Yearly, as Thanksgiving looms, the texts from more and more panicked hosts start to roll in:
- How do I make a pumpkin pie with out dairy?
- My sister-in-law is gluten-free, however calls for stuffing.
- What do I make as a substitute of turkey for a desk of vegans?!
To start with, take a deep breath—it’s only one meal. There shall be three extra tomorrow! As you are taking one other massive inhale, know that I’m right here that can assist you discover scrumptious vegan turkey substitutes that may attraction to each meat-eaters and anybody on a plant-based eating regimen. Proper now, I’ll help with discovering a turkey different for the vegans. Or vegetarians. Or those that you ate burgers with final month however now are strictly pescatarian thank-you-very-much. Mainly, should you’re feeding Thanksgiving dinner to individuals who don’t eat turkey, and wish to put together them one thing that’s meat-free (apart from the salad and dessert) which can be already on the desk, we’ve obtained you coated. From whole-roasted cauliflower and lentil shepherd’s pie to vegan lasagna and zucchini enchiladas, nobody will go away your Thanksgiving desk hungry.
And earlier than you begin on me about how a few of these dishes aren’t rooted in conventional Thanksgiving flavors (my Aunt Deb actually wouldn’t make mapo tofu on Turkey Day), I urge you to rethink what “conventional” even means. Thanksgiving is an American vacation (truly, there’s one in Canada too), however does each American household sit all the way down to assault a 20-pound fowl with a facet of marshmallow-topped candy potatoes on the large day? Nope.
For a lot of, the day is definitely fairly a painful one, steeped in remembrance of colonialism and worry. As a prepare dinner, I have a tendency to consider Thanksgiving as a day I can spend getting ready a meal, a factor I really like, for folks I really like. Nothing extra. And guess what? I don’t need to make a turkey—and neither do you.
Relations could cluck disapprovingly behind their water glasses, however when you set the desk with any variety of these vegan essential dishes, nobody will miss the tryptophan at this yr’s meatless Thanksgiving.
1. Burmese Tofu (aka Chickpea Flour Tofu)
For an alternative choice to turkey that’s gentle in taste and may be handled like another protein, flip to Burmese tofu, which transforms chickpea flour, oil, and water right into a sturdy tofu-like dish. You possibly can costume it nevertheless you’d like, or serve it with vegan gravy, cranberry sauce (which is often at all times vegan!), dairy-free mashed potatoes, and meatless stuffing should you’d like to stay with these “basic” Thanksgiving flavors.
2. Complete Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric-Tahini Sauce & Pistachios
A vegetable as a substitute of turkey? You wager. “Complete roasted cauliflower” could sound easy on paper (or on your loved ones’s Thanksgiving planning spreadsheet), however simply wait till you set it down on the desk. After all, it’s not only a cauliflower—the brassica is adorned with an herb combination, nuts, sliced chiles, and dried Kalamata olives. Sound advanced? I assure you it’s much less work than wet-brining a turkey.
3. Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie With Parsnip & Potato Mash
This cozy lentil shepherd’s pie is principally a whole vegan Thanksgiving dinner in a single neat bundle. The rosemary and thyme-scented mushroom and lentil combination satisfies the will for gravy and protein, and it’s topped with mashed potatoes (and parsnips! don’t knock ‘em ‘til you strive ‘em!). For stuffing vibes, serve the dish with an enormous loaf of sourdough bread.
4. Vegetarian Mapo Tofu
You’ve most likely ordered or made mapo tofu earlier than, and are not any stranger to the delightfully lip-numbing high quality of the dish’s signature Sichuan peppercorn-based sauce. For this recipe, you gained’t want to make use of the peppercorns—although you possibly can actually add one coarsely floor tablespoon of them to the oil simply earlier than the mushrooms. The spicy bean paste doubanjiang, nevertheless, is nonnegotiable. Discover it in your native Asian market or purchase some on-line.
5. Candy Potato & Chickpea Desserts
As a substitute of constructing these candy potato-chickpea muffins the day after Thanksgiving, make them for the primary occasion. Begin with this recipe for coconut mashed candy potatoes, then add chickpeas, panko, scallions, and spices. These guys are excellent with a glob of vegan gravy and a smear of cranberry sauce. Nobody will miss the vacation roast—promise.
6. Vegan Lasagna With Roasted Greens
As I at all times say, when unsure, make lasagna. The comfy casserole is at all times, at all times a crowd-pleaser. This recipe swaps out ricotta, mozzarella, and Parm for tofu and dietary yeast, however I promise even the non-vegans on the desk shall be reaching for a wedge. Significantly, who can flip down a hearty slice of lasagna?
