If you’ve fallen into the category of millennials that have given up a meaty diet and replaced it with a plant based diet, then you’re probably freaking out about one of America’s fat-filled holidays. You know, the one with the poor dead cooked Turkey on the middle of the table with stuffing up it’s butt? Yeah, me too. Welcoming a plant based diet during the more festive holidays of the year is troublesome when all your loved ones eat is meat. The following recipes are ideas that both you and your meat-loving family members will enjoy during your Thanksgiving dinner.
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed potatoes with gravy is one of the best sides you can consume during Thanksgiving dinner. The fluffy, buttered flakes melting in your mouth with each bite is something nobody should miss out on. Mashed potatoes aren’t a meaty delicacy however, they’re not exactly a healthy choice either. A great substitute would be Garlic Mashed Cauliflower, carrying a very similar texture to the plain jane mashed potatoes you’re used to.
Yellow Squash Casserol
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Green bean casseroles are so last year, adding this soft squishy vegetable to some crunchy crackers and cheddar cheese will brighten up a meatless room in only 30 minutes.
Quinoa Stuffing
I’ve never been a fan of stuffing weird crumbles into a turkey’s butt, so this quinoa stuffing had my heart from the moment I read the recipe. Filled with squash, zucchini, cranberries and apricots – this visually pleasing quinoa stuffing will forever replace the mediocre turkey butt stuffing you’ve come to know.
Roasted Butternut Squash Risott
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It wouldn’t be a true Thanksgiving feast without that orange butternut squash making an appearance on the table, and the roasted butternut squash risotto adds some much needed main course vibes to the holiday meal.
Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Since we’re changing things up this Thanksgiving, we might as well add some more fruit to our cranberry sauce. This isn’t the type of cranberry sauce you just pull out of a can, this is a homemade recipe that will take only 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook, serving about eight people.
Maple Glazed Stuffed Squas
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We’re going all out with the squash recipes this year, but this sweet, leafy green recipe takes the cake. Toped with almonds, rice, kale, mushroom tops and drizzled with maple syrup – the acorn squash holds it’s components with pride and will fill the very depths of your tummy with satisfaction (because this recipe is actually vegan don’t tell the fam).
Pumpkin Pie Crescent Roll
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So you’ve eaten all the healthy meals this Thanksgiving and definitely made some modifications to your diet.. but you still need to celebrate with a little sugary cheer. Keeping it semi-traditional, we’re breaking out the pumpkin flavored dessert. However, instead of doing a regular ol’ pumpkin pie we’re trying pumpkin crescent rolls. If pumpkin isn’t really your cup of tea, here are 45 Thanksgiving desserts that will have you salivating for days.
I hope these recipes opened up your heart and stomach to a healthier alternative holiday feast. Happy Thanksgiving from yours truly!