You came to college, became vegan, and are now going home for Thanksgiving. What’s a girl to do?
Becoming vegan is a hard yet extremely rewarding life choice. By being vegan you’re choosing to respect your body, the environment, and other animals. Going home for the first time after making this life-decision can be tough, though. How can you celebrate Thanksgiving with your meat-loving family and still stay true to you? To help solve this problem, We’ve rounded up some vegan Thanksgiving recipes that are sure to turn even your most carnivorous of family members away from the turkey.
Appetizers:
- These are go-to biscuits! They’re made all too frequently because they’re so simple to make (only 5 ingredients!). They are soft, flaky, and taste amazing with any spread!
- Simple, low-fat, low-cal salads are great starters for both the vegan and non-vegan. Looking for a change from the iceberg-lettuce-ranch-dressing combo? Try this wilted spinach salad with mushrooms. Sautéing the ingredients in balsamic vinegar gives this salad a unique twist that the family is sure to love.
Entrée:
- Now, there is always the option of getting tofurkey; however, if you’re wanting to be a little more “outside of the box,” try this veggie tofu pot pie! What’s great about this recipe is its use of seasonal veggies and mixture of herbs. Plus, it uses a homemade sweet potato crust that’s flakey and sweet. It takes a bit of time to make, but it’s so worth it. It’s vegan comfort food at its finest.
Sides:
- Who could have Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? We definitely couldn’t! These mashed potatoes are vegan, buttery, and bursting with flavor. They’re high in protein and have better calorie stats than your everyday mashed potato dish. It’s another recipe that’s perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike.
- As for cranberry sauce, here’s a favorite from Anna’s (the author!) family to yours. Forget the canned cranberry sauce and opt for this recipe. What makes it so great? Fuyu persimmons. These persimmons, native to Japan, are not that common in the US but that’s what makes this cranberry sauce so unforgettable. Persimmons taste a bit like a pear and help sweeten the tartness of the cranberries. It’s a divine combo!
Dessert:
- How could anyone pass up pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving? With these 5 ingredient vegan versions of the iconic pie, you don’t have to! Here are two recipes, one for a classic pumpkin pie and one for a pumpkin “cheesecake” pie. With only 5 ingredients these recipes will save you time and money.
- If you’re on the more adventurous side this Thanksgiving or simply don’t like pumpkin pie, try this recipe for pumpkin gingerbread with spiced buttercream. It’s soft, delicious, and no one will even guess that it’s vegan! As she says on the site, “vegan never looked so sexy.”
Hope this makes your first Vegan Thanksgiving a success! Even if you’re not vegan, these recipes are a must-try.
Happy Thanksgiving!