Your favorite vegetarian/vegan turkey alternative
spud_chick
Posts: 2,640 Member
in Recipes
I am no longer 100% veg and do eat turkey sometimes, but actually prefer alternatives to it at Thanksgiving. The readymade 'roasts' you can buy at the store are often not that great though, and some of the recipes I've seen have had very mixed comments. Anyone have a *personally tested* recipe for a centerpiece-type vegetarian or vegan roast? I'd like to make my own this year. Nuts, lentils, tofu, whatever--bring it on.
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Replies
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i made chickpea cutlets last year and they were really good, using vital wheat gluten (good protein source). from the postpunkkitchen.
i hate the immitation fake meat. if you're gonna eat that then you may as well eat real meat lol.
the postpunkkitchen also has a lentil roast recipe that is decent0 -
and a seitan log that is pretty good too same website - theppk.com0
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I tried a sample of a vegetarian "turkey" roast at Trader Joe's yesterday. It was a roll and had stuffing inside. I was not impressed.
Interested in responses since I will be looking for an alternative for several vegetarian that will be joining our family Thanksgiving.0 -
I just don't eat turkey or fake turkey for Thanksgiving when I have/go to gatherings (just do sides or something else entirely).0
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I actually like Tofurkey and LightLife fauxturkey slices and use them for sandwiches at home. But the Tofurkey seasonal roast is usually not great and the gravy even less so.
A few years ago (2008 I think) I found some frozen cutlets, little breaded pretend turkey pieces filled with an actually tasty stuffing and cranberry sauce in the middle. They cooked up fast and well in the microwave or conventional oven and were very moderate in calories and fat. I liked that they were individual servings rather than a whole roast but still had a special main-dish feel to them. Best fake I've had, but I never saw them again after that. Can't remember the brand name. Found something I thought was the same soon after but was totally different and pretty awful.
Thanks for the suggestion about postpunkkitchen, will check them out.0 -
I'd make something that's, you know, not turkey. XD I dunno, I don't eat a ton of fake meats. I try them every once in a while, but I pretty much just try to omit meat when I can (certain family members do not believe in vegetarianism and I eat meat occasionally to please them. They're old and sickly - no reason to worry them.)
I'd like to make sundried tomato and basil zucchini boats with feta cheese around Christmas time. Try that. If you don't eat cheese...well, to be honest I don't understand vegans that don't eat cheese. It's too good for me to give up quite yet. XD0 -
I'm looking forward to my tofurkey for thanksgiving. I "marinate" it with soy sauce and brown sugar.0
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I'd make something that's, you know, not turkey. XD I dunno, I don't eat a ton of fake meats. I try them every once in a while, but I pretty much just try to omit meat when I can (certain family members do not believe in vegetarianism and I eat meat occasionally to please them. They're old and sickly - no reason to worry them.)
I'd like to make sundried tomato and basil zucchini boats with feta cheese around Christmas time. Try that. If you don't eat cheese...well, to be honest I don't understand vegans that don't eat cheese. It's too good for me to give up quite yet. XD
Well, I like the variety (and protein) the fake meats provide, and it keeps my husband from over-resenting the fact that I am still mostly veg and cook like one. I like my chosen fakes better than I ever did the real ones. And I do like the traditional Thanksgiving meal, just with everything lighter and with more vegetables. So a 'roast' of some kind feels called for, something special.
I stuff summer and winter squash all the time! One of my favorite ways to use snausage is a winter squash baked with lentil wild rice pilaf and snausage and provolone. I don't think I could give up cheese, it is my joy in life.0 -
I've heard good things about the quorn and gardien turkey replacements but haven't tried them. Personally me and my sister love the traditional turfurky roast and we make sandwiches out of it after.0
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Last year I made a butternut squash lasagne, and it was amazing! This year I'm thinking about baking a wild rice pilaf in a small pumpkin. I try to make something flavorful and healthy and different that everyone will try.0
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I'm looking forward to my tofurkey for thanksgiving. I "marinate" it with soy sauce and brown sugar.
Do you buy the Tofurkey brand roast or make your own? I am seeing that some people out there call any tofu-based turkey substitute "tofurkey" even if it's home made, so I felt I must ask.0 -
We love Quorn Turk'y Roast (not vegan). I'm actually a meat eater but I love that stuff. By itself it isn't fantastic, but we pour Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette over it with some Italian seasonings and pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes. The vinaigrette makes it super moist and gives it great flavor
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Tofurkey!
And the Tofurkey gravy ROCKS!!!!
Yes, it looks funny (my husband says it looks like a shriveled up gym sock) - but it's GOOD!0 -
I made this a couple of weeks ago and it was stunningly delicious:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-meatless-loaf.html
I loathe quinoa so I used tvp, but it was delicious. I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but I will totally make this again.0 -
I made this a couple of weeks ago and it was stunningly delicious:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-meatless-loaf.html
I loathe quinoa so I used tvp, but it was delicious. I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but I will totally make this again.
That looks very hearty! Thanks, might give it a trial run this weekend. And I can find out how it freezes.0 -
We love Quorn Turk'y Roast (not vegan). I'm actually a meat eater but I love that stuff. By itself it isn't fantastic, but we pour Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette over it with some Italian seasonings and pop it in the oven for about 45 minutes. The vinaigrette makes it super moist and gives it great flavor
I'll look around for it.0 -
I'm looking forward to my tofurkey for thanksgiving. I "marinate" it with soy sauce and brown sugar.
