These Vegan Alternatives to Turkey include 10 delicious turkey alternatives made from wholesome, plant-based ingredients that taste great and are good for you too. Let’s work together to end a cruel and senseless tradition by promoting and sharing vegan recipes this holiday season. Save a turkey. Go Vegan!
Each year, an estimated 245 million U.S. turkeys are slaughtered so they can end up as holiday centerpieces on someone’s table. These playful, intelligent birds are extremely social and have unique personalities just like cats and dogs. They love to have their feathers stroked and will puff themselves up in a huge way just to get you to notice them. They’re extremely fast as well, with the ability to fly up to 55 miles an hour. Sadly, however, the turkeys that adorn holiday dinner tables are bred on factory farms for the sole purpose of being killed for human consumption. But before this happens, they are forced to live their short lives enduring tortuous, inhumane conditions.
Now, before you exit stage left off the page, please note, this isn’t a rant. And I won’t go into further detail, for my own benefit as well as yours. I honestly felt deep pain and cried when I researched the information for the short paragraph I wrote above. If you’re visiting this page, it means you’re either already vegan, you’re considering going vegan, or you’d like to include, in your holiday celebration, a delicious plant-based meal. Whichever “type” you are, one thing is certain: you’re here because you’re seeking vegan alternatives to turkey. And that, hungry friends, makes me truly happy. It means you care. And that makes me care even more. That’s why I’m so excited to share these vegan alternatives to turkey to help you celebrate the holidays.
And Now for the Recipes
Many of the recipes you’ll find on this page I created myself, but several are from fellow food bloggers who’ve given me permission to share them with you. If you like what you see in this post, please forward it to your family and friends, vegan and non-vegan alike. Veganism is not going away. In fact, the movement is growing larger everyday as people learn that vegan alternatives to animal products do exist and they taste just as good – or in my opinion – better than animals.
1. Vegan Mushroom Wellington w/ Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onions
One of my most popular recipes, this Vegan Mushroom Wellington is stuffed to the max with savory mushrooms, sweet potato, caramelized onions and fresh sprigs of rosemary. With step-by-step instructions, hungry friends, this vegan recipe is what the holidays are all about.
2. Vegan Tomato Zucchini Tart w/ Creamy Cashew Cheese
Celebrate in-season produce with this decadent Vegan Tomato Zucchini Tart with Creamy Cashew Cheese. Made with fresh basil, zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes and my Vegan Parmesan Cheese, it’s light, flaky crust with subtle hints of hazelnut will have your holiday guests begging for another slice long before they’ve finished the first.
3. Southwest Roasted Holiday Pumpkin Stew
As easy to make as it is flavorful, this Southwest Roasted Pumpkin Stew is topped with a poblano-avocado-cucumber salsa for a fresh and spicy kick. This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian, with a vegan option created easily by omitting the cheese. Brought to you by my friend Sara at The Frayed Apron.
4. Easy Vegan Pot Pie
When searching for vegan alternatives to turkey, you can’t go wrong with a Vegan Pot Pie. Healthy vegetables bathed in a rich, creamy vegan gravy then slathered into a light flaky crust make this vegan pot pie recipe one of the best you’ll ever have. If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to turkey, this is a sure crowd-pleaser.
5. Beluga Lentil Pomegranate Salad
Want a light vegan Thanksgiving recipe to share at this year’s holiday gathering? This Beluga Lentil Pomegranate Salad has a delicious, earthy flavor that’s so hearty, you’ll think it’s a main dish. Adorned with jewels of pomegranate and toasted walnuts, this Thanksgiving salad is one that everyone will enjoy. Brought to you by Alana of Sprouts and Krauts.
6. Savory Vegan Lentil Loaf
Oh la la, this is one of my all-time favorites. Forget the meatloaf, ladies and gentlemen! This Savory Vegan Lentil Loaf is the bomb! Made with sauteed vegetables, lentils and a medley of spices, this vegan lentil loaf recipe is also whole food plant based (WFPB) and gluten-free. Perfect for the upcoming holiday or any day you’re looking for a simple, wholesome meal.
7. Roasted Kohlrabi Steaks w/ Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This Roasted Vegan Kohlrabi Steak recipe features green kohlrabi sliced into delicate rounds and topped with a creamy mushroom gravy. It almost resembles steak, but thankfully, it’s a satisfying plant-based meal that will please many different palates, vegans and non-vegans alike. Brought to you by Lizzy from It’s a Veg World After All (I love that name).
