Last week my old roomie Caitlyn emailed me about stuffing. Ever since I made a butternut squash and sausage stuffing years ago, she’s been recreating it for her family’s Thanksgiving. Earlier this year, Caitlyn stopped eating meat. So when it came time to think about her turkey day contribution, she was in a menu planning pickle.
When my dad stopped eating meat 4 years ago, I actually began siphoning off a small portion of Caitlyn’s favorite stuffing for him without the sausage. It tastes equally delicious, so much so that when I put the recipe up on this site, I omitted the meat as well.
For me, turkey is really just a vehicle for all the other delicious sides at the Thanksgiving table. And because of that, I think I’d be a happy camper at a vegetarian turkey day. For all of you out there struggling with the same questions as Caitlyn, I put together a list of dishes that my ideal vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner would include. Bring on the creamed spinach and sweet potatoes.
Xo
Phoebe
p.s. Speaking of stuffing…I’m bringing a gluten-free one this year and can’t decide what to put in it. Thoughts?!
1. Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Parmesan | 2. Roasted Pumpkin Wedges with Chili, Lime, and Cotija | 3. Healthy Creamed Spinach | 4. Mashed Sweet Potato Gratin with Smoked Gouda and Shallots | 5. Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Soup | 6. Cornbread and Wild Rice Stuffing with Hazelnuts and Cranberries | 7. Pan Roasted Cauliflower
Yummm! I want make all of these! they will definitely help in my quest to convince my midwestern family that veg food can be delicious : )
good luck with that 🙂
I am the same way. For me, Thanksgiving is alllll about the sides. Great round up!
Thanks Stefanie! What’s on your menu this year? Any new dishes you’re trying? xx
LOVE this list! I’m also bringing a cornbread stuffing on Thanksgiving this year and am doing a caramelized onion and mushroom cornbread stuffing. Probably also throwing in some sausage for that lovely fennel-y flavor.
ooo love that idea! Maybe I’ll do mushroom and caramelized onions too. Thanks for the inspiration! xo
That sweet potato gratin has me sold… really anything with smoked gouda will get me every time!
that dish is SUCH a winner. I had a bunch of friends over to taste test a bunch of recipes I did for F&W, and that one was everyone’s favorite.
I think a wild rice stuffing would be a good substitute (like for cornish game hen), if your guests can adjust to not having a bready stuffing.
totally!
Hi Phoebe,
I’m not sure if some of your dishes are using special cheese (like vegan), but otherwise parmesan and Gouda are not actually vegetarian. It doesn’t say it on the ingredients, but in enzymes it contains an ingredient called rennet, which is mammalian stomach. Just a thought, if you are making suggestions for vegetarians!!
Hi Tiff,
Good to know! I’ve watched some of my vegetarian friends eat those cheeses over and over, so I had no idea that they included meat product. Thanks for sharing!