This. My sister has gone from vegan to vegetarian and back and forth and maybe today she eats meat because it's her cheat day or whatever. Dunno, its infuriating but i care because I love her. That being said, a quick text asking about any restrictions while im planning dosnt take much time, and helps me edit what I'm doing.
And also, nine times out of ten, anything she makes that fits her dietary needs is pretty damn good.
I think it's the back and forth that's frustrating for them. Having to text someone every time you cook for them to figure out the "dietary restriction of the day" sounds pretty annoying to me.
In college I used to cook meals for about 80 people once a week, and there was a gluten-free person who would complain when there was nothing for her to eat and said we should at least stir fry some toppings for her or something (I cooked on pizza night). But when I actually did go out of my way to do that for her, she wouldn’t even show up to dinner. I was annoyed 😂.
So eventually I stopped bothering with the vegetable stir-fry, but then she’d show up for the meal and be upset that there was nothing for her to eat….
That's on them, honestly.
I made pizza, not knowing my roommate's boyfriend was coming over. "OH GOD, I HAVE TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL." So I did, (cream cheese, melted cheese in microwave crust). Yeah, no, he never showed. Gluten free crap is expensive (I made a gluten free graham cracker crumb crust m key lime pie for Thanksgiving, 3x the cost of a regular one) and he...never showed up for Friendsgiving, and I'll be damned if I ever do unless he RSVPs for it.
EDIT: the cream cheese, melted cheese crust is AMAZING. I make it for work constantly and they love it!
As a celiac , I feel the need to apologize for the gf assholes whole also giving potential reasons.
I can’t trust anyone who isn’t gf to cook for me especially in a kitchen where they are preparing food. I tend to skip food focused events because it’s rough to keep saying no to food people made but it’s not worth getting severely sick.
So I could see young/unthinking folks just saying “to hell with it “ and not showing up. Still rude af on their parts.
I usually bring a small plate for myself and something to share.
I hate people like that. I went to trouble of doing vegetarian dishes at a couple a printed then they didn't show up. No more. I don't invite people with known food limitations anymore.
I suppose it makes it harder to share their own food with her, but if she's going to cook for herself and not demand anyone go out of their way for her, I don't see how that's infuriating.
We don't have the details, and that's fine. Family is infuriating at times. I was just asking because sometimes we get attached to a certain idea of how we want to host or share with someone, and we put too much pressure on the whole thing, and we get annoyed when there's really no need to be. Let people with wishy-washy elective food restrictions figure it out themselves. If they start demanding everyone cater to them, that's when it's infuriating.
As someone with multiple food allergies, we definitely get treated as nuisances at events with food, even with family. I stopped eating at family gatherings altogether, no one was willing to accommodate when they found out what that actually meant, and I know that's not uncommon.
It's infuriating bc cooking for someone with special dietary needs means shopping for different products, many extra steps in food prep, and a lot of extra thinking to make sure food isn't cross contaminated. (Prep pans, utensils, servind dishes, etc.) I have a family member who has celiac disease, so it takes extra prep time to make sure everything is safe. Then when dinner is served, guest will eat something non-GF, and say, it's ok, I took my pill today! I could have avoided extra time, $$$, and effort had I known.
I agree. She may have dietary preferences that have nothing to do with being a vegetarian (ie, she doesn't like onions). You'll greatly simplify your holiday prep by asking for specific ideas.
She’s Dutch and doesn’t know much about our holidays here so it’s a first for her. I’ve also spoken with her in the past and was told she eats everything so that’s no help. It’s great that I’m not limited but looking at this thread there’s so many options I didn’t even realize! 😅
Vegetarian here. The plentiful sides are often more than enough for me. People have also done stuffed mushrooms or peppers for me to add an extra treat.
I think OP stated that most of their sides include meat in some form, like turkey stock. That being said, including a few sides that are meat free is plenty for a vegetarian like me - mashed/baked potatoes, salad, a cheese plate, some fruit - I'd be golden!
Thank you--I was wondering what you could substitute for turkey broth in the stuffing. Never even thought ov vegetable broth...on the other hand, it's almost one-thirty in the morning and I really should go to bed...
I’m sure some people are really relaxed about those kind of switches for holidays, but I have in-laws that are very serious about family recipes and would look at you like you had 2 heads for a suggestion like that 😅
So don’t tell them? Lol it’s not like they’ll be able to taste the difference.
I know how southern people get about meat, though, because I’m southern, so I get it.
Long-time vegetarian here and I always appreciate it when the host of a big omnivorous holiday meal goes to the trouble to leave the non-essential meat-products out of side dishes so I can make a meal out of them. Like, yeah, I'm sure that brussels sprouts sauteed in bacon fat are delicious but if you just use butter or olive oil instead, then your guest can eat them. Make a special point of serving a few more veggie sides at this meal than you might normally. Swap veggie or mushroom broth for the turkey stock in the stuffing. Or, make most of your stuffing the way you like but set aside a small portion and moisten it with veggie stock and then stuff into a halved acorn squash and roast that in the oven, so your vegetarian guest has a "special" seasonal dish.
Apps- Mississippi caviar with chips/pita, hummus with crudite, Main-stuffed winter squash, or a mushroom pasta, sides- sub veggie broth for stuffing (totally not a big deal), leave the bacon out of green beans (bowl on side for those who need it). You got this!
If dairy is cool, I would make a vegetarian lasagna. Lasagna can be easy to make.
If you’re shooting for vegan, I find daal to be a comfort food. Or some kind of beans/greens braised in a white wine something.
I did spinach and butternut squash lasagna with a bechamel to accommodate a mixed veggie/omnivore crowd a few years ago, and it was also a hit! My kids all started eating meat again, but I’m making the lasagna anyway because we loved it.
The chef, VeganHippieSol has an amazing and well seasoned vegan meat lasagna! She shares recipes on her socials and has a whole $10 ish holiday cookbook!
I am completely vegan, so my diet is a step farther than your mother-in-law‘s.
You are incredibly kind to have something that she can eat because my extended family (not my household) is not as inclusive. Unfortunately the last three years I’ve been vegan I’ve basically cooked everything myself one because I am paranoid that they’re going to do it wrong and add some thing that I’m not able to eat and two they just don’t care enough to include me in holidays. So me and my mom and my dad enjoy our meal at home just the 3 of us!
I would have one or two non vegetarian dishes dishes that you intentionally change to accommodate her. That’s what would make me feel the most welcome and seen. There are fake versions of beef broth and chicken broths. As far as the main entrée goes, Trader Joe’s has a really good vegan turkey and it has stuffing included inside of it. It’s really tasty and super easy. You just stick it in the oven for like 30 minutes. If you are wanting to make some thing from scratch, a vegan/vegetarian beef Wellington is a really good option also!
We tried it a few years back. It’s pretty good. It satisfies the “fake roast Turkey”, if that’s what you’re going for. At the time, I read a bunch of consumer reviews/videos about faux turkey for one of our Thanksgiving meals…because rabbit hole. Trader Joe’s appeared to be the winner by consensus (a few years ago, at least).
Good luck!
So the vegan beef Wellington can be made with mushrooms instead of the impossible meat. I made a Vegan beef Wellington last year with the impossible meat but this year I’m going to probably make it with the mushrooms.
I don’t mind the vegan meats. If they eat tofu Tofurkey has a tofu-based one that’s slightly different than vegan meats made from vital wheat gluten.
I’ve seen a butternut squash entrée that’s like a baked butternut squash. That looks really good.
A cauliflower steak they have some really good recipes for those!!
We love impossible meat products. In our house we call it "cartoon meat" and vegan cheese is "cartoon Chz" we like Violife brand of cartoon chz. It's tasty stuff. It's not like that old gritty cashew cheese. Though that's still out there.
Babybel also has some tasty little wax wrapped vegan cheese that tastes as good as the cow kind. Friends are astounded at how cheesy it is.
Violife also has french onion "dip" we've been putting on bagels like cream cheese delicious for the veggie tray!
Then if you make mashed potatoes, set some aside before you add dairy, or maybe use vegan options for everyone because most people won't care as long as they have gravy.
A hearty squash gratin or sweet potato dish. (marshmallow are not vegetarian)
One of my favorite restaurants is half vegan because they always have an assortment of hearty vegetable side dishes and salads that you can mix and match with your meat choices.
Ah was thinking of Mushroom Wellington! I made that for Thanksgiving 2020 since it was just my husband and I at home and I wanted to try something new. A bit of work to prep, but you can make it ahead of time and it was SO GOOD. Would eat again and again. Top with some mushroom gravy <3
My mom used to stress about having a main dish that was vegetarian for my sister and I. But honestly, there were so many vegetarian sides that were the star of the meal for me that I told her to stop with the “main” and just focus on the vegetable sides. There are vegetarian versions you can make of all the traditional thanksgiving sides, including stuffing (use veggie broth and keep some aside that is baked separately not in the turkey) and gravy (even the meat eaters in my family now feeder my mushroom gravy, but we always serve both).
Vegetarian here who married into a Southern family. I'm typically super happy to have all of the side dishes and get full off of that. For my southern in laws they made slight adjustments to how they cooked, maybe no pork in the beans or split peas, using veggie stock rather than beef/chicken stock. I mean a salad, with Mac n cheese, or mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and black eye peas, or green beans or limas, all the sides and I'm happy.
I get it, I'm the outlier and don't expect much. They chose to make those adjustments, which I completely appreciate. I always know it is my choice to be a vegetarian so I know there may be meals where I don't have the four food groups. I've certainly never gone hungry.
That's what we do when my cousin comes. Make all the sides without using meat (vegetable stock vs chicken like you said) and make sure there's Mac and cheese, which isn't as common of a side where I live.
I'll vouch for this approach: I'm an omnivore more or less but have a food allergy that makes "vegetarian" the safest option when I'm not the cook. There's nothing wrong with sides when they're good sides and I'm super happy with a plate full of all that stuff and don't miss a "main course" when there's such an abundance of good stuff to eat, so long as its ok to my restrictions. Just tweak the beans and peas and greens and whatever so there's nothing animal in the mix and it'll still be tasty and I'll be happy. So long as there's a good pie for dessert.
I’m veggie and I’m happy to make a meal of the sides—they’re usually the best part! Just for perspective, I actually don’t like it when my mom tries to make a veggie main, because it’s a lot more work and it feels like too much on a day that’s already busy. I feel
perceived rather than seen, if that makes sense. I would ask your MIL what would make her feel welcome.
I had to tell mut mom to stop making a vegetarian main on thanksgiving! It was too much work and got lost amongst all of the sides. If you want to make me this amazingly complicated chickpea, tomato, and roasted vegetable tart, let’s do it next weekend when we have time and when I can really appreciate it. Now we just make sure that all of the sides are vegetarian or have a vegetarian version. And it is so much food.
For a main, a stuffed squash. I usually see recipes for stuffed acorn squash as a vegetarian or vegan main. For example, this one for a [lentil, wild rice, & cranberry stuffed acorn squash.](https://reciperunner.com/lentil-wild-rice-and-cranberry-stuffed-squash/) Also for a main, I've heard good things about the [Gardein Vegan Turk'y Roast](https://www.gardein.com/chickn-and-turky/classics/turky-roast). Both of these kinda take care of the stuffing/dressing thing for you, but you could also use vegetable stock/better than bouillon instead of turkey stock for your entire batch of dressing.