8. One Pot Chickpea Coconut Curry
Is it a pea or is it a bean? Once you taste this Chickpea Coconut Curry, you won’t give a damn! Perfumed with a fragrant blend of Indian spices, then bathed in a rich coconut milk curry sauce, this vegan curry is as exotic as it is super simple to make. It goes from prep to plate – using only one pot mind you – in less than 30 minutes.
9. Vegan Lentil Oat Loaf
Vegan alternatives to turkey are really not that hard to find, as you’re starting to learn from reading this post. From Carrie over at Clean Eating Kitchen comes another awesome recipe for Vegan Lentil Loaf. This one, friends, is also gluten-free. The recipe makes two loaves, so you’ll have plenty of turkey-less leftovers.
10. The Best Stuffed Holiday Acorn Squash
Last but not least, this Stuffed Holiday Acorn Squash recipe features forbidden rice, a melange of flavorful vegetables and ruby red beads of pomegranate stuffed into tender acorn squash. Topped with a sprinkle or two of slivered almonds and you have the perfect culinary treat to share with your family and friends.
Final Thoughts about 10 Alternatives to Turkey
I hope you were able to find Vegan Alternatives to Turkey that you can make for your turkey-less holiday. If you enjoyed the post, please be sure to share it on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. And, if you make one of the recipes, please take a pic and post it to Instagram @VeganVigilanteBlog.
Looking for more holiday recipes? Check out the following holiday roundups from previous years:
30 Easy Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
18 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes
47 Last-Minute Christmas Dinner Ideas
28 Vegan Soup Recipes
Don’t forget to leave a comment! See you in the kitchen!
Oh my gosh these are fantastic! I wouldn’t even miss the turkey especially with that wellington or pot pie!
Thank you Nicole. I think the Wellington is my favorite. I make a couple of them every holiday as they go fast and I love the leftovers!
Amazing collection! All recipes worth a try. The lentil oat loaf is already in my to do list… Saving this will try later.
Geetanjali, what a beautiful name! Thank you for the lovely complement. I appreciate it so much.
These are all such great ideas but the Roasted Vegan Kohlrabi Steak with mushrooms really sticks out to me as extra fantastic! What a delicious dish full of umami!
Thank you Jenni. I’ve never even heard of Kohlrabi. I’m sure we don’t have it anywhere around my area! Do you have it in yours?
You really had me with that title. I thought you were going to come with a fake turkey but happy to see that it was just a title and you offered real food as an alternative.
Hahaha nope! No fake turkey here! Thanks Kari.
The holiday acorn squash will definitely be on my list this year! As a pescetarian, I always have to find alternatives to turkey on Thanksgiving, and this list is amazing!
Thank you Alena. Hope you enjoy if you try.
What a great variation of dishes and ingredients. Will try every single one – great collection and I will start with the Vegan Tomato Zucchini Tart, – mmmm sounds absolutely delish. Thank you for sharing !
Thanks Ramona. If you try, check back in and let us know how you liked the recipes.
I am actually not a fan eating turkey anyways. I would eat these over turkey any day!!
Thanks Cathleen, I am in complete agreement!
I love all these vegan recipes for Thanksgiving! Proves you really don’t need a turkey to have an amazing Thanskgiving dinner!
Thank you Emily. That’s exactly the point I’m trying to make with the post!
Love the mushroom wellington and the acorn squash recipes! I think I could eat those any time!
Thank you Jacqui! The Wellington is one of my favorites!
Everything on this list looks delicious! I can’t wait to make my way through these recipes over the holiday season. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Amanda for commenting. I appreciate everyone so much.
You’re welcome Amanda. Appreciate the comment!
What an attractive set of thanksgiving recipes! I love this roundup and thanks for including my pumpkin stew. It’s a dish I’ve made for thanksgiving for years.
Your welcome Sara. It is my pleasure to share it. It’s my favorite of all of them and can’t wait to make it.
These all look so delicious, and that Wellington in particular, is calling my name. Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Colleen. That’s definitely my fav of the bunch!
I can totally see why the Wellington is so popular, it is the perfect Thanksgiving feast! There’s so many delicious recipes here.
Thank you Stine Mari. I love to make all the traditional vegan sides with the Wellington, that’s for sure.
Some great alternatives there! We are vegetarians and I think I may be trying some of these. I particularly liked the sound of the mushroom wellington and the lentil loaves. Delicious, all of it!!
Thanks Carina. Those are some great choices.