While it certainly is the time to give thanks and celebrate with friends and family, we’d be lying if we said that Thanksgiving isn’t all about the food, too. And trust us, Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be about the turkey. If you’re looking for ways to veganize your Thanksgiving this year, you’re in luck! Check out our top tips on how to incorporate vegan dishes in your festive feast:
Use Easy Vegan-Friendly Substitutions
Did you know how easy it is to make your favorite holiday recipes vegan-friendly and delicious? All it takes, in most cases, is a little bit of vegetable broth. And while there are even entirely plant-based substitutes for the traditional roast turkey, there are tons of other easy vegan substitutions that you can easily whip up just in time for your Thanksgiving feast!
Gravy: Lucky for you, it’s just as easy to make a plant-based gravy that competes with the tastiness of the traditional turkey gravy? Just saute some mushrooms, onions, garlic and olive oil, sprinkle a bit of flour over the top, and slowly whisk in vegetable broth.
Mashed Potatoes: Swap out the milk and butter in your mashed potatoes for non-dairy milk and vegetable broth for an easy vegan-friendly substitution for this classic Thanksgiving side dish. Easy peasy!
Try New Vegan Recipes
Are you going full-on vegan for your Thanksgiving feast? We commend you. Luckily, there are a ton of vegan recipes out there that are super tasty and easy to make. Whip up our very own Creamy Vegan Mac & Cheese for a cheesy addition to your holiday feast and stay tuned for more Moon Meals recipes.
More of a sweets person? Fear not. You don’t have to swap out the sweets to make your Thanksgiving a little healthier. You can even just take your favorite recipes and make easy vegan switches – just swap out the milk for dairy-free milk and the butter for vegan butter! Check out this easy peasy cheat sheet for vegan baking.
Hosting Vegans: 101
Thanksgiving can be a stressful endeavor, especially if you’re cooking and preparing the meal for a number of different people with a number of different personal preferences, dietary needs, restrictions, and lifestyle choices. Whether you’re hosting vegans, vegetarians, or anyone else with certain dietary needs, it’s best to rely upon various versatile dishes that anyone and everyone can eat: steamed or roasted vegetables are always a safe bet.
If all else fails, consider hosting a potluck Thanksgiving dinner. This way guests can bring along their favorite dishes that already fit into their lifestyles, so less worrying (and less cooking) for you!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Moon Meals to you!