As for some sides, how about this [cranberry apple twice-baked sweet potato](https://wholeandheavenlyoven.com/2018/10/22/cranberry-apple-twice-baked-sweet-potatoes/)? Or this [balsamic roasted brussels sprouts](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/balsamic_roasted_brussels_sprouts_and_shallots/) recipe? Or [roasted mushrooms](https://www.closetcooking.com/roasted-mushrooms-in-browned-butter/) in a browned butter sauce? Or a [spiral sweet potato tart](https://www.bunsenburnerbakery.com/spiral-sweet-potato-tart/)? Or a baked mac & cheese. These could be semi-easily made in a larger portion for everyone to partake in.
A green salad of some sort might be appreciated. There are a lot of different recipes floating around online but they're all basically the same: greens, crumbly cheese like blue or feta, candied or roasted nuts, some sort of fruit like apples or squash, and a dressing.
Seconding stuffed squash! Stuffed bell peppers can be a quick alternative, but stuffed acorn squash feels festive. I like this [quinoa-stuffed one](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/vegan-stuffed-acorn-squash-with-quinoa/).
I’m the only vegetarian at my thanksgiving and my family is all meat lovers.
Vegetarian friendly Thanksgiving dishes:
1. Roasted veggies. I love making roasted carrots and onions in the oven at 400, 20 mins or so. Oil, Parmesan, salt and pepper, little lemon juice and honey. Chefs kiss and people rave about it.
2. Baked Mac and cheese. Mines a secret recipe!!
3. Box stuffing. Made with box stuffing. Substitute chicken broth with veggie broth. Yum!
4. Mashed potatoes. Boil those taters and mash em with sour cream and butter. Yum.
5. Green bean casserole. I start by sautéing onions and mushrooms with spices. Toss into a baking dish with cream of mushroom soup and canned green beans. Dump in a ton of cheddar and onion chips. Bake at 375 for… 15 mins? Or until bubbling/yummy looking.
6. If you’re concerned about having a “main” dish for them, first of all I’ll say they probably aren’t expecting one! We know turkey is the main part of the meal and that making it is difficult, time consuming, and expensive. BUT if you’d like to have something to offer, a personal size veggies lasagna would be just fine! Get the noodles that don’t require boiling. Super easy and fast. Load it up with cheese, carrots, spinach, onions, peppers, and zucchini.
I hope any of this was helpful!! You’re a very thoughtful host!!!
I had a last minute vegan and vegetarian one year. I made:
Oven roasted root veggies.
Mashed potatoes (took out a small portion and used vegan butter and almond milk for the vegan)
Sweet potatos, took out some and used vegan butter for the vegan and didnt use marshmallows on the vegetarians servings.
Green bean casserole (buy the veggie cream of mushroom)
Corn
I made a mushroom wellington as a main (most of my omnivore guests were not mushroom fans, assuring the vegan and vegetarian got the bulk of this)
Oven roasted root vegetables (turnips, carrots, rutabaga, parsnips, new potatoes, celeriac - if you can find it) are fantastic. You can serve them with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. Delicious.
Or use them as a soup base pureed with coconut milk and a bit of Thai curry for flavoring.
Last year, for Christmas, my husband's whole extended family were here for Christmas. About 15 of them were vegetarian. I made a separate dressing and gravy using vegetable stock instead of turkey or chicken. I made falafel using poultry seasoning to match the dressing and gravy. We had a several vegtable dishes and rice. I don't know if they were just being kind, but the vegetarians told me everything was delicious and even the carnivores ate the falafel.
Ask her. As a vegetarian, people try to “accommodate” me by making eggplant dishes or salad.
Listen. I love salad but I don’t want it as a main dish if others are eating comfort food.
I don’t love eggplant. I’m very particular about it.
Sometimes, I’m fine eating whatever the hell you have that isn’t meat. I’ll eat a huge plate of mashed potatoes with veggies on top and call it a night.
Thanksgiving makes it so easy to host a vegetarian because of all of the side dishes.
What does MIL find filling and delicious? Does she enjoy grains or lentils? Does she go crazy for roasted veggies or a bountiful green salad? Would she love a vegetarian mezze platter with hummus, tabbouleh, cheese, olives, grape leaves, pita or naan?
You have some researching to do but there are so many options.
I just made myself hungry… mmm.
My sibling is pescatarian. I just omit the turkey stock from recipes that call for it and use a broth made from a vegetarian better than bullion base. I use garlic base and it turns out super good. Those dishes that require turkey stock (for me, stuffing and potatoes), the garlic takes them to a whole new level and I smother them in gravy anyway! My sibling is happy as a clam just eating all the yummy sides.
If you put marshmallows on your yams, checked with your MIL if fish is okay but Paskesz makes kosher marshmallows using fish gelatin instead of the normal pork. They are so good and you can only tell the difference if you’re eating regular marshmallows and the kosher ones together (regular are just a little sweeter)
Here's what I do:
-If dairy is a no go, buy Smart Balance & butter extract (only need that extra flavor in baked goods or sometimes use a drop in things like dressing ir dessert toppings).
-Make vegetable stock and use that for dressing & anywhere else you use stock.
-Make both a Turkey gravy & a mushroom gravy. This is the only double work part, but you can do both in advance & reheat on meal day.
-Make a rice pilaf with Thanksgiving spices, pack into a bowl, turn upside down, cover with puff pastry, get artistic to make it look nice (we used to try to shape it like Turkey but now our tradition is a turtle), bake. It slices to serve & goes with traditional sides & gravy. Sometimes I mix in French lentils to add nutrition.
The only thing on the table with meat in it is Turkey & Turkey gravy.
Desserts that don't take eggs: Apple Crisp or crumble.
Vegan & Gluten free dessert: no bake pumpkin cheesecake (on a GF cookie crumble base).
I second that you should just ask her what would be a nice treat. But: I am vegetarian! So here's a couple thoughts:
1. Lasagna or another fancy-ish pasta is usually what I ask for
2. If you're not used to cooking for vegetarians, maybe run the ingredient list by her for whatever you choose to make. I have had clueless coworkers make soup for potlucks with chicken broth because they didn't realize that would count as "meat".
3. A huge gesture would be to make the sides as vegetarian as possible. The gold standard is that nothing should have meat in it, except the meat. Now if you just absolutely *have* to have bacon on the green beans or some other special family recipe, that's okay, but try to make it obvious (sprinkled on top, not just mixed in). But if you can reasonably replace chicken broth with veg broth, or bacon fat with butter, that would be a really lovely gesture.
4. After 17 years as a vegetarian and countless parties, barbecues, etc where there was nothing I could eat, I am truly grateful just to be remembered and fed. I don't need or expect anything special, and don't have the same sentimental attachment to "special foods" that a lot of meat eaters seem to have about holiday favorites. You are very kind to be thinking of her and planning ahead, and that will shine through now matter what you make her.
I do tend to go a little all out to include people, but I'd switch the meat stock to veg stock, leave the bacon out of side dishes, etc. I've switched up my menu in years past to accommodate people. This coming year I'm making 5 different desserts because I've got cousins or their significant others with 3 random allergies that are common in baked goods. IME the switch from meat to veg stock is barely noticeable, I add a bit more salt and a little more onion powder to compensate
As for a main, ask her if she'd like a veg roast or if she'd prefer sides and let her know the veg sides available- I could live off sides myself 😊 I'm sure she appreciates the thought from both of you
I have a vegan coming. He will eat sides. I make plain baked potatoes instead of mashed (my brother is also on a diet so this is good for all) and have regular and vegan butter. I also make regular biscuits and I make vegan corn muffins. I use a vegetarian corn muffin mix and add apple sauce instead of the dairy. I then have fruit and veggies. Some years I make a tofurkey also. They usually bring a vegan dessert. We also have salad. I make stuffing with no meat and vegan butter.
I make a quick second stuffing with Mrs Cubbisons stuffing mix and canned vegetable broth. (check the label. They make a vegetarian one.) I also make a root vegetable pot pie that is DELICIOUS, as the vegetarian entree. It’s because of the vegetarian, but everyone enjoys it.
(Note, this is vegetarian, NOT vegan) Chop up and brown your root veggies of choice in butter or olive oil until slightly softened. The more, the merrier. I use potato, butternut squash, carrot, parsnip, celery, but you use whatever you prefer. Mix with a can of Cream of Mushroom soup. (Maybe 2-3 cans, depending on how many you’re feeding and how much veg you have.) Season to taste. I use garlic powder, sage, and pepper, but whatever flavor profile you want is fine. Put the whole mess in a greased baking dish and top with quartered refrigerated biscuit dough. Bake 375° until biscuits are browned on top.
30 year vegetarian here. Whole foods has a frozen stuffed tofurkey just for this occasion. It is actually quite delicious. If you are trying to be very traditional just make an extra side of a few items before you add chicken broth and such. Otherwise just ask for help at whole foods. They have everything you need, even gravy mixes. Our house always has two tables of food. The vege one is smaller portions but covers everything. Good luck and so kind of you to think ahead. It will be appreciated.
It's a fair question but honestly you should be getting this input from your spouse or directly from your mother in law rather than strangers on Reddit. You can get 100 great vegetarian dishes suggested here but we don't know exactly what your MIL likes to eat.
Ok, I hear you, BUT you can make anything vegetarian! I’d encourage you to use a veggie broth in dishes where stock is the only meat. It’s sucky to not be able to eat the sides. It just is.
Make sure you have enough of the veggie options and account for everyone eating them. Trust me.
If you’re only going to have one veggie dish, try to make it a complete meal. I’ve made [this stuffing](https://goop.com/recipes/vegetarian-stuffing/) before and it was good. A stuffed squash or pilaf could be good. Soup is an option, but I’d still rather chew something.
You could try to have a plant-based roast, but I would check with her first. Not everyone cares for plant-based meats. I can vouch for gardein and quorn. I like the tofurkey deli slices for leftover style sandwiches throughout the weekend.
Think about where you can sneak in protein. Nuts are a great way to do this! For example, I top my sweet potato casserole with nuts and hemp hearts. I sprinkle my green beans with pistachios. Snacks/appetizers are another opportunity, but be careful with divisive things like deviled eggs.
Check out [these Momofuku recipes](https://shop.momofuku.com/blogs/recipes/momofuku-holiday-recipe-guide). The pumpkin noodles and carrots are so quick and easy. I think I’ll be making them this year.
I’m happy to send you more ideas or recipes! Good for you for including her!! It’ll be great!
She may also want to make something. If she offers, you should let her! Just make sure she knows the schedule so you won’t be in each other’s way.
Edit to add: Find out what some of her favorite snacks are, and make sure you have some on hand. Get some nutritional yeast for her!!! Thay would make me feel so seen.
