Ideas for a Standout Vegan Thanksgiving
The vegan diet has been around for thousands of years, going back to the ancient Greeks. The modern vegan movement really gained steam in the 1940s. This is when the animal-free movement made an impression on mainstream culture. Its achievements included the commemoration of World Vegan Day as well as the coining, in 1944, of the term “Veganism”.
Being a vegan has many benefits, both for the vegan and for nature. For nature, veganism allows greater harmony with life. Avoiding meat and animal products allows the proliferation of livestock and alleviates the burden on these animals. In turn, the vegan benefits by enjoying a diet that avoids some drawbacks of animal products. For example, avoiding meat and dairy products helps avoid meat-borne illnesses.
With these benefits in mind, find out how to create a memorable Thanksgiving at home using Vegan principles.
Vegan Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast is not the most important meal on Thanksgiving, but it’s a great way to get the holiday started. If you’re considering serving your family a vegan breakfast on Thanksgiving Day, consider these two vegan breakfast ideas.
The first vegan breakfast idea is Vegan French Toast. This dish is notable for its use of an almond milk and flour mix to completely avoid eggs or cow milk.
Take a loaf of sliced vegan bread and dip it in the mix. Toast it on a pan until the sides are browned and a little crispy. You can serve this with coffee or another beverage of your choice.
An alternative to the above is Banana-Infused Quinoa Cereal. For this vegan breakfast, cook up some quinoa by boiling it. Then take several large bananas and blend them. Serve the quinoa in bowls and pour in moderate amounts of the blended banana. To add a bit of crunchy taste, sprinkle cashews, almonds or other nuts on top.
Lunch Ideas for Vegan Thanksgiving
The first vegan lunch option to consider is Vegan Rice With Mushroom Gravy. You will need some white button or cremini mushrooms, enough to serve your family and guests. In addition, you need the following:
- Olive oil
- Ground black pepper
- Finely chopped onions
- Cornstarch
Prepare the rice separately. Cook the chopped onion in a pan for up to 3 minutes on medium heat. Add the mushrooms, then cook for another 7 minutes. Finally, add in cornstarch and water and bring the mixture to a boil. Let the mix simmer for another 6 to 8 minutes then add pepper and salt to taste. Serve with the cooked rice.
A second vegan Thanksgiving lunch idea is Raw Peanut Zoodle Salad. This dish makes for a tasty and healthy meal that the kids will like. First, take some spiralized zucchini and mix it with shredded carrots. Next, add chopped cilantro or green onions, then pour peanut dressing on the salad. Finally, toss in some raw peanuts.
Tasty Vegan Dinner Ideas for Thanksgiving
Dinner is the main highlight of Thanksgiving day but being vegan means you can’t get away with roasting a turkey and calling it a day. With a tasty vegan dish like Vegan Enchiladas, however, you can have a memorable Thanksgiving dinner. You will need to fill the enchiladas with corn, kale, mushrooms, and squash. For a topping, use tomatillo sauce and cashew crema.
Alternatively, delight your family with Roasted Beets, Pistachios and Herbs. Bake the beets in a roasting pan with water, bay leaves and cinnamon for 1 hour. In a separate bowl, make a mixture of vinegar, salt, and shallots. Add in parsley, tarragon, and orange zest. Finally, take the beets, peel them and cut into slices. Line up the slices on a platter then pour the herb dressing on top. Sprinkle pistachios before serving.
What If Some of Your Family Is Non-Vegan?
Thanksgiving dinner, in particular, can get a lot more complex if some of your family members are not vegans like you. In this case, just make sure you don’t act as if them not being vegan is a big deal. Since you are cooking in your own home you get to choose what you will or won’t cook. If you absolutely must accommodate meat eaters, you can order in a turkey dish from a local restaurant. This way, you can satisfy everyone without worrying about cooking a meat dish.