Do you buy the Tofurkey brand roast or make your own? I am seeing that some people out there call any tofu-based turkey substitute "tofurkey" even if it's home made, so I felt I must ask.
The tofurkey brand roast.0 -
My husband marinates tofu in a bunch of seasonings, some wine and who knows what...I'll find out this year.
Last year the day AFTER Thanksgiving is when I decided to start eating pescetarian, so I haven't tried it yet. Smelled fantastic though...0 -
if you're gonna go with a pre made type of fake turkey, i prefer quorn meatless products over any of the other, they are soy free0
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it's not really a "turkey" replacement, but you could try making a nut loaf...and a good nut loaf is very good indeed!
I use 2 cups cashews, soaked over night
2 cloves garlic
2 sticks celery
1/2 cup bread crumbs (rice flour also works if you're gluten free)
nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
enough water to bind it all together
method
put everything in the blender/food processor and bake in loaf pan - medium oven until golden brown. when its done I turn it out of the loaf tin, smother it in barbeque sauce (let it soak in for a while) and serve it with vegan gravy.
This is seriously delicious, I've served it heaps of times to carnivores and never had any leftovers...0 -
I quite enjoy the Field Roast Celebration Roast.0
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Last year I made a butternut squash lasagne, and it was amazing! This year I'm thinking about baking a wild rice pilaf in a small pumpkin. I try to make something flavorful and healthy and different that everyone will try.
I did this too! Usually I avoid trying to imitate meat at holidays since people like to (good naturedly) poke fun. So last year I made a vegan butternut squash lasagna, vegan gravy, brussel sprouts and a vegan pumpkin bread.
And everyone in my family enjoyed it! 0 -
it's not really a "turkey" replacement, but you could try making a nut loaf...and a good nut loaf is very good indeed!
I use 2 cups cashews, soaked over night
2 cloves garlic
2 sticks celery
1/2 cup bread crumbs (rice flour also works if you're gluten free)
nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
enough water to bind it all together
method
put everything in the blender/food processor and bake in loaf pan - medium oven until golden brown. when its done I turn it out of the loaf tin, smother it in barbeque sauce (let it soak in for a while) and serve it with vegan gravy.
This is seriously delicious, I've served it heaps of times to carnivores and never had any leftovers...
This is the kind of thing I was fishing for, definitely! It needn't pretend to be turkey, just some kind of roast-esque delight.
Can I use already roasted cashews (like cocktail cashews) or do they need to be raw to start?0 -
I really like the Field Roast celebration roast. If I'm cooking thanksgiving dinner, I serve it every time. I also enjoy making a wild rice stuffing and stuffing baked acorn squash with it.0
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it's not really a "turkey" replacement, but you could try making a nut loaf...and a good nut loaf is very good indeed!
I use 2 cups cashews, soaked over night
2 cloves garlic
2 sticks celery
1/2 cup bread crumbs (rice flour also works if you're gluten free)
nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
enough water to bind it all together
method
put everything in the blender/food processor and bake in loaf pan - medium oven until golden brown. when its done I turn it out of the loaf tin, smother it in barbeque sauce (let it soak in for a while) and serve it with vegan gravy.
This is seriously delicious, I've served it heaps of times to carnivores and never had any leftovers...
This is the kind of thing I was fishing for, definitely! It needn't pretend to be turkey, just some kind of roast-esque delight.
Can I use already roasted cashews (like cocktail cashews) or do they need to be raw to start?
They'll need to be raw, otherwise they won't take up enough water when you soak them0 -
That cashew loaf sounds delish. I am going to have to try that.
Does anyone have any recipes to share that use fresh pumpkins?
I am spending Thanksgiving with my husband's family. I tend to make a dish that I can bring with me to eat. If I don't they end up handing me a microwaved veggie burger and call it a day. Just eating the sides is not really an option either as most of them contain meat or byproducts. Usually I make a pumpkin bowl filled with wild rice, nuts and veggies. I have made that for the past few years and brought it with me. I can always do that as my old standby if need be but was hoping for something different. I have a few pumpkins and want to use them up. Any suggestions on what to make?0 -
You could try making pies with various meat free fillings, there are a lot of options out there, with many varieties involving veggies, nuts, fruits, and such.
Here's a recipe for a very Christmasy roast pie. I know you meant Thanksgiving alternatives but thought this may be of interest. http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/vegetarian_nut_roast_pie_62864
Not Christmasy - I love this one: http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/butternut-squash-spinach-and-goats-cheese-pie-with-cheesy-pastry
Also you could try vegetarian sausages, like glamorgan sausages.0 -
MMMM tofurky with gravy and cranberry sauce. I was pretty much in heaven liked it better than the real stuff.0
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Oh dear, the world of processed food, sure rule in the US. I'd rather eat cardboard, sorry.0
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Fake meat grosses me out. (I do eat birds and fish, so I'm obviously not a vegetarian, but I also go meatless frequently.)
I would think you would want a savory dish as a replacement. I imagine some sort of wild and brown rice with all the traditional herbs and seasonings, with nuts, apples and mushrooms, maybe lentils - all "meaty" type veg combined into a stuffing/casserole. I could be satisfied with that.0
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