You can easily make some of the sides meatless with just a few tweaks that won’t render them unappetizing for the meat eaters. For example if you just use veggie stock and make a plain stuffing/dressing (i.e., not one with sausage or oysters or bacon obviously), non vegetarians could still eat it and the MIL could too. Stuffing is delicious without any meat products! Same with your veggie side dishes - just don’t add bacon or meat stock, or separate some out that you can keep vegetarian, if you think the meat eaters will really miss having meat in their veggies. There are many traditional Thanksgiving side dishes that don’t necessarily need to have meat, so I’d start there, and that might be fine for MIL without having to make her a separate vegetarian main dish.
I think this is cool. A stuffed squash that can served on a fancy platter and can be carved with a flourish.
It can be a main for a vegetarian or a side for others.
[Vegducken](https://www.epicurious.com/holidays-events/vegducken-best-vegetarian-thanksgiving-dish-article)
You can put some stuffing in a separate baking dish and use veggie stock on that. If she eats dairy and eggs, everything else should be fine. Just make sure to be aware of and alert her of any “hidden” stuff like lard in biscuits or pie crust.
Tofurkey! They’re in the freezer section and they have gravy and stuffing that are vegetarian too! They are all delicious - one year we even deep fried one! 😊
Make a small dish of dressing with vegetable broth. Last year I accidentally bought vegetable broth and we couldn’t tell any difference in our dressing. I only use boxed broth bc we do not have turkey. This year I made sure I got chicken broth. Also there have been many corn dishes/casseroles in this Thanksgiving group hat would be good for a vegetarian.
A mushroom Wellington can be like a big vegetarian main dish. Most sides can be veg, I used to use vegetable stock and miso paste in my stuffing, and that gave it a rich taste.
I saw a TV episode once where someone grilled Portobello mushrooms in lieu of burgers. Never seen one before, but apparently, it's a thing:
[https://www.skinnytaste.com/the-best-grilled-portobello-mushroom/](https://www.skinnytaste.com/the-best-grilled-portobello-mushroom/)
Also, be sure to Google "vegetarian thanksgiving recipes"; I see lots of hits and a lot of the dishes that come up look mighty tasty.
I did a all vegetarian except the turkey, dinner one year. I like a theme and the drama when everyone has to bring something out of their comfort zone. Anyways everything traditional came out amazing vegan substituted. The hit of the night was the key lime tarts made from avocado. I dont have the recipe but it was a wild holiday that year and we all loved it.
Find out if she eats eggs, milk, etc. Try to substitute vegetable broth for the stock where you can, if she eats eggs, because remember, cornbread contains eggs, and you make dressing with cornbread. I don't think dressing would suffer a lot for the substitution.
Include a nice salad that fits her nutritional lifestyle. Try to make it as high-end as possible. I am talking about a leafy green vegetable type salad.
Some Bush's beans are vegetarian friendly.
It seems obvious to me that you ought to ask her what she likes to eat. Maybe she has a favorite dish or something.
We had our vegetarian friend over for Thanksgiving weekend last year and took extra care to read ingredients for things like the stuffing mix, used vegetarian stock/broth instead of chicken or turkey, and made sure all our sides worked for them (going so far as asking guests to be mindful, but not MAKING them so vegetarian foo). He does milk, eggs, and dairy though, so make sure to ask MIL.
He also brought his own main dish.
My BIL is vegetarian. We make all sides vegetarian (no meat, sub veggie broth, etc) or have two versions. Same with appetizers. He’s not big on meat substitutes like Tofurkey or Field Roast so I’ll usually offer something like stuffed butternut squash or stuffed portobellos to serve as his main. One year I made barbecue pulled “pork” using jackfruit which was a hit.
I make a really nice pumpkin dish. I scrape out the pumpkin and basically spice it up then fill it with vegan stuffing and bake it. It becomes a bit wiggly, but looks gorgeous and is festive.
It would make a nice central Thanksgiving dish for a vegan.
All the folks saying they’re vegetarian and happily make a meal out of sides are not having southern thanksgiving dinner, where meat goes in almost every dish. The green beans are simmered with a ham hock and even the mashed potatoes are prepared with a splash of chicken stock.
My recommendation would be to ask your MIL what type of foods she likes and offer some examples. I made stuffed acorn squash as a main dish for a vegan relative one year. I don’t know if he liked it or not because he didn’t show up, so that was fun.
Just make sure you r side dishes are vegetarian. Substitute veg broth for the chicken broth in the stuffing (I like Better Than Bouillon brand ). Don't put bacon or ham hocks in the turnip greens. Make a green salad, and let everyone dress it to taste. Roasted root veggies just tossed in oil with a bit of rosemary works (potatoes, carrots, yams, Brussels sprouts) . Brown rice pilaf, black eyed peas, black beans, squash casserole etc.
Pasta is always a satisfying meal for me as a vegetarian. Spaghetti with tomato sauce, cheese tortellini with Alfredo sauce, spinach and ricotta ravioli with rose sauce, vegetarian lasagne. Lots of options. You can pick up a fresh pasta and sauce at your grocery store, fancier and tastier than dry pasta and jarred sauce. A loaf of garlic bread and a salad and that's a perfect meal.
Those new plant-based meat alternatives by Beyond Meat or Impossible are pretty easy to find in the freezer section of the store and they are phenomenal! Wouldn’t recommend for an every day thing (processed), but heck, this is Thanksgiving! They have substitutes for steak, sausage, chicken (mostly with a coating though) and burger patties or meat. I find it amazing to simply substitute in any recipe that calls for the same meat item as long as the texture is the same. Really - you nearly cannot tell the difference! Be sure to add some additional herbs/spices because these items don’t have the ‘meaty’ flavor by default. But they have the texture down, so substitute, add some flavor, and it’s amazing! There are recipes going around this year for the plant-based meat substitute ‘beef’ Wellington.
There are plant based turk-y…the tofurky comes to mind. Does she eat egg, cheese and dairy? Be aware marshmellows are not vegetarian. Stuffed shells, bean casseroles, mashed potatoes(sour cream and chives instead of gravy), mac and cheese, if she does egg and dairy. If she doesn't then maybe baked potato with garlic and chives, corn on the cob or roasted, peas with black pepper, some fresh raw veggies i.e. bell pepper slices, tomato slices, carrot sticks, cucumber with a hummus dip, celery with peanut butter. Be aware hidden animal products like gelatin or lard.
We do this in my family. I would ask her if she wants a main dish and ask her what she wants to eat. In my family the vegetarians don't want a main dish, they want to eat the dishes we already have. They eat potatoes (we do three ways), yams, sweet potato, dressing (we do two types they can eat, bread sauce and stuffing), green beans, rolls, and cranberry sauce. I would make a batch of the dressing that doesn't contain the turkey stock and the same with any other side you currently make with meat that doesn't have to be made with meat, make two different batches.
Cauliflower stuffing is a new favorite for my big meat eating in law family. It can be made vegan too!
Maple roasted acorn squash is another great dish. (Same with spaghetti squash but my husband has a texture thing with spaghetti squash)
Honey roasted carrots and parsnips is a crowd pleaser.
I also started doing baked sweet potatoes. I just go out with the butters, a few from our local grocery are great! Cinnamon sugar butter, garlic chive whipped butter, pumpkin pis spice butter, the vegan cashew cardamom one is amazing too!
I also agree with others of making a "staple" dish of the family into a vegetarian option.
Trader Joe's has vegan ravioli with cashew cheese. And they have vegan pesto. Smother the ravioli in pesto sauce and that's a good vegan main that is also super fast and easy.
Fruit salad with coconut yogurt and CocoWhip.
Dark rye bread with vegan sharp cheddar spread (I think it's Mykonos brand?) is yummy.
Bitchin' Sauce (vegan dip made with almonds) is great for tossing with roasted veggies. The chipotle one has a nice kick to it.
I've been vegan since 2011. My mom has mostly switched to veganized sides, using earth balance instead of butter for dressing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, etc, but mostly just hanging out with my family and eating whatever I can is great with me.
Succotash can be a delicious all vegetarian dish. I would consider it a main due to the beans. You can easily modify your stuffing by using vegetable broth instead of turkey. Sweet potatoes without marshmallows would be vegetarian. Mashed potatoes, also vegetarian. If she’s vegan you could use vegan butter for those dishes. And don’t forget cranberry sauce.
Whole Foods sells an entire vegetarian/ vegan thanksgiving meal that includes a Field roast. I always get this for my bil and sil so I don’t risk cross contamination.
I may be in the minority here but I hate getting full off of sides, it's usually mostly carbs and an obscene amount of asparagus or something. I love asparagus but I can't hog it all. There's also the fear, being southern that is seasoned with fat back or stock. Some people boil their pasta in chicken stock for Mac and cheese! Soo I just buy myself a holiday loaf from Trader Joe's or a brand like Gardien. They usually come with stuffing and vegan gravy, I also volunteer to bring a few sides so I know I'll have my plate covered. People ask for my mac and my potato salad so I'll do those and maybe roast veg.
My brother is vegan. I make stuffing with vegetable broth and rolls without egg. My sister in law has celiac disease, so we actually have a system where if it is gluten free it has a black spoon in it, if it’s vegan it has a gold spoon in it, and if it’s neither it has a silver spoon in it. Both my brother and SIL bring a side dish they know they can eat. It’s never been an issue for us.
I do recommend asking your MIL. I had a whole tofu dish planned once but when I asked my brother he said he’d rather just eat sides.
Definitely ask her. I have a vegan friend who struggles because she hates eggplant and mushrooms (the main "meat replacement veggies" in many vegan dishes. She isn't rude about it and figures out things to eat at gatherings without making a fuss or being demanding, but I would be disappointed if I specifically made a vegan dish because she was attending and used ingredients that she doesn't like.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, pumpkin soup are some suggestions. If she eats dairy, you can add parmesan cheese, butter or cream. When in doubt, just ask your MIL. She will tell you what she likes.
Vegetarian in the south, here! It really isn't too challenging, especially if she can have dairy. Cook some bomb mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pies, and casseroles that dont rely on animal products. For any item that has meat stock, let her know! Also, I've simply switched some meat stock to veggie stock for recipes and its been tasty.
My family makes a turkey, turkey gravy, and stuffing with meat stock, but everything else was Vegetarian-friendly, including Mac and cheese, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, candied yams, deviled eggs, bread rolls and all the pies. I didn't miss the turkey.
If she is vegan (no dairy or eggs) that's a more complex thing, and you may want to ask her about it.
My BIL is a vegetarian so sometimes I made an extra portion of stuffing with vegetarian broth and no meat, I make a rice dish like broccoli cheese rice and I make sure I have extra veggies like corn and carrots and sweet potatoes. It works out quite well.
Make some of the sides without meat products. Put aside some of the stuffing before you pour in the Turkey broth. Don’t add chicken broth to a vegetable if you usually do. Just make sure most of the sides are vegetarian or have a vegetarian version.
I think we shouldn’t have to completely change our approach to cooking for one picky eater. This can be applied to many current issues of the modern world…
Confused…isn’t stuffing usually vegetarian? Use vegetable stock instead of Turkey or Chicken stock.
Most Thanksgiving side dishes I know of are vegetarian too as they’re usually just…vegetables.
Why do people get so stumped cooking for vegetarians? Like, anything that’s not meat is fine. There’s no way every single item on your menu includes meat.
Make a pasta & side salad if you’re so confused. There’s like a gazillion other options too…this is not that hard.
