Last year was my first fully vegan Thanksgiving. Needless to say, I was a little nervous about what there would be for me to eat since all of my favorite Thanksgiving foods have meat, dairy, or eggs. My family tried their best to include me by getting me my own Tofurky. Since that day I've vowed to never let any other vegan go down that dreadful route.
Personally, I am very much against fake meats. I believe in eating real, whole foods. Processed "meats" just never appealed to me when I became vegan. Sometimes they taste scarily like the real thing which just freaks me out even more, but I admit they definitely can help new vegans adjust to the lifestyle easily.
But if you're like me and would rather starve than eat another Tofurky, here is a complete guide to a Tofurky-less vegan Thanksgiving.
Stuffing
Next to the turkey, the stuffing is always the highlight of our family's Thanksgiving dinners. Thankfully, stuffing is pretty simple to make vegan. This recipe by Minimalist Baker is good enough to please herbivores and meat-eaters alike.
Corn Bread
No Thanksgiving feast is complete without some cornbread. This one is not only vegan, but also gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar free. It even has some white beans in it for some added protein.
Roasted Sweet Potato and Farro Salad
As a vegan at the dinner table, the bulk of your Thanksgiving meal will inevitably be the vegetable side dishes that no one really likes as much as the turkey or the stuffing, but that just means more for you. This side dish with sweet potatoes, farro, and kale is everything to love about fall in one dish.
Gravy
Gravy on Thanksgiving is like whipped cream on any dessert— the meal is incomplete without it. This one is the perfect finishing touch to drown your plate.
Cranberry Sauce
Almost as important as the gravy is the cranberry sauce. Honestly, you can't really have one without the other. This one combines the flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and orange for the perfect sauce.
Green Bean Casserole
Another vegetable side dish that's easily made to be vegan, green bean casserole. This Thanksgiving classic recipe one is just as creamy as the traditional non-vegan dish, thanks to some full-fat coconut milk.
Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole
I don't know about you, but I could personally eat my weight in sweet potatoes no matter the time of year. This marshmallow sweet potato casserole has always been my all-time favorite dish on Thanksgiving, even when I was still eating meat and dairy. This one is easily made to be vegan with the use of coconut milk.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving staple in any household. I tend to be a little skeptical when it comes to vegan desserts, but this one is absolutely incredible. It is refined sugar free and naturally sweetened thanks to the medjool dates, making it healthier than the typical pie.
Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is another Thanksgiving classic. This one is refined sugar free and can be made to be gluten-free. Top it off with some coconut milk whipped cream for a sweet finishing touch.
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
These pumpkin cinnamon rolls are the best way to start your Thanksgiving. In a day completely dedicated to stuffing your face, you might as well start it early, am I right? This one is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Brussel Sprouts
Ah, brussel sprouts. The most underrated vegetable at Thanksgiving in my opinion. This side dish combines sweet and savory with maple syrup as a sweetener.
Apple Crisp
For anyone who's not a huge fan of pumpkin pie (aka, me), here's an apple crisp for everyone at your table to enjoy— vegan or non-vegan.
It is totally possible to be vegan at your family's Thanksgiving dinner. It just takes a little more planning. Almost every traditional Thanksgiving staple can be modified to be vegan, especially the vegetable dishes. Even more importantly, no Torfurkys will be consumed if you follow any of these recipes, and trust me, I'm doing you a favor.