topic Thanksgiving for Vegetarians in Kitchen

Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Biftu — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 16:56:19 GMT

i may be hosting some vegetarian guests this thanksgiving and am struggling with what to serve. I will have the usual turkey with all the usual sides for the non-vegetarians, but need ideas on other dishes the vegetarians can eat. I always make roasted vegetables which will work, but need more ideas other than that for them. I am considering making a vegetable lasagne. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:06:22 GMT

Do your guests eat dairy? I make my vegetable lasagna with milk and cheese.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Sooner — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:06:59 GMT

@Biftu I would do baked sweet potatoes for the day. They are SO good and so easy.

Have fresh and dried fruits and nuts for dessert and snacks for them.

A dish of rice and spinach or other veggies cooked in water or vegetable broth with herbs and garlic. . .

I would make in advance a day or two and/or freeze a vegetable lasagna: Use herbs to season, salt and papper and eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, yellow squash, frozen spinach thawed and rung out of water, tomato slices, and/or whatever else veggies you like.

I would layer thin slices of the above with vegetarian flat noodles and if you can find vegan cheese or something use that, and some tomato slices or sauce for moisture, and layer like a regular lasagna and bake until the veggies are done

I have done it with thin slices of pan roasted veggies and it is good too! We just make it up as we go along and have whatever we have on hand.

We make and love this dish and almost always have some frozen. Matter of fact, we have a big pan of it in the freezer right now.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Desert Lily — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:12:55 GMT

Are they Vegan or Vegetarian? Vegans don't eat anything with dairy or anything with eggs, in addition to the other non-vegan items. Once you know which type of diet they follow, you could probably find some great recipes on the internet (maybe rice dishes, desserts, etc.)

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

PA Mom-mom — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:20:34 GMT

@Biftu I think a lot of it depends on how much oven/air fryer space you have AND if your guests are vegan or vegetarian. As stated above, do they eat dairy? It's always nice to have something they can slice as their dinner partners are slicing the turkey. I like cauliflower "steaks" or fried eggplant. Your roasted veggies will be great! Also, there are lots of butternut squash recipes out there. A wild rice side would be great for everyone. My sister in law makes an Ina Garten wild rice and mushroom side that is just delicious. Any recipe that calls for chicken broth can probably use vegetable broth instead. The sweet potato suggestion is also a good one! Good luck, I've been there too.

ETA: I love vegetable lasagna, too. And you could prep ahead of time. Your idea may be the easiest and most satisfying.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Mindy D — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:59:57 GMT

@Biftu @Whatever you do, don't serve Tofurky. Horrible. I had it a few years ago. My niece and her now husband showed up at my other nieces house for T Day. They are vegetarians and chefs. My niece trained at Le Cordon Bleu. They prepared Tofukey for themselves and we also had regular turkey. The Tofurkey is a horrible tasting product. I love tofu, so it isn't about that. It's just not any good. 'Terrible' isn't good enough to describe it.

The first thing you need to find out is if they are vegetarians or vegans. Vegans don't eat dairy or eggs.

You might try this recipe. Put the title into your search bar.

Noracooks

VEGAN TURKEY ROAST

by NORA // NOVEMBER 16, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links.

You could serve a vegetable, mushroom and stuffing casserole as the main dish. You can make a nutritional yeast gravy to serve over it if you like, or since it's a casserole you can put anything you want in it, cheeses, onions, mushrooms. Serve mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, green beans, crudités, including olives, celery, cornbread, pumpkin pie.

Just don't serve turkey.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Biftu — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:43:23 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
Are they Vegan or Vegetarian? Vegans don't eat anything with dairy or anything with eggs, in addition to the other non-vegan items. Once you know which type of diet they follow, you could probably find some great recipes on the internet (maybe rice dishes, desserts, etc.)

Vegetarian and one is vegan

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

vsm — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:58:09 GMT

There's always Marie Barone's tofuturkey...

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

faeriemoon — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:06:22 GMT

I think I'd do a pasta dish. You could do a pesto or a primavera. Since one of them is vegan, you can't do any cream based sauces.

