Vegan Thanksgiving Dishes That Bring More to the Table Than Tofurky

Thanksgiving—aka Turkey Day—has traditionally not been accommodating to vegans. Sure, there's cranberry sauce and Brussels sprouts, but the more decadent dishes like sweet potato casserole and macaroni and cheese are typically loaded with dairy. Pure torture.

Fortunately, this is 2018 and alternative ingredients are not only readily available, but taste so good even your non-vegan family members won't know the difference. (And that includes your stubborn uncle who still refers to vegans as "hippies.")

You're no longer left to nosh on picked out green beans from the green bean casserole to get you through dinner. Rounded up here are delicious T-Day dishes that will hit just the spot—and please everyone around the table. And yes, that means there's way more than just tofurky. (Talk about something to be thankful for.)

Whether you’re hosting a vegan Thanksgiving meal or just want to bring the healthiest, no-meat option to your feast, the below dishes will make even the mouths of bird-eaters water.

Click through for healthy vegan Thanksgiving dishes that’ll give you all the fall flavors without any of the meat.

1. Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Nothing hits the spot quite like a warm, creamy soup during winter. This dairy-free one is loaded with squash and butternut, and has a savory mix of health-boosting flavors like ginger, curry, and nutmeg.

2. Fall Salad with Avocado and Yams

With roasted sweet potato, green apple, and pumpkin seeds, this salad will fit right in with the flavor profile of your Thanksgiving Day spread. (The recipe calls for feta cheese, but it's a 100 percent optional add-in.) The texture of the creamy avocado, crisp lettuce, and crunchy apple make for a satisfying sensory experience.

3. Lentil Mushroom Walnut Balls With Cranberry 

Biting into these out-of-this-world protein-packed balls will definitely quiet your veggie-skeptic relatives and friends. Green lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts are the star of this dish—which also happens to be gluten- and soy-free—but the thyme, cranberries, and oregano make them sophisticated and festive.

4. Vegan Smokey Maple Tempeh

Not only is the maple syrup, crushed walnut, and tempeh combo delish, but the turmeric, curry, and cayenne seasoning keep these triangles chock-full of inflammation-fighting powers. It makes for the perfect vegan turkey-sub or side-dish.

5. Hearty Vegan, Gluten-Free Stuffing

This maple-flavored, veggie and tempeh stuffing will leave your traditional gluten-laden stuffing in the dust. The nutty flavored meat-substitute is packed with protein, fiber, and gut-friendly bacteria—it’s fermented, after all.

6. Creamy, Vegan Green Bean Casserole

When it comes to dairy-free substitutes, sometimes they're a total win (like this tangy vegan cheese), while other times it's a major #foodfail. This 100-percent vegan casserole is the former, as in: "Omigosh I can't believe this lactose-intolerant safe." The secret? The veggie-broth and non-dairy milk combo.

7. Mushroom Wellington

This vegan take on the carnivorous fave is all about 'shrooms and onions. The secret to nailing a deliciously juicy yet flaky dish, according to the recipe-creator behind Delicious Everyday, "is to pat everything dry and make sure it’s completely cold before wrapping it in your vegan puff pastry."

8. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie

Looking for a Turkey Day classic sans dairy and gluten? This pumpkin pie ditches those pesky common allergens and replaces them with anti-inflammatory ingredients instead. The maple, cinnamon, and vanilla combo will have your feast ending on a sweet note.

For more healthy-ish fall-vibed cocktail recipes, try this healthy, chai-spiced drink or this honey and carrot whiskey tipple. Plus, check out these five other delicious ways to add avocado to your T-day spread.