By Emma Goldblatt
In this guide, we’ll explore tips and crowd-pleasing vegan recipes to help you host the perfect vegan Thanksgiving feast (without the animal cruelty!) as well as ways to take action for a more compassionate holiday.
We want to remind our community that by preparing a plant-based Thanksgiving, you’re not only enjoying delicious food—you’re creating a memorable experience that reflects your values. We hope this guide brings you inspiration, confidence, and a sense of community as you celebrate!
Happy, healthy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
Appetizers
- Fall Harvest Soup -Recipe & Photo by Maddie Reich of @TheJewishVegan
- “This simple recipe is packed full of flavor and just feels like fall because it’s chock full of the best root vegetables of the season.”
Sides
- Vegan Sweet Potato Kugel – Recipe & Photo Lisa Dawn Angerame of Lisa’s Project Vegan
- “The walnuts in this sweet kugel give it great texture, and the quinoa flakes add just the right amount of moisture. Peel, process, mix, bake, Done.”
- Healthy Green Bean Casserole – Recipe & Photo by Alexis of the Hummusapien
- “This creamy Healthy Green Bean Casserole is the absolute best! It tastes just like the classic and is the star of the table. You’d never never guess it’s dairy free!”
- ‘The Best’ Vegan Mashed Potatoes– Recipe & Photo by Nisha Vora of Rainbow Plant Life
- Sure to please everyone!
Mains
- Vegan Turkey – The Gardein Holiday Roast happens to be my favorite. It even comes with 2 packs of gravy which saves you time on cooking! The instructions are easy and come with the meal. These days we are lucky that there are many turkey alternatives on the market. Have fun exploring your local grocery store to see what they have!
- Corn and Tofu Pie– Recipe by Ryland, Peters and Small & Photo by Claire Winfield © Ryland Peters & Small, 2021
- “A vegan version of Greek phyllo pie: Corn kernels add a nice sweetness and texture to the smooth tofu layers, but using some blanched greens instead of corn is also a delicious variation worth trying.”
Dessert
- Espresso Cookies (GF) Recipe & Video by Miriam Diamant
- “These Vegan Espresso Cookies are proof that you can have your coffee and eat it, too! These cookies are delicious and perfect for coffee lovers!”
- Pumpkin Spice Challah – Recipe & Photo by Rachel Hershkovitz of @soy.gevalt
- Rich pumpkin perfect for autumn, Warm cinnamon-y spices – your house is going to smell amazing! Sweet, crunchy pecan topping.”
Hosting Tips
Creating an inclusive atmosphere can make all the difference! Here are a few hosting tips to ensure everyone, plant-based eaters and non-vegans alike, enjoys the celebration:
- Offer Familiar Foods: Including well-loved side dishes like mashed potatoes (made with plant-based butter) and cranberry sauce can help bridge the gap for guests unfamiliar with vegan dishes.
- Label and Explain: Make little place cards with dish names and key ingredients. It’s a great way to showcase the thoughtful preparation behind each dish and gives guests insight into plant-based cooking.
- Create a Cozy, Festive Ambiance: Adding seasonal decor, soft lighting, and music sets a warm tone that invites guests to focus on the joy of the gathering, not just what’s on their plate.
Navigating Family Conversations
- Stay Curious and Open: Listen to questions or concerns with an open heart and respond by sharing your journey in a personal, non-judgmental way.
- Celebrate Shared Values: Find common ground by focusing on shared values like kindness, health, and sustainability. Remind family members that Thanksgiving is about gratitude, which can include gratitude for the planet and all its creatures.
- Invite Curiosity, Not Confrontation: If family members seem interested, invite them to try new flavors by tasting a dish or asking questions about ingredients. Keep the conversation light and positive.
Take Action
Please sign our Turkey-free Thanksgiving pledge, and share with others!
Turkeys have feelings
- Turkeys are social animals that form strong bonds with their flock members. They communicate through various vocalizations and body language, demonstrating their complex social lives. Studying their communication behaviors helps us gain insights into their intelligence and social structures.
- Female turkeys, called hens, are attentive and caring mothers. They diligently protect and nurture their chicks, teaching them essential survival skills.
- Turkeys in factory farms are often confined in overcrowded, stressful conditions. Crowded spaces lead to aggression and stress-related behaviors.
- Turkeys in factory farms may undergo painful procedures such as debeaking (removal of part of the beak) without anesthesia to prevent pecking injuries in overcrowded conditions.
- Factory-farmed turkeys are susceptible to various health issues due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. These health problems often require antibiotic use, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance.
- Turkeys in industrial farms are often unable to express their natural behaviors such as foraging, dust bathing, and roosting. These limitations lead to frustration and decreased well-being.
- Factory-farmed turkeys are selectively bred for rapid growth, resulting in a shortened lifespan. Their bodies grow faster than their organs, leading to health problems and a reduced quality of life.
Make a Gift
By raising awareness about these factory farming practices and advocating for ethical and humane treatment, we can work towards creating a more compassionate and sustainable food system. Supporting alternatives such as plant-based diets and ethically sourced animal products encourages the industry to prioritize animal welfare, leading to positive changes for turkeys and other farm animals.
Make a one-time donation
Your contribution is appreciated. This charge will appear on your card as “Uri L’Tzedek”.
Make a monthly donation
Your contribution is appreciated. This charge will appear on your card as “Uri L’Tzedek”.
Donate monthlyMake a yearly donation
Your contribution is appreciated. This charge will appear on your card as “Uri L’Tzedek”.
Donate yearlyPrefer to send a check? Make it out to Uri L’Tzedek and put Shamayim in the memo!
7580 E Gray Rd
Ste 102
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Photography credits:
Photo of cat feet with pumpkins by Beyzaa Yurtkuran: https://www.pexels.com/photo/can-sitting-next-to-pumpkins-on-a-white-sheet-18747964/
Photo of autumnal decorations by Nati: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gourds-and-flower-basket-decorating-table-14353049/
Leave a Reply