Hosting a Friendsgiving can be an exciting, heartwarming experience, especially when you cater to all dietary preferences. If you’re looking to delight your guests with delicious, easy vegan dishes that even non-vegans will rave about, you’ve come to the right place.
These simple vegan Friendsgiving recipes focus on wholesome ingredients, bold flavors, and minimal prep time, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of your loved ones.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about plant-based cooking, these recipes bring together comfort and creativity in every bite.
From festive sides to hearty mains and delectable desserts, these dishes are designed to impress without overwhelming you. Plus, they use common pantry staples and fresh produce easily found at your local market.
Ready to create a plant-powered feast that celebrates gratitude and great food? Let’s dive into these easy vegan Friendsgiving recipes that will make your gathering memorable, tasty, and inclusive for all.
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
These vegan Friendsgiving recipes are all about simplicity and flavor. They are:
- Easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Rich in nutrients, featuring wholesome vegetables, legumes, and grains.
- Deliciously comforting, capturing the essence of traditional holiday flavors without animal products.
- Inclusive and crowd-pleasing, perfect for vegans and omnivores alike.
- Flexible, allowing for substitutions and tweaks based on your preferences or pantry availability.
These recipes will help you create a vibrant Friendsgiving spread that’s satisfying and wholesome. Plus, they come with tips to customize and variations to keep your menu exciting every year!
Ingredients
For the Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- 3 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other plant milk)
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lentil Walnut “Meatloaf”
- 1 cup dried brown lentils, cooked
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed + 3/4 cup water (flax egg)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cranberry Orange Sauce
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
- Large mixing bowls
- Baking sheets lined with parchment paper
- Medium saucepan for cooking lentils and cranberry sauce
- Large pot for boiling potatoes
- Potato masher or electric mixer
- Food processor or blender (optional, for chopping walnuts)
- Loaf pan (for the lentil walnut “meatloaf”)
- Citrus zester or grater
Instructions
- Prepare the flax egg: In a small bowl, combine ground flaxseed and water. Stir well and set aside for 10 minutes until it thickens.
- Cook the lentils: Rinse lentils and place them in a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-25 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
- Make the lentil walnut “meatloaf” mixture: In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, chopped walnuts, diced onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, tomato paste, soy sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the flax egg and mix thoroughly until the mixture holds together.
- Shape and bake the meatloaf: Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan, pressing down firmly. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes until firm and golden on top. Let it cool slightly before slicing.
- Roast the Brussels sprouts: Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, maple syrup, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until caramelized and tender.
- Prepare the mashed potatoes: Boil the peeled potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Add minced garlic, vegan butter, and almond milk. Mash until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the cranberry orange sauce: In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, orange zest, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly.
- Roast the butternut squash: Toss cubed squash with olive oil, sage, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden and tender.
- Serve and enjoy: Arrange all dishes on your Friendsgiving table and savor the wholesome flavors with your friends!
Tips & Variations
“For extra depth in your lentil walnut meatloaf, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a teaspoon of smoked paprika. To make the mashed potatoes even creamier, try adding a dollop of vegan sour cream or cashew cream.”
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers for the meatloaf.
- Add Veggies: Mix finely grated carrots or zucchini into the meatloaf for extra moisture and nutrition.
- Make Ahead: The lentil meatloaf and cranberry sauce can be prepared a day in advance and reheated gently before serving.
- Spice it Up: Add chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the Brussels sprouts for a spicy kick.
- Swap the Squash: Use sweet potatoes or carrots instead of butternut squash for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Dish | Calories (per serving) | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat | Fiber |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts (1 cup) | 120 | 4g | 15g | 6g | 5g |
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes (1 cup) | 180 | 3g | 30g | 5g | 3g |
Lentil Walnut “Meatloaf” (1 slice) | 250 | 12g | 20g | 12g | 6g |
Cranberry Orange Sauce (1/4 cup) | 80 | 0g | 22g | 0g | 2g |
Roasted Butternut Squash (1 cup) | 100 | 2g | 22g | 3g | 4g |
Serving Suggestions
These recipes are versatile and pair wonderfully with other holiday favorites. Consider adding a fresh green salad or a simple roasted vegetable medley to round out your table.
For dessert, why not try the Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce made vegan, or the Kodiak Banana Muffins for a sweet finish.
For drinks, a refreshing Green Goodness Juice is a perfect palate cleanser. These dishes also pair beautifully with warm herbal teas or a robust vegan red wine to elevate your Friendsgiving experience.
Conclusion
Creating a memorable Friendsgiving meal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming, especially with these easy vegan recipes. They showcase how plant-based ingredients can come together to create comforting, festive dishes that everyone will enjoy.
From the savory lentil walnut “meatloaf” to the sweet and tangy cranberry orange sauce, each recipe brings something special to your holiday table.
Whether you’re cooking for a full house or a small gathering, these recipes are flexible and forgiving, perfect for cooks of all skill levels. Embrace the season’s bounty and the joy of sharing food with friends by preparing this wholesome vegan feast.
For more inspiration, explore other vegan and holiday recipes like the German Stuffing Recipe or the delightful Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe to add international flair to your menu.
Happy Friendsgiving and happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Easy Vegan Friendsgiving Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Description: A simple, flavorful vegan dish perfect for Friendsgiving. Stuffed sweet potatoes with a savory lentil and vegetable filling.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT55M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 cup cooked green lentils
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash sweet potatoes and prick with a fork; bake for 35-40 minutes until tender.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add mushrooms and bell pepper; cook until soft.
- Stir in cooked lentils, vegetable broth, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Cook mixture for 5 minutes until flavors combine and liquid reduces.
- Slice baked sweet potatoes in half and scoop out some flesh.
- Mix sweet potato flesh into lentil mixture and fill the potato skins.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 8 g | Carbs: 52 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Easy Vegan Friendsgiving Stuffed Sweet Potatoes”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A simple, flavorful vegan dish perfect for Friendsgiving. Stuffed sweet potatoes with a savory lentil and vegetable filling.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT40M”, “totalTime”: “PT55M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“4 medium sweet potatoes”, “1 cup cooked green lentils”, “1 small onion, diced”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 cup chopped mushrooms”, “1/2 cup diced bell pepper”, “1/2 cup vegetable broth”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon ground cumin”, “Salt and pepper to taste”, “Fresh parsley for garnish”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat oven to 400\u00b0F (200\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Wash sweet potatoes and prick with a fork; bake for 35-40 minutes until tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Saut\u00e9 onion and garlic until translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add mushrooms and bell pepper; cook until soft.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in cooked lentils, vegetable broth, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook mixture for 5 minutes until flavors combine and liquid reduces.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Slice baked sweet potatoes in half and scoop out some flesh.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix sweet potato flesh into lentil mixture and fill the potato skins.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “8 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “52 g”}}