Weekly Spotlight: Creating Simple Plant-Based Thanksgiving Entrees!

The best part of having a vegan or plant-based Thanksgiving is that you can truly create your traditions around the meal that you choose to serve. Plus, you don’t have to create a huge entree if you don’t want to. If you’re looking for a simpler option, you can use what you already make for dinner and either make more of it or make a variety of dishes you’re familiar with. Think crispy tofu or vegan meatballs with a huge salad, mashed potatoes, and bread rolls. And, we’ve included a section on how to make gravy!

Not everyone enjoys spending hours in the kitchen, and whipping up something a bit simpler can save a lot of time. Plus, just because you’re making something easier doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor, either. Simpler meals include ones like crispy tofu, pasta dishes, or even soups. However, simple recipes aren’t one-size-fits-all, so be sure to choose recipes you’re excited to make and look forward to eating.

If you’re looking for more recipes, we have a wonderful catalog of recipes to choose from, and even a Thanksgiving guide that’ll help you from start to finish, if that’s what you need. Here, we’ve given you a few entrees to make, along with some ideas for a few simpler meals to make instead.

We also 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! And don’t forget to check out our Weekly Meal Plan Archives! 

This week, we’re bringing delicious, fully vegan, and plant-based ways to enjoy simpler Thanksgiving entrees!

Entrees:

Source: Lentil Loaf and Mushroom Gravy With Mashed Garlic Cauliflower

Entrees usually go one of two ways. You’re either trying to substitute the main part of the Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey, with another large roast or another savory dish. The dishes below are a wonderful place to start for that! Usually, lentil loafs with gravy, whole roasted cauliflower, and even stuffed squashes are perfect for this route.

• Whole Roasted Cauliflower by Robin
• Lentil Loaf and Mushroom Gravy With Mashed Garlic Cauliflower by Desiree Rodriguez
• Holiday Loaf with Mushroom Gravy by Lena Novak
• Oyster Mushroom Steaks With Miso Gravy by Courtney West
• Stuffed Squash by James Wythe

Simpler Entrees

Source: Garlic Butter Cauliflower Steaks with Balsamic Veggies

If you’re looking for something simpler than making a huge roast or cooking many components for one dish, fear not! These recipes below are a wonderful way to keep something savory on the table without having to spend hours in the kitchen. For these recipes, we focus on easier entrees to cook which are also ones that you might already have made for a typical dinner. It’s okay if your Thanksgiving isn’t filled with cooking; you can still create amazing eats with simple meals such as these!

• Harissa Butter Grilled Cauliflower Steaks by Megan Calipari
• Garlic Butter Cauliflower Steaks with Balsamic Veggies by Megan Calipari
• Vegan Creamy Diane Sauce and Swedish Meatballs by Katia Martin
• Ginger Miso Vegan Chick’n by Katherine Henderson
• Crispy Coated Baked Tofu With Gravy by Tara Binder
• Tofu Satay Skewers by Kirsten Kaminski
• Firecracker Tofu with Broccolini and Chili Garlic Oil by Bri Beaudoin

Hearty Soups and Chilis

Source: White Bean and Forest Mushroom Chili

These warming and hearty soups and chilis are wonderful to serve as a main dish or as part of your dinner. These will do amazing at the center of your table, and you can serve them with warm bread or even other vegetable sides.

• White Bean and Forest Mushroom Chili by Hannah Sunderani
• The Ultimate Chili by Kris Dee
• Creamy Corn Chowder with Potatoes and Tarragon by Teri Macovei
• Chickpea Noodle Soup by Denise Perrault
• Smoked Tofu and Stars Soup by Kathy Hester

Bonus: How to Make Gravy

Source: Gluten-Free Mushroom Gravy and Mashed Potatoes

Making gravy is super handy, not only for the holidays but to have around the house. These gravy recipes go well with mashed potatoes or even a holiday lentil loaf! They’re full of flavor and come together with simple ingredients. If you’re wondering how the gravy is made, all it takes is a bit of vegetable broth and flour!

• Gluten-Free Mushroom Gravy and Mashed Potatoes by Robin Browne
• Mushroom Gravy by James Wythe
• Glowing Turmeric Chanterelle Gravy by Nele Liivlaid

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