The epitome of Thanksgiving is the food at Thanksgiving Dinner. As a vegan, it may be hard to indulge in the food since most of it contains meat or animal products. You find yourself filling your plate with veggies and bread because that’s all you can eat. Vegan alternatives to your favorite Thanksgiving dishes do exist!
There are vegan Thanksgiving recipes; however, they take a lot of time and preparation. Precious time you may not want to spend cooking on your break. Local grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s, Costco, Walmart, and Whole Foods have got you covered. Save time, preparation, and animals with these vegan Thanksgiving alternatives.
Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast With Gravy: Trader Joes
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In Trader Joe’s, this turkey-less roast has become a popular Thanksgiving statement dish every fall season. It is the main course that is not only scrumptious, but vegan as well. The roast is stuffed with wild-rice stuffing, celery, apple puree, and cranberries. There is a blend of soy and seitan within the stuffing. The outside includes a crispy breaded coating. You can top off your roast with the vegan gravy included within the package, which you can find this in the refrigerated area. These ingredients all come together to create a flavorful bite that you can proudly say doesn’t include meat or animal products. They sell out quick since they are a seasonal item so get it before it runs out!
Vegan Apple/ Pumpkin Pie + Whipped Cream: Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Walmart
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Pie with whipped cream is a staple Thanksgiving treat. Traditionally pies include eggs while whipped cream includes dairy. Thanks to Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Costco, you can get a vegan (sometimes gluten-free) pie anywhere! Apparently, Costco accidentally made a vegan apple pie (Costco Lattice Apple Pie) and it is absolutely delicious. Walmart and Whole Foods have a vegan pumpkin pie that is comparable to Costco pies. Be sure to check the ingredients just in case when you’re picking one out. Lastly, Trader Joe’s has a vegan Coconut Whipped Topping that will taste perfect on top of your vegan apple or pumpkin pie. Best of all, they are all reasonably priced so you won’t have to break the bank to spare the animals.
Vegan Mac and Cheese: Walmart
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Annie’s Organic Vegan Shells & Creamy Sauce is one the tastiest vegan mac and cheeses on the market. It is the vegan comfort food you’ve been craving! Annie’s Mac and Cheese comes in two delicious flavors: mild cheddar and pumpkin and sweet potato. Reviews praise how surprisingly tasty they are, along with its striking similarity in taste and consistency with traditional boxed mac and cheese. It can be prepared in a matter of minutes in your microwave. Annie’s Mac and Cheese is free of artificial flavors and synthetic colors or preservatives. Even your meat-eating family members will be asking for a bite. This mac and cheese come out to less than $4 a box, what a steal! Try it this Thanksgiving, it maybe your go-to food you turn to for the rest of the year.
Tofurky Roast Vegetarian (Vegan) Ham: Whole Foods
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Here’s another main course alternative! This plant-based course includes “a tender, smoky flavor, complemented by a sweet, tangy glaze.” It is a “ham” roast that does not taste like ham, sorry to burst anyone’s expectations. A ham substitute is still being perfected in the meat alternative industry. Velvety beer glaze is infused within the “ham” providing a flavorful bite. The beer glaze gives the “ham” a caramel tasting flavor and smooth texture. According to reviews, it is best to cook in an air dryer because it maintains its moistness. Though it is more expensive, many of those who reviewed the food on Amazon claims that they would eat this every day if they could. It is worth trying at least once because it could be life-changing.
Vegan Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: Walmart
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No Thanksgiving dish is complete without a mountain of mashed potatoes topped with gravy. Most mashed potatoes come with butter which is made using animal products. Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes has a type containing no butter and is available in most grocery stores too. You just have to make sure it uses soy, almond milk, or vegan butter when preparing the dish. If you’re feeling inspired, there are simple recipes to use at home including olive oil. For gravy, Walmart carries an Organic Vegan Mushroom Gravy. They sell it in 13.9 oz. cartons so you can use as much as you desire. It has been described as a “pantry staple” by a reviewer on Thrive Market. Together these two will fulfill your mashed potato and gravy cravings this Thanksgiving season.