Tofurky for Thanksgiving?

basschick

So, I'm thinking of making a Tofurky roast for my Thanksgiving guests this year. Anyone eaten one? Does it taste good or at all turkey-like?.

obsidianwings

You don't like your friends anymore?

beachlover317

I'm having a real turkey, but this is what I always think of when someone says tofu turkey.

Sabine_Stroehm

So, I'm thinking of making a Tofurky roast for my Thanksgiving guests this year. Anyone eaten one? Does it taste good or at all turkey-like?.

It tastes like tofu with stuffing. Not remotely turkey like. If you really like tofu and like tofu with gravy, go for it.

basschick

You don't like your friends anymore?

:laugh:

AleciaG724

I've had them, they are not bad... but not great either. The texture is kind of chewy. I prefer to make something homemade as a main dish like a casserole, or veggies in puff pastry with lots of fresh herbs. Several times I've bought a vegetarian turkey by Vegetarian Plus that's shaped like a turkey & slices into nice pieces. The texture is great & it's a good meat substitute especially with gravy & for using in the traditional leftover recipes. IMO I'd skip the Tofurky roast... The roast by Gardein is really good and there is another by Field Roast if you can find those - much better tasting than Tofurkey.

ETA: I don't think it taste even remotely like tofu... I think it's seitan with maybe some soy product. It doesn't taste like turkey, and omnivores will not like it at all.

redraidergirl2009

It's good, though I'd suggest spicing up your baste and possible marinating it a bit before cooking it. Better than having a dead body to be "thankful" for imo.

takeadeepbreath

I had Tofurky when I was vegetarian and I actually really liked it. The stuffing was good, and so was the gravy. The turkey bit was fine, especially with the aforementioned stuffing and gravy on it. It's definitely not the same as real turkey, so you can't go in expecting it to be a perfect substitute. But it was pretty tasty, in my opinion.

neanderthin

Maybe steal some real turkey gravy from a neighbor, maybe, just maybe you could save the day.

shutyourpieholeandsquat

You don't like your friends anymore?

THIS^

Trechechus

I'll be there. What time?

bajoyba

We buy a tofurkey every year for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. It's partially to make the meat-eaters feel like we're not being deprived of anything, but I actually do enjoy eating it, and the stuffing is pretty good. Definitely not like real turkey though... or at least not what I remember real turkey tasting like. If you like other veggie products like seitan and tempeh, then you'll probably like it.
Thanksgiving has never been about the turkey for me anyway. I'm just in it for the green bean casserole.

Edited to add that I do recommend basting it, as it does tend to get dry in the oven without some sort of liquid. The first year we used a soy sauce marinade, but it was a bit too salty. I think a veggie broth or stock would work really well.

arc8706

I ate tofurky when I was a strict vegetarian - once. Hated it. Glad I didn't buy it for Thanksgiving!

When I didn't eat meat I was really content with side dishes on holidays. Even now that I allow myself to eat some meat, my plate at thanksgiving is still mostly sweet potato casserole and broccoli cheese rice (my favorites!)

If I was going to make a vegetarian/vegan Thanksgiving dinner I'd probably skip imitation meats altogether and focus on some nice vegetable casseroles, with squash, sweet potato, pumpkin, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, brussels sprouts etc. Fall veggies. And mashed potatoes with gravy. yummmm

eating4me

I like to bake marinated tofu with Tamari sauce, herbs (poultry seasoning, sage, & thyme, usually) and Nutritional Yeast instead. Even our meat-eating friends and relatives enjoy it. It's much less costly, and tastes better, IMHO.

DebbieLyn63

Is it anything like a Tur-duck-en?

tbresina

It's good, though I'd suggest spicing up your baste and possible marinating it a bit before cooking it. Better than having a dead body to be "thankful" for imo.

