I get asked this question every year. What do you even eat on Thanksgiving? And thanks to my super accommodating family, I can actually say that I eat nearly the same dinner as you. Hold the turkey and gravy, nearly every other traditional dish is vegetarian and easily made vegan. Below are some go-to’s in our family.

If you’re cooking for a vegan or vegetarian, you can also check out my recent blog post on How to Cook for a Vegan During the Holidays which includes easy substitutions to veganize meals and tips on how to approach the holiday.

My 2020 Vegan Holiday Menu

Roasted Root Vegetables. Think carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips etc. roasted with spices like rosemary and thyme, lightly coated with olive oil, salt and pepper. I usually add a few garlic cloves and some red onion as well.

Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts. I made this last week with a simple glaze of balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and a touch of salt and it was out of this world. You could add some walnuts, dried cranberries or fresh pomegranate seeds to dress it up a bit more.

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad. Oh She Glows makes my favorite one.

Rice Pilaf. Just make sure there is no chicken stock or flavoring used.

Rolls or Ciabatta Bread with Olive Oil or a Garlic Dip. So simple and delicious. And, you can make a cashew garlic dip that is to die for by simply blending cashews, olive oil, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Thin with water if needed.

Apple Crumble. Just sub in vegan butter and you are literally golden. Top with Ben & Jerry’s or FoMu Vegan ice cream if you’re feeling it.

Runner Up Menu Options

Rainbow Swiss Chard with Cannellini Beans and Garlic. Sauté everything in olive oil including the chard stems. I like them chopped into skinny pieces, almost like celery. I make this one all the time, not just during the holidays.

String Beans Sautéed with Almonds. I love this with a light peanut sauce.

Mashed Potatoes or Mashed Sweet Potatoes. This one is not normally vegan but can easily be made vegan with Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and Soy Milk or Cream.

Vegan Stuffing. I have been wanting to try this Vegan Stuffing recipe by Minimalist Baker. I’ve also seen it done with a mushroom base but I am personally not a huge mushroom fan.

Vegan Mac and Cheese. My favorite recipe is in Ellen Fisher’s ebook.

Roasted Potatoes or a Baked Potato. Roasted potatoes crisp up best if they are presoaked in cold water. I season them with garlic powder, smoked paprika and rosemary with a light olive oil and salt coating.

Apple Pie. Amazingly, this is naturally vegan. Obviously, double check your ingredients but most recipes and even store bought versions are typically vegan.

Pumpkin Pie. Using silken tofu, you can make a pretty convincing vegan pumpkin pie.

Ginger Molasses or Chocolate Chip Cookies. I veganize these with plant based butter and flax eggs. Yummm.

The Most Important Part

I absolutely love holiday dinners with my family. I love catching up with my cousins and enjoying all of their life updates. The food is great, for sure. I am lucky. But it’s really not about the food. It’s about spending time together and appreciating each other and expressing gratitude for all that we have and love. Cheesy as it sounds, my sister often gets going a “what are you most proud of this year?” or “what are you grateful for?” and I really love listening to everyone’s responses.

Don’t get me wrong, it can be really hard to be vegan or vegetarian during the holidays or for big group meals. I have eaten packaged granola bars or a handful of nuts when there isn’t anything else offered that doesn’t contradict my beliefs. But I have learned tips on how to figure out the food part, and I focus on what is most important. It’s never the food.

Recipe Bloggers and YouTubers That I Love

If you are looking to veganize a certain dish or for more specific recipes, I highly recommend these resources.

Minimalist Baker - This is my go to for blog recipes. She is actually not all vegan but has an extensive vegan section.

Oh She Glows - Great vegan blog.

Pick Up Limes - I love Sadia’s YouTube videos because not only are they full of amazing vegan recipes, she is also one of the most calming and encouraging bloggers that I follow. Huge fan. I am so ready for a cookbook or restaurant from her.

Avant Garde Vegan - If you are craving some fancy vegan meals, Gaz Oakley is the one to follow. I love his YouTube channel for more complex vegan meals. He definitely tries to make the meat equivalents too so if that’s your thing, check him out.

Cookie and Kate - This blog is vegetarian but she offers easy ways to veganize and has a whole vegan section.

Ellen Fisher and Hannah McNeely - These vegan YouTubers are activists and sisters. They offer a ton of content including home schooling and lifestyle videos. I am including them here because they both have vegan ebooks and post recipes often on their channels.

Additional Resources

1. If you’d like more vegan holiday menu ideas, you can always look up menus from your favorite restaurants for inspiration. Almost all restaurants post their menus online and you can google for copycat recipes.

2. Whole Foods Market offers a takeout style vegan holiday meal for two, along with many sides serving 4-6 people. So if you don’t feel like cooking, this might be a great option. Or, just read the menu for inspiration. This year I am seeing a few items that catch my eye like Spinach Artichoke Puffs, Miso Creamed Greens, Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole, Pumpkin Curry Soup, Abe’s Vegan Cornbread Loaf (Love this brand!), Olive Oil Smashed Cauliflower and more.

3. Purple Carrot (Based in Needham, MA!) is offering a holiday box. I was a Purple Carrot subscriber for several years while transitioning to plant based and highly recommend this service.

I hope that you find these menu items and resources helpful.

If you are struggling with the holidays or with shared group meals, I am here for you. Let me know your questions and concerns and we will find a solution together.

A Note on Indigenous People

I am raising my hand to say, I am learning.

Is anyone else completely upset that what we were taught in school is complete bull? I am livid. And I am learning. When I talk about Thanksgiving, please know this, I do not celebrate mass genocide. It is absolutely appalling. Disgusting. Disturbing. Upsetting to say the least.

My first step is to unlearn what I was taught and then to learn the truth. I am in this phase. I will also ensure that my son is taught the truth.

For now, as we are all given time off of work and school and routines, I do get together with my family (albeit via zoom this year) to spread love and kindness, to catch up. If you have ideas on how to include the unlearning, the new learning and the appropriate way to teach our children about our history’s past and the Indigenous People in our society, I am all ears.

With love and respect to you this November.