The best vegan turkey roast is finally here. With its crispy skin and all, this seitan tofu roast tastes just like turkey. This vegan turkey is the perfect main dish for a tasty holiday meal. It’s surprisingly simple to make, and you can do most of it ahead of time, so it’s a lovely stress-free choice. Find out how to make this delicious vegan roasted turkey for Thanksgiving or the holidays with pictures and written steps. You and your family will be AMAZED at how delicious this is!.
It’s finally time for me to share this recipe with you! It took me years of testing it to make sure it was just right. Its super meaty, tender, juicy, rich yet mild flavor, and with buttery garlic crispy skin!! talk about amazing. This not only tastes great, but it also has a lot of protein (about 39g per serving), which will make my fitness friends happy.
This vegan turkey tastes great hot from the oven with vegan gravy on top (yum!). But the leftovers are great for making epic sandwiches or adding extra flavor to soups, salads, or any other dish you like.
Depending on how many sides you serve, this roast is enough for 4 to 6 people. If you have a bigger family, feel free to make extra roasts so that everyone has enough. I think you should leave the roast’s size alone so that it can fit in your steamer basket since it needs to be steamed.
The holidays are prime time for traditions involving meaty dishes like juicy roasted turkey and ham. But for vegetarians or vegans, the classic main courses can leave you out. Fortunately, clever turkey substitutes let you join in the festivities while sticking to your plant-based diet.
This article will explore the best turkey substitutes to please vegetarian or vegan tastebuds. We’ll cover store-bought and homemade options, tips for preparing them and how to pick the perfect faux turkey centerpiece for your gathering. Let’s dive in!
Why Seek Out Turkey Substitutes?
Opting for a vegetarian or vegan turkey substitute over the real bird offers a few benefits
- Lets vegetarians/vegans enjoy the holiday tradition and flavors
- Caters to guests with dietary restrictions
- Provides a cruelty-free, more ethical meal
- Offers new twists on old recipes by using plant-based ingredients
- Reduces environmental impact compared to meat production
The right turkey substitute lets you join in the fun while staying true to your dietary choices and values
Store-Bought Vegetarian Turkey Options
Store-bought substitutes offer convenience if you don’t have time or interest in making your own. Here are top pre-made options:
Tofurky Roast – Tofu-based roast stuffed with wild rice and breadcrumbs. Comes in different sizes to feed groups.
Field Roast Celebration Roast – Made from wheat protein and vegetables. Stuffing contains butternut squash, cranberries, and lentils.
Gardein Turkey Cutlets – Breaded chickpea and pea protein patties mimic flavor and texture of turkey.
Quorn Roast – Mycoprotein and mushroom protein roast coated in maple glaze. Stuffing has apples, butternut squash, carrots, and cranberries.
When buying pre-made, inspect ingredients to avoid allergens. And pick a size suited to your gathering.
Craft Your Own Homemade Turkey Substitute
Making your own vegetarian turkey allows fully customizing flavors and ingredients. Fun DIY options include:
Tofurky – Mix diced tofu with poultry seasoning and vital wheat gluten to achieve a meaty texture. Stuff into a bread loaf pan.
Seitan or Wheat Meat Roast – Knead together vital wheat gluten, broth, and spices for a chewy meat-like loaf.
Lentil Loaf – Bind cooked lentils with eggs or flaxseed, breadcrumbs, and seasoning. Bake into a loaf shape.
Mushroom Roast – Roast portobello mushroom caps stuffed with savory bread dressing.
Vegetable Terrine – Layer grilled eggplant, zucchini, and red peppers in a terrine with roasted garlic aioli. Chill before slicing.
DIY options take more work but allow getting creative with flavors and tailoring to dietary needs.
How to Prepare Store-Bought Turkey Substitutes
Preparing store-bought vegetarian turkey substitutes is a cinch:
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Oven: Preheat oven to package instructions, usually 325°F – 350°F. Bake on a rimmed sheet until internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 60-90 minutes.
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Stovetop: Pan-fry cutlets, roasts, or slices in oil over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Grill: Oil and grill slab roasts or cutlets 4-5 minutes per side. Add a marinade for extra flavor.
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Air Fryer: Cut into pieces and air fry at 370°F for about 15 minutes, shaking occasionally, until browned and crispy.
Follow package details for perfect results. Rest before slicing to let juices redistribute.
Complementary Side Dishes
A great turkey substitute deserves tasty vegetarian side dishes too like:
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Mashed potatoes – Swap butter for olive oil. Use almond milk instead of dairy.
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Stuffing – Sauté veggie bacon, onions, celery, mushrooms. Toss with bread cubes and vegetable broth.
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Green bean casserole – Make it vegan by using mushroom soup and fried shallots instead of fried onions.
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Cranberry sauce – Simmer fresh or frozen cranberries with orange juice and maple syrup.
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Roasted veggies – Toss cauliflower, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes in olive oil, salt, and pepper to roast.
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Dinner rolls – Look for vegan-friendly pre-made rolls, biscuits, or crescent rolls.
Creative Serving Ideas
Get creative in how you carve, plate, and present your turkey substitute:
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Carve and fan out slices, or make diagonal cuts for a roast appearance.
