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 begin with, take a deep breath—it’s only one meal. There will likely be three extra tomorrow! As you’re taking one other massive inhale, know that I’m right here that can assist you discover scrumptious vegan turkey substitutes that can enchantment to each meat-eaters and anybody on a plant-based weight loss plan. 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, in the event you’re feeding Thanksgiving dinner to individuals who don’t eat turkey, and need to put together them one thing that’s meat-free (apart from the salad and dessert) which might be already on the desk, we’ve bought you lined. 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 definitely wouldn’t make mapo tofu on Turkey Day), I urge you to rethink what “conventional” even means. Thanksgiving is an American vacation (really, there’s one in Canada too), however does each American household sit all the way down to assault a 20-pound hen with a aspect 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 concern. 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 individuals I really like. Nothing extra. And guess what? I don’t need to make a turkey—and neither do you.
Relations might 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 delicate in taste and might be handled like some other protein, flip to Burmese tofu, which transforms chickpea flour, oil, and water right into a sturdy tofu-like dish. You may gown it nevertheless you’d like, or serve it with vegan gravy, cranberry sauce (which is normally all the time vegan!), dairy-free mashed potatoes, and meatless stuffing in the event you’d like to stay with these “traditional” Thanksgiving flavors.
2. Complete Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric-Tahini Sauce & Pistachios
A vegetable as a substitute of turkey? You wager. “Complete roasted cauliflower” might sound easy on paper (or on your loved ones’s Thanksgiving planning spreadsheet), however simply wait till you set it down on the desk. In fact, 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 mainly an entire 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 attempt ‘em!). For stuffing vibes, serve the dish with a giant loaf of sourdough bread.
4. Vegetarian Mapo Tofu
You’ve in all probability ordered or made mapo tofu earlier than, and aren’t any stranger to the delightfully lip-numbing high quality of the dish’s signature Sichuan peppercorn-based sauce. For this recipe, you received’t want to make use of the peppercorns—although you can definitely 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 Muffins
As an alternative of creating these candy potato-chickpea truffles 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 all the time say, when unsure, make lasagna. The comfy casserole is all the time, all the time 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 will likely be reaching for a wedge. Severely, who can flip down a hearty slice of lasagna?
7. Zucchini Verde Enchiladas
There’s no rule that claims “you possibly can’t make enchiladas tonight” (and if anybody’s ever mentioned 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? Occasion poopers! Make veggie burgers, reside your life. Perhaps you don’t need to get away the burger buns and ketchup, however I definitely 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 while 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 might be made upfront, which is all the time useful on Thanksgiving. For some extra protein, you can toss in browned vegan sausage to the filling. It’s chockful of veggies so you can theoretically make fewer vegetable aspect dishes (however truthfully why would you need 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 an entire 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 at liberty to get artistic with the marinade right here: attempt 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 cause: 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 full of lentils and quinoa, tethered along with a harissa-based sauce. Be at liberty 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 could possibly additionally fill them with bread or wild rice stuffing for 2 dishes in a single.
12. Squashduckens
Talking of stuffed squash, in the event you swap the cheese on this recipe for vegan options, a Squashducken (sure, that’s a squash stuffed inside a squash inside one other squash inside one other—within the type of a Turducken) is probably essentially the most worthy of the “Meatless Thanksgiving Principal” title. Be warned: it’s much more work than a turkey, however confirmed to earn a spherical of applause when delivered to the desk. On the lookout for a candy model? We have you lined. Candy Squashducken is an apple-pear crumble crossed with buttery-smooth roasted squash, and it goes simply as nicely with stuffing as a scoop of ice cream.
13. Coconut & Chile Braised Winter Squash
The great thing about this braise is that it’s a pure accomplice for mashed potatoes or wild rice stuffing. Delicata or butternut squash are braised in a mix 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 elements,” says recipe developer EmilyC. It’s hearty sufficient to be a vegan alternative for the Thanksgiving turkey, however it might additionally simply function an surprising aspect dish that everybody will take pleasure in.
14. Area Roast Celebration Roast
In case you actually need to serve one thing that could be a practically seamless substitute for Thanksgiving turkey, there’s all the time Area 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 be included. Bonus: it prices roughly $20, which is a steal in comparison with the worth of a 12- to 14-pound turkey for Thanksgiving, so you possibly can dine inexpensively and nicely.
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 visitors? Tell us within the feedback under.