7. Zucchini Verde Enchiladas
There’s no rule that claims “you’ll be able to’t make enchiladas tonight” (and if anybody’s ever stated that, vote them off the island instantly). These zucchini, black bean, and tofu enchiladas are draped with a garlicky lime cashew cream. And hey, if everybody else on the desk goes to be jealous of the vegans as a result of they get to have enchiladas for Thanksgiving, then why not make one other tray or two? For a pair non-vegan variations, use turkey meat in these enchiladas Suizas to maintain with the tone of the vacation, or go together with this yam and collards model.
8. Nutty Veggie Burgers
Who says veggie burgers can’t be part of the Thanksgiving desk? Social gathering poopers! Make veggie burgers, reside your life. Possibly you don’t wish to get away the burger buns and ketchup, however I actually wouldn’t be mad at this nutty black bean patty alongside my candy potatoes and inexperienced beans. Plus, whether or not you purchase them store-bought or make them your self, they’re a simple leftover to stay within the freezer post-Thanksgiving feast.
9. Vegan Pot Pie With Herby Biscuits
A perfect dish to have on the desk if you’re feeding vegans—the filling is creamy and tacky, the biscuits are buttery, however there’s not a drop of meat or dairy in the entire thing. (Shoutout to dietary yeast for turning up the flavour dials!). Bonus factors: the filling may be made prematurely, which is at all times useful on Thanksgiving. For some extra protein, you possibly can toss in browned vegan sausage to the filling. It’s chockful of veggies so you possibly can theoretically make fewer vegetable facet dishes (however truthfully why would you wish to?).
10. Marinated Tofu Steak Sandwiches
You can also make the entire sandwich in order for you, however the star of the present right here is the tofu “steak.” As soon as frozen, tofu takes on a complete new texture. Subtly chewy—nothing like seitan and even actual steak, only a bit extra oomph—and marinated in a lemony, garlicky combination, tofu turns into a essential dish for which even meat-eaters will swap their turkey. Be happy to get artistic with the marinade right here: strive swapping in apple cider vinegar for white, lime juice for lemon, chili powder for paprika, or maple syrup for honey (many vegans don’t eat it, in any case).
11. Vegan Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a meatless mainstay for a motive: they’re primarily a full meal in a single neat bundle, however may also serve the primary protein when served with different sides. This one’s filled with lentils and quinoa, tethered along with a harissa-based sauce. Be happy to swap out the peppers for tomatoes, or, for an much more autumnal vibe, hollowed out delicata squash (roast the innards alongside, then fold into the filling). You might additionally fill them with bread or wild rice stuffing for 2 dishes in a single.
12. Squashduckens
Talking of stuffed squash, should you swap the cheese on this recipe for vegan alternate options, a Squashducken (sure, that’s a squash stuffed inside a squash inside one other squash inside one other—within the model of a Turducken) is maybe probably the most worthy of the “Meatless Thanksgiving Major” title. Be warned: it’s much more work than a turkey, however confirmed to earn a spherical of applause when dropped at the desk. Searching for a candy model? We have you coated. Candy Squashducken is an apple-pear crumble crossed with buttery-smooth roasted squash, and it goes simply as properly with stuffing as a scoop of ice cream.
13. Coconut & Chile Braised Winter Squash
The fantastic thing about this braise is that it’s a pure associate for mashed potatoes or wild rice stuffing. Delicata or butternut squash are braised in a mixture of coconut milk, harissa, onions, coriander, and rosemary. “The starches of the squash fantastically meld with and thicken the coconut milk, and the fiery kick from the chile sauce is properly tempered by the remainder of the parts,” says recipe developer EmilyC. It’s hearty sufficient to be a vegan substitute for the Thanksgiving turkey, however it could additionally simply function an surprising facet dish that everybody will take pleasure in.
14. Discipline Roast Celebration Roast
In case you actually wish to serve one thing that could be a practically seamless substitute for Thanksgiving turkey, there’s at all times Discipline Roast, a plant-based meat and cheese firm that sells soy-free vacation roasts. They’re wheat-based vegan stuffed roasts with a sage, rosemary, and bread filling. A porcini mushroom gravy can also be included. Bonus: it prices roughly $20, which is a steal in comparison with the value of a 12- to 14-pound turkey for Thanksgiving, so you’ll be able to dine inexpensively and properly.
This text was up to date November 2023.
Extra entertaining inspiration from Food52
Are you cooking vegan this Thanksgiving? What is going to you be serving to your non-turkey-eating company? Tell us within the feedback under.
