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Vegetarian and Vegan Thanksgiving

Vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving menus that everybody will enjoy

What can vegans or vegetarians eat on a holiday that is so firmly tied to turkey? And what do you do when you're celebrating Thanksgiving with people ranging from carnivore to vegan?

Try the traditional and light Thanksgiving menu suggestions below, and the Savvy Veg Holiday Recipe Index for recipes so delicious that eaters of all persuasions will be coming back for seconds.

If you're vegetarian and having family thanksgiving difficulties try the suggestions in this advice letter. And read our free report, Vegetarians and Non-Vegetarians Eat Together, for more ideas.

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving away from home, volunteer to bring a few dishes. You'll know for sure there will be something you can eat, plus you'll get a reputation for being really helpful and a great cook.

If you're the host and your non-veg guests are adamant about eating turkey, ask one of them to prepare a turkey and bring it, or buy one already prepared from a grocery store or caterer.

Word to the Wise: Don't try to convert anybody to a vegetarian diet on Thanksgiving. It may just create bad feelings and spoil the celebration.

We hope these Thanksgiving menus, along with our holiday recipes, will help you enjoy a very special vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving dinner!

Thanksgiving Lite Menu (Vegan)

Our light Thanksgiving menu has traditional overtones, plenty of variety, all the colors & flavors needed to make anybody happy.

This low fat vegan menu will give you a feeling of abundance, and fill you up nicely. But it won't leave you feeling like you should fast for a week.

The best part is that these are quick & easy recipes, so you don't have to spend all day in the kitchen!

Our poached pear dessert recipe is ideal if you want to go just a little overboard on Thanksgiving!

I've read that a typical Thanksgiving meal averages 4000 calories per person No, I'm not making that up! If you have 1 serving of everything on our Thanksgiving Lite menu, calories will be under 900.

To reduce calories and carbs a lot more, take 1/2 portions of rice, squash and dessert (approx 1/4 cup). Skip or substitute for the rolls and bread.

Estimated Nutrition Data for the meal for one person, 1 serving of each dish:
889 calories, 151 g carbohydrate (43% RDV), 16 g fat (14% RDV), 1290 mg sodium (50% RDV), 14 g dietary fiber (63% RDV), 34 g protein. Estimated glycemic load: 81.

This menu is very low in saturated fat & cholesterol, a good source of Vit. A, Vit. C, Vit. B6, Vit. K, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium & manganese, dietary fiber & folate.

Serving sizes and nutrition data are given for each individual recipe on this menu.

Appetizers

Low Fat Spicy Bean Dip Toasted French Bread

Pickles

Raw Veggies

Main Dish

Baked Tofu

Side Dishes

Baked Butternut Squash Baked Cranberry Orange Sauce Basmati Rice Chickpea Gravy Creamy Cauliflower Dressing Dinner Rolls Spinach Salad

Desserts & Drinks

Poached Pears

Coffee, Tea or Herbal Tea, Sparkling Mineral Water

Traditional Thanksgiving Menu

Many choices
Ovo-lacto-veg options
No calorie restrictions
Most of the recipes serve 4 - 6

Depending on how many people are eating, choose 2-4 appetizers, 1-2 main dishes, 2-4 side dishes, 1-3 drinks, and 1-3 desserts for your menu. Double or triple the recipes to feed more people.

Many hands make light work, so if you're hosting, don't get stressed out trying to make everything yourself.

Have your guests bring an assigned dish, or something that will fit your menu.

Or gather friends & family, put on some music, and have a Thanksgiving cook-fest.