A United Nations report says switching to a plant-based diet can help fight climate change. Above, a plant-based Thanksgiving plate is one of the holiday offerings at Spiral Diner. Courtesy of Spiral Diner.

Nov. 17, 2022

Thanksgiving is easily one of my favorite times of the year. Not only can I eat enough food in one afternoon to sustain me for three days, but it’s a time to enjoy the company of family, friends and other loved ones. 

Most of my early holiday food memories are filled with scenes of slicing the turkey, dishing up dressing topped with giblet gravy, piling up mashed potatoes with melted butter and then topping it off with pumpkin pie, undoubtedly made from eggs.

So when I first became a vegan, I felt deprived on Thanksgiving as I watched everyone nosh on traditional dishes while I gnawed on some fake meat that, well, left something to be desired.

Thankfully, in the last few years, the number of truly delicious Thanksgiving-related vegan and vegetarian grocery products has skyrocketed. A nearly equal number of restaurants have begun offering dine-in vegan meals or ready-made plant-based holiday dinners, orderable by the click of a button.

HOME COOKING

Field RoastFor those who prefer to cook this Thanksgiving holiday, your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing and greens, can easily be made vegan using all plant-based ingredients, such as vegetables oils, veggie broth and soy milk.

Sage and Garlic plant-based celebration roast. Courtesy of Field Roast.

Choosing the main course is an opportunity to get creative. Think quinoa casseroles and hearty bean soups. There are also a variety of enticing plant-based roasts available online and in-store. 

Field Roast is offering their Sage and Garlic plant-based celebration roast, made from wheat, butternut squash and lentils. Warm it in the oven or eat cold, both options go great with any Thanksgiving staple. 

Gardein Turk'y Roast. Courtesy of Gardein.Gardein Turk'y Roast. Courtesy of Gardein.

Gardein offers a herb crusted roast made from wheat and soy, stuffed with brown and wild rice, cranberries and kale. In addition, Whole Foods’ 365 brand is selling their Meatless Plant-Based Roast with Gravy stuffed with celery, onions and cranberries. 

Most of these can be found at local grocery stores from Central Market, Whole Foods or Sprouts plus many can be ordered online. 

Upton's Vegan Holiday RoastUpton's Vegan Holiday Roast. Courtesy of Upton's.

Trader Joe’s also stocks over a dozen items that can make or break your Thanksgiving feast such as Upton's Naturals Vegan Holiday Roast Slices, made from wheat and soy. Don’t forget to grab some vegan Pumpkin Rolls in the refrigerated case for Thanksgiving morning. Absolutely yummy!

Natural Grocers has a plethora of in-store veg-based options plus a free online vegan Thanksgiving menu loaded with goodies that you can prepare yourself. Since the big meal is at my house this year, I’m going to create my own version of their Veggie Loaf with Mushroom Gravy, made with beans and wild rice, and offer it to my non-vegan family members. Maybe I’ll convert a few.

Whole Foods' 365 brand offers a plant-based roast with gravy. Courtesy of Whole Foods.Whole Foods' 365 brand offers a plant-based roast with gravy. Courtesy of Whole Foods.

Whole Foods is also advertising vegan online Thanksgiving pickup which includes Chef Chloe Coscarelli’s Cremini Mushroom Roast, Roasted Fingerlings with garlic and parsley, Rosemary Sourdough Rolls, Pumpkin Pie and much more. Order early at WholeFoodsMarket.com or call 1-844-936-2428 within 48 hours of pickup.

For something less traditional, Central Market is leaning veggie with their Vegetarian Holiday Meal featuring meatless Spinach Lasagna, Quinoa with Sweet Potatoes and Apples, Savory Cornbread Dressing and a side of Cranberry Sauce.

DINE-IN OR TAKEOUT

Spiral Diner holiday mealsSpiral Diner offers a Thanksgiving menu for dining or takeout. Courtesy of Spiral Diner.

SPIRAL DINER

For dining in or takeout, one of DFW’s favorite restaurants, as well as my go-to for delicious vegan food, is Spiral Diner. Their Thanksgiving menu is a scrumptious array of fifteen different holiday-themed delights including a House-Made Roast, delicious Cornbread Stuffing, a mouth-watering Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Potatoes with Brown Gravy, Dinner Rolls, and more. And don’t forget dessert? Spiral has three different pies from which to choose: Sweet Potato, Blueberry, and Pecan as well as an envy of other sweets including ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.

In addition to their single items, Spiral also offers ready-made plates for those who are planning to eat with non-vegan family or friends. 

“The specialty selections include a single holiday plate option for those non-meat eaters who need to BYOP (bring your own plate) to gatherings and events,” says the Spiral Team. 

Order online from Spiraldiner.com and pick up in-store on either Tuesday, Nov. 22, or Wednesday, Nov. 23 at either their Denton or Fort Worth locations.

TLC VEGAN KITCHEN

TLC Vegan Kitchen has created a Holiday Feast with a delectable list including Better Balance Chicken Pot Pie, Herb Roasted Vegan Turkey, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Three Cheese Herb Mac N Cheese, Agave Cornbread and more. Desserts include Bourbon Pecan Pie, Country Crisp Apple Pie and Pumpkin Cream Cake. 

They also offer a single meal which includes a choice of one main, two sides and one dessert. Ask about their bulk options too. You can order online at TLCVegan.com or call 469-562-4001 by Nov. 20.

KALACHANDJIS

A holiday tradition for many veg lovers is Thanksgiving at Kalachandjis in Dallas. The vegetarian venue serves its annual T-Day buffet, featuring “tofu turkey” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $19.95.

NATURE’S PLATE

Nature’s Plate offers an organic brown rice and broccoli with fresh mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and cashews. Courtesy of Nature’s Plate.Nature’s Plate's holiday menu features an organic brown rice and broccoli with fresh mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and cashews. Courtesy of Nature’s Plate.

Last but not least Nature’s Plate's plant-based Thanksgiving menu will satisfy your vegan soul with their Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole, Thai Butternut Squash Soup, Baked Sweet Potatoes & Apples, Rosemary Biscuits, and either Lemon, Orange, Cranberry or Pumpkin Cheesecakes. You won’t wanna’ miss them!

REVERIE BAKESHOP

A gluten-free pumpkin cinnamon roll from the all-vegan Reverie Bakeshop in Richardson. Courtesy of Reverie Bakeshop.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, the all-vegan Reverie BakeShop in Richardson takes the cake with their holiday themed sweets, including an Autumn Dessert Tray with chocolate chip cookies, brownie bites, vanilla cupcakes, and a pumpkin sugar cookie to top it all off.

There's also Gluten-free Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Pie, and much more. OMG!

Check them out at ReverieBakeshop.com or call 972-238-7511. Deadline to order for Thanksgiving is Saturday, Nov. 19. Note the bakery will be closed Nov. 24-28.

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