My Vegan Turkey Roast is always a hit with guests during the holidays! It’s tender, easy to slice, golden and crispy on the outside, with a savory mix of rosemary and thyme. The best part? You can prep it ahead of time, making Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner a breeze!
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to perfect my vegan turkey roast that’s herbaceous with thyme and rosemary and has a meaty, sliceable texture. After a few tries, I created an easy roast that’s tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, it’s now my favorite holiday centerpiece! And no feast is complete without some fluffy vegan dinner rolls on the side, they pair perfectly with this roast!
If you like hosting like I do, you’ll love adding my Thanksgiving favorites to your table! My vegan meatloaf, and my healthy green bean casserole are always crowd-pleasers and a big part of my holiday traditions.
The holidays are a time for tradition, togetherness, and treasured recipes passed down through generations. For many families, the centerpiece of these festive meals is a juicy, roasted turkey. However, more people are opting for plant-based eating and looking for vegan turkey alternatives to grace their holiday tables. Luckily, there are now many impressive options for those wanting a cruelty-free holiday feast.
Why Choose a Vegan Turkey?
There are several motivations for choosing a plant-based main dish
-
Animal Welfare – Poultry farming operations often subject turkeys to unsanitary, stressful conditions Opting for a vegan turkey spares lives and prevents animal suffering
-
Sustainability – Animal agriculture strains natural resources. Replacing turkey with a plant-based alternative reduces your eco-footprint.
-
Health – Plant foods are free of cholesterol and rich in antioxidants and fiber. Going vegan reduces heart disease, diabetes, and cancer risks.
-
Inclusiveness – Having a vegan entrée makes your table welcoming to family or guests avoiding meat.
-
Curiosity – Plant-based meats have come a long way. Many mimic the taste and texture of turkey impressively well.
The Best Store-Bought Vegan Turkeys
You’ll be pleased with the variety of convenient vegan turkey roasts on supermarket shelves. Here are some top options:
-
Tofurky Roast ($10-14 per lb) – Tofurky has been making plant-based holiday roasts since 1995. Their classic roast features a savory blend of wheat gluten and tofu with wild rice stuffing.
-
Gardein Savory Stuffed Turk’y ($8-13 per pkg) – These convenient single-serve roasts are stuffed with a sage and apple blend. They take only 25 minutes to cook from frozen.
-
Field Roast Hazelnut Cranberry Roast ($6-13 per lb) – This elegantly presented roast enrobes mushroom, potato, and wheat protein loaf in a flaky filo pastry with hazelnut and cranberry dressing.
-
Trader Joe’s Turkey-less Stuffed Roast ($13 per pkg) – Get this festive roast filled with wild rice, cranberries, and vegetables exclusively at Trader Joe’s stores.
-
Quorn Turk’y Roast ($6 per pkg) – New in 2022, this mycoprotein and pea protein-based roast replicates turkey flavor and texture exceptionally well.
Recipes for Homemade Vegan Turkeys
Not finding a store-bought vegan turkey you love? Making one from scratch allows customizing flavors to your taste. Here are recipes to try:
-
The Gentle Chef’s Holiday Roast – This wheat gluten-based seitan roast is stuffed with wild rice, vegetables, and apples for incredible texture and flavor.
-
Zesty Jackfruit Roast from The First Mess – Shredded jackfruit makes remarkably convincing pulled “meat” when spiced and roasted just right.
-
Ultimate Vegan Roast from Bosh – A showstopper made from layers of pea protein, mushrooms, and vegan stuffing wrapped in vegan bacon.
-
Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf from Cadry’s Kitchen – A nutritious, protein-packed spin using lentils, walnuts, and apples for a meaty, satisfying roast.
How to Cook Your Vegan Turkey
Cooking your plant-based roast is easy. Follow package instructions for convenience options. Make sure frozen roasts are fully thawed before baking home-prepped versions. Vegetarian stuffed roasts generally take 60-90 minutes at 350°F. Unstuffed roasts and loaf shapes bake in about 45-75 minutes.
Let your vegan turkey rest 10 minutes before slicing. Accompany it with all your favorite sides and gravies. A plant-based feast makes the holidays memorable for the right reasons – kindness, family, and celebration!
