Adobe Stock
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, then you know that holiday dinners tend to be tricky at best. More often than not, you end up with a small plate of side dishes and not much else. Not only do you go home feeling unfulfilled, but also frustrated because is it really that hard to make a main dish you can eat?
If your Turkey Day is meat-free, you have more options than ever before. Here are a few ideas to start planning your ultimate Thanksgiving menu!
Cauliflower steaks are my go-to meat alternative. You can get such a wonderful texture from a thick slice of cauliflower, whether it’s grilled or roasted. The vegetable takes on the flavors of whatever marinade or spices you use, making it really versatile. Portabello mushroom steaks are another good choice, although I personally prefer the texture of cauliflower.
Roasted butternut squash is another all-star choice for a meat-free Thanksgiving table. It’s seasonal–always a plus–and surprisingly versatile. My favorite way to serve this dish is to cut the squash in half, roast them on a sheet pan, and then fill the scooped-out hollow with stuffing or a mixture of grains and legumes. If you prefer a different type of squash, choose a hard winter squash such as acorn.
The classic Tofurky is a bit of a punchline, but have you ever actually tasted one? They’re not bad at all. While I prefer vegetarian and vegan dishes that aren’t masquerading as meat, this is a good alternative if you want that classic Thanksgiving experience.
Most traditional Thanksgiving side dishes are already veggie-friendly or can be made so pretty easily. However, we all know that animal products can lurk in the most unlikely of places.
Cranberry-orange relish should be vegetarian, but double-check that your family’s recipe is free of gelatin. Mashed potatoes may contain chicken stock in some recipes. For vegan potatoes, swap the butter for olive oil or a vegan margarine substitute.
Gravy probably has meat in it, but you can either skip it or make your own with a few simple ingredients including vegetable broth and nutritional yeast. The traditional stuffing can also be made vegan-friendly as long as it is cooked in a separate dish, not inside the turkey.
The future is here, and it’s served in a bowl. Seriously, what can’t you turn into a bowl meal? If you already enjoy burrito bowls, then take the same approach with a vegan/vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll get a little bit of everything instead of trying to build a meal around a main dish. It’s also a great way to use up leftovers!
