November 24th, 2025

Thinking About a More Compassionate Thanksgiving? Try a Vegan Dish 
For many people, the idea of cooking vegan or even mostly meat-free for Thanksgiving brings up a whole bundle of fears:
“What if it doesn’t taste good?”
“Will there be enough protein?”
“What would I even make?”
If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone. There’s a lingering myth that vegan food is bland, complicated, or just basically, not good. But anyone who has tasted a well-spiced curry, a creamy dairy-free dessert, or a hearty lentil dish knows—flavor doesn’t come from animal products. Flavor comes from creativity.
One of my favorite places to find that creativity is Holy Cow Vegan. Their recipe index is enormous—comfort foods, global dishes, and a treasure trove of Indian recipes that are naturally rich in plant-based protein. I use the site constantly, sometimes just for inspiration, sometimes I follow the recipes exactly, and not just for Indian dishes.  I use their rubarb crisp recipie for all the rubarb my husband grows. Also the biscuts, muffins and lentils loafs are amazing.   

You can make something vegan for your family without telling them… and they probably won’t know the difference. Seriously! A beautifully seasoned lentil loaf, a silky mushroom gravy, or a spiced vegetable biryani can sneak right into the Thanksgiving lineup and hold its own.
Choosing even one vegan or vegetarian dish this year may seem small, but it truly matters. Every meal that sidesteps the harmful practices of the meat industry—just a little—adds up to less suffering, fewer emissions, and more awareness. It’s a loving act for the planet, for animals, and yes, even for your own body.
So if you’ve ever been curious, this Thanksgiving might be the perfect moment to try something new. Explore a recipe, taste something unexpected, and bring a bit of compassionate creativity to the table.

Of course many of us have our traditions that have come to us from our parents and grandparents.  Maybe it is time for your generation to sneak in a traditional dish as well, one that aligns with the times we live in and the climate crises we are facing.

Who knows? Your new favorite holiday dish might just be the one without the turkey. 🥕💛

Here are some of the highlights from their Thanksgiving lineup:
Wellington with Mushrooms and Lentils
Pot Pie
Mushroom Pot Pie