one green planet
one green planet

With the holidays coming up, the Food Monster team here at One Green Planet has been scouring through our recipe archives, discussing dishes we’re going to make for our Thanksgiving feasts. It can be tricky to navigate a meal if you are going to be around food that doesn’t necessarily match your dietary preferences. Here are some tips from our staff members to help you seamlessly (and deliciously!) add vegan options to your Thanksgiving spread.

For those interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  – with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!

Also, don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to plant-based recipes for Thanksgiving!

6 Tips From the Food Monster Team

1. Offer simple ingredient swaps
Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash Stuffing

Source: Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash Stuffing

“If someone asks how they can accommodate you, offer simple ingredient swap suggestions like vegan butter for butter in the mashed potatoes and vegetable broth for chicken broth in the stuffing,” says Katie, our Editorial Intern. For Katie’s Thanksgiving get-together, she is making this Wild Rice Pilaf With Butternut Squash Stuffing, pictured above.

2. Bring side dishes that everyone can enjoy
Cauliflower Pot Roast

Source: Cauliflower Pot Roast

“For my Thanksgiving, it’s all about the side dishes. Stuffing, roasted potatoes, roasted veggies, pies, casseroles, the list goes on! All of which can easily be made vegan. Definitely bringing a dish or two for everyone to try is a great way to introduce others to the amazing food that you eat. Get everyone interested,” says Ally, our Recipes Coordinator. Ally wanted to take a different route from the typical pumpkin pie so she plans to prepare this Raw Blueberry Cheesecake.

3. Describe your dishes in simple terms that entice guests
 Lentil White Bean and Potato Mash

 Source: Lentil White Bean and Potato Mash

“Bring a variety of traditional holiday dishes that are plant-based. Make sure to describe the dish in a way that isn’t intimidating. That way, the guests will be more likely to try it and find out how much they enjoy the food,” says Carrie, in Editorial Operations. Since mashed potatoes are one of her favorite dishes any time of the year, Carrie is planning on cooking this Lentil White Bean and Potato Mash, pictured above, for her Thanksgiving dinner.

4. Be prepared for questions
Wild Mushroom and Kale Lasagna Rolls

Source: Wild Mushroom and Kale Lasagna Rolls

“If it’s your first year practicing a new diet, don’t be surprised if friends and family ask you questions about why you have changed the way you eat. Stay calm and try not to get too defensive. The more confident and collected you seem, the more likely they will have a positive reaction to the change,” says Hayley, our Editorial Intern. Hayley is bringing a unique dish to her Thanksgiving celebration. She plans to make these Wild Mushroom and Kale Lasagna Rolls, pictured above, to enjoy with her family.

5. Offer to help the host cook

Decadent Cashew Tiramisu

Source: Decadent Cashew Tiramisu,

“Offer to help cook in the kitchen so that you know exactly what is in all the dishes. That way you don’t have to ask later what all the ingredients are in each dish. You can even suggest substitutions as you are cooking together,” says Ivano, our Interactive Designer. For his Friendsgiving, Ivano plans to make this Decadent Cashew Tiramisu, pictured above, to celebrate his Italian heritage.

6. Invest time in making at least one noteworthy main dish 

Whole Tandoori Roasted Cauliflower

Source: Tandoor Roasted Cauliflower

“I always end up preparing a lot more than my original plan, but the one thing I always do is make a main dish to help shift the focus of vegan options from the sidelines to center stage,” says Preeta Sinha, our cofounder. This year I’m doing a whole-roasted cauliflower which is similar to this Tandoor Roasted Cauliflower, pictured above, and a lentil-infused stuffing.

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Recommended Resources For Thanksgiving:

Check out the following resources:

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

  • Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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