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Indian Inspired Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu

By Manali Singh

Nov 21, 2023, Updated Nov 27, 2024

If you are looking for an Indian inspired Thanksgiving menu to serve your guests, I have got you covered with these Indian vegetarian recipes. I got introduced to Thanksgiving only after I moved to the US. My favorite thing about this holiday has to be the food, and I love incorporating Indian flavors to almost everything I make.

While many traditional sides on Thanksgiving like mashed potatoes, roasted carrots etc. are vegetarian, in this menu you will find some flavorful mains like the vegetable paneer lasagna or the roasted whole cauliflower tikka. The sides include apple chutney and tikka masala mac and cheese (look for mac and cheese recipe on my Instagram page, the whole recipe for this is shared in the captions with the video there).

Putting an Indian spin on desserts is something I absolutely love and the masala chai cheesecake and gulab jamun tiramisu are the best example of when Indian flavors meet western desserts. All those wonderful spices in the masala chai cheesecake make it the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.

Drinks

Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Sangria

This easy non-alcoholic Apple Cider Sangria takes only 15 minutes to put together. It's the perfect drink for the holidays which can be enjoyed by all!

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Cranberry Maple Rosemary Mocktail

This festive mocktail is flavored with cranberry juice, maple syrup, fresh rosemary and can be enjoyed by everyone! The pretty colors make it perfect for the holidays!

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Salad

Butternut Squash & Pear Salad

Roasted butternut squash is tossed with pears, walnuts, dried cranberries and drizzled with a creamy dressing made with tahini, maple syrup and olive oil. The pomegranates on top add to the festive touch! 

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Appetizers

Masala Smashed Potatoes

Easy Masala Smashed Potatoes! These smashed potatoes are flavored with Indian spices and make a great appetizer for the holidays or just about any party! They are also vegan.

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Tandoori Mushrooms

These Tandoori Mushrooms have a cheesy and spicy filling and are baked to golden perfection in the oven. They are then cooked over direct heat until a little charred for that smoky flavor! Makes a great vegetarian appetizer for just about any occasion.

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Baked Spinach Corn Dip

If you are looking for a crowd pleasing dip for your next party, then look no further than this Baked Spinach Corn Dip! Serve with crackers, veggies and it will be perfect for entertaining.

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Sides

Butternut Squash Bharta

Butternut Squash mash with Indian spices! This easy side dish is wonderfully spiced, vegan, gluten-free and goes well with any bread or rice!

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Apple Chutney

Sweet, spicy and little tangy this Apple Chutney is versatile and good on so many things! It's easy to make in the Instant Pot and is also vegan.

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Mains

Roasted Whole Cauliflower Tikka

Roasted Cauliflower Tikka served with a creamy tomato sauce will make a great vegetarian centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table!

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Paneer Eggplant Rolls-Ups

These Paneer Eggplant Roll-Ups are filled with a creamy paneer and spinach filling and topped with a spiced tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. These vegetarian roll-ups are gluten-free and make a great dish to serve while entertaining!

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Vegetable & Paneer Lasagna

Indian styles Lasagna combines vegetables, paneer and spiced tomato sauce in a super flavorful vegetarian lasagna.

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Dessert

Masala Chai Cheesecake

Eggless, smooth and creamy Masala Chai Cheesecake is flavored with warm spices like cardamom, cinnamon and real tea. Makes a great make-ahead dessert for just about any occasion!

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Gulab Jamun Tiramisu

Layers of rose flavored mascarpone cheese topped with coffee soaked gulab jamun, dusted with cocoa powder and garnished with edible gold leaves and pistachios, this Gulab Jamun Tiramisu makes a delightful festive dessert!

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Prep in Advance

Thanksgiving feast is usually big and you can prep in advance to make your life a little easier. Most of these dishes in this menu can be made in full or prepped for in advance.

• The maple rosemary syrup can be make 2 to 3 days in advance for the maple rosemary mocktail.
• For the mushroom tikka, prepare the stuffing for the mushrooms 1 day in advance. After stuffing the mushrooms and marinating them, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 36 hours.
• The apple chutney lasts for a good week in the fridge.
• The entire lasagna can be assembled a day in advance and baked on the day of serving.
• Both the cheesecake and the tiramisu can be made 48 hours in advance. The cheesecake in fact needs to be made a day in advance so that it gets time to set.

Hope you find something that you love from this menu and try for your Thanksgiving dinner!