Try These Vegan Mashed Potato Recipes

Whether you eat them with a fork or with a spoon, it's almost universally agreed upon that mashed potatoes are a dish everyone can enjoy. Creamy or chunky, with or without garlic, mashed potatoes never let you down. If you're a true potato connoisseur, these vegan Thanksgiving mashed potato recipes are sure to make your mouth water and send you reaching for the nearest potato peeler.

Thanksgiving dinner can be a difficult meal to get through if you live a vegan lifestyle. From the turkey itself to the butter and gravy being passed around the table, there are certain traditional Thanksgiving treats that aren't suitable for a vegan diet. Luckily, there are plenty of seasonal vegetables and dishes that make their way onto the table during Thanksgiving dinner, and mashed potatoes just happen to be the most amazing of them all.

Potatoes are fantastic no matter how you prep them — diced, sliced, smashed, puréed. Even instant mashed potatoes are a delicious Thanksgiving side dish if you're short on time, or if you're not up for smashing them by hand. But, if you do have a little bit of time to add your own twist to this already incredible dish, it's worth it for all the extra flavor you'll get when you taste that first mouthful on Thanksgiving Day.

Check out these vegan Thanksgiving mashed potato recipes that will get your creative juices flowing and get your mouth watering.

1. Whipped Sweet Potatoes With Maple, Pecan Drizzle

Just because they're usually served with butter alongside a slice of turkey, doesn't mean you can't create your own sweet version of mashed potatoes. Substituting butter for vegan butter, you can create the perfect vegan side dish for this year's Thanksgiving by combining creamy sweet potatoes with maple syrup and pecans. Don't forget to use almond milk instead of cow's milk. Find the recipe at thekitchn.com.

2. Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Completely vegan, these cauliflower mashed potatoes are definitely unique. Combining rosemary, garlic, and olive oil, these "mashed potatoes" might sound simple, but they are so delicious you won't even be able to tell that they're vegan. Make sure to mash the cauliflower and potatoes thoroughly for that rich, creamy consistency. Find the recipe at loveandlemons.com.

3. Maple, Turnip, and Carrot Mash

If you're looking for a dish that's completely potato-free but still light and creamy, we've got you covered. This sweet, light, delicious turnip and carrot mash combines all the healthiness of your daily serving of veggies with all the incredible flavor of maple syrup. With only four ingredients, this dairy-free, gluten-free, corn-free, vegan dish is something everyone in your family can enjoy this Thanksgiving. Find the recipe at healthfulpursuit.com.

4. Garlic Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes with Spinach

OK, I understand garlic and pumpkin aren't necessarily the first two ingredients you'd want to combine. But, this creamy dish mixes together pumpkin and potatoes in a way you never imagined. Combined with some fresh spinach and a hint of salt and pepper, you can't go wrong with these creamy and flavorful mashed potatoes. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

5. Saffron Mashed Potatoes

Sometimes you just want a simple mashed potato recipe that packs in a punch of flavors. Especially if you're vegan, you don't want your potatoes to be bland and flavorless, which is exactly why this simple saffron mashed potato recipe is perfect for you. Using only non-dairy milks and margarine, this recipe creates a pot of mashed potatoes you and all of your family members will love — whether they're vegan or not. Find the recipe at toriavey.com.

6. Sweet Potato Casserole With Crunchy, Nut Crumble

For anyone who really wants to treat their sweet tooth all throughout Thanksgiving this year, this dish is what you want. A decadent sweet potato mash filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup isn't complete without a crunchy and sweet nut crumble. The recipe also calls for almond flour, making it gluten-free and vegan. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

7. Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Avocado, Garlic Aioli

Have you ever heard of anything as delicious as a garlic and avocado aioli? If your mouth isn't already watering at the name, these smashed potatoes not only come in perfect serving sizes for everyone at the table, but they also bring added flavor to your Thanksgiving meal. Light, savory, and creamy, these potatoes will make you wish you'd gotten your hands on this recipe sooner. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

8. Vegan Shepherd's Pie With Gravy

If you're feeling creative, try taking your mashed potatoes to the next level by adding some vegetables and transforming them into a delicious vegan shepherd's pie. Complete with vegan gravy, this recipe is the epitome of comfort food and brings everything you would want in a side dish to the table. Find the recipe at ohsheglows.com.

9. Tahini Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Fried Sage Leaves

Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, these tahini mashed potatoes bring together sweetness, spice, and savory flavors into one dish ready for everyone to dig into. With only six ingredients and a few steps to follow, this recipe is super simple and creates a completely delicious result. Don't forget to top the dish with those fried sage leaves for an additional crunch and flavor you might never have thought of before. Find the recipe at whatjewwannaeat.com.

10. Crispy Salt And Vinegar Smashed Potatoes

Smashed potatoes are slightly different from mashed potatoes in that they don't involve as much mashing, which is all the better for you because that means less work on Thanksgiving day (more time to prep those desserts). Be sure to replace the butter in the recipe with your favorite brand of vegan butter to make sure this dish is prepared with everyone in mind. Find the recipe at thecomfortofcooking.com.

11. Mashed Cinnamon Squash With Almond Butter

With only five ingredients and less than 20 minutes, you can prepare a sweet, creamy, delicious mashed cinnamon squash for everyone at the dinner table to enjoy this Thanksgiving. It might not be exactly the same as mashed potatoes — or anything like mashed potatoes really — but it's fun to try something new once in a while. A dollop of almond butter gives the dish a creamy richness that's unmatched. Find the recipe at thescrumptiouspumpkin.com.

Now that you know what your options are, try out a few of these dishes at your own Thanksgiving this year. One of them might become your new favorite.

Images: thekitchn.com (2); loveandlemons.com; healthfulpursuit.com; ohsheglows.com (4); toriavey.com; whatjewwannaeat.com; thecomfortofcooking.com; thescrumptiouspumpkin.com