The Bottom Line
You no longer have to settle for dull vegetable side dishes or awkwardly skip the main course on holidays. With the variety of convenient supermarket finds and easy DIY options, creating a crave-worthy plant-based turkey is totally doable.
Give vegan turkey a try this season – your taste buds, health, and conscience will thank you! Honor time-honored traditions of togetherness while starting new customs that reflect your values and nurture our planet. The holidays are sweeter when no one – whether human or animal – is harmed in the making of your merriment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vegan turkey made of?
Vegan turkey is typically made from vital wheat gluten, tofu, soy protein isolate, and natural flavorings and seasonings. These plant-based ingredients come together to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of traditional turkey.
Does tofu turkey taste like real turkey?
With the right preparation and seasoning, tofu turkey can taste remarkably similar to actual turkey meat. The tofu provides a neutral base which absorbs the flavors of broths, herbs and spices mixed in. Crisping up the exterior also gives an authentic turkey-like texture.
What are some good vegan turkey substitutes?
In addition to store-bought and homemade vegan turkeys, some flavorful vegan mains to serve for the holidays include a whole roasted cauliflower, lentil shepherd’s pie, vegetarian mapo tofu, sweet potato and chickpea cakes, lasagna with roasted veggies, and zucchini verde enchiladas.
Is vegan turkey healthy?
Yes, vegan turkey made from whole food plant ingredients offers some great health perks. It has zero cholesterol, more fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients than meat-based turkey. Going plant-based reduces risks of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Can you make vegan turkey gluten-free?
Some pre-made vegan turkeys contain wheat gluten, but there are gluten-free options too. When making homemade vegan turkey, you can swap the vital wheat gluten for chickpea flour to create a tasty gluten-free version.
How to Make
Now comes the fun part! I’m so excited to show you just how easy it is to make this vegan turkey roast recipe with my step-by-step photos.
Blend Ingredients: I toss everything, except the vital wheat gluten, into my food processor and blend it until it’s smooth. If you don’t have a high-speed processor, no worries, you can use a blender instead.
Make Seitan: then I pour the blended mixture into a large bowl and stir in the vital wheat gluten until everything starts coming together.
Knead: in this case I use my hands to bring it together and knead gently for about 1 to 2 minutes, just enough to combine everything. Then, I shape the seitan into a loaf, being careful not to overdo it.
Steam Seitan, Combine Basting Ingredients: I wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place it in a steamer basket over boiling water, steaming it for one hour. Once it’s done, I remove the foil and let it cool. While the seitan is steaming, I preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, I whisk together the basting ingredients in a small bowl so they’re ready to go.
Baste Fake Turkey: I place the roast in an oven dish and pour the basting liquid over it. Then, I use a spoon to scoop up the liquid and coat the roast evenly for extra flavor.
Bake Turkey: After basting, I slide the roast into the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Every 10 minutes, I take it out and spoon the sauce back over the top, making sure it stays juicy and flavorful as it cooks.
Cool & Serve: Once the roast is done baking, I take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes (this is key!) Then, I slice it up and serve it with my vegan onion gravy, soo good!
My #1 Secret Tip for making my vegan turkey roast is to knead the dough for just 1-2 minutes and stop there. I’ve learned the hard way that over kneading can make the roast rubbery, and trust me, you want that tender, sliceable texture instead. This step is so simple, but it makes all the difference!
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Plan Ahead: The seitan just gets better as it sits in the fridge so making it ahead is a no-brainer! You can make the seitan up to two days ahead of time if you prefer. Just steam it, then refrigerate it until ready to bake. If you can, serve it fresh (from the fridge or freshly made), as it will taste just a little better than after it’s been frozen and defrosted (although, the defrosted version still tastes pretty good!)
- Use High-Quality Broth: The best vegan chicken broth I’ve tried is Better Than Bouillon’s No Chicken Base, it adds such a deep, rich flavor, even better than vegetable broth
- No Steamer Basket? don’t worry, I’ve been there too! You can easily make one by rolling up 5-6 balls of foil and placing them in the bottom of your pot. Then, just pop an oven-safe plate on top for your vegan turkey loaf to sit on, and you’re good to go!
