When we think of Thanksgiving we imagine a turkey surrounded by side dishes such as green bean casserole, mac and cheese, and so many others. However, for vegans, celebrating Thanksgiving means looking for substitutes that don’t contain animal or animal products. Certain sides such as the famous turkey, gravy, and stuffing can’t be eaten by vegans because of their ingredients. So with all those limitations how do vegans celebrate and enjoy Thanksgiving?
Let’s start with the turkey that’s the centerpiece and the most well-known Thanksgiving dish. As you know the turkey is a bird that does not conform with the rules vegans go by. Most vegans don’t include the turkey and go about making other sides. However, some vegans want to experience making the turkey or buying a turkey loaf/roast that is made out of tofu and other ingredients. The turkey roast is a loaf-shaped imitation turkey that is usually drizzled with vegan gravy. Some types of the inside of the loaf are stuffed with stuffing like an actual turkey.
Gravy is usually made with pan drippings from chicken and other meats. Vegans are different from vegetarians since they strictly do not eat anything made from or by animals. If a person were vegetarian, they would be able to eat and enjoy gravy, but not vegans. Vegans can make vegan gravy that looks just like the real deal. Instead of the drippings from a chicken, they replace them with vegetable broth.
There are so many sides a person can make for Thanksgiving so it’s obvious that vegans make sides that don’t include animals. Some popular sides are cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, candied yams, and mashed potatoes. Vegans can replace certain ingredients with non-animal-made products. Butter for example is a staple for most dishes because vegans replace butter with one that is completely vegan.
To sum up, even though vegans have many limitations in Thanksgiving, they are still able to celebrate a Pilgrim’s harvest. I’m sure they are surrounded by loving family and friends as they cut into the oddly shaped turkey loaf.