6 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes to Impress Your Meat-Eating Family

A lot of meat-eaters don’t understand that a vegan Thanksgiving can be just as enjoyable as a carnivorous Thanksgiving (more enjoyable really, but whatever this isn’t a competition). That’s why, instead of dealing with annoying comments and your asshole uncle making fun of your Tofurkey this year, you should make some bomb Thanksgiving dishes that will make their jaws drop. Here are six vegan dishes to impress the meat-eaters at your Thanksgiving dinner this year!

1. Pumpkin Maple Baked Bean Cornbread Casserole

This sounds both fancy and hearty — comfort food fit for the holidays. Angela from Oh She Glows always makes incredible recipes that manage to be pretty healthy while also tasting delicious. This recipe calls for navy beans, pumpkin, cranberries, and cornmeal, making it a Thanksgiving feast all in one dish.

2. Vegan Thanksgiving Gravy

Homemade gravy will definitely impress your grandma, maybe so much that she won’t even make fun of you for not putting it on meat. This gravy uses shallots, cremini mushrooms, garlic, thyme, and sage for a rich savory flavor. Get the recipe HERE.

3. Seitan Stuffed with Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Mushrooms

Seitan is one of those foods that is so meaty it makes no sense. If you’re a vegan because you don’t like meat, this is not the dish for you. But for people like me who gave up meat not because we didn’t like the taste but because we didn’t like everything else about it, this fancy main dish should find a place on your Thanksgiving table! Get the recipe HERE.

4. Healthy Green Bean Casserole

It isn’t Thanksgiving without green bean casserole. This is a healthier, homemade version of the traditional mushroom soup and fried onion variety. Raw cashews and unsweetened almond milk give it its creaminess, hand-breaded onions make it fun, and the green beans trick you into thinking you’re eating something somewhat healthy.

5. Clean Eating Cranberry Sauce

All cranberry sauce is vegan. I know that might surprise some of your relatives who have no idea what is meat and what isn’t (people’s inability to tell the difference really boggles my mind). This version uses honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar, but I won’t tell anyone if you just want to eat the stuff out of the can. I love that stuff. It’s fun eating food shaped like a can.

6. Pumpkin Pie Tarts with a Sunflower Cookie Crust

I don’t even really like pumpkin pie and I freaking WANT one of these. This vegan pie is also gluten-free and nut-free, so people with all sorts of dietary preferences and needs can eat it. Your gluten-free cousin is going to love you. (We all have a gluten-free cousin.)

What vegan food will be on your table this year? Tweet at me and let me know @erikaheidewald!