12 Plant-Based Alternatives to Turkey for Thanksgiving

Plant-based eaters can tell you: Thanksgiving often looks like a few spoonfuls of veggies on a plate. With the right plant-based alternative to turkey, your guests won’t leave the table wanting more.

1. Tofurky

When you think of plant-based turkey alternatives, Tofurky is probably the first dish that comes to mind. This vegan roast is made of a special tofu and wheat blend, packed with delicious vegan stuffing made from bread and wild rice. You can buy the roast on its own or with vegan gravy like a mushroom gravy.

This one’s super low prep, too. Just thaw in your fridge 24 hours before you’re ready to cook it and when the time arrives, you’ll cook it for just under an hour and a half, basting periodically as it cooks.

2. Other tofu recipes

While Tofurky is a delicious, classic vegan Thanksgiving choice, it’s not a great option for gluten-free guests. But there are plenty of other tofu dishes you can choose if your heart is set on using this soy-based protein for your Thanksgiving main.

If you’re a fan of crispy tofu cubes coated in cornstarch, put a holiday twist on your recipe and spice with Thanksgiving flavors like sage. Or, you can always break tradition with something like sticky orange tofu. Get to know this plant-based staple with our tofu types guide.

3. Stuffing rounds

What if the beloved side dish turned into the main attraction? We’ve done it at Purple Carrot, with delicious stuffing rounds that slice and present like meat on the Thanksgiving table. Achieve that classic, Instagram-ready Thanksgiving table look and feel with the most iconic “Turkey” Day flavors.

4. Tempeh turkey

It doesn’t always have to be tofu. Tempeh is another delicious plant-based protein made from soy. Tempeh has a slightly firmer texture than tofu, but it absorbs added flavors just as well. For a holiday meal spin on pan-seared tempeh, marinate in a blend of veggie broth and Thanksgiving spices like thyme, rosemary, and sage.

5. Stuffed seitan

You can also make a plant-based roast, similar to Tofurky, from seitan, a plant-based protein made from wheat gluten. Unlike Tofurky, which is usually easy to find pre-made in stores, you’ll need to make this seitan roast from scratch, but it’s worth the end result.

6. Stuffed vegetables

Your Thanksgiving dinner main doesn’t necessarily have to be a plant-based protein. There are tons of recipes for whole roasted vegetables, like pumpkins, butternut squash, bell peppers, or even cauliflowers, packed with a plant-based stuffing or rice blend. You’ll prep the stuffing, add it to your veggie of choice, and roast until your whole vegetable is nice and tender.

7. Mushroom wellington

Fill up on this savory mushroom wellington. This recipe is seasoned with rosemary and adds pecans for extra protein and a delicious crunch, all wrapped in a delightful flaky puff pastry. There’s no need to make your puff pastry from scratch, as popular brands from the grocery store offer vegan options. You can even find plant-based gluten-free puff pastry. Just make sure to thaw overnight before preparing your wellington.

8. Vegan sausage wellington

If you want more than just mushrooms in your vegan wellington filling, a blend of vegan sausage and lentils makes for a perfect savory pastry. Although this recipe is full of classic Thanksgiving flavors like sage and rosemary, you can serve this dish at plenty of other holiday meals.

9. Vegan lasagna

Skip the traditional flavors altogether for this comforting vegan lasagna. Our recipe features vegan chorizo-style sausage with dairy-free cheese, spinach, and beautifully bright tomato sauce. Plus, it saves perfectly for leftovers when you’re resting after the celebration is over.

10. Whole roasted cauliflower

Roasting a whole cauliflower takes far less prep work than a Thanksgiving turkey, and this cruciferous vegetable is ideal for soaking up your favorite marinade. You can keep it simple with olive oil, salt, and garlic, or experiment with bold flavors like turmeric and tahini.

11. Squashducken

Enjoy a vegan take on the turducken with this squash-filled dish. Instead of three kinds of meat, you’ll use three types of squash, as you might’ve guessed from the name. The most popular choices are butternut, spaghetti squash, and zucchini, although some recipes call for eggplant, too.

To assemble the squashducken, you’ll cut your squashes of choice and nestle each layer together on a baking sheet from largest to smallest. If there’s room, some recipes call for adding a special mushroom filling for an even heartier dish.

12. Sweet potatoes

Sure, it’s not a meat substitute or an equally-meaty veggie or plant-based protein. But these striking sweet potatoes from Purple Carrot — halved, perfectly roasted, and topped with a delicious sauce — are beautiful enough to be the star of the plate.

Plan a Plant-based Thanksgiving with Purple Carrot

Once you’ve picked out your alternative to turkey, let Purple Carrot help out with your Thanksgiving side dishes. Our vegan recipes are healthy and filling, with plenty of options that everyone will enjoy, plant-based or not. And we can help make meal prep easier in the days leading up to Thanksgiving with easy-to-make meal kits and pre-made meals. Shop with Purple Carrot now and save $100 on your first month.