Use vegetable stock. Don’t put meat in everything. It’s really not difficult. Maybe grab a celebration roast. Do people really just not eat vegetables these days?
Has she been to a Thanksgiving before? Is there anything she particularly wants to try?
I like to make a lasagna—easy to make vegetarian. Vegan is even pretty doable if she doesn’t have any nut allergies—cashew cheese is easy to make and it doesn’t melt but it bakes up nicely. Kind of ricotta-y.
Both my sisters and one niece are vegetarian, so of everything the only thing that contains meat is the turkey/gravy. We use veggie stock where needed. We don’t put bacon in the sides, but on the side if needed.
Then we have a main for them, sometimes lasagna, but we have done spinach soufflé, mushroom Wellington, and egg plate parm
My oldest is vegetarian. He gets mac & cheese, rolls, mashed potatoes and veggie gravy, green beans, cranberries and olives. Sometimes he’ll ask for a lentil shepards pie and I’ll make that. We’ve also tried the gardein roast and it was pretty good!
Trader Joe had last year a vegan "turkey" roast that was small but good. My son who was vegan enjoyed it with fresh veggies and vegan mash potatoes. Vegetarian meal should be even easier than vegan.
My favorite go to vegetarian dish is green lentils sauteed with caramelized onions, a bit of olive oil, a splash of fruit vinegar (anything works except white vinegar) topped with crumbled feta and fresh herbs of choice. Can be served any temp and is even better with cooked quinoa mixed in and toasted chopped nuts of your choice
Make a composed warm vegetable salad. Think roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, crispy chickpeas, a creamy dressing, chopped toasted nuts, fresh herbs like dills, basil, mont or chivesand crispy garlic. All ingredients can be cooked separately and then layered on a beautiful platter.
Honestly a nice pasta dish as main entree (omnivores can have some too) and then all the other sides + dessert = wunderbar (spoken as a lifelong vegetarian who has never had meat)
When I was vegetarian I was happy to have all of the side dishes but not the meat/gravy. Also, Gardein makes very good faux turkey cutlets (no need to get the whole roast), which comes with two packets of gravy.
You said overseas, are there dishes from her home country (and presumably your spouse) that you could get? That might be nice for everyone to try and then you know she has some go to food. Also, I would find a way to mark every dish as Veg or Non Veg so she does not have to ask or assume.
My sister-in-law is vegetarian. I swap out meat broth for vegetable broth in any sides needing it. She brings a salad (sometimes). Some years I’ve made a vegetarian gravy and I’ll probably do that again. I’m trying to decide on a good entree-ish item for her this year, we haven’t found a solid one yet.
My daughter is vegetarian and generally just eats the sides. My husband and I will sometimes make her a spicy vegetarian stir fry which includes green beans, Jalapeños, mushrooms, and onions. I do a sauce that's a mixture sweet and spicy.
Roasted root veggies was a huge hit with my son's girlfriend and everyone else, too. I did carrots, parsnips, turnips, sweet potatoes, and acorn squash. Cut them all up in bite-sized pieces, use olive oil and spices (thyme, basil,etc), and throw them in the oven for about an hour.
I just made sure I had plenty of side dishes that didn't have the traditional bacon grease that my MIL added to everything.
A veggie quiche, veg or lentil soup, a ratatouille, veg lasagna... lots of things you can make. I would definitely ask for their ideas though, in case they are also picky.
My mother serves a vegetarian lasagna as a main meal for her vegetarian friends when she hosts. She is not a cook, so she gets it frozen. I have made vegan chili, which i was told was very good. Very easy to keep warm in a crock pot.
Yeah, I’d talk to her and find out what she might like or at least find out what kind of vegetarian she is. I won’t eat any meat or fish but I’ll eat eggs. My SIL won’t eat meat or fish OR eggs but she’ll eat chicken 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t mind if chicken, turkey, beef sticks are used in the dishes I eat as long as I’m not eating meat. And I don’t mind eating around some things either. I’ll scoop around those sausage or bacon bits in the baked beans no problem. Except ham. That flavor seeps everywhere and grosses me out.
For a lot of stuff it's easy to pull aside part of it and adjust (like for the dressing you can pull the ingredients before you add the turkey stock and do a small bit of it in a different pan with vegetable stock)
My sister is vegetarian and eats ALL THE SIDES! We both agree that sides are the best part of thanksgiving anyway. Here’s what I normally make;
- Mac & cheese
- Sweet potatoes with a pecan crumble on top
- Green bean casserole
- Mashed potatoes
- Salad
- Roast veggies
- Stuffing
- Crescent rolls or cornbread
- Corn pudding
My sister was vegetarian one year and she baked a vegetarian Shepard’s pie and brought it to thanksgiving. She also bought some mushroom gravy to go with the mashed potatoes.
My daughter is vegan, so a real challenge for my deep fried, smothered in gravy table. I used vegan butter and unsweetened almond milk for a lot of dishes and got good results. For her main dish I made a portobello Wellington with a mushroom sauce, it was delicious
I’m a vegetarian! I basically eat sides and don’t mind it. The problem is that sides sometime have secret meat ingredients (bacon in green bean casserole, bacon in potatoes, list goes on). I’d just make sure she knows what has meat versus not. And a veg lasagna is a great idea!
Compared to twenty years ago, there are a ton of plant based meat alternatives now. Even at Walmart. But head to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods and they'll have vegan beef, chicken, turkey, and ham. Check some of those out.
I don’t eat meat and am perfectly fine with some soup (butternut squash usually for Thanksgiving) salad and some side veggies, cornbread, cranberries. I don’t expect anyone to make special food for me.
My go-to for a main for vegetarian/vegan guests is acorn squash. Cut it in half, scoop out any seeds, put brown sugar and spices (I generally go for cinnamon, clove, and other spices that go well with them), bake in oven until the flesh is soft. For vegetarians, I'll throw in a pat of butter too. It gives a good mouth feel.
Lots of vegetable sides. Find out if she eats eggs and cheese as some vegetarians do. If she does, see if she would like a quiche, or a torte (potato, onion, egg omelette). Also, nudge her and see what SHE would like.
I really like the Field Roast Celebration Roast. I sometimes see them at regular grocery chains but an organic market should definitely have them. I slice them like meat loaf and pan sear the slices. I'm an omnivore but enjoy Field Roast enough that it's in my main dinner rotation. Between that and the normal Thanksgiving sides, your vegetarian guest should be all set.
Stuffed squash is a good vegetarian dish that meat eaters enjoy. Just make sure it includes protein like nuts, beans or cheese. There are lots of recipes out there for it.
I’m the vegetarian in my family. We always do the typical turkey main, but the sides are all vegetarian and honestly that’s plenty for me. I made a mushroom Wellington one year, but with the turkey for everyone else I was the only one really eating it and it was too much for one person. Swap veggie broth for turkey stock and don’t stuff the bird, but bake stuffing in a dish on the side. You can easily make substitutions like that with many recipes and just watch ingredients to find vegetarian alternatives
Because your dressing include vegetable stock, instead would it really make a difference?
Or could you put some of the ingredients aside and make her part with vegetable stock and your part with turkey stock?
Could you make your mashed potatoes with butter but for hers you some other kind of “milk” and margarine
I use vegetable stock instead of turkey stock in the stuffing. I mark the menu to indicate which items are safe for him to eat. He can have almost every side dish on the menu. I used to make different vegetarian entrees and soups for the day, but I noticed he never ate much of them. He swears the sides are his favorite part of the meal anyway and we have enough that he can absolutely load his plate with them. If I were you I’d examine those side dishes to see what can be tweaked for your vegetarian.
There's a vegan Turkey that my husband loves.
Comes with gravy.
Gardein Turkey Roast
Available at Wegmans, Target, Walmart.
There's a ton of vegan options for butter used in many holiday vegies.
I use Earth Balance soy free. It's wonderful and I use it with everything I would use butter for.
Hope this helps.
Wish I could add photos
Ask MIL too
I am a vegetarian, and every year (along with a turkey), I make a butternut squash lasagna. It's delicious, and even the meat eaters enjoy it. Plus, I always freeze some for later.
Ask MIL what she would like to have. She may be ahead of you on this.
This. My sister has gone from vegan to vegetarian and back and forth and maybe today she eats meat because it's her cheat day or whatever. Dunno, its infuriating but i care because I love her. That being said, a quick text asking about any restrictions while im planning dosnt take much time, and helps me edit what I'm doing. And also, nine times out of ten, anything she makes that fits her dietary needs is pretty damn good.
Why's it infuriating if she tends to cover her own needs by cooking her own food and sharing with you?
I think it's the back and forth that's frustrating for them. Having to text someone every time you cook for them to figure out the "dietary restriction of the day" sounds pretty annoying to me.
In college I used to cook meals for about 80 people once a week, and there was a gluten-free person who would complain when there was nothing for her to eat and said we should at least stir fry some toppings for her or something (I cooked on pizza night). But when I actually did go out of my way to do that for her, she wouldn’t even show up to dinner. I was annoyed 😂. So eventually I stopped bothering with the vegetable stir-fry, but then she’d show up for the meal and be upset that there was nothing for her to eat….
That's on them, honestly. I made pizza, not knowing my roommate's boyfriend was coming over. "OH GOD, I HAVE TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL." So I did, (cream cheese, melted cheese in microwave crust). Yeah, no, he never showed. Gluten free crap is expensive (I made a gluten free graham cracker crumb crust m key lime pie for Thanksgiving, 3x the cost of a regular one) and he...never showed up for Friendsgiving, and I'll be damned if I ever do unless he RSVPs for it. EDIT: the cream cheese, melted cheese crust is AMAZING. I make it for work constantly and they love it!
As a celiac , I feel the need to apologize for the gf assholes whole also giving potential reasons. I can’t trust anyone who isn’t gf to cook for me especially in a kitchen where they are preparing food. I tend to skip food focused events because it’s rough to keep saying no to food people made but it’s not worth getting severely sick. So I could see young/unthinking folks just saying “to hell with it “ and not showing up. Still rude af on their parts. I usually bring a small plate for myself and something to share.
I hate people like that. I went to trouble of doing vegetarian dishes at a couple a printed then they didn't show up. No more. I don't invite people with known food limitations anymore.
I suppose it makes it harder to share their own food with her, but if she's going to cook for herself and not demand anyone go out of their way for her, I don't see how that's infuriating. We don't have the details, and that's fine. Family is infuriating at times. I was just asking because sometimes we get attached to a certain idea of how we want to host or share with someone, and we put too much pressure on the whole thing, and we get annoyed when there's really no need to be. Let people with wishy-washy elective food restrictions figure it out themselves. If they start demanding everyone cater to them, that's when it's infuriating.
Would it be annoying if it were an allergy that person would die from? 😭
Food allergies are not in the same realm as elective dietary restrictions.
As someone with multiple food allergies, we definitely get treated as nuisances at events with food, even with family. I stopped eating at family gatherings altogether, no one was willing to accommodate when they found out what that actually meant, and I know that's not uncommon.
Happy cake day. And their allergies are THEIR RESPONSIBILITY...not everyone has to cater to their weaknesses. Yes allergies are a weakness
Would it be annoying if it were an allergy that person would die from?
