Make Meat-Eaters Jealous With These 10 Vegetarian Substitutes for a Thanksgiving Turkey (2024)

Although the traditional Thanksgiving menu isn't the most vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of delicious meat-free options to eat instead of a Thanksgiving turkey. My family stopped eating turkey a long time ago, and we've tried many vegetarian Thanksgiving centerpieces that leave nothing to be desired in our Thanksgiving feast. Whether you prefer to buy a meatless turkey or make your own veggie substitute, you can have a scrumptious holiday feast without missing out. Here are 10 yummy vegetarian Thanksgiving turkey alternatives.

Pre-made Vegan Turkey Alternatives

1. Tofurky Vegan Turkey

Tofurky is renowned as one of the bestvegan turkeys to eat for Thanksgiving dinner. Although they have many fake meat products, their roasts and hams are especially popular this time of year. The Tofurky plant-based Holiday Feast is a great option for your entree, with directions for vegetarian gravy on the box. They also offer a Roast, which is filled with wild rice and bread crumb stuffing.

Find the Tofurky vegan turkey here.

2. Gardein Turk'y

Another popular substitute for a real Thanksgiving turkey is Gardein. This meatless roast is made with soy, and is also gluten-free. The Plant-Based Turk'y Roast is a fake turkey roll full of cranberry rice stuffing, and it comes with vegetarian gravy. You can also go for the Holiday Roast for bigger portions. You'll be as satisfied with your Thanksgiving table as any meat-eater!

Find the Gardein turk'ys here.

3. Trader Joe's Breaded Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast With Gravy

Another vegan roast to add to the Thanksgiving menu is Trader Joe's Stuffed Roast. This layered bread roast is made mostly from wheat gluten and is stuffed with wild rice, cranberries, celery and onions. It's then breaded in a yummy breading full of herbs and red pepper flakes. Serve it with the gravy and you're all set for a mouthwatering vegetarian feast!

Find Trader Joe's Stuffed Roast here.

4. Field Roast Celebration Roast

Field Roast is my personal favorite meat alternative. Its savory taste is comparable to a pot roast cooked with veggies, and is made of grain meat, butternut squash, mushrooms, and Granny Smith apples. This main course comes with porcini mushroom gravy that adds even more flavor to the meal. Enjoy with cranberry sauce for a meal just like traditional Thanksgiving.

Find the Field Roast Celebration Roast here.

Vegetarian Recipes to Replace Thanksgiving Turkey

1. Holiday Tofu Roast

For those looking to cook their own Thanksgiving main dish, a tofu roast is the perfect vegetarian replacement for a Thanksgiving turkey. This holiday roast is slow-roasted and marinated in a smoky sauce made with maple syrup, soy sauce, olive oil, liquid smoke, and herbs. It's then flavored with a spicy orange glaze. This succulent vegan roast will make your Thanksgiving meal as flavorful and delectable as can be.

Get the recipe here.

2. Jackfruit Pot Roast

Jackfruit has always been a popular meat substitute, as it's one of the best options for vegetarians looking for a similar texture to meat. This jackfruit pot roast is tasty and easy to make, and it involves a delicious vegan gravy full of veggies to go along with it. Plus, this vegan Thanksgiving recipe goes great with traditional Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and Brussels sprouts.

Get the recipe here.

3. Mushroom Wellington with Rosemary and Pecans

Mushroom Wellington is the veggie version of beef Wellington, and it's truly delectable whether you're a meat-eater or vegetarian. This recipe includes lots of flavor, from sherry wine to balsamic vinegar to garlic. You can also add cheese if you like to have a melty, cheesy element to your Thanksgiving feast. This mushroom Wellington with rosemary and pecans makes for a classy and tasty dinner.

Get the recipe here.

4. Lentil Shepherd's Pie with Potato Mash

Shepherd's pie is the perfect comfort food, and it also makes a great vegansubstitute for a Thanksgiving turkey. This shepherd's pie is full of veggies and herbs, and the lentils satisfy the need for protein. Topped with mashed potatoes and parsnips, it's a tasty veganThanksgiving dinner in one dish.

Get the recipe here.

5. Tofu Turkey

This veg-friendly option is ideal if you want a fancy presentation along with a tasty meatless Thanksgivingmeal. Rather than simply making a block of tofu, you can create your own "tofu turkey," which is shaped into dome and filled with a delectable vegan stuffing. The stuffing of this tofu turkey is made with sautéed veggies and herbs like sage, thyme, garlic and rosemary. It also has a tangy sauce made with sesame oil, Tamara, miso, orange juice and mustard. For a classy, delicious dairy free feast, this tofu turkey is the way to go.

Get the recipe here.

6. Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Almond-Herb Sauce

Make Meat-Eaters Jealous With These 10 Vegetarian Substitutes for a Thanksgiving Turkey (6)

Getty Images/bhofack2

My mother recently discovered the concept of a whole roasted cauliflower, and she whips it out at every family gathering. (I'm definitely not mad about it.) Although veggies have often been delegated to the category of appetizers and side dishes, this whole roasted cauliflower is worthy of a main course. The recipe is relatively simple, with flavors like garlic, wine vinegar, herbs, and red pepper flakes. You can make it vegan by taking out the anchovies and butter. This will make for the ultimate Thanksgiving feast!

Get the recipe here.

