While Thanksgiving can be a challenging day of the year for all dieters, it’s especially difficult for vegetarians and vegans who abstain from eating turkey. There is no shortage of vegetable dishes at most Thanksgiving tables, but the meal often revolves around turkey as a main course.
While the vegetarian diet is diverse and exciting, there are certain parts of the Thanksgiving meal that can be challenging to navigate on a meat-free diet.
Meat-Free Main Dishes
This year, whether you are eating a vegetarian diet, vegan diet or simply want to cut down your consumption of animal products, you can easily swap the turkey out of your Thanksgiving dinner without sacrificing tradition. While offering meat substitute like “Tofurkey” is one option, many home cooks prefer to take advantage of fresh seasonal produce and hearty grain salads.
Meat-Free Stuffing
While turkey is the most common challenge to a vegetarian diet, meat products like pork sausage and oysters sometimes lurk in stuffing or holiday dressing too. If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, it’s easy enough to create vegetarian options for your guests. If you’re headed to an omnivore’s house this year, can offer to bring a meat-free version of your favorite stuffing so that you can enjoy it, worry-free.
Vegan Options
If you are cooking for someone who abstains not only from meat, but all animal products including butter, cream and cheese, you may need to look for substitutions to keep everyone at the table well-fed.
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu:
Appetizers:
Roasted Acorn Squash, Pomegranate and Arugula Salad
Main Dishes:
Side Dishes:
Chopped Broccoli with Pine Nuts (vegan)
Roasted Butternut Squash & Figs with Rosemary (vegan)
Molasses Whipped Sweet Potatoes
Desserts:
Apple Crumble
Want to take it further? Try these 6 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes.