These scrumptious vegan turkey alternatives make for a delicious main dish for your vegan friends and family at your holiday meal! They pair nicely with all the traditional side dishes! You’ll find everything from vegan wellingtons, seitan, meatless loaves, and more!
It’s the holidays, and you’re meal planning like a pro! Then you realize, oh wait! What do I make as a vegan main course?
Maybe you’re planning your first plant-based holiday dinner. Maybe you’re hosting vegan friends, and don’t want them to feel left out.
Whatever the reason, you’re looking for a vegan turkey alternative that will taste amazing, look spectacular, and make your guests feel welcome!
Even if you’re not sure you want to cook something specific, I’ve listed the top store-bought vegan turkey alternatives too!
You can buy it at the store or have it delivered, heat it up, and serve it at your holiday meal. It certainly is an easy approach to the dilemma.
However, if you’re feeling adventurous, and want to dive into the world of vegan roasts and more, I’ve got recipes that will deliver!
These homemade plant-based alternatives are nutritious, delicious, and not too difficult to make! They have a wonderful texture and are perfect for anyone on a plant-based diet.
I’ve collected 12 mouth-watering, satisfying, vegan turkey alternative recipes that even the most adamant turkey lovers will want to dig into!
Jump to:
Where can I get a vegan turkey?
Let’s start with the infamous store-bought Tofurky. If you’re of the mind that you simply would rather buy a vegan turkey, then no worries!
There are several brands out there that make vegan turkey alternatives with tofu or soy protein. You can find them in most supermarkets, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods, or you can order them online. Here are three options!
Field Roast, Hazelnut Cranberry Roast
This 2-pound roast serves about 8 people. Keep frozen before cooking. Then thaw for 12 hours, and bake in the oven for a little over an hour at 425 F.
Gardein Holiday Roast
This 2.5-pound roast serves 8. Keep frozen until ready to serve. Cover with foil and bake for 60-70 minutes at 425 F.
Gardein Savory Plant-Based Stuffed Turk’y
Another product by Gardein this Savory Stuffed Turk’y serves 2 and comes with a side of vegan gravy. It is a nice option if you have one or two vegans or vegetarians at your meal. It comes frozen, and is ready to serve in 22 minutes!
What do vegans eat instead of turkey?
There are several options for vegans to eat instead of turkey at holiday meals. There’s no need to fret! These meals are healthy, satisfying, and absolutely delicious. Stuffed squash, baked loaves, Wellington’s, and roasts are popular holiday main dish recipes!
Stuffed Squash
A stuffed butternut or acorn squash with a variety of fillings including rice, quinoa, beans, vegetables, sage, garlic, or nuts, looks beautiful and is in keeping with the flavors of autumn.
Savory Baked Loaves
There are numerous savory vegan loaves that make for a beautiful and scrumptious main dish for the holidays! Here you’ll find meatless meatloaves made with lentils, chickpeas, mushrooms, and nuts!
Vegan Wellington Recipes
You’re likely familiar with traditional Wellington recipes. They’re meat covered with herbs, and paté, then wrapped in puff pastry. These vegan Wellington recipes, make for a delicious alternative or special occasion meal. They are made with an assortment of vegetables, and legumes, that are wrapped in a vegan puff pastry and baked until golden brown!
Vegan Roasts and Seitans
When it comes to making a vegan roast you can keep it simple by roasting a whole cauliflower. You can also try something a little more complicated like creating your own succulent seitan roast with vital wheat gluten. It’s high in nutrition, and it’s sliceable like a turkey!
I hope you found some inspiration for your holiday table, and are well versed in all the alternatives that are available! Serve these roasts with baked apples, and vegan pumpkin pie! If you have any questions, drop a comment below!
Laura Arteaga
Lovely selection of dishes! Thank you for sharing will need to try some of them!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
My daughter just came home and has informed us she wants to be vegan — this is so helpful for the holidays next week. I like the idea of a mushroom wellington. That’s definitely main course worthy!
Michelle
These are great ideas! I think I like the stuffed butternut squash for Thanksgiving best, but they all look so good. Its hard to choose!
Natalie
These are all great vegan Thanksgiving dinner options. Everything looks so delicious. We will have classic Turkey for dinner BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t make something from this list too. Lovely! Thanks!
Irina
I was going to make a list of what to cook during the holidays. No need it anymore, thanks to your post. What a wonderful collection it is!
Dannii
There is so much incredible choice here. I love the look of the stuffed squash.
Kate
What a gorgeous selection, I would need to have 12 Christmas Dinners as I couldn’t pick just one of them!! Thanks for the inspiration.