It’s That Time of Year Again!

Yes, the holiday season is officially upon us! So many holiday traditions are based around amazing food, and being meat-free doesn’t mean that you need to miss out. In fact, there are so many meatless alternatives to the traditional “holiday roast” and meat-based sides these days that you might even find your carnivore friends envying what is on your plate! Vegan turkey substitute options are indeed endless! 

We realize that everyone’s tastes are different so, in addition to sharing our own favorites, we’ve also included suggestions from members of our closed Facebook group, the Peas and Carrots Society (whaddup guys!). We hope this list of “vegan turkey substitutes that don’t suck” will provide you with some options to satisfy a variety of palates this season–including yours!

1. Just the Sides, Please

Back when I was a meat-eater turkey was never my favorite, so foregoing the bird at Thanksgiving isn’t a sacrifice for me. The sides have always been my favorites, anyway.

If this is your first meatless Thanksgiving and you’ve decided to fill your plate with delicious sides instead, you’ll want to pay attention to how those sides are prepared (whether homemade or prepackaged). You might be surprised to learn that some contain animal byproducts. Here are a few to watch out for.

Cranberry Sauce

Canned cranberry sauce often contains gelatin, which is made with animal byproducts. It can also contain high fructose corn syrup. Your best bet is to whip up your own cranberry sauce. Not only is it better-tasting and healthier for you, but it’ll also look so much nicer on your table! Here is an easy cranberry sauce recipe from Cookie and Kate.

Gravy

Gravy often contains animal fat or pan drippings. There are plenty of easy vegan gravy recipes that are quick and tasty, like this recipe from Connoisseurus Veg or this Vegan Mushroom Gravy published in the New York Times.

Marshmallows

Most marshmallows are made with gelatin, so you’ll want to avoid most brands. The good news, however, is that there is a brand that is vegan…on purpose!  They are Dandies, and they’re better than any non-vegan marshmallows we’ve ever tasted! Vegan marshmallows…who knew?

Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing

Often times mashed potatoes are made using chicken broth and dairy products. Substitute vegetable broth, vegan butter, and nut milk for a vegan-friendly version of mashed potatoes.

As for vegan stuffing options, there are simply way too many types to list here. You can make traditional bread stuffing (plain bread or cornbread) vegan in the same way as mashed potatoes, by substituting vegan broth, butter, and milk. Or, you can try something tasty and different, such as this Quinoa and Herbed Wild Rice Stuffing from Kitchen Treaty.

2. Tofurky Holiday Products

Even before becoming vegetarian, we had heard about Tofurky roasts. While the Tofurky brand offers a wide variety of faux meats, it’s their “roasts” and “hams” that have many vegans and vegetarians buying their products this time of year.

Their website has a store locator to help you find th...