Thanksgiving remains a classic American holiday in which family and friends gather to share a meal and show gratitude. The holiday feast consists of myriad different foods, with several of those containing meat products. However, plenty of vegetarian-friendly options exist, helping the holiday stay inclusive for all members of the family regardless of dietary restrictions.
Sweet potato casserole serves as a delicious Thanksgiving side dish loved by the masses. The combination of various spices and ingredients with sweet potatoes led to the creation of the beloved casserole. People frequently prepare this delicious holiday staple in a variety of ways including topping the dish with gelatin-free marshmallows, brown sugar or nuts such as pecans and walnuts.
Macaroni and cheese, a popular classic pasta dish, accommodates vegetarians by containing noodles and dairy products, and also excluding meat. Though meat lovers may add bacon bits on top of their dish, vegetarians can substitute the bits for replacement meat imposters — such as Bacos Bac’n Bits — or other toppings such as vegetables or extra cheese to enhance their entree.
Cranberry sauce, a delicious sweet and tart Thanksgiving side, serves as both a stand-alone dish and a delectable topping for other foods such as plant-based turkey and mashed potatoes. The mouth-watering sauce can include orange juice or zest and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. People can either buy it pre-made or cook it from scratch, bringing it to stand as a simple staple for Thanksgiving feasts.
Families who celebrate Thanksgiving frequently view a side of bread as a staple for the holiday meal. Dinner rolls and cornbread stand as a warm side enjoyed by both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Additionally, bread acts as a dipper for gravy, another popular Thanksgiving favorite. Notable types of bread eaten during this holiday include crescent rolls and garlic bread, which pair well with various Thanksgiving delicacies.
Pie stands as a decadent and sugary dessert to conclude a Thanksgiving feast and blissfully follows the main courses and side dishes initially served. The delicacy comes in numerous different flavors, notable ones for the holiday including apple, pumpkin and pecan. Generally topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, pie remains loved by millions of families and serves as a staple in a classic Thanksgiving meal.
“Thanksgiving as a vegetarian is awesome because I enjoy the side options and desserts. After I enjoy macaroni and cheese with a side of mashed potatoes, I make my way to the pie section. My cousins make the most delicate dark chocolate pie with homemade whipped cream. Finding good vegetarian dishes on Thanksgiving is very important because my whole family is vegetarian,” magnet junior Diya Mohan said.
For vegetarians who desire a meat replica, plant-based turkey proves a tasty main dish to maintain holiday tradition and satisfy families. Plant-based turkey proves generally easy to prepare and people can buy it at the majority of grocery stores, including Publix and Kroger. People may also cook the dish from scratch using a simple recipe, cementing the imposter meat as an easier and equally delicious alternative to traditional turkey.
Stuffing serves as a hearty side dish that individuals can heavily alter to fit their preferences or dietary restrictions. Although the dish can contain chicken or turkey stock, a variety of scrumptious vegetarian-friendly recipes exist, omitting the addition of meat products. Though the creators of stuffing originally intended for individuals to serve inside of a turkey, the food has evolved and people frequently prepare it as a stand-alone dish. Stuffing usually contains bread cubes, vegetables such as celery and onions as well as spices including poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.
Mashed potatoes, a side dish in traditional Thanksgiving meals, mixes vegetarian-friendly ingredients to create a potato dish enjoyed by holiday celebrators. Other Thanksgiving dishes, such as gravy and turkey substitutes, pair well with mashed potatoes as individuals frequently mix them on their plates. As an alternative to mashed potatoes, other dishes include similar ingredients such as roasted potatoes, which families can also enjoy on this holiday. The basic ingredients or pre-made options found in stores allow for a simple yet delicious fare.
Lasagna, a not-so-common Thanksgiving dish, appeals to vegetarians who may desire another main dish on the holiday. Though the classic lasagna contains ground meat, vegetarians can use tofu or vegetables as an alternative. Including lasagna as part of the feast began as an Italian American tradition before other Americans started to include the dish in their holiday celebrations. Lasagna allows a variety of individuals to decide what they want to include in their pasta dish, making it an easily customizable recipe for families to enjoy.
Families consume various kinds of greens during the food-filled holiday. Brussel sprouts, green beans and broccoli serve as the main vegetables incorporated in Thanksgiving. Individuals can serve them as a stand-alone side dish or include them in other dishes like the fan-favorite green bean casserole. Greens add a healthy aspect to any Thanksgiving meal and a plentiful variety of flavors as families can choose what seasonings to incorporate into their greens.
Though Thanksgiving features various foods that include meat products, other dishes can satisfyingly fulfill the needs of vegetarian diets. Families can customize their holiday meals to fit these diets and these dishes include several of the potential recipes for vegetarians to enjoy on Thanksgiving Day.
“I think there are always limited options when it comes to vegetarian food and that does not exclude Thanksgiving but I think not as limited as it may seem. Macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, bread rolls, green bean casserole, cranberry and even stuffing can all be vegetarian-friendly. The stuffing can be made using tofu or only bread instead of chicken and some people even buy tofu turkey,” magnet junior Simran Kant said.
