It’s zero secret that Thanksgiving is classically a carnivore’s dream. After all, the day pretty much revolves around digging into a huge turkey.
So, yeah, it’s kind of a tricky holiday to navigate if you’re a vegan. You'd think maybe Thanksgiving side dishes would be a safer bet, but that's a nope, too. So many of the classics (think stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole) are usually packed with animal-based ingredients like butter, cream, and meat. Not exactly an ideal situation for plant-based eaters.
Vegan dishes tend to get slack from carnivores because people assume they lack flavor, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Not only are they a way to make Thanksgiving dinner that much more tasty, but they can also add a healthy boost to the main meal, says Jana Wolff, RD, and director of nutrition at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
"You can have [everything from] beautiful side salads with quinoa, cranberries, almonds, olive oil, lemon and fresh sage, to a tray of roasted root vegetables with garlic and rosemary, to a roasted acorn squash stuffed with mushrooms, wild rice, and chestnuts," says Wolff. "The options are colorful, healthful and rich with vitamins and minerals."
So if you're ready to add more plant-based options to your Thanksgiving table, look no further. With ingredients like vegan butter, vegetable gravy, and coconut bacon (yes, bacon!), these recipes imitate ALL of the yummy tastes and textures that make Thanksgiving dinner the biggest feast of the year. Trust, these vegan Thanksgiving side dishes will take your Tofurkey Day to a whole new level.