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FAQs

What do vegetarians eat for Thanksgiving instead of turkey? ›

If you really want to serve something that is a nearly seamless substitute for Thanksgiving turkey, there's always Field Roast, a plant-based meat and cheese company that sells soy-free holiday roasts. They are wheat-based vegan stuffed roasts with a sage, rosemary, and bread filling.

What are some alternatives to turkey for Thanksgiving? ›

So go ahead and shake things up this Thanksgiving with one of these flavorful alternatives to cooking up a whole bird this year, like mushroom, Gruyère, & spinach-stuffed pork tenderloin, vegan mushroom pot pie, or a juicy prime rib. We're not sure how it happened, but Team Delish is all about a Thanksgiving lasagna.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to roast turkey? ›

Vegan turkey recipes
  1. Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast. This stuffed seitan is the perfect replacement for a stuffed turkey joint this Christmas. ...
  2. Vegan Turkey Wellington With Walnut Gravy. ...
  3. Vegan Herb-Crumbed Whole Roasted Cauliflower. ...
  4. Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie. ...
  5. Festive Vegan 'Turkey' Sandwich. ...
  6. Vegan Seitan Twizzlers.

What two things can concerned meat eaters and vegetarians agree on? ›

We may think we see the world differently, but here are eight things we can definitely all agree on:
  • Animal agriculture is a leading cause of climate change. ...
  • Thumping piglets and grinding up chicks is wrong. ...
  • In an effort to maximize profit, factory farmers keep animals in cramped, disease-ridden conditions.
Jan 11, 2017

What do vegetarians have instead of meat? ›

People who do not eat meat may get protein from sources like beans, seeds, and lentils to meet their protein needs. These plant-based diets may have multiple benefits , including health improvements and being more environmentally friendly. T​o appeal to this market, producers have worked on developing meat substitutes.

What do vegetarians eat instead of chicken? ›

Vegan Chicken: Delicious vegetarian and vegan-friendly chicken substitutes
  • Tofu. Tofu is one of the most well-known and versatile vegan and vegetarian-friendly foods out there. ...
  • Soy curls. ...
  • Jackfruit. ...
  • Potato. ...
  • Seitan. ...
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Cauliflower.
May 18, 2023

Which is the best vegan turkey? ›

The best vegan turkey roasts you can buy
  • Tofurky. Tofurky Tofurky offers a plant-based roast perfect for Thanksgiving. ...
  • Field Roast. Field Roast The company makes a variety of vegan turkey products. ...
  • Gardein Turk'y Roast. Gardein Gardein's Holiday Roast comes with a cranberry wild rice stuffing. ...
  • Trader Joe's Vegan Roast.
Nov 11, 2022

What is meatless turkey made of? ›

Ingredients. Mycoprotein (60%), Egg White, Onion, Milk Proteins, Canola Oil, Yeast Extract. Contains 2% or less of Calcium Chloride, Calcium Acetate, Natural Flavor, Onion Powder, Sage, Potato Maltodextrin, Sugar, Salt, Tapioca Dextrin. Contains Egg & Milk.

What is the name of the vegetarian turkey? ›

Tofurkey (a portmanteau of tofu and turkey) is a plant-based meat substitute patterned after turkey, in the form of a loaf of vegetarian protein, usually made from tofu (soybean protein) or seitan (wheat protein) with a stuffing made from grains or bread, flavored with a broth and seasoned with herbs and spices.

Are meat eaters happier than vegetarians? ›

Australian research published in 2007 found that vegetarians had poorer mental health, with 21–22% reporting depression compared with 15% of meat eaters. A 2012 German study found that mental disorders tended to follow the onset of a vegetarian diet.

Is a vegetarian diet really more environmentally friendly than eating meat? ›

The analysis found that plant-based diets produce 75 percent less heat-trapping gas, generate 75 percent less water pollution, and use 75 percent less land than meat-rich diets — those that include at least 100 grams of meat daily, the equivalent of one steak around the size of a deck of cards.

Why vegetarians are healthier than meat eaters? ›

The health factor

A plant-based diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, peas, lentils and nuts. It's rich in fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. And people who don't eat meat, called vegetarians, generally eat fewer calories and less fat. They also tend to weigh less.

How do vegetarians celebrate Thanksgiving? ›

Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes
  • Stuffed pumpkin. A star rating of 4.3 out of 5. ...
  • Stuffed butternut squash. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Easy vegan wellington. ...
  • Pear, walnut & blue cheese tart. ...
  • Roasted stuffed cauliflower. ...
  • Sweet potato parcel. ...
  • Pumpkin curry with chickpeas. ...
  • Feta-stuffed cannellini nut roast.

What can I buy instead of a whole turkey? ›

Here are our best budget alternatives so you can still enjoy Thanksgiving, without the hefty price tag!
  • Swap your turkey for a rotisserie chicken. ...
  • The free turkey program. ...
  • Get fancy with Cornish game hens. ...
  • Opt for turkey cuts. ...
  • Butterball roast. ...
  • Tofu. ...
  • Whole roasted cauliflower.
Oct 11, 2023

Can you buy vegetarian turkey? ›

Suitable for Vegetarians. Contains: Eggs, Milk, Wheat. There have been rare cases of allergic reactions to Quorn® products, which contain mycoprotein.

Are there vegetarian options in turkey? ›

Most Turkish dishes contain more vegetables than meat, but in the many stews and pilavs, small amounts of meat may be used as a flavoring, so vegetarians need to choose carefully.

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