Let’s Talk Tofurky: A Vegan Family Thanksgiving Dinner?

Tofurky Talk: What does a Vegan REALLY eat for Thanksgiving?

Hey–I may not know what’s for lunch today, but I SURE know what’s for Thanksgiving dinner!

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Dessert first: Go-To Vegan Pie Recipes

I really love Apple Pie and Blueberry Pie, but for Thanksgiving, everyone really wants a good Pumpkin Pie.

Let me tell you, I have made some really bad vegan pumpkin pies. And some pretty decent ones too!

Over the years, we’ve really settled on a couple of recipes that everyone can approve of, and I’ve found that with pumpkin pie, the simpler the better. The tofu pumpkin pies have been pretty good (some of them), but now I just use the following two recipes.

• Aunt Alison shared this recipe last year, and I will have to say that it was a winner. It only takes a handful of ingredients, so that’s a real plus! Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe. We recently purchased the little pie crust cutters to make tiny little cookies, but I will be putting the maple leaf cutter into use for our pie this year!

*as a side note, if you’ve never tried and spring loaded pie crust cutters, you are missing out! We recently bought some to make Fall cookies, and they worked so well! Even my older father, who has some challenges with dexterity, made a bunch of cookies with those little cutters! I purchased this set, which comes with a maple leaf, a heart, cherries, and an apple. If I’d have seen this leaf set, I would have gotten it. It has three leaf designs and an acorn. *somewhere* I actually have a metal set of leaf cookie cutters, but it’s in a box somewhere beyond my reach. But, honestly, I love the little set we got! The heart cutter is very cute, and you should have seen it when my dad handed one to my mom that made, with a twinkle in his eyes, asked her to take it. She responded that she’d taken his heart heard ago! ❤️ 💜 ♥️

• Impossible Vegan Pumpkin Pie. If you’ve never tried an impossible pie, they’re pretty neat. They make their own crust, and turn out quite delicious! We’ve made this recipe several times, and my family all love it! However, for Thanksgiving, I do enjoy a traditional pumpkin pie with the crust. This is still a delicious option if you’d like to try something different!

Turns out that at least two out of our three boys actually PREFER this Impossible Pumpkin Pie over the crust version! That surprised me, as I do like the crust!

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We usually have way too many desserts, like fruitcake, pecan pie, Date bars, Salted Caramel Date Fudge, or whatever assorted desserts we come up with.

Just don’t skimp on the whipped topping!

Did someone say Whipped topping?

Technically, I guess Cool Whip is non-dairy. So we could eat that. But, I shy away from it because it’s so filled with chemicals and stuff I don’t want to eat.

Instead…we sometimes have made our own whipped topping, out of nuts or coconut milk, but usually around the holidays, I just want something quick and easy!

• Our current favorites for vegan whipped topping include TruWhip Vegan, and Gay Lea (Aldi brand). The Redi-Whip brand is just as delicious, and they have almond or coconut. We usually grab the Aldi brand because we shop there frequently.

• My personal favorite is the TruWhip because it’s so creamy! You can find this whipped cream in the frozen section. Walmart has the best prices on it, and occasionally I’ve seen it at our local Aldi.

But What about the Turkey?  Vegan Thanksgiving Alternatives

First of all, I don’t think vegans really have to have a fake turkey. But…since it’s so traditional for the holiday, we like to have something that is similar to the bird, so we don’t feel quite so left out.

I will say that I don’t have any desire to eat turkey. I’m perfectly happy with vegan options. But it’s better to have your own rendition of turkey than to show up with, say, lasagna.

So…Vegan Turkey Alternatives

Can’t/don’t have time to cook a vegan turkey dish?

You have options.

• The first is the original Tofurky. You can purchase this in many grocery stores. It’s a small roast, and some come complete with stuffing the all the fixings. It’s a gluten/soy based plant protein roast. We’ve tried these roasts before, and like them pretty well. I, honestly prefer something homemade, and if I have the time, I make my Grandma’s loaf recipe or my own rendition of turkey tofu slices.

• For a couple of years, our family was gifted with a Tofurky, and we enjoyed it. Seems like one even came with little tofu drumstick legs and a wishbone! 😂

You have to get these early, or stores run out!!

• Field Roast Grain Celebration Roast. You can order this straight from Amazon.com and have it delivered to your door! The reviews are mostly favorable, and, as with all premade entrees like this, adding your own personal touches can make it or break it. I’d definitely fix this with a nice savory gravy and some homemade stuffing. And, presentation can really help! So, add some pretty parsley or sage garnish, and side it with roasted vegetables.

In this post I share my recipe for Creamy Nut Gravy. It’s very good with mushrooms, and goes well over entrees and potatoes!

• Bake yourself a Tofu Turkey! This is fun, but so time consuming! I’ve done it for several years, complete with the stuffing, garnish, and whole lovely presentation. We just don’t have the space to assemble this feast right now, and I’ve realized that I like the next option just as well, and it’s much simpler to make.

• Baked Tofu “turkey” slices in gravy. This isn’t so much of a recipe. I freeze the tofu, thaw and slice; marinate with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos and other favorite seasonings, then bake it. It’s simple and delicious, and I think my family likes it just as well as Tofurky or the grand presentation! There’s an actual recipe for that similar to what I make Here.

• Mock Chicken Loaf—My Grandma’s classic vintage recipe that I’ve adapted for Vegan. 😃

Vegan Sides for Thanksgiving

• Vegan stuffing. Last year I made a low-carb, vegan stuffing made from cauliflower and veggies, and it was delicious! Find the recipe here. 😋

• Mashed taters–of course!!

• Vegan creamy gravy with mushrooms or vegan clear gravy. See above for recipe link.

Photo: Well Vegan

• Rolls or bread
• Fresh Holiday Cranberry Sauce

• Tossed salad
• Vegan ranch or Italian dressing
• Green Beans or Sweet Potatoes

How’s that for a Vegan Thanksgiving Feast?

I can assure you, if you decide to make and eat vegan food for Thanksgiving, you will not go away hungry!

What’s for Thanksgiving Dinner at Your house?

Do you eat a standard Thanksgiving dinner, vegetarian, vegan? All of the above?

Let me know in the comments! I like to learn how other families enjoy this special holiday!

A blessed Thanksgiving Day to you and yours!