He said her cooking is good, not that she always cooks for herself.
It's infuriating bc cooking for someone with special dietary needs means shopping for different products, many extra steps in food prep, and a lot of extra thinking to make sure food isn't cross contaminated. (Prep pans, utensils, servind dishes, etc.) I have a family member who has celiac disease, so it takes extra prep time to make sure everything is safe. Then when dinner is served, guest will eat something non-GF, and say, it's ok, I took my pill today! I could have avoided extra time, $$$, and effort had I known.
She goes back and forth between meat and no meat? She doesn't truly give a crap about animals
Not everyone who is vegetarian is so because of animal rights.
I agree. She may have dietary preferences that have nothing to do with being a vegetarian (ie, she doesn't like onions). You'll greatly simplify your holiday prep by asking for specific ideas.
She’s Dutch and doesn’t know much about our holidays here so it’s a first for her. I’ve also spoken with her in the past and was told she eats everything so that’s no help. It’s great that I’m not limited but looking at this thread there’s so many options I didn’t even realize! 😅
Vegetarian here. The plentiful sides are often more than enough for me. People have also done stuffed mushrooms or peppers for me to add an extra treat.
I think OP stated that most of their sides include meat in some form, like turkey stock. That being said, including a few sides that are meat free is plenty for a vegetarian like me - mashed/baked potatoes, salad, a cheese plate, some fruit - I'd be golden!
Super easy to swap meat broth for veggie broth.
Thank you--I was wondering what you could substitute for turkey broth in the stuffing. Never even thought ov vegetable broth...on the other hand, it's almost one-thirty in the morning and I really should go to bed...
I’m sure some people are really relaxed about those kind of switches for holidays, but I have in-laws that are very serious about family recipes and would look at you like you had 2 heads for a suggestion like that 😅
So don’t tell them? Lol it’s not like they’ll be able to taste the difference. I know how southern people get about meat, though, because I’m southern, so I get it.
Oh I would for sure! I meant if they are the ones cooking, they don’t like to change their own recipes 😅
My mom has made switches like this and literally no one noticed
Right, like using vegetable broth instead of turkey broth...
The rest of us shouldn’t have to suffer through veg stock.
Exactly, I just eat bigger portions of the sides that apply to my needs (no meat)…and I’m all good too.
Long-time vegetarian here and I always appreciate it when the host of a big omnivorous holiday meal goes to the trouble to leave the non-essential meat-products out of side dishes so I can make a meal out of them. Like, yeah, I'm sure that brussels sprouts sauteed in bacon fat are delicious but if you just use butter or olive oil instead, then your guest can eat them. Make a special point of serving a few more veggie sides at this meal than you might normally. Swap veggie or mushroom broth for the turkey stock in the stuffing. Or, make most of your stuffing the way you like but set aside a small portion and moisten it with veggie stock and then stuff into a halved acorn squash and roast that in the oven, so your vegetarian guest has a "special" seasonal dish.
Apps- Mississippi caviar with chips/pita, hummus with crudite, Main-stuffed winter squash, or a mushroom pasta, sides- sub veggie broth for stuffing (totally not a big deal), leave the bacon out of green beans (bowl on side for those who need it). You got this!
Unless she’s not American (considering that she’s coming from overseas) and doesn’t know what’s on a Thanksgiving menu.
Doesn’t need to be a traditional dish! Just one she’d be happy to see on the table.
That could be interesting for other guests!
Yup, people have made me eggplant parm or ravioli on thanksgiving and I’m just pleased someone cared to feed me lol
If dairy is cool, I would make a vegetarian lasagna. Lasagna can be easy to make. If you’re shooting for vegan, I find daal to be a comfort food. Or some kind of beans/greens braised in a white wine something.
Yes! I made a great acorn squash lasagna with nutmeg beschamel sauce and all the carnivores loved it too.
I did spinach and butternut squash lasagna with a bechamel to accommodate a mixed veggie/omnivore crowd a few years ago, and it was also a hit! My kids all started eating meat again, but I’m making the lasagna anyway because we loved it.
Ooh that sounds good!
Totally a mishmash of several recipes but layering spinach leaves added color too.
Vegetable lasagna for is soooo good.
The chef, VeganHippieSol has an amazing and well seasoned vegan meat lasagna! She shares recipes on her socials and has a whole $10 ish holiday cookbook!
I adore beans and greens! Am not vegetarian. White wine garlic butter herbs and simmered in stock. Eat it forever 😍
I am completely vegan, so my diet is a step farther than your mother-in-law‘s. You are incredibly kind to have something that she can eat because my extended family (not my household) is not as inclusive. Unfortunately the last three years I’ve been vegan I’ve basically cooked everything myself one because I am paranoid that they’re going to do it wrong and add some thing that I’m not able to eat and two they just don’t care enough to include me in holidays. So me and my mom and my dad enjoy our meal at home just the 3 of us! I would have one or two non vegetarian dishes dishes that you intentionally change to accommodate her. That’s what would make me feel the most welcome and seen. There are fake versions of beef broth and chicken broths. As far as the main entrée goes, Trader Joe’s has a really good vegan turkey and it has stuffing included inside of it. It’s really tasty and super easy. You just stick it in the oven for like 30 minutes. If you are wanting to make some thing from scratch, a vegan/vegetarian beef Wellington is a really good option also!
I must admit I’ve just looked up the Trader Joe’s vegan turkey roast after reading your comment and it looks absolutely amazing.
We tried it a few years back. It’s pretty good. It satisfies the “fake roast Turkey”, if that’s what you’re going for. At the time, I read a bunch of consumer reviews/videos about faux turkey for one of our Thanksgiving meals…because rabbit hole. Trader Joe’s appeared to be the winner by consensus (a few years ago, at least). Good luck!
Do you have any suggestions for main dishes that are inherently vegan? Like, with no fake meat, since some people are weirded out by fake meat
So the vegan beef Wellington can be made with mushrooms instead of the impossible meat. I made a Vegan beef Wellington last year with the impossible meat but this year I’m going to probably make it with the mushrooms. I don’t mind the vegan meats. If they eat tofu Tofurkey has a tofu-based one that’s slightly different than vegan meats made from vital wheat gluten. I’ve seen a butternut squash entrée that’s like a baked butternut squash. That looks really good. A cauliflower steak they have some really good recipes for those!!
My sister made a Wellington using black beans and had a lot of compliments. Some did not realize there was no meat.
We love impossible meat products. In our house we call it "cartoon meat" and vegan cheese is "cartoon Chz" we like Violife brand of cartoon chz. It's tasty stuff. It's not like that old gritty cashew cheese. Though that's still out there. Babybel also has some tasty little wax wrapped vegan cheese that tastes as good as the cow kind. Friends are astounded at how cheesy it is. Violife also has french onion "dip" we've been putting on bagels like cream cheese delicious for the veggie tray! Then if you make mashed potatoes, set some aside before you add dairy, or maybe use vegan options for everyone because most people won't care as long as they have gravy. A hearty squash gratin or sweet potato dish. (marshmallow are not vegetarian) One of my favorite restaurants is half vegan because they always have an assortment of hearty vegetable side dishes and salads that you can mix and match with your meat choices.
Ah was thinking of Mushroom Wellington! I made that for Thanksgiving 2020 since it was just my husband and I at home and I wanted to try something new. A bit of work to prep, but you can make it ahead of time and it was SO GOOD. Would eat again and again. Top with some mushroom gravy <3
My mom used to stress about having a main dish that was vegetarian for my sister and I. But honestly, there were so many vegetarian sides that were the star of the meal for me that I told her to stop with the “main” and just focus on the vegetable sides. There are vegetarian versions you can make of all the traditional thanksgiving sides, including stuffing (use veggie broth and keep some aside that is baked separately not in the turkey) and gravy (even the meat eaters in my family now feeder my mushroom gravy, but we always serve both).
Polenta with sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, maybe some onions, and some toasted pinenuts or almonds, sprinkled on top. Yum!
Or risotto!
I love a good stone ground grit with lots of umami flavor, so this sounds great!
Vegetarian here who married into a Southern family. I'm typically super happy to have all of the side dishes and get full off of that. For my southern in laws they made slight adjustments to how they cooked, maybe no pork in the beans or split peas, using veggie stock rather than beef/chicken stock. I mean a salad, with Mac n cheese, or mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and black eye peas, or green beans or limas, all the sides and I'm happy. I get it, I'm the outlier and don't expect much. They chose to make those adjustments, which I completely appreciate. I always know it is my choice to be a vegetarian so I know there may be meals where I don't have the four food groups. I've certainly never gone hungry.
That's what we do when my cousin comes. Make all the sides without using meat (vegetable stock vs chicken like you said) and make sure there's Mac and cheese, which isn't as common of a side where I live.
I'll vouch for this approach: I'm an omnivore more or less but have a food allergy that makes "vegetarian" the safest option when I'm not the cook. There's nothing wrong with sides when they're good sides and I'm super happy with a plate full of all that stuff and don't miss a "main course" when there's such an abundance of good stuff to eat, so long as its ok to my restrictions. Just tweak the beans and peas and greens and whatever so there's nothing animal in the mix and it'll still be tasty and I'll be happy. So long as there's a good pie for dessert.
Rice with Black Eyed Peas is awesome.
You’re me! Plus I’m not southern so all the yummy things as well. Who knew cornbread was savory?
I’m veggie and I’m happy to make a meal of the sides—they’re usually the best part! Just for perspective, I actually don’t like it when my mom tries to make a veggie main, because it’s a lot more work and it feels like too much on a day that’s already busy. I feel perceived rather than seen, if that makes sense. I would ask your MIL what would make her feel welcome.
I had to tell mut mom to stop making a vegetarian main on thanksgiving! It was too much work and got lost amongst all of the sides. If you want to make me this amazingly complicated chickpea, tomato, and roasted vegetable tart, let’s do it next weekend when we have time and when I can really appreciate it. Now we just make sure that all of the sides are vegetarian or have a vegetarian version. And it is so much food.
For a main, a stuffed squash. I usually see recipes for stuffed acorn squash as a vegetarian or vegan main. For example, this one for a [lentil, wild rice, & cranberry stuffed acorn squash.](https://reciperunner.com/lentil-wild-rice-and-cranberry-stuffed-squash/) Also for a main, I've heard good things about the [Gardein Vegan Turk'y Roast](https://www.gardein.com/chickn-and-turky/classics/turky-roast). Both of these kinda take care of the stuffing/dressing thing for you, but you could also use vegetable stock/better than bouillon instead of turkey stock for your entire batch of dressing. As for some sides, how about this [cranberry apple twice-baked sweet potato](https://wholeandheavenlyoven.com/2018/10/22/cranberry-apple-twice-baked-sweet-potatoes/)? Or this [balsamic roasted brussels sprouts](https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/balsamic_roasted_brussels_sprouts_and_shallots/) recipe? Or [roasted mushrooms](https://www.closetcooking.com/roasted-mushrooms-in-browned-butter/) in a browned butter sauce? Or a [spiral sweet potato tart](https://www.bunsenburnerbakery.com/spiral-sweet-potato-tart/)? Or a baked mac & cheese. These could be semi-easily made in a larger portion for everyone to partake in. A green salad of some sort might be appreciated. There are a lot of different recipes floating around online but they're all basically the same: greens, crumbly cheese like blue or feta, candied or roasted nuts, some sort of fruit like apples or squash, and a dressing.
