Opinion: No Turkey, Please — Gobble Up A Vegan Thanksgiving

Ella Josias
eSomethin Staff

“It’s not Thanksgiving without turkey!” many claim about the holiday; personally I beg to differ.

While many people are omnivores, we have many people in modern times who chose to pursue a meatless diet, or avoid animal products in general. Some people do so because they are just interested in trying something plant based; others are following religious practices.

Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for these people, trying to decipher what’s available to them and what is not.

But does Thanksgiving really have to be this stressful?

As a vegan myself, and with Thanksgiving approaching, it feels right to share what I include in my family’s Thanksgiving to include all diets.

Many classic Thanksgiving dishes include ingredients that vegans cannot eat or choose not to have, like dairy, meat, eggs, and other animal products. But many of these recipe items can be substituted with other ingredients like oat milk or bananas. But while there are many common replacements that make meals just as good as those with meat, there’s also many recipes for 100% vegan dishes to try as well.

I have plenty of vegan entrees to make Thanksgiving less stressful, and they are delicious. Many people are nervous about trying something new, or adding something they wouldn’t normally wouldn’t to a holiday meal.

I’m ready to show you some of my very own Thanksgiving dishes!

While there may not be a turkey on the table, there’s lots of easy choices for side dishes! Lots of options for those not willing to consume certain animal products on this national holiday. (Photo credit: Ella Josias)
Salad may sound SUPER boring, but not if it’s made correctly! There’s lots of veggies to put in salad- the key is to make it presentable, adding things that draw attention to the dish. Maybe salad wouldn’t be so pushed aside if it was colorful! I add lots of different vegetables, fruits, and herbs: beets, carrots, basil, apples, strawberries, cucumber, etc. All great additions to bring something..not so exciting back to life! (Photo credit: Ella Josias)
Mashed potatoes, seasoned with herbs and no dairy! For those without a taste for lactose, you’re in luck! These are made completely from oat milk and avocado oil; both amazing substitutes for vegans, giving it the same well-known taste!
Chocolate chip cookies! A classic dessert, always a favorite no matter the time. I always substitute the flour for rice flour, ensuring there’s no contamination. I used banana for an egg substitution, avocado oil instead of butter, and oat milk as a lactose substitute! These all give amazing results. It’s hard to tell the difference between these cookies and those made with traditional ingredients! To be completely vegan, make sure there is no dairy in the chocolate! (Photo credit: Ella Josias)

While these are just a few ideas, there’s plenty more for those who choose to follow this lifestyle! These are just simple sides, but more can easily be found by simply just looking up Vegan Thanksgiving dishes! As the diet of veganism becomes more popular, more choices surface for those choosing to stay away from animal products.

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