Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner

Having a plant-based Thanksgiving doesn't have to mean missing out on a delicious meal. These recipes prove that vegans can eat just as much good food, shown through our seasonal salads, full-bodied sides, a gorgeous main dish, and dainty desserts. 

A sweet vinaigrette, earthy beets, and the intense citrus twang of grapefruit balance the robust smoky hit of the grains for a memorable salad. To make sure you're getting the whole-grain version of barley, look for hulled, and skip past pearled.

Something rather lovely happens when you soak the chewier whole grains (such as rye or wheat berries) in a pickling brine; the tangy notes make the chew that much more enjoyable.

Wrap the vegetables in a foil packet so they steam gently and are easy to flip all at once. Place the packet right on the floor of the oven so the vegetables cook through quickly.

Every plate needs a little green on it. Blanch the beans ahead, and store in the refrigerator to eliminate a task from the Thanksgiving Day prep list.

Boost your cauliflower with this powerhouse ingredient that lends savory depth to this dish.

This is a fun dish to "carve" at the table, as each person gets one wedge to enjoy as a side dish. For an entrée take, give each person half a squash.

This free-form apple tart is easy, spectacular, and evocative of the season.

• • Make it Vegan: Use a vegan pastry dough—one made with vegetable shortening—and leave off the crème fraîche.

This addictive chocolate confection is a spectacular way to blend cranberries and almonds. You can also vary the recipe with other dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, figs, or cherries. Wrap in clear plastic and tie with a dark green ribbon for a lovely holiday gift.