Let’s face it, Thanksgiving is not the holiday for vegetarians or vegans—with turkey being the main food associated with this holiday, being a vegetarian or vegan around all this Thanksgiving food can be tricky. Granted, my family doesn’t really do a traditional American Thanksgiving, but for vegetarians or vegans out there whose families do, these are some recipes that are completely vegetarian, some can even be made vegan, for Thanksgiving that will still put you in that food coma!
- Tofurky
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I am not that much of a fan of tofu so this doesn’t sound that appealing to me, but it is a food that everyone mentions for Thanksgiving when they find out I’m a vegetarian, so I felt obligated to include it. Tofurky is a brand of a vegetarian replacement for turkey that is made from a blend of organic wheat and organic tofu. It is seitan and soy based and pre-stuffed. This recipe for Tofurky includes a pecan-mushroom stuffing and a soy-maple glaze.
- Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing
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Any kind of squash recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving. Squash is a vegetable that is a hit or miss; I remember growing up that I did not really care for the texture and overall taste of squash, and I admit that even today I am not much of a fan. But this Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing recipe just looks and sounds too good not to include in this list. This dish is sure to be a hit at Thanksgiving dinner!
- Green Bean Casserole
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Green beans are also another staple around Thanksgiving—you can never go wrong with a side of green beans with your Thanksgiving meal. Even if you are not a big fan of Thanksgiving food, this Green Bean Casserole recipe is sure to be a hit amongst everyone! This recipe can also be reused for Christmas, or really any family occasion; green beans are such a versatile dish!
- Cornbread Stuffing
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Stuffing is also a regular at the dinner table on Thanksgiving. This Cornbread Stuffing recipe utilizes cornbread and a variety of spices. This is a typical Southern favorite that can be served for any special family event, not just Thanksgiving. This recipe can be made vegan by swapping a cornbread mix with milk, eggs and butter to one without. With this food, you don’t have to go without the traditional flavor just because you aren’t roasting a bird!
- Mashed Potatoes
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Mashed potatoes are another food we often see associated with Thanksgiving. These Mashed Potatoes offer a fun twist on the classic mashed potatoes and are a great appetizer or side dish and a perfect addition to your vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes are truly such a versatile dish that can be made in a multitude of different ways. The fresh thyme and cranberry sauce truly make this dish different!
Whoever says that vegetarians or vegans cannot enjoy Thanksgiving is wrong! There are so many different flavors and dishes that can be veered in a vegetarian or vegan direction, and these are just five of them. You just have to get a little creative in the kitchen to make a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving a success! Add a pie for dessert and you’ve got yourself the perfect Thanksgiving meal. Anyone can enjoy these recipes, and you can even reuse some for your Christmas dinner!