• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Wimpy Vegetarian
  • Home
  • About Susan
    • About Susan
    • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Recipe Index
  • Essential Pantry
    • Reduced Balsamic Vinegar
  • Contact Me
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Blog Post

    A Vegetarian Thanksgiving : 27 Appetizers & More

    Modified: Jan 27, 2024 by Susan Pridmore · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Round up of appetizers, cocktails, cider, breads and condiments you can make for your vegetarian Thanksgiving. This collection ends with some fabulous desserts, because dessert for Thanksgiving is mandatory.


    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    Thanksgiving plans are ramping up. Two weeks ago, I posted 21 Side Dishes For Your Vegetarian Thanksgiving table, and last week I continued with 21 Main Dishes For Your Vegetarian Thanksgiving. And now I'm back with more ideas for this year's celebration, because for this feast, you need more than sides and main dish.

    First up, I've got some amazing cider made in the slow cooker, and 4 festive cocktails. I plan to make them all, just to test them out.

    Next up, 5 appetizers perfect for greeting your guests as they arrive. Some can be made ahead, others are best fresh from the oven. Depending on the side of your gathering, present them alongside a selection of cheeses, crackers and sliced fruit. Pickled vegetables are another great addition to your appetizers.

    When you make your condiments ahead, your vegetarian Thanksgiving feast day go much more smoothly. You can make the breads the day before too, but fresh bread from the oven is tough to beat. 

    Last, is dessert. You can say no to dessert all year, but on Thanksgiving, dessert is mandatory. 

    Note: Click the titles below to get to the recipes!

    Cocktails and Cider

    Sure, you can serve wine and beer. I always do too. But if you have a larger gathering, it's nice to have a signature cocktail or a homemade cider. It makes any event even more festive.

    Slow Cooker Homemade Apple Cider

    from House of Nash Eats

    Apple Cider Bellini Cocktail with Rosemary

    from Creative Culinary

    Pomegranate Molasses Cocktail: Minty Pomegranate Mule

    from OMG! Yummy

    Cape Codder Cocktail

    from Spice Roots

    The Sugar Plum Cocktail

    from Karen's Kitchen Stories

    Appetizers

    Appetizers get the party going. I typically like them bite-sized, but the Caramelized Onion and Feta Tartlets are a little bigger than that. Feel free to make them as small as you want. They are a true crowd-pleaser. 

    Easy Southern Pimento Cheese

    Miso Mashed Idaho® Potato Stuffed Mushrooms

    Caramelized Onion and Feta Tartlets

    Curried Dried Apple Chips

    Jalapeño Poppers Gougère

    Condiments

    Make condiments like compound butters and a vinaigrette ahead, and your Thanksgiving Day will go so much more smoothly.

    Homemade Pomegranate Molasses

    Basil, Chive and Mustard Compound Butters

    Pear Vinaigrette

    Breads and Stuffing

    Cornbread stuffing is my absolute favorite, so that's a must-have every year. And having fresh bread with your vegetarian Thanksgiving feast is something you and your guests will never forget. 

    Cornbread and Roasted Poblano Dressing with Apples

    (actually part of my recipe for Stuffed Acorn Squash)

    Easy Buttermilk Cornbread

    Einkorn Parmesan and Garlic Rolls

    Cranberry Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chips

    Boozy Pumpkin Bread

    Potato Dinner Rolls

    from Karen's Kitchen Stories

    Roasted Pumpkin Focaccia with Herbs

    from Pastry Chef Online

    Healthy Apple Cheddar Muffins

    Desserts

    This is the one (or two) dinner each year where dessert is a requirement. You can go light with cookies, or go more elaborate with a carrot cake, but no matter how many dishes you serve at your vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner, everyone will want dessert.

     

    Pumpkin Coconut Cookies

    Hot Buttered Rum Apple Pie with Cheddar Crust

    My Favorite Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

    Wine Poached Spiced Pear Strudel with Chocolate

    Crispy Pressure Cooker Apple Crisp

    Easy Pumpkin Bars with Oat Crust

     

    Pecan Cobbler

    « How To Make Pomegranate Molasses
    Spicy Smoky Tomato Sauce »

    About Susan Pridmore

    Susan Pridmore is an award-winning cookbook author and the owner of The Wimpy Vegetarian. She has been featured in Huffington Post, Healthline, BuzzFeed, and has written for and developed recipes for The Food Network and Parade Magazine. She is professionally trained and focuses on easy vegetarian recipes for busy lives, bread-baking, and tips for new vegetarians. Susan lives in the mountains in Lake Tahoe with her husband and mini-labradoodle.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Susan at The Wimpy Vegetarian

    about the author:

    Susan Pridmore

    Hi there! I'm an award-winning cookbook author, culinary school graduate, professional photographer and recipe developer. My cookbook Simply Vegetarian was named #1 best cookbook for new vegetarians, and I want to make it easier for you to cook fabulous vegetarian meals. Come join me in the kitchen!

    More about me →

    READER FAVORITES

    • A bowl of fresh strawberry salsa with a crostini spread with cheese and topped with salsa.
      Easy Strawberry Salsa Recipe with Chocolate Nibs
    • A bowl of cooked, fluffy brown rice topped with a little fresh thyme.
      How to Cook Fluffy Rice with Tips (White AND Brown Rice)
    • Four dishes from a vegetarian St. Patrick's Day roundup of recipes with text overlay.
      Irish Vegetarian Recipes (St. Patricks Day)
    • Serving dish of braised citrus ginger carrots with a serving fork.
      Glazed Honey Ginger Carrots Recipe

    15 Tips for Going Vegetarian (Updated!)

    A colander filled with freshly washed apples with text overlay.

    Purchase My Cookbook!!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Purchase my cookbook
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe Index

    Copyright © 2025 The Wimpy Vegetarian