Vegetarian turkey substitutes reviewed, listed and pictured. A complete guide for a turkey-free meatless Thanksgiving celebration for vegetarians and vegans. They're not all made from tofu, don't worry!
1. Gardein Stuffed Turkey
Gardein's
"Savory Stuffed Turk'y" is a welcome addition to
the growing family of vegetarian turkeys
From the makers of Gardein brand mock meats (the stuff Whole Foods uses at their deli) comes this seasonal product, Stuffed Savory Turk'y. Look in the frozen foods aisle to find this veggie turkey or try your natural foods store or Whole Foods. Want to get more details about the Gardein turky? Read on!
2. Tofurky
The
original and most popular of the vegetarian
turkey substitutes, Tofurky!
Learn more about the name that revolutionized Thanksgiving and mock meats forever. Sold alone, as just the mock turkey, or with stuffing as part of a complete vegetarian Thanksgiving meal (the Tofurky "feast"), which includes the Tofurky roast, stuffing, gravy, dessert, a "wishbone" and even a "Happy Tofurky Day" card. What's not to love? Learn more about Tofurky here, including vegetarian and vegan Tofurky recipes and pros and cons of this mock turkey product.
3. Homemade Tofu Turkey
A
homemade vegetarian "turkey" loaf can be
prepared at home with your choice of stuffing
and spices.
A homemade turkey alternative can be a fun and healthy addition to your meatless Thanksgiving table. Not quite ready to try stuffed tofu? How about a lentil loaf as the centerpiece? Perhaps not as traditional, but goes great with mashed potatoes and gravy.
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Pros: Healthier and less processed. You control the spices. Fun!
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Cons: More work. Likely to be less aesthetically pleasing than the store bought turkey substitutes.
4. Quorn Turk'y Roast
If you're not vegan, Quorn's holiday products are another option for a meatless Thanksgiving centerpiece. The turk'y roast is a soy-free loaf that serves five and can be roasted in the oven, much like a regular turkey. Their cranberry and goat cheese cutlets are also quite popular during the holidays. Read on for a full review of Quorn's turk'y roast, including where to find it, how it tastes, costs, and nutritional information.
5. "Vegetarian Plus" Whole Turkey
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Pros: Shaped like a turkey! Comes with stuffing which you can place inside the bird, or, use your own homemade stuffing. Vegan
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Cons: You won't be able to stop laughing at how it's shaped like a turkey! A bit pricier than other options, but it is a full 6 pounds, and should feed 12 - 16 people. Plenty of leftovers!
6. Harvest Celebration Field Roast
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Pros: Pre-spiced, no basting or spice rub needed. About one pound and less than $10, so good for smaller Thanksgivings. Like the Gardein brand, this roast is made from all-natural ingredients that you'll be able to recognize, and is also soy-free. Check out the buyers guide to find out where to buy a Field Roast on their website, or, it's quite easy to order one online.
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Cons: Might not be for everyone. Some people rave about it, while others find it simply mediocre.
7. Stuffed Hazlenut and Cranberry Roast
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Pros: Also made by the fine folks at Field Roast, the hazelnut cranberry roast en croute makes for a lovely centerpiece that doesn't pretend to be a turkey. Hazlenuts! Cranberries! Perfect for vegetarians who want a centerpiece dish but don't like fake meats.
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Cons: While this is a lovely centerpiece, it's not really a turkey substitute, so if that's what you're looking for, this won't quite do it.
8. Vegan Ham Substitute
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Pros: People that like ham say that vegan ham is really darn tasty. Makes a nice substitute for the turkey, and might also be nice for Easter or Christmas, not just Thanksgiving. Looks quite real.
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Cons: I never like ham, so the thought of vegan ham is a bit much for me, but plenty of other people like it.
9. New! Native Foods' Wellington
As a native Californian, I've
long been a fan of Native Foods. They were making
great vegan food long before it was popular, and
thanks to their ambitious plans, good food and loyal
following, they've opened several new restaurants
nationwide. This is the first year that their vegan
Thanksgiving centerpiece, the "Wellington" has been
available nationwide; not just for Californians.
Pros: Available nationwide through special order. With gravy, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and stuffing, the Native Foods Wellington is more like a wrapped up meal than just a centerpiece.
Cons:I'm not sure I want kale in my Thanksgiving centerpiece. Not really a turkey substitute, but this could be a pro, depending on your personal taste.
10. More vegetarian Thanksgiving help
Looking for more ideas for your vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving? Browse through this complete guide to meat-free Thanksgivings, including hundreds of recipes, gourmet Thanksgiving ideas, raw food menus, etiquette tips and more. Here's a small sample of what's included:
Pictured:Acorn squash stuffed with vegetarian sausage and apples
