Vegan Thanksgiving Options

When we think of Thanksgiving, we tend to only think of a honey-baked ham or a roasted turkey that’s been cooking for hours. But what if you’re vegan or have vegan family members coming over for Thanksgiving dinner? What do you feed the hungry masses when meat and dairy aren’t options? Check out these awesome vegan food ideas for your Thanksgiving dinner below.

Dressing

Instead of stuffing your turkey with delicious breaded stuffing, feel free to make dressing to be served on the side. This way it won’t be shoved into meat, and everyone can enjoy it. Also, if you’re like a lot of Americans who use chicken stock for their dressings, go ahead and use vegetable stock. It’s just as yummy, and that way you’re side dish is completely meat free.

Tofurkey

Sure tofurkey isn’t anywhere close to real turkey, but vegans will love the effort you put into making sure they weren’t just stuck with all side dishes.

Green Bean Casserole

Nothing goes better with a Thanksgiving meal than green bean casserole, which is made of green beans, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and French fried onions. Make sure you get a mushroom soup that is made without dairy, and you’ll have something everyone can devour.

Cranberry Relish

If you’re not a big fan of just canned cranberry (and who is, really?), whip up a fruity relish that offers all the same cranberry taste without the processed flavors.

Pies and Desserts

Don’t exclude your vegan loved one from enjoying all the treats. Look for ways to make your pumpkin pies and sweet potato casseroles without throwing in all the cream and butter. There are so many dairy substitutes that you can easily use instead, such as soy milk and vegan butter spread.

Get Creative

Not everything has to be strictly traditional Thanksgiving side dishes. Go for an autumnal theme and cook up some yummy squash side dishes. Spaghetti squash is exceptional delish in the fall, or go for a lentil stuffing instead of a traditional one.

Just make sure you don’t force your vegan family member to eat leftover side dishes while everyone else gets to enjoy a feast It’s incredibly easy to incorporate vegan substitutions into traditional recipes for the meal and make sure everyone leaves full and happy. Everyone will be gobbling up your eats with ease.

About the Author: Karyn Shankle enjoys preparing dishes for all members of her family, regardless of their dietary needs. When she’s not cooking, Karyn works as an IT specialist and frequently uses IT staff augmentation services to help staff her larger projects.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner

It can seem like a tiny nightmare when you find out it’s your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner. How are you ever going to feed all those people and stick to a budget? Don’t worry. Believe it or not, it is actually quite simple to host a Thanksgiving dinner on a budget. All you need to do is follow a few, easy steps.

Opt for a Potluck

The easiest way you can save money, and time, is to host a Thanksgiving potluck. The idea is that you prepare the main course (turkey, ham, roast beef, etc.) and each of your guests brings along a side dish or dessert. The only thing to remember is to have a list of what everyone is bringing so that you don’t end up with twenty gallons of mashed potatoes and little else. This step alone can cut your grocery bill down to less than $20.

Skip the Catering

Even if you do decide to purchase everything yourself, you should avoid catering. Many grocery stores, restaurants and even fast food joints offer this service during Thanksgiving, but it comes at a cost. Not only will you paying a small fortune, but often the food isn’t as good as homemade. You will save quite a bit by making the meal mostly from scratch. This doesn’t mean you have to make homemade pies, but unbaked frozen pies are certainly more affordable than ones from the bakery. Take your time and see what items will cost less to make from scratch and which ones are worth splurging on to save money.

Keep the Drinks Simple

Believe it or not, drinks can eat up a large portion of your budget, especially if you serve wine or other spirits. Fresh brewed tea, coffee and water are much more affordable. If you would like to serve wine, consider asking your guests to bring along a bottle when they ask if there’s anything they can bring.

Spread Out the Cost

Once you have an idea of what you’re going to make, start shopping immediately. One of the easiest ways to stick to your budget is to buy some of the items you need each week. For example, the first week of November, the grocery store might have canned vegetables on sale for 3 for $1. The next week, you might find fruit pies on sale 2 for $5. Shopping early can lead to big savings.

Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be a financial nightmare. Not only can you cut your costs by hosting a potluck, but you can also stick to your budget by avoiding expensive catering and sticking with simple beverages. Last, but not least, you’ll save big by shopping early. In other words, having the proper plan will ensure you stick to your budget.

About the Author: Amy Brantley is a professional writer who enjoys sharing money saving tips for the holiday season. She also writes about personal finance and offers solutions for fiding bad credit loans for those with bad credit scores.