Best Plant-Based Alternatives to Turkey — Sustainable Rookie (2024)

In alignment with my tips to have a more sustainable Thanksgiving, I prepared this post to dive deeper into my recommendation of serving plant-based food during your Thanksgiving dinner. Only during this holiday around 46 million turkeys are eaten. However, these animals are also killed year-round, including during Christmas, when around 22 million turkeys are killed, and Easter with 19 million.

These numbers are not only alarming because of the moral questions that arise with the killings of these beautiful animals, but also for the environmental impact they represent. There is plenty of evidence that indicates that plant-based diets are more sustainable, and taking this into consideration, together with these numbers, we can agree that we can have a positive impact in the world by making this small change, even if you aren’t fully vegan or plant-based.

To succeed at this, you can prepare various plant-based dishes, like vegan sweet mashed potatoes or vegan shepherd’s pie. You can even add some vegan chicken dishes or prepare plant-based meats. However, if you’re used to eating turkey at Thanksgiving, or if you just prefer it, don’t worry. I’m here to help you with your quest! That is why I prepared this list with vegan alternatives to turkey.

1) PLANT-BASED SAVORY STUFFED TURK’Y

by Gardein

Have a vegan Thanksgiving with this plant-based alternative to turkey. This baked golden brown, seasoned with tart cranberries and sage, also comes with homestyle gravy.

2. meatless Plant-based roast

by 365 Whole Foods Market

This plant-based roast with gravy is a perfect plant-powered alternative to turkey, that will help you make your Thanksgiving reunion more sustainable. It can be the main dish, or just be one of the many vegan treats you serve at the table.

3. plant-based turk’y cutlets

by Gardein

Another idea to have a vegan Thanksgiving is to include these plant-based lightly breaded turk’y cutlets. They are rich in protein and come with gravy, so you can enjoy the traditional flavors of this holiday in a more environmentally-friendly way. A perfect option to add some crunch to your lunch or dinner.

4. plant-based celebration roast

by Field Roast

Another plant-based roast to include in your Thanksgiving dinner, or even year-round. It has sage, garlic and bread stuffing and–the best part–with porcini mushroom gravy. This can be a perfect addition to your meal, whether it be as a centerpiece, a side, or as sandwiches.

5. plant-based turk’y roast

by Gardein

In case the other options aren’t for you, fear no more! I have more plant-based alternatives to turkey for you. This vegan turk’y roast is stuffed with brown and wild rice, cranberry, and kale, and it serves up to 8. You can also slice it to make sandwiches, or use the gravy it comes with, so you can have a perfect homemade style dinner filled with plants.

6. plant-based roasts

by Gardein

Whole Foods’ 365 brand has another vegan alternative to turkey, with gravy and portobello mushroom stuffing. It serves 2 and it’s a delicious way of adding plant-based options to Thanksgiving!

Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan.

Choose one of these plant-based turkey alternatives, or combine more than one in your table, complimenting with veggies, rice, salads, or any other plant-based whole foods ingredients you want.

Have you ever tried anything from this list? If not, which ones are you excited to try?

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