10 Nourishing Plant-Based Recipes for a Healthy Thanksgiving

Our Favorite Recipes for a PLANTSTRONG Thanksgiving

Looking to enjoy a healthier Thanksgiving without sacrificing flavor? This roundup of 10 oil-free, refined sugar-free, whole-food, plant-based recipes for a healthy Thanksgiving has you covered! Perfect for anyone following a plant-based diet or aiming to keep their holiday meal as nutritious as it is delicious, these recipes are packed with seasonal ingredients and comforting flavors.

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From savory sides to satisfying mains and indulgent desserts, each dish offers a wholesome take on traditional Thanksgiving favorites without any added oils or refined sugars. These oil-free, plant-based recipes prove that Thanksgiving can be both nourishing and tasty, making it easy to serve up a holiday feast everyone can enjoy!

 

1. Corn Casserole

Corn casserole is one of those holiday dishes that feels like a nice, warm hug. Traditionally, this dish is laden with animal products and oil, but we created a PLANTSTRONG version that tastes even more delicious! This recipe calls for our PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix and Sweet Corn Broth, but you can use whatever cornbread mix and broth you have on hand!

2. Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

This Creamy Butternut Squash Soup is the best addition to your holiday table! Packed with wholesome veggies like butternut squash, onion, red bell pepper, and tomato, this soup will warm everyone's soul – even those that aren't plant-based! We used our PLANTSTRONG Sofrito Broth for extra flavor and our Unsweetened Almond Milk for creaminess, but feel free to substitute your favorite broth and plant milk.

3. Pecan Pie Bars

Yes, it is possible to enjoy Pecan Pie without the oil and sugar! These refined sugar-free Pecan Pie Bars use whole dates for sweetness and texture. Think a dreamy pecan pie filling over top an oat shortbread crust...swoon! Your guests will be in awe after one bite!

4. Vegetable Dumpling Stew

Attention all former Chicken and Dumpling fans: you can enjoy this dish while plant-based! Enter our Vegetable Dumpling Stew made with a hearty, creamy filling and topped with flavorful "dumplings" made from our PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix! If you don't have access to our mix, you can swap for another plant-based cornbread mix.

5. Green Bean Casserole

No, your eyes haven't deceived you – this really is a whole food, plant-based, oil-free Green Bean Casserole! We use our PLANTSTRONG Sweet Corn Broth (or sub your favorite veggie broth) to make a flavorful yet light mushroom sauce perfect for nestling in our green beans. We also make a delicious crispy shallot topping with just some tapioca starch and a bit of soy sauce in the air fryer. Plant-based perfection!

6. Savory Cornbread Muffins

Fill your holiday bread basket with our Savory Cornbread Muffins! Possibly one of the easiest dishes on this list to whip together, all you need is our PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix! We swap applesauce for plant milk yogurt, water for PLANTSTRONG Sweet Corn broth, and add savory mix-ins like red onion, jalapeño, and corn. This one can easily be recreated with whatever Cornbread Mix you have on hand.

7. Pumpkin Pancakes with Pumpkin Streusel

There's no denying Thanksgiving dinner is the main show, but Thanksgiving breakfast is the meal you need to start your day off right. Our Pumpkin Pancakes with Pumpkin Streusel are completely plant-based and oil-free, but you'd never know it! We use our PLANTSTRONG Pancake & Waffle Mix, but you could try this with another mix (although we haven't tested it). The perfect celebration of one of Fall's most prominent ingredients!

8. Portobello Meatballs & Gravy

Yes, it is possible to make delicious gravy without the meat! Our creamy, mushroom-based gravy is a perfect match for our Portobello Meatballs. Or, you can use the gravy recipe with whatever other plant-based main you prefer to serve! We use our PLANTSTRONG Shiitake Mushroom Broth to amp up the flavor of our mushroom gravy, but you can use any broth you'd like!

9. Cardamom Spiced Apple Crumble

If you want your house to smell like the dreamiest bakery in existence, make this Cardamom Spiced Apple Crumble! We carefully chose the spice profile that would work best with crisp, fresh apples, and cardamom blended with pumpkin pie spice is it! Instead of your traditional crumble topping, we swap the plain oats for our PLANTSTRONG Apple Pie Granola. The result is a delightfully sweet yet tart dessert with the perfect amount of crunch!

10. Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins

If you're looking for another variation of our cornbread muffins, try these Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins! This is another recipe that utilizes our PLANTSTRONG Cornbread & Muffin Mix, subbing applesauce for pumpkin purée and adding plant-powered mix-ins like dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds. Feel free to try with whatever cornbread mix you have on hand!