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Decorate the platter with fresh herbs, nuts, fruits, or pine cones for color.
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Mound stuffing in the center and line slices around it.
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Add mini pumpkins, gourds, or wreaths for seasonal flair.
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Place on a wood board or ceramic platter for an elegant, rustic look.
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Serve sauces like gravy, cranberry sauce, or chutney in gravy boats on the side.
Get the whole table involved to make the turkey substitute shine as the festive centerpiece!
Make Leftovers Exciting
Creative leftovers transform your turkey substitute into fun new dishes:
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Slice thin for sandwiches layered with cranberry sauce and stuffing.
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Dice and add to salads, tacos, nachos, pizza, pasta, or soup.
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Heat slices in gravy or marinara for a saucy, protein-packed meal.
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Whip up a hearty shepherd’s pie by topping leftoversubstitute and veggies with mashed potatoes.
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Mix cubed or shredded substitute with bbq sauce then pile on buns for pulled turkey subs.
With clever recipes, your holiday turkey can be reinvented into easy weeknight dinners!
The Takeaway – Try Tofurky This Thanksgiving!
This holiday season, give thanks without the turkey by preparing a juicy roast made from tofu, seitan, lentils, or mushrooms. With the right turkey substitute, techniques, and sides, you can craft a vegetarian feast everyone will love.
Treat your guests to new flavors and show how vegetarian food can be just as hearty and crave-worthy as any meat-based spread. Save the room for dessert because they’ll be cleaning their plates!
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Make ahead option/ Storing and Freezing:
Good news! You can make this vegan turkey ahead of time, and it even tastes better the next day! Follow the recipe instructions up to the step where you steam the turkey. Once the roast is steamed, remove and allow to cool. Allow the seitan to cool overnight in the fridge. The seitan can be kept in the fridge for up to three days with a lid on top, or it freezes very well. If you bought the roast frozen, let it thaw all the way before adding the rice paper skin and roasting. It is best roasted fresh. If you only want cold cuts, roast it, let it cool, then cut it up and enjoy!
What is a vegan turkey made of? What ingredients are needed?
- Firm tofu—Adding firm tofu to the vegan turkey gives it more bulk and moisture. Firm tofu should be used, not medium or extra-firm tofu. Firm tofu will get you the best results. To use the tofu, just drain it, break it up, and put it in the food processor. You don’t need to press it first.
- Vital Wheat Gluten: (also called gluten flour). This is wheat protein. You can get it at health food stores or on Amazon.com. This roast tastes like meat because of this high-protein flour, which is an important part of this recipe. Unfortunately, there is no gluten-free option.
- Nutritional yeast: adds a rich nuttiness to the roast.
- White miso paste: adds umami to the roast. White miso paste is actually brown, so don’t get that mixed up. For the best color and taste, make sure you get the kind that says “white miso paste” or “white type.”
- This is how I add a lot of rich flavor right away with vegetable broth powder. You can get any brand—this is the one I used—or vegetable broth cubes.
- For the turkey, I also season the roast with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, thyme, and sage. For the skin, I season it with vegan butter, garlic, soy sauce, thyme, and black pepper.
- Rice Paper: I use the same rice paper sheets that are used to make summer rolls to give the vegan turkey skin that is nice and crispy. It is optional but I highly recommend it. Cover the rice paper with the butter and garlic mixture. It will cook up golden brown, crispy, and very tasty.
Vegan Turkey Substitutes for the Holidays
FAQ
What is the vegetarian alternative to turkey?
What can I serve instead of turkey?
What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to a turkey dinner at Christmas?
Are there vegan Thanksgiving turkey alternatives?
These vegan Thanksgiving turkey alternatives will be the star of your holiday feast. This easy, delicious and healthy side is a showpiece that always delights. You can use grain, squash, fruits and nuts to suit your taste—it’s impossible to go wrong! —Lynn Heisel, Jackson, Missouri Still hungry? Find more vegan Thanksgiving recipes.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
What is a good alternative to Turkey?
1. Burmese Tofu (aka Chickpea Flour Tofu) For an alternative to turkey that’s mild in flavor and can be treated like any other protein, turn to Burmese tofu, which transforms chickpea flour, oil, and water into a sturdy tofu-like dish.
What is a good substitute for Thanksgiving turkey?
If you really want to serve something that is a nearly seamless substitute for Thanksgiving turkey, there’s always Field Roast, a plant-based meat and cheese company that sells soy-free holiday roasts. They are wheat-based vegan stuffed roasts with a sage, rosemary, and bread filling. A porcini mushroom gravy is also included.
What is a vegan turkey roast?
This vegan turkey roast, designed for 4 servings, is prepared using soya protein infused with natural vegan flavours to achieve a rich, meaty succulence. It faithfully replicates the taste of a classic roast, complete with a delectable stuffing of sage and onion, and a topping of flavourful vegan bacon strips.
What is a good substitute for a stuffed turkey joint?
1. Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast This stuffed seitan is the perfect replacement for a stuffed turkey joint this Christmas. Not only does it look fantastic as a centrepiece, but it tastes brilliant with all the trimmings.