Thanksgiving without the turkey

• By
• Jessica Grajczyk

Image by Jessica Grajczyk
Cranberry and fennel vegan sausage, tempeh stuffing, broccoli and cauliflower with cheesy sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and shiitake-miso gravy

Pass the tempeh! A vegan Thanksgiving feast is possible—and delicious

Thanksgiving dinner without the delicious, slow-roasted turkey, stuffing and gravy—are you insane?! I have to admit, although I’ve been vegetarian for over three years now, smelling that big bird roasting in my mom’s oven for Thanksgiving dinner still makes my mouth water. And I’ve tried the Tofurkey version, which is underwhelming to say the least.

My question is, why try to fake the traditional turkey funk when there are other delicious options available?

If you’re a carnivore entertaining vegetarians or vegans for Thanksgiving this year, or you’re living meat-free like me, you can still have some of the traditional flavours in your dinner, without feeling like you’re missing something.

Try this vegan Thanksgiving menu courtesy of Bridget Burns, gifted vegan cook and my partner at our Vancouver vegan lifestyle website, The Vegan Project.

Vegan Thanksgiving menu

Cranberry and Fennel Vegan Sausage

Tempeh Stuffing

Broccoli and Cauliflower with Cheesy Sauce

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Shiitake-Miso Gravy

 

Adopt a turkey from Farm Sanctuary

If you’re still missing turkey this Thanksgiving, why not try adopting or sponsoring one from Farm Sanctuary?

Since 1986, they’ve rescued more than 1,000 turkeys and given them loving homes. To start a new Thanksgiving tradition, check out Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt-A-Turkey Project.

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Jessica Grajczyk is a Vancouver copywriter and co-founder of The Vegan Project, an online resource for people interested in the vegan lifestyle in Vancouver and beyond. Twitter