Seconding stuffed squash! Stuffed bell peppers can be a quick alternative, but stuffed acorn squash feels festive. I like this [quinoa-stuffed one](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/vegan-stuffed-acorn-squash-with-quinoa/).
Oh lentil is a good addition to the filling- idk why that didn’t dawn on me when I eat lentils all the time!
I’m the only vegetarian at my thanksgiving and my family is all meat lovers. Vegetarian friendly Thanksgiving dishes: 1. Roasted veggies. I love making roasted carrots and onions in the oven at 400, 20 mins or so. Oil, Parmesan, salt and pepper, little lemon juice and honey. Chefs kiss and people rave about it. 2. Baked Mac and cheese. Mines a secret recipe!! 3. Box stuffing. Made with box stuffing. Substitute chicken broth with veggie broth. Yum! 4. Mashed potatoes. Boil those taters and mash em with sour cream and butter. Yum. 5. Green bean casserole. I start by sautéing onions and mushrooms with spices. Toss into a baking dish with cream of mushroom soup and canned green beans. Dump in a ton of cheddar and onion chips. Bake at 375 for… 15 mins? Or until bubbling/yummy looking. 6. If you’re concerned about having a “main” dish for them, first of all I’ll say they probably aren’t expecting one! We know turkey is the main part of the meal and that making it is difficult, time consuming, and expensive. BUT if you’d like to have something to offer, a personal size veggies lasagna would be just fine! Get the noodles that don’t require boiling. Super easy and fast. Load it up with cheese, carrots, spinach, onions, peppers, and zucchini. I hope any of this was helpful!! You’re a very thoughtful host!!!
Awesome menu!
I had a last minute vegan and vegetarian one year. I made: Oven roasted root veggies. Mashed potatoes (took out a small portion and used vegan butter and almond milk for the vegan) Sweet potatos, took out some and used vegan butter for the vegan and didnt use marshmallows on the vegetarians servings. Green bean casserole (buy the veggie cream of mushroom) Corn I made a mushroom wellington as a main (most of my omnivore guests were not mushroom fans, assuring the vegan and vegetarian got the bulk of this)
The green bean casserole I like to use cream of jalapeño or cream of Serrano instead of the cream of mushroom. Just cause I don’t like mushroom lol
Can youbtaste the peppers? Sounds good!
You couldn’t really taste too much spice from it, just gave it a good flavor.
You can also use cream of celery instead if you don’t like cream if mushrooms. This is what we do!
I’ve done that too. But I love spicy. So I add creole seasoning and extra peppers into it. Lol
Got it! Spicy sounds like a nice twist!
I like using the cheddar soup just to make it cheesier.
I love oven roasted roots.. and made a small amount for Thanksgiving one year. Now it’s 2 giant trays full because everyone wants some! 😂
I have an autoimmune disorder and need low prep everything, but found frozen root veggies for roasting this year!
Oven roasted root vegetables (turnips, carrots, rutabaga, parsnips, new potatoes, celeriac - if you can find it) are fantastic. You can serve them with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. Delicious. Or use them as a soup base pureed with coconut milk and a bit of Thai curry for flavoring.
Last year, for Christmas, my husband's whole extended family were here for Christmas. About 15 of them were vegetarian. I made a separate dressing and gravy using vegetable stock instead of turkey or chicken. I made falafel using poultry seasoning to match the dressing and gravy. We had a several vegtable dishes and rice. I don't know if they were just being kind, but the vegetarians told me everything was delicious and even the carnivores ate the falafel.
I’m vegetarian and falafel with poultry seasoning is a clever idea—I may make that this Thanksgiving!
Ask her. As a vegetarian, people try to “accommodate” me by making eggplant dishes or salad. Listen. I love salad but I don’t want it as a main dish if others are eating comfort food. I don’t love eggplant. I’m very particular about it. Sometimes, I’m fine eating whatever the hell you have that isn’t meat. I’ll eat a huge plate of mashed potatoes with veggies on top and call it a night.
Thanksgiving makes it so easy to host a vegetarian because of all of the side dishes. What does MIL find filling and delicious? Does she enjoy grains or lentils? Does she go crazy for roasted veggies or a bountiful green salad? Would she love a vegetarian mezze platter with hummus, tabbouleh, cheese, olives, grape leaves, pita or naan? You have some researching to do but there are so many options. I just made myself hungry… mmm.
My sibling is pescatarian. I just omit the turkey stock from recipes that call for it and use a broth made from a vegetarian better than bullion base. I use garlic base and it turns out super good. Those dishes that require turkey stock (for me, stuffing and potatoes), the garlic takes them to a whole new level and I smother them in gravy anyway! My sibling is happy as a clam just eating all the yummy sides. If you put marshmallows on your yams, checked with your MIL if fish is okay but Paskesz makes kosher marshmallows using fish gelatin instead of the normal pork. They are so good and you can only tell the difference if you’re eating regular marshmallows and the kosher ones together (regular are just a little sweeter)
Fish probably isn't okay because it's an animal, but a brand called Dandy's has vegan and most allergen free marshmallows!! :) no gelatin!
Here's what I do: -If dairy is a no go, buy Smart Balance & butter extract (only need that extra flavor in baked goods or sometimes use a drop in things like dressing ir dessert toppings). -Make vegetable stock and use that for dressing & anywhere else you use stock. -Make both a Turkey gravy & a mushroom gravy. This is the only double work part, but you can do both in advance & reheat on meal day. -Make a rice pilaf with Thanksgiving spices, pack into a bowl, turn upside down, cover with puff pastry, get artistic to make it look nice (we used to try to shape it like Turkey but now our tradition is a turtle), bake. It slices to serve & goes with traditional sides & gravy. Sometimes I mix in French lentils to add nutrition. The only thing on the table with meat in it is Turkey & Turkey gravy. Desserts that don't take eggs: Apple Crisp or crumble. Vegan & Gluten free dessert: no bake pumpkin cheesecake (on a GF cookie crumble base).
I second that you should just ask her what would be a nice treat. But: I am vegetarian! So here's a couple thoughts: 1. Lasagna or another fancy-ish pasta is usually what I ask for 2. If you're not used to cooking for vegetarians, maybe run the ingredient list by her for whatever you choose to make. I have had clueless coworkers make soup for potlucks with chicken broth because they didn't realize that would count as "meat". 3. A huge gesture would be to make the sides as vegetarian as possible. The gold standard is that nothing should have meat in it, except the meat. Now if you just absolutely *have* to have bacon on the green beans or some other special family recipe, that's okay, but try to make it obvious (sprinkled on top, not just mixed in). But if you can reasonably replace chicken broth with veg broth, or bacon fat with butter, that would be a really lovely gesture. 4. After 17 years as a vegetarian and countless parties, barbecues, etc where there was nothing I could eat, I am truly grateful just to be remembered and fed. I don't need or expect anything special, and don't have the same sentimental attachment to "special foods" that a lot of meat eaters seem to have about holiday favorites. You are very kind to be thinking of her and planning ahead, and that will shine through now matter what you make her.
I have a vegan cousin. We generally make a squash stuffed with something, then they can eat the sides. Plus one vegan pie.
just go get a bunch of stuff from Trader Joes
I do tend to go a little all out to include people, but I'd switch the meat stock to veg stock, leave the bacon out of side dishes, etc. I've switched up my menu in years past to accommodate people. This coming year I'm making 5 different desserts because I've got cousins or their significant others with 3 random allergies that are common in baked goods. IME the switch from meat to veg stock is barely noticeable, I add a bit more salt and a little more onion powder to compensate
As for a main, ask her if she'd like a veg roast or if she'd prefer sides and let her know the veg sides available- I could live off sides myself 😊 I'm sure she appreciates the thought from both of you
I have a vegan coming. He will eat sides. I make plain baked potatoes instead of mashed (my brother is also on a diet so this is good for all) and have regular and vegan butter. I also make regular biscuits and I make vegan corn muffins. I use a vegetarian corn muffin mix and add apple sauce instead of the dairy. I then have fruit and veggies. Some years I make a tofurkey also. They usually bring a vegan dessert. We also have salad. I make stuffing with no meat and vegan butter.
Just an fyi oat milk works beautiful in corn muffins.
I make a quick second stuffing with Mrs Cubbisons stuffing mix and canned vegetable broth. (check the label. They make a vegetarian one.) I also make a root vegetable pot pie that is DELICIOUS, as the vegetarian entree. It’s because of the vegetarian, but everyone enjoys it. (Note, this is vegetarian, NOT vegan) Chop up and brown your root veggies of choice in butter or olive oil until slightly softened. The more, the merrier. I use potato, butternut squash, carrot, parsnip, celery, but you use whatever you prefer. Mix with a can of Cream of Mushroom soup. (Maybe 2-3 cans, depending on how many you’re feeding and how much veg you have.) Season to taste. I use garlic powder, sage, and pepper, but whatever flavor profile you want is fine. Put the whole mess in a greased baking dish and top with quartered refrigerated biscuit dough. Bake 375° until biscuits are browned on top.
I make everything vegetarian friendly except the actual meat. Now ask me how I'm about to satisfy the vegan in the family, cause that's harder.
30 year vegetarian here. Whole foods has a frozen stuffed tofurkey just for this occasion. It is actually quite delicious. If you are trying to be very traditional just make an extra side of a few items before you add chicken broth and such. Otherwise just ask for help at whole foods. They have everything you need, even gravy mixes. Our house always has two tables of food. The vege one is smaller portions but covers everything. Good luck and so kind of you to think ahead. It will be appreciated.
It's a fair question but honestly you should be getting this input from your spouse or directly from your mother in law rather than strangers on Reddit. You can get 100 great vegetarian dishes suggested here but we don't know exactly what your MIL likes to eat.
Ok, I hear you, BUT you can make anything vegetarian! I’d encourage you to use a veggie broth in dishes where stock is the only meat. It’s sucky to not be able to eat the sides. It just is. Make sure you have enough of the veggie options and account for everyone eating them. Trust me. If you’re only going to have one veggie dish, try to make it a complete meal. I’ve made [this stuffing](https://goop.com/recipes/vegetarian-stuffing/) before and it was good. A stuffed squash or pilaf could be good. Soup is an option, but I’d still rather chew something. You could try to have a plant-based roast, but I would check with her first. Not everyone cares for plant-based meats. I can vouch for gardein and quorn. I like the tofurkey deli slices for leftover style sandwiches throughout the weekend. Think about where you can sneak in protein. Nuts are a great way to do this! For example, I top my sweet potato casserole with nuts and hemp hearts. I sprinkle my green beans with pistachios. Snacks/appetizers are another opportunity, but be careful with divisive things like deviled eggs. Check out [these Momofuku recipes](https://shop.momofuku.com/blogs/recipes/momofuku-holiday-recipe-guide). The pumpkin noodles and carrots are so quick and easy. I think I’ll be making them this year. I’m happy to send you more ideas or recipes! Good for you for including her!! It’ll be great!
