A vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner can be delicious with vegetable-based side dishes and desserts. Plan according to the type of vegetarian and avoid animal-based ingredients. Mock turkey products are an option, but some vegetarians may not appreciate them. Check labels for animal-based ingredients.
A vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner can be as delicious as a traditional one. No substitute tastes quite like turkey, but many of the side dishes and desserts traditionally served at Thanksgiving are savory and based on vegetables, fruits, and grains. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie can all be eaten in some variation by vegetarians.
The first step in planning a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner is figuring out the types of vegetarians that will be consuming the meal. For example, lacto-ovo vegetarians eat dairy products while vegans don’t. It’s possible to find or create vegan versions of traditional Thanksgiving foods like pumpkin pie. Potatoes can be mashed with a little vegetable broth instead of milk for vegans. Or, try a cinnamon-infused sweet potato dish for flavor.
Stuffing for any type of veggie should always be cooked off the turkey. Also be sure to use different utensils for veggie dishes. The vegetarian gravy can be made with vegetable broth. Nuts placed in small dishes next to the veggie dish can serve as a protein source.
Some people like the idea of a mock turkey like Tofurkey product for a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. Some vegetarians may be offended by a product made to look like an animal, while others may appreciate the novelty. Turkey-like protein loaves can be purchased at health food stores and health food stores. Tofurkey includes gravy, stuffing, and an artificial wishbone.
Ask vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner guests ahead of time not only what ingredients they eat, but what they don’t eat as well. Be sure to check packaged food labels before buying to be sure these ingredients are not in the contents. For example, gelatin is an animal bone product found in some sauces and gelatin powders used to make festive molded salads or light desserts. Sodium caseinate is another animal-based ingredient that many vegetarians don’t eat.
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