Most people fuss over the turkey on Thanksgiving, but everyone knows that side dishes are the real stars. Especially if you are vegan.
Check out these traditional and trendy twists of vegan Thanksgiving sides. You won’t even miss the animal products.
1. Potatoes
Potatoes are my favorite food. Not even kidding. If I had one food to eat for the rest of my life, it would be potatoes. Pure, simple, unadulterated potatoes. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t love to pile on the fixin’s, especially on Thanksgiving.
This recipe is amazing. AMAZING. Not only because Gaby Dalkin is a fantastic chef, but because she isn’t afraid to break the mould. Sure, you typically see mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving. But why do what people are expecting? Make roasted potatoes. You will not regret it.
2. Rolls
Who doesn’t love a good roll? Buttery, flaky, the kind that leaves you reaching for another once you finish it…You know what I mean. Now, if you are vegan, that means you can’t eat butter. Sad, I know.
But you would never know that this recipe calls for vegan butter…And only two tablespoons at that. Whip these up and you will happily reach for that second, third, and fourth roll.
3. Carrots
I don’t like cooked carrots, but I love these. They are nothing like the nasty, mushy disks that your dining hall pawns off as “cooked carrots.” These veggies are full of flavor, and color! Even if you don’t make the basil-mint topping, these carrots crispy and delicious. Think you can’t fall in love with a vegetable? Just wait until you try them.
4. Green Beans
Green beans are my jam. I love them. Seriously, when they are on the menu l I make sure to get to the dining hall first so that I can pile my plate with heaps of the delectable bean. I know that lots of people look forward to green bean casserole on Thanksgiving, but honestly I was never a fan, even when I wasn’t vegan. Something about the gloopy mushroom sauce and the over cooked green beans was anything but appealing to me.
But after I tried this recipe, I understood why people were so crazy for the stuff. Even if you aren’t serving a vegan crowd, I am sure they will prefer this plant-based version to the canned rendition.
5. Vegan Cesar Salad
It is uncommon to see salad at Thanksgiving. I mean where would it fit among all the butter, flour, and sugar on your countertop? But hey, vegans like salad. Okay, I will give you a minute to recover from your gasp.
I know what you are thinking. Yes, salad can get boring. Yes, salad can be a chore to eat. Yes, salad can be bland. Maybe you don’t serve salad because you think that it is impossible to impress people with a salad, but trust me…This salad is exemplary and the chickpea croutons aren’t half-bad either.
6. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce discussions can be divisive. There are two types of people when it comes to this condiment. The people who can’t stand it and the people who couldn’t get through Thanksgiving without it. I don’t know what you, or your family, think about this topic, but I always make some in order to err on the side of caution. And even though I wouldn’t smother my turkey with the stuff, it isn’t too bad.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole
As I mentioned before, I love potatoes. And that includes sweet potatoes. So you can bet that I am a fan of sweet potato casserole. I mean who would say no to a casserole dish filled with sweet potatoes and topped with crunchy oats and decadent pecans? I know I wouldn’t.
Seriously, this recipe has the best of both worlds: sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy. If complex flavor and texture are important to you when it comes to food, then this is your dish.