In the Kitchen:

 “I’ll pass on the turkey, but thanks—more room for pie!”

Thanksgiving is a time for connection, gratitude, and of course, food. For vegans, however, the holiday can present unique challenges, especially when family members may not fully understand or accommodate a plant-based diet. Last year we wrote an article called, Gravy Without the Drama: 8 Simple Tips for Hosting Vegan Relatives. This Thanksgiving we thought we’d write something up from the vegan’s perspective. With a little planning and a positive attitude, you can enjoy a delicious and drama-free Thanksgiving. Here’s how:

Photo source pexels.com by Nicole Michalou

1. Communicate Ahead of Time
Before the big day, let your host know about your dietary preferences. Politely explain what veganism entails (no animal products, including dairy, honey, and eggs), and offer to help in any way you can. This might mean sharing simple recipes or bringing a dish or two of your own to ensure there’s something you can enjoy.

2. Bring a Show-Stopping Dish
Think of this as an opportunity to wow your relatives. Bring a hearty vegan main or side dish that everyone can enjoy—like a lentil loaf, stuffed acorn squash, or a creamy dairy-free mashed potato. Not only will you guarantee something to eat, but you’ll also introduce others to the delicious potential of plant-based cooking. If you’re looking for a great recipe, check this favorite of ours for a Mushroom Wellington that will even have the staunch meat eaters coming back for seconds! 

3. Embrace the Sides
Thanksgiving sides are often naturally vegan or can be easily adapted. Green beans, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, and salads are your friends. If your family tends to use butter or cream in everything, ask if you can prepare a vegan-friendly version of a classic side dish.

4. Navigate Conversations with Grace
It’s not uncommon for dietary choices to spark curiosity—or even debate. Be prepared for questions or comments about your vegan lifestyle. Instead of getting defensive, use these moments to share your perspective with kindness and humor. “I’ll pass on the turkey, but thanks—more room for pie!”

5. Don’t Forget Dessert
Pumpkin pie, pecan bars, and apple crisps are all easily veganized with substitutions like coconut milk, flax eggs, and dairy-free butter. Bringing a dessert can be a delightful way to share your lifestyle without compromising on flavor.

6. Focus on Gratitude
At its core, Thanksgiving is about togetherness and giving thanks. Remember, the day is less about the food and more about the company. Focus on the laughter, stories, and memories being made, and you’ll leave with a full heart—even if your plate wasn’t overflowing.

7. Use Simple Vegan Substitutes for Classic Sides
Many traditional Thanksgiving side dishes can be made vegan with a few easy swaps. Be helpful in the kitchen, and often you can set aside part of a side during prep to make individual portions vegan. For mashed potatoes, replace dairy butter with vegan butter or olive oil and use plant-based milk (like oat or almond milk) for creaminess. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth in stuffing or soups, and opt for coconut cream or cashew cream to replace heavy cream in dishes like green bean casserole. These substitutions are straightforward and often go unnoticed, so you can enjoy familiar flavors without compromising your diet.

8. Pack a Few Extra Tasty Vegan Options
If you suspect the spread might be light on vegan-friendly dishes, come prepared with some crowd-pleasing options. Consider a savory mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie, a hearty wild rice and cranberry salad, or a creamy vegan mac and cheese made with cashews or a store-bought cheese alternative. Portable finger foods like stuffed mushrooms or roasted chickpeas can double as appetizers, ensuring you have something filling to enjoy while also sharing plant-based flavors with everyone else.

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 By being proactive, flexible, and gracious, you can navigate Thanksgiving as a vegan while fostering understanding and maybe even inspiring a few plant-based converts. Happy Thanksgiving!

In the Kitchen:

The holidays are a time for coming together, sharing gratitude, and indulging in delicious meals. If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year and have a vegan or two on the guest list, fear not! Accommodating a vegan diet doesn't have to throw a wrench into your favorite holiday recipes. You don’t have to focus on making every dish vegan, and most vegan friends and relatives will appreciate the effort and options you provide them. Here are some simple tips and tricks to ensure your Thanksgiving feast is a simple and drama-free hit for everyone.

Photo source pexels.com by Nicole Michalou

1. Vegan Substitutions Omnivores Won’t Notice
Many Thanksgiving recipes can be easily veganized without compromising flavor. Swap dairy milk for cashew cream or oat milk in mashed potatoes, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in stuffing, and consider plant-based butter for your rolls. These swaps are so seamless; your non-vegan guests probably won't even notice the difference. If you’re an omnivore that can’t compromise the butter in the mashed potatoes, wait to add the dairy until the final mix and set aside appropriate portions using a vegan substitute. It may be an extra dish, but your vegan guests will hopefully feel gracious enough to help clean up after the meal instead of sitting down to watch the game.

2. Embrace Plant-Based Staples
When planning your menu, focus on the abundance of delicious plant-based staples available. Think hearty vegetables, grains, legumes, and fruits. A roasted vegetable medley or a quinoa salad can be just as satisfying as traditional dishes. Don't forget about the power of herbs and spices to elevate flavors! 

3. Watch Out for Easy-to-Miss Non-Vegan Ingredients
Some non-vegan ingredients can sneak into your dishes, so keep an eye out for them. Common culprits include honey, chocolate, gelatin, and certain wines that might use animal products in the fining process. Read labels carefully or opt for vegan-certified products to avoid any accidental slip-ups.

4. Mindful Etiquette for Omnivores
It's essential to remind non-vegan guests to be mindful of the vegan options. While curiosity is natural, it's polite not to devour all the vegan dishes out of sheer interest. Make sure your vegan guests have had their fill before allowing others to give it a try.

5. Online Resources for Guidance
If you're feeling overwhelmed, there are countless online resources to guide you through the vegan Thanksgiving adventure. Websites like "Minimalist Baker," "Oh She Glows," and "The Vegan Society" offer a plethora of easy-to-follow vegan recipes that even the most novice cook can master. If you’re still overwhelmed, reach out to your vegan guest to see if they have a favorite recipe you can follow.

6. Potluck Approach
If the thought of preparing a vegan-friendly Thanksgiving feels daunting, consider a potluck approach. Politely ask your vegan guests if they'd like to contribute a vegan entree or side dish. It's a win-win – they get to enjoy their favorite dishes, and you have one less thing to worry about.

7. Don’t Stress or Overthink the Menu!
Most vegan guests are accustomed to menus that don’t 100% accommodate their diets. It’s wonderful to be an inclusive host, but you don’t have to make the entire meal vegan. Do your best to provide options for everyone, but you don’t have to master a Vegan Beef Wellington to provide a great meal. If all else fails, have some vegan ice-cream on hand for desert!

8. No Politics at the Dinner Table
The choice to follow a vegan lifestyle is a personal one, and Thanksgiving is not the time to debate it. Let your gathering be a celebration of togetherness and gratitude rather than a platform for dietary discussions. After all, the holidays are stressful enough without adding a side of debate to the table!

Hosting a vegan-friendly Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a high-stakes affair. With a bit of creativity and flexibility, you can create a feast that satisfies everyone around the table. Remember, it's about sharing love, gratitude, and, of course, a delicious meal that accommodates all dietary preferences. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 Oh, and if you do want to master a delicious Vegan Mushroom Wellington, here’s a recipe that we adore! Vegan Mushroom Wellington