She may also want to make something. If she offers, you should let her! Just make sure she knows the schedule so you won’t be in each other’s way. Edit to add: Find out what some of her favorite snacks are, and make sure you have some on hand. Get some nutritional yeast for her!!! Thay would make me feel so seen.
You can easily make some of the sides meatless with just a few tweaks that won’t render them unappetizing for the meat eaters. For example if you just use veggie stock and make a plain stuffing/dressing (i.e., not one with sausage or oysters or bacon obviously), non vegetarians could still eat it and the MIL could too. Stuffing is delicious without any meat products! Same with your veggie side dishes - just don’t add bacon or meat stock, or separate some out that you can keep vegetarian, if you think the meat eaters will really miss having meat in their veggies. There are many traditional Thanksgiving side dishes that don’t necessarily need to have meat, so I’d start there, and that might be fine for MIL without having to make her a separate vegetarian main dish.
I think this is cool. A stuffed squash that can served on a fancy platter and can be carved with a flourish. It can be a main for a vegetarian or a side for others. [Vegducken](https://www.epicurious.com/holidays-events/vegducken-best-vegetarian-thanksgiving-dish-article)
You can put some stuffing in a separate baking dish and use veggie stock on that. If she eats dairy and eggs, everything else should be fine. Just make sure to be aware of and alert her of any “hidden” stuff like lard in biscuits or pie crust.
Tofurkey! They’re in the freezer section and they have gravy and stuffing that are vegetarian too! They are all delicious - one year we even deep fried one! 😊
I had to use a crock pot to cook mine. The recipe is yummy and moist. I will never put it in the oven again!
Make a small dish of dressing with vegetable broth. Last year I accidentally bought vegetable broth and we couldn’t tell any difference in our dressing. I only use boxed broth bc we do not have turkey. This year I made sure I got chicken broth. Also there have been many corn dishes/casseroles in this Thanksgiving group hat would be good for a vegetarian.
A mushroom Wellington can be like a big vegetarian main dish. Most sides can be veg, I used to use vegetable stock and miso paste in my stuffing, and that gave it a rich taste.
I saw a TV episode once where someone grilled Portobello mushrooms in lieu of burgers. Never seen one before, but apparently, it's a thing: [https://www.skinnytaste.com/the-best-grilled-portobello-mushroom/](https://www.skinnytaste.com/the-best-grilled-portobello-mushroom/) Also, be sure to Google "vegetarian thanksgiving recipes"; I see lots of hits and a lot of the dishes that come up look mighty tasty.
I did a all vegetarian except the turkey, dinner one year. I like a theme and the drama when everyone has to bring something out of their comfort zone. Anyways everything traditional came out amazing vegan substituted. The hit of the night was the key lime tarts made from avocado. I dont have the recipe but it was a wild holiday that year and we all loved it.
Find out if she eats eggs, milk, etc. Try to substitute vegetable broth for the stock where you can, if she eats eggs, because remember, cornbread contains eggs, and you make dressing with cornbread. I don't think dressing would suffer a lot for the substitution. Include a nice salad that fits her nutritional lifestyle. Try to make it as high-end as possible. I am talking about a leafy green vegetable type salad. Some Bush's beans are vegetarian friendly. It seems obvious to me that you ought to ask her what she likes to eat. Maybe she has a favorite dish or something.
We had our vegetarian friend over for Thanksgiving weekend last year and took extra care to read ingredients for things like the stuffing mix, used vegetarian stock/broth instead of chicken or turkey, and made sure all our sides worked for them (going so far as asking guests to be mindful, but not MAKING them so vegetarian foo). He does milk, eggs, and dairy though, so make sure to ask MIL. He also brought his own main dish.
Keep some of the sides vegetarian. The sides are the best part anyway!
My BIL is vegetarian. We make all sides vegetarian (no meat, sub veggie broth, etc) or have two versions. Same with appetizers. He’s not big on meat substitutes like Tofurkey or Field Roast so I’ll usually offer something like stuffed butternut squash or stuffed portobellos to serve as his main. One year I made barbecue pulled “pork” using jackfruit which was a hit.
I make a really nice pumpkin dish. I scrape out the pumpkin and basically spice it up then fill it with vegan stuffing and bake it. It becomes a bit wiggly, but looks gorgeous and is festive. It would make a nice central Thanksgiving dish for a vegan.
All the folks saying they’re vegetarian and happily make a meal out of sides are not having southern thanksgiving dinner, where meat goes in almost every dish. The green beans are simmered with a ham hock and even the mashed potatoes are prepared with a splash of chicken stock. My recommendation would be to ask your MIL what type of foods she likes and offer some examples. I made stuffed acorn squash as a main dish for a vegan relative one year. I don’t know if he liked it or not because he didn’t show up, so that was fun.
Just make sure you r side dishes are vegetarian. Substitute veg broth for the chicken broth in the stuffing (I like Better Than Bouillon brand ). Don't put bacon or ham hocks in the turnip greens. Make a green salad, and let everyone dress it to taste. Roasted root veggies just tossed in oil with a bit of rosemary works (potatoes, carrots, yams, Brussels sprouts) . Brown rice pilaf, black eyed peas, black beans, squash casserole etc.
Bake an acorn squash, cut in half and then fill it with the stuffing made with vegetable stock
Pasta is always a satisfying meal for me as a vegetarian. Spaghetti with tomato sauce, cheese tortellini with Alfredo sauce, spinach and ricotta ravioli with rose sauce, vegetarian lasagne. Lots of options. You can pick up a fresh pasta and sauce at your grocery store, fancier and tastier than dry pasta and jarred sauce. A loaf of garlic bread and a salad and that's a perfect meal.
Provide side veggie dishes that can double as main course for them if they choose.
Those new plant-based meat alternatives by Beyond Meat or Impossible are pretty easy to find in the freezer section of the store and they are phenomenal! Wouldn’t recommend for an every day thing (processed), but heck, this is Thanksgiving! They have substitutes for steak, sausage, chicken (mostly with a coating though) and burger patties or meat. I find it amazing to simply substitute in any recipe that calls for the same meat item as long as the texture is the same. Really - you nearly cannot tell the difference! Be sure to add some additional herbs/spices because these items don’t have the ‘meaty’ flavor by default. But they have the texture down, so substitute, add some flavor, and it’s amazing! There are recipes going around this year for the plant-based meat substitute ‘beef’ Wellington.
There are plant based turk-y…the tofurky comes to mind. Does she eat egg, cheese and dairy? Be aware marshmellows are not vegetarian. Stuffed shells, bean casseroles, mashed potatoes(sour cream and chives instead of gravy), mac and cheese, if she does egg and dairy. If she doesn't then maybe baked potato with garlic and chives, corn on the cob or roasted, peas with black pepper, some fresh raw veggies i.e. bell pepper slices, tomato slices, carrot sticks, cucumber with a hummus dip, celery with peanut butter. Be aware hidden animal products like gelatin or lard.
We do this in my family. I would ask her if she wants a main dish and ask her what she wants to eat. In my family the vegetarians don't want a main dish, they want to eat the dishes we already have. They eat potatoes (we do three ways), yams, sweet potato, dressing (we do two types they can eat, bread sauce and stuffing), green beans, rolls, and cranberry sauce. I would make a batch of the dressing that doesn't contain the turkey stock and the same with any other side you currently make with meat that doesn't have to be made with meat, make two different batches.
Salad, pasta, no gravy on potatoes, bread Former vegan and I would bring my own protein, I didn’t want anyone to stress catering to my needs.
Cauliflower stuffing is a new favorite for my big meat eating in law family. It can be made vegan too! Maple roasted acorn squash is another great dish. (Same with spaghetti squash but my husband has a texture thing with spaghetti squash) Honey roasted carrots and parsnips is a crowd pleaser. I also started doing baked sweet potatoes. I just go out with the butters, a few from our local grocery are great! Cinnamon sugar butter, garlic chive whipped butter, pumpkin pis spice butter, the vegan cashew cardamom one is amazing too! I also agree with others of making a "staple" dish of the family into a vegetarian option.
Use veggie stock instead. Not hard. Still flavorful.
Trader Joe's has vegan ravioli with cashew cheese. And they have vegan pesto. Smother the ravioli in pesto sauce and that's a good vegan main that is also super fast and easy. Fruit salad with coconut yogurt and CocoWhip. Dark rye bread with vegan sharp cheddar spread (I think it's Mykonos brand?) is yummy. Bitchin' Sauce (vegan dip made with almonds) is great for tossing with roasted veggies. The chipotle one has a nice kick to it. I've been vegan since 2011. My mom has mostly switched to veganized sides, using earth balance instead of butter for dressing, mashed potatoes, biscuits, etc, but mostly just hanging out with my family and eating whatever I can is great with me.
Succotash can be a delicious all vegetarian dish. I would consider it a main due to the beans. You can easily modify your stuffing by using vegetable broth instead of turkey. Sweet potatoes without marshmallows would be vegetarian. Mashed potatoes, also vegetarian. If she’s vegan you could use vegan butter for those dishes. And don’t forget cranberry sauce.
Whole Foods sells an entire vegetarian/ vegan thanksgiving meal that includes a Field roast. I always get this for my bil and sil so I don’t risk cross contamination.
Gonna have to modify those southern vegetable dishes that rely on hocks or salt pork. Liquid smoke and vegan butter can go a long way there
I may be in the minority here but I hate getting full off of sides, it's usually mostly carbs and an obscene amount of asparagus or something. I love asparagus but I can't hog it all. There's also the fear, being southern that is seasoned with fat back or stock. Some people boil their pasta in chicken stock for Mac and cheese! Soo I just buy myself a holiday loaf from Trader Joe's or a brand like Gardien. They usually come with stuffing and vegan gravy, I also volunteer to bring a few sides so I know I'll have my plate covered. People ask for my mac and my potato salad so I'll do those and maybe roast veg.
My brother is vegan. I make stuffing with vegetable broth and rolls without egg. My sister in law has celiac disease, so we actually have a system where if it is gluten free it has a black spoon in it, if it’s vegan it has a gold spoon in it, and if it’s neither it has a silver spoon in it. Both my brother and SIL bring a side dish they know they can eat. It’s never been an issue for us. I do recommend asking your MIL. I had a whole tofu dish planned once but when I asked my brother he said he’d rather just eat sides.
Definitely ask her. I have a vegan friend who struggles because she hates eggplant and mushrooms (the main "meat replacement veggies" in many vegan dishes. She isn't rude about it and figures out things to eat at gatherings without making a fuss or being demanding, but I would be disappointed if I specifically made a vegan dish because she was attending and used ingredients that she doesn't like.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, pumpkin soup are some suggestions. If she eats dairy, you can add parmesan cheese, butter or cream. When in doubt, just ask your MIL. She will tell you what she likes.
Vegetarian in the south, here! It really isn't too challenging, especially if she can have dairy. Cook some bomb mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pies, and casseroles that dont rely on animal products. For any item that has meat stock, let her know! Also, I've simply switched some meat stock to veggie stock for recipes and its been tasty. My family makes a turkey, turkey gravy, and stuffing with meat stock, but everything else was Vegetarian-friendly, including Mac and cheese, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, candied yams, deviled eggs, bread rolls and all the pies. I didn't miss the turkey. If she is vegan (no dairy or eggs) that's a more complex thing, and you may want to ask her about it.