You could also do a risotto with peas and wild muchrooms, although you'd have to eliminate the grated cheese.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

itsmagic — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:13:45 GMT

In addition to the roasted veggies and sweet potatoes, I would make a large tossed salad with a variety of veggies and add some rinsed black beans and chopped up nuts (for protein) Make a simple vegan salad dressing for it. I’d also do a fresh fruit salad.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

RespectLife — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:40:02 GMT

I would consider the extra time and energy needed.

Many are suggesting several extra dishes. Depending on your schedule, that is a LOT of work added onto an already labor intensive holiday meal.

I would make your usual meal and ONE extra dish and it would have to be Vegan.

Vegan dishes can be difficult since you can't use so many things....but

Roasted veggies is a sure fire hit!

I usually always have a tossed salad, something light to offset the heavy dishes. That would give them something else they could eat.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Desert Lily — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:49:00 GMT

I googled vegan recipes, and there are millions online.

These are vegan bean soups. They look yummy!

These are vegan desserts. The one on the left is made with pumpkin. (Vegans do not eat butter or any animal-based food.)

Vegan fried rice ... and Vegan rice pilaf

Vegan lasagne

Vegan Pasta (be sure there's no eggs in the pasta ingredients)

There are so many good Vegan recipes! Maybe your other guests would enjoy a vegan recipe that you make, too.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Glittergal — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:52:18 GMT

As a vegan, I would be thrilled with a vegan lasagna (you can buy vegan cheese at many grocery stores--Daiya is a good brand for lasagna). Fruit salad would be a perfect side or dessert along with a salad and some bread sticks or rolls (check salad dressing for dairy and cheese--my favorite easy vegan dressing is Wishbone Italian. Other options are vegan make-ahead shepherd's pie. Roasted veggies are always a great idea. You can have them as a side or mix in with pasta. Ben and Jerry's ice cream have a dairy free line that is excellent--easy dessert! I think it's really wonderful that you are willing to accomodate. Vegans are often overlooked and that makes gatherings feel less special. It's hard to have a good time if you're hungry.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

River Song — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 20:06:47 GMT

Vegan stuffed bell peppers, many recipes online. Assemble the day before and cook in a nice tomato sauce in the slow cooker so you aren't taking up valuable stove or oven space. It's a nice main course so your vegan/vegetarian guests don't feel that they are stuck eating only the side dishes or a green salad.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Bhvbum — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 20:46:58 GMT

All the non-meat or non-dairy eaters in my family simply eat everything but the meat or the dairy. As long as you have enough sides.

Things like stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green salad, green beans etc. Then there are rolls and dessert and that is usually more than enough food for anyone.

Also, they tend to bring their favorite casserole with them.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

godi — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 21:46:07 GMT

I am a vegetarian A salad is always a good choice and sweet potato with black beans. Roasted veggies. A veggie soup. Stuffing if not made in bird and no meat added. Rice dishes. Make sure they eat cheese.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Daludog — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 21:55:51 GMT

I think a mac and cheese casserole would be great if a vegetarian. easy to make ahead and cook on thanksgiving.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

loriqvc — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 00:28:37 GMT

For the vegetarians at our feast, we always prepare extra mashed potatoes (their fave, and they top 'em with melted butter instead of gravy) and make the dressing (aka on the side, not in the bird) with vegetable stock. There's no extra work and everyone can eat all the potatoes and dressing they'd like. As others have noted, with the wide variety of side dishes we prepare, our vegetarian guests always feel they have plenty of food. And at least at our table, all they are really missing out on is the turkey and gravy, which may be the feature for some, but even a few of the non-vegetarians don't love turkey and take little to none.

We've only had one vegan guest over the years, and he didn't want any kind of fuss, so we just let him know which dishes had no dairy and he still ended up with a full plate. Lots of great ideas are shared here, and the Internet is full of additional suggestions.

Good luck!

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Carmie — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 03:07:33 GMT

My daughter's SIL who is vegan once brought stuffed portobello mushrooms to a holiday meal. They were huge and delicious.

They took the place of the Turkey...you needed a knife and fork to eat them and they were so good, I, myself wouldn't miss the Turkey at all and I am not vegan.

Re: Thanksgiving for Vegetarians

Group 5 minus 1 — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 10:34:53 GMT

I usually bring my own food. It is easier on the host and easier.on me. And after all it isn't about tje food but about the getting together.