I love this! I love my animals but not dead and especially not laying on a platter-mmmm, nothing says disgust like a decaying carcus ha ha! That said, I have never eaten tofurkey.....for me, as a vegetarian, I would rather make lots of the other stuff and leave out the "meat" completely, trust me, its really not necessary as long as you have yummy vegetable, and of course mashed potatoes!

jesimm77

Tofurkey is okay. I've had the store bought, and I've made a homemade one (which was fun). Having been vegetarian and vegan in the past, (for 10 years), I've tried a lot of these types of things. My suggestion would be to try a Field Roast. They taste amazing. You can get them at Whole Foods. Maybe get both and compare...

The other good thing about the Field Roast is that it doesn't have that "meat replacement" feel to it, at least to me.

shutyourpieholeandsquat

It's good, though I'd suggest spicing up your baste and possible marinating it a bit before cooking it. Better than having a dead body to be "thankful" for imo.

I love this! I love my animals but not dead and especially not laying on a platter-mmmm, nothing says disgust like a decaying carcus ha ha! That said, I have never eaten tofurkey.....for me, as a vegetarian, I would rather make lots of the other stuff and leave out the "meat" completely, trust me, its really not necessary as long as you have yummy vegetable, and of course mashed potatoes!

It's not decaying if you cook it LOL

Alluminati

Hell to the naw.

Mother_Superior

aquarabbit

I'm having a real turkey, but this is what I always think of when someone says tofu turkey.

I loved that episode! And I felt pretty much the same way about it as they did.

MonicaReally

I used to make tofurky for thanksgiving and christmas for many many years. I loved it! Does it taste like turkey? Nope! Is it super delicious, satisfying and amazing with all the sides? Yup! I often made my own "tofurky loaf" as well (look up recipes online) which is alot cheaper for the amount you can make.

billsica

This is what I am cooking for my guests this year:

Tofurkey with stuffing
cottage cheese
mashed Cauliflower
beans
spinach quiche
whole cranberries
yogurt and cauliflower "pumpkin like" pie.

shutyourpieholeandsquat

This is what I am cooking for my guests this year:

Tofurkey with stuffing
cottage cheese
mashed Cauliflower
beans
spinach quiche
whole cranberries
yogurt and cauliflower "pumpkin like" pie.

you DO hate your friends!

bajoyba

This is what I am cooking for my guests this year:

Tofurkey with stuffing
cottage cheese
mashed Cauliflower
beans
spinach quiche
whole cranberries
yogurt and cauliflower "pumpkin like" pie.

you DO hate your friends!

I think it sounds pretty good....

Searching44

Besides the sodium, it's pretty good...dry if you over cook it.

sweet_blasphemy

I like the Gardein holiday roast, or whatever they call it, better. Tofurky is ok, but a little bland and salty at the same time (if that's possible).

On the occasion i do make it, i don't follow the package instructions at all. I slice it down the middle lengthwise (like you might a spaghetti squash), put the 2 halves face down in a casserole dish, cover it with a baste, throw in some veggies and broth or even soup all around it... the flavors all kind of infuse into the Tofurky and the inside remains moist while the outside gets a little crisp. I remember years ago, the outside crisped up nicely without having to do anything fancy to it, but i guess they've since changed the recipe.

The best one I ever had was still the homemade one I did 8-9 years ago, mostly out of seitan and some other things. I've just been too lazy/busy to make it again

DakotaKeogh

I've had the Tofurkey when I was vegetarian. It's okaaaaaaay. I like the turkey loaf from Quorn a lot better. I haven't had the one from Gardein yet. But every other thing I've had from that maker came closest to the real thing.

Rocbola

I don't eat meat so i tried it once. Tofurky is gross. Just some of the nastiest nastiness in nastyville. Eww.

Achrya

This is what I am cooking for my guests this year:

Tofurkey with stuffing
cottage cheese
mashed Cauliflower
beans
spinach quiche
whole cranberries
yogurt and cauliflower "pumpkin like" pie.

Way to say 'I don't really want you here' without actually saying it.

Kymmu

I would forget the fake turkey and make some delicious foods from fresh fruit and vegetables, grains and legumes.

Go look up 'Thug Kitchen" he is hilarious and has some fantastic ideas for a kind thanksgiving.