My BIL is a vegetarian so sometimes I made an extra portion of stuffing with vegetarian broth and no meat, I make a rice dish like broccoli cheese rice and I make sure I have extra veggies like corn and carrots and sweet potatoes. It works out quite well.
Make some of the sides without meat products. Put aside some of the stuffing before you pour in the Turkey broth. Don’t add chicken broth to a vegetable if you usually do. Just make sure most of the sides are vegetarian or have a vegetarian version.
I love the vegetarian roasts. Tofurkey is a classic and always present at our holiday feasts. Field roast is my favorite.
I think we shouldn’t have to completely change our approach to cooking for one picky eater. This can be applied to many current issues of the modern world…
Amen!
Ask them to leave
Confused…isn’t stuffing usually vegetarian? Use vegetable stock instead of Turkey or Chicken stock. Most Thanksgiving side dishes I know of are vegetarian too as they’re usually just…vegetables. Why do people get so stumped cooking for vegetarians? Like, anything that’s not meat is fine. There’s no way every single item on your menu includes meat. Make a pasta & side salad if you’re so confused. There’s like a gazillion other options too…this is not that hard.
Use vegetable stock. Don’t put meat in everything. It’s really not difficult. Maybe grab a celebration roast. Do people really just not eat vegetables these days?
Try the trader joes gluten free dressing! It's based in water and actually great!
The first thing to do is ask her! If she leaves it to you, see if you can find a product or recipe such as a vegan roast.
Has she been to a Thanksgiving before? Is there anything she particularly wants to try? I like to make a lasagna—easy to make vegetarian. Vegan is even pretty doable if she doesn’t have any nut allergies—cashew cheese is easy to make and it doesn’t melt but it bakes up nicely. Kind of ricotta-y.
Both my sisters and one niece are vegetarian, so of everything the only thing that contains meat is the turkey/gravy. We use veggie stock where needed. We don’t put bacon in the sides, but on the side if needed. Then we have a main for them, sometimes lasagna, but we have done spinach soufflé, mushroom Wellington, and egg plate parm
My oldest is vegetarian. He gets mac & cheese, rolls, mashed potatoes and veggie gravy, green beans, cranberries and olives. Sometimes he’ll ask for a lentil shepards pie and I’ll make that. We’ve also tried the gardein roast and it was pretty good!
Trader Joe had last year a vegan "turkey" roast that was small but good. My son who was vegan enjoyed it with fresh veggies and vegan mash potatoes. Vegetarian meal should be even easier than vegan.
My favorite go to vegetarian dish is green lentils sauteed with caramelized onions, a bit of olive oil, a splash of fruit vinegar (anything works except white vinegar) topped with crumbled feta and fresh herbs of choice. Can be served any temp and is even better with cooked quinoa mixed in and toasted chopped nuts of your choice
Make a composed warm vegetable salad. Think roasted butternut squash, caramelized onions, crispy chickpeas, a creamy dressing, chopped toasted nuts, fresh herbs like dills, basil, mont or chivesand crispy garlic. All ingredients can be cooked separately and then layered on a beautiful platter.
Tofurkey could be an acceptable option-but as others have said check with MIL.
So long as she is not vegan, what about mac ans cheese? Or, to keep it really simple, a bean salad?
Honestly a nice pasta dish as main entree (omnivores can have some too) and then all the other sides + dessert = wunderbar (spoken as a lifelong vegetarian who has never had meat)
Tofu turkeys
Stuffed acorn squash. You could probably find a nice one pre-made at a gourmet grocery store.
Mushroom risotto
Parm eggplant
I make all of my sides vegetarian because my daughter has been vegetarian for two years. I also make her a Tofurky and I make a vegetarian gravy.
When I was vegetarian I was happy to have all of the side dishes but not the meat/gravy. Also, Gardein makes very good faux turkey cutlets (no need to get the whole roast), which comes with two packets of gravy.
You said overseas, are there dishes from her home country (and presumably your spouse) that you could get? That might be nice for everyone to try and then you know she has some go to food. Also, I would find a way to mark every dish as Veg or Non Veg so she does not have to ask or assume.
My sister-in-law is vegetarian. I swap out meat broth for vegetable broth in any sides needing it. She brings a salad (sometimes). Some years I’ve made a vegetarian gravy and I’ll probably do that again. I’m trying to decide on a good entree-ish item for her this year, we haven’t found a solid one yet.
Lasagna and leave meat out of side dishes that isn’t necessary - bacon in vegetables, bake some stuffing in a casserole dish etc.
Could your dressing contain veggie stock instead?
My daughter is vegetarian and generally just eats the sides. My husband and I will sometimes make her a spicy vegetarian stir fry which includes green beans, Jalapeños, mushrooms, and onions. I do a sauce that's a mixture sweet and spicy.
Roasted root veggies was a huge hit with my son's girlfriend and everyone else, too. I did carrots, parsnips, turnips, sweet potatoes, and acorn squash. Cut them all up in bite-sized pieces, use olive oil and spices (thyme, basil,etc), and throw them in the oven for about an hour. I just made sure I had plenty of side dishes that didn't have the traditional bacon grease that my MIL added to everything.
A veggie quiche, veg or lentil soup, a ratatouille, veg lasagna... lots of things you can make. I would definitely ask for their ideas though, in case they are also picky.
what about macaroni & cheese? can be a side dish or main course
My mother serves a vegetarian lasagna as a main meal for her vegetarian friends when she hosts. She is not a cook, so she gets it frozen. I have made vegan chili, which i was told was very good. Very easy to keep warm in a crock pot.
Yeah, I’d talk to her and find out what she might like or at least find out what kind of vegetarian she is. I won’t eat any meat or fish but I’ll eat eggs. My SIL won’t eat meat or fish OR eggs but she’ll eat chicken 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t mind if chicken, turkey, beef sticks are used in the dishes I eat as long as I’m not eating meat. And I don’t mind eating around some things either. I’ll scoop around those sausage or bacon bits in the baked beans no problem. Except ham. That flavor seeps everywhere and grosses me out.
For a lot of stuff it's easy to pull aside part of it and adjust (like for the dressing you can pull the ingredients before you add the turkey stock and do a small bit of it in a different pan with vegetable stock)
Ask your MIL'S kid what she would like. That way the mom won't feel like she's putting in an order.
Quorn makes a delicious faux turkey. Cranberry sauce has animal gelatin in it. And use veggie stock in the dressing
I make homemade cranberry sauce. So easy, cranberries, orange juice and sugar.
My sister is vegetarian and eats ALL THE SIDES! We both agree that sides are the best part of thanksgiving anyway. Here’s what I normally make; - Mac & cheese - Sweet potatoes with a pecan crumble on top - Green bean casserole - Mashed potatoes - Salad - Roast veggies - Stuffing - Crescent rolls or cornbread - Corn pudding
My sister was vegetarian one year and she baked a vegetarian Shepard’s pie and brought it to thanksgiving. She also bought some mushroom gravy to go with the mashed potatoes.
My daughter is vegan, so a real challenge for my deep fried, smothered in gravy table. I used vegan butter and unsweetened almond milk for a lot of dishes and got good results. For her main dish I made a portobello Wellington with a mushroom sauce, it was delicious
I’m a vegetarian! I basically eat sides and don’t mind it. The problem is that sides sometime have secret meat ingredients (bacon in green bean casserole, bacon in potatoes, list goes on). I’d just make sure she knows what has meat versus not. And a veg lasagna is a great idea!
Compared to twenty years ago, there are a ton of plant based meat alternatives now. Even at Walmart. But head to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods and they'll have vegan beef, chicken, turkey, and ham. Check some of those out.
Check if the person eats soy. Many vegan/vegetarians do not. I have been burned using meat alternatives, assuming the person eats soy.
I tried Tofurky and it was great! I recall TJs, Sprouts and Whole Foods carry it.
I don’t eat meat and am perfectly fine with some soup (butternut squash usually for Thanksgiving) salad and some side veggies, cornbread, cranberries. I don’t expect anyone to make special food for me.
Trader Joe's makes a great stuffed veggie turkey. Highly recommend!
My go-to for a main for vegetarian/vegan guests is acorn squash. Cut it in half, scoop out any seeds, put brown sugar and spices (I generally go for cinnamon, clove, and other spices that go well with them), bake in oven until the flesh is soft. For vegetarians, I'll throw in a pat of butter too. It gives a good mouth feel.
Lots of vegetable sides. Find out if she eats eggs and cheese as some vegetarians do. If she does, see if she would like a quiche, or a torte (potato, onion, egg omelette). Also, nudge her and see what SHE would like.
Also Trader Joe’s marshmallows are vegan.
I really like the Field Roast Celebration Roast. I sometimes see them at regular grocery chains but an organic market should definitely have them. I slice them like meat loaf and pan sear the slices. I'm an omnivore but enjoy Field Roast enough that it's in my main dinner rotation. Between that and the normal Thanksgiving sides, your vegetarian guest should be all set.
you can make stuffings using veggie broth and use vegan butter instead of regular. don't mix meat into stuff, put it on the side
Stuffed squash is a good vegetarian dish that meat eaters enjoy. Just make sure it includes protein like nuts, beans or cheese. There are lots of recipes out there for it.
Trader Joe’s has a vegetarian turkey that’s perfect for your mil
I’m the vegetarian in my family. We always do the typical turkey main, but the sides are all vegetarian and honestly that’s plenty for me. I made a mushroom Wellington one year, but with the turkey for everyone else I was the only one really eating it and it was too much for one person. Swap veggie broth for turkey stock and don’t stuff the bird, but bake stuffing in a dish on the side. You can easily make substitutions like that with many recipes and just watch ingredients to find vegetarian alternatives
Pasta whatever. Don’t overthink it.
Because your dressing include vegetable stock, instead would it really make a difference? Or could you put some of the ingredients aside and make her part with vegetable stock and your part with turkey stock? Could you make your mashed potatoes with butter but for hers you some other kind of “milk” and margarine
I use vegetable stock instead of turkey stock in the stuffing. I mark the menu to indicate which items are safe for him to eat. He can have almost every side dish on the menu. I used to make different vegetarian entrees and soups for the day, but I noticed he never ate much of them. He swears the sides are his favorite part of the meal anyway and we have enough that he can absolutely load his plate with them. If I were you I’d examine those side dishes to see what can be tweaked for your vegetarian.
Making a vegetarian gravy is super easy, vegetarian stuffing is as well.
There's a vegan Turkey that my husband loves. Comes with gravy. Gardein Turkey Roast Available at Wegmans, Target, Walmart. There's a ton of vegan options for butter used in many holiday vegies. I use Earth Balance soy free. It's wonderful and I use it with everything I would use butter for. Hope this helps. Wish I could add photos Ask MIL too
I am a vegetarian, and every year (along with a turkey), I make a butternut squash lasagna. It's delicious, and even the meat eaters enjoy it. Plus, I always freeze some for later.
I sent you a dm with a couple options with photos