Thanksgiving can be a tricky holiday to host if you have family or friends who are vegan. However, there is no need to fear! There are endless options available that are easy to make and will help all of your guests feel welcome.
Last year a vegan couple we are friends with hosted a Friendsgiving, and my eyes were opened to all kinds of delicious Thanksgiving options! As a vegetarian, it’s easy to eat everything except the turkey. But what I didn’t realize is how easy it can be to recreate our usual holiday recipes into vegan-friendly ones.
Some ideas for making these dishes vegan-friendly can be quick, simple, or just changing a few ingredients. Here are some ideas for quick dishes if you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.
Appetizers:
- Crescent rolls are vegan, and having vegan butter available is quick and easy.
- Crockpot cheese dip is made by cutting up Chao Cheese, adding a can of Rotel, and any kind of vegan cream cheese. It’s great to dip chips or veggies in!
Side dishes:
- Mashed potatoes can be made by swapping out dairy for vegan butter and almond milk, and adding nutritional yeast along with seasonings like garlic salt.
- Green bean almondine is made by cooking fresh or frozen green beans, seasoning them, and then topping with toasted almonds.
- Roasted vegetables are simple to make by seasoning with oil, garlic salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like.
- Salads and baked sweet potatoes are easy for guests to add their own toppings onto.
Entree:
- Celebration Roast by Field Roast is a pre-made roast comprised of vegetables, fruits, and seasonings. All you have to do is pop it into the oven!
Desserts:
- Daiya frozen cheezecakes come in a variety of flavors.
There are also tons of recipes out there where you can make your own delicious dishes, and many of them taste just like the real deal. Here are some that I have either made myself or enjoyed due to someone else’s cooking.
Appetizers:
- Cranberry cheese dip: 1/2 cup soaked cashews – blended (with plant milk, vegetable broth, or water); 3 slices (or more) of Chao cheese; 1/4 cup each of mozzarella and cheddar Daiya shreds; 1/2 block of vegan feta. Mash and mix all together, then put in the oven at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes (enough time for it all to melt). Then make a well for an optional 1/4-1/2 cup of cranberry compote. This was delicious to dip crackers in.
- Veggie pigs in a blanket: Take a tube of Crescent rolls and cut each individual roll into three triangles. Take a pack of Lightlife Veggie Dogs and cut each one in half lengthwise and then widthwise. Roll each one up and follow the baking directions for the crescent rolls by keeping them in the oven at the higher end of the baking time. These can be served with ketchup, other dips, or eaten plain!
Side dishes:
- Sage tempeh stuffing: This was my first time making homemade stuffing, and even my friends who never eat stuffing raved about this. It’s a little time consuming, but totally worth it!
- Sweet potato casserole: This sweet dish will be enjoyed by everyone and no one will even know it’s vegan!
- Vegan gravy: This gravy does not require many ingredients, and can be put on so many dishes!
Entree:
- Whole roasted cauliflower skillet: This vegetarian replacement for a turkey includes a homemade gravy.
Desserts:
- Pumpkin cookies: These are so moist and include an icing recipe. Trust me, you want to add the icing on top. It’s worth it.
- Pumpkin pie: There are lots of vegan-friendly recipes for this on the internet, and you can either make the crust or buy a premade one.
I hope this gives you ideas on delicious recipes you can make that any type of guest can enjoy! My dear friend Misha has shown me so many amazing ways to turn ordinary recipes into vegan-friendly ones. If you are interested in learning more about being vegan or want additional meal ideas, check out her YouTube channel at Plants & Progress. She focuses on living a sustainable lifestyle and incorporates veganism.