Garlic Lover’s Roast: If you’re a garlic fan like me, try adding roasted garlic or a bit of garlic paste to the dough. It gives the roast a deeper, savory flavor that works so well with the herbs—it’s a game-changer for garlic lovers!
Spiced Holiday Roast: For a festive twist, I like to mix in a pinch of warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, or even a touch of cinnamon. It gives the roast a cozy holiday vibe that’s perfect for the season!
Gluten Free: I understand that vital wheat gluten is essential for my vegan turkey roast recipe, making it unsuitable for those avoiding gluten. However, there’s a fantastic gluten-free vegan turkey roast recipe that you might find helpful.
My Vegan Turkey Roast is one of those dishes that truly makes the holidays feel special. I love serving it alongside some of my favorite recipes that make the flavors really shine.
Sides: I love pairing it with all my favorite sides to create a feast that everyone remembers. Vegan baked potatoes are always on the table, along with my healthy cornbread and roasted green beans.
Sandwiches: One of my favorite ways to use this roast is for sandwiches. After slicing the roast, I’ll pile it onto some bread to make the best vegan club sandwiches. Adding a dollop of cranberry sauce with dried cranberries (especially this one I make from dried cranberries) makes them absolutely irresistible!
Desserts: No holiday meal is complete without dessert, and I always make room for my healthy pumpkin pie. It is a family favorite, but if I’m feeling a little extra festive, I’ll bake a Pumpkin Apple Pie too. Either one is the perfect sweet ending to a holiday feast!
Refrigeration: I store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They’ll stay good, which means I can enjoy the roast throughout the week. It’s such a treat to have an easy, ready-to-eat option for a quick lunch or dinner!
Freezing: If I’m not planning to eat the leftovers right away, I wrap individual slices tightly and pop them into the freezer. They keep beautifully for up to 3 months, so I can always pull out a slice or two whenever I’m craving that savory roast flavor.
Reheating: I like to warm the slices in the oven at 325°F—it brings back that just-baked freshness. If I’m in a rush, I’ll use the microwave and heat them in short bursts until they’re warmed through.
Yes! Because it’s made from plants, and not actual meat, most plant based turkey is lower in calories and fat than its meat counterpart. This seitan turkey recipe is super healthy for you as it’s high in protein, low in fat, and a rich source of potassium, iron, and selenium. It’s a healthy part of a plant-based diet!
Yes, this vegan holiday roast can be prepared ahead of time, so all you have to do is bake it. Make the seitan loaf through step 4 (in the recipe card below) up to two days in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to bake it.
Unfortunately, there’s no substitute for vital wheat gluten in this recipe. But I linked a gluten free recipe in the variation section.
Why I Love This Recipe
Every holiday, I look forward to gathering my loved ones around the table. There’s something so special about sharing a meal, and my Vegan Turkey Roast always ends up being the dish everyone talks about. It’s the one that brings the “oohs” and “aahs”.
What I love most about this recipe is how it brings everyone together, no matter what they usually eat. When I made it for my family and friends at Thanksgiving last year, even the meat-lovers were going back for seconds! Seeing their surprise and hearing their compliments on the tender texture and amazing flavor of my roast was such a proud moment for me. It’s times like those that remind me how fun and satisfying plant-based cooking can be! That being said, I make my turkey roast with chickpeas and vital wheat gluten, which not only pack it with protein but also keep it low in fat.
As someone who’s always juggling multiple dishes (including my dairy free mashed potatoes) during the holidays, this roast recipe has been a true lifesaver for me. I usually make the seitan ahead of time, so when it’s time to serve, all I have to do is baste it and pop it in the oven. It’s such a game-changer, it lets me spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday moments with my family and friends.
If you’ve never tried a vegan turkey roast before, I’m so excited for you to make this one!
When I make this roast, I stick to a few key ingredients. The best part is, I usually already have them in my pantry.
Chickpeas: I love using garbanzo beans in this roast because they add protein, fiber, and a hearty texture. They work so much better than tofu, giving the roast a firmer and more satisfying bite.
Vegan Chicken Broth is a key ingredient I use to keep the roast moist and add a rich, savory flavor. It also makes the basting liquid extra delicious! If you can’t find this at your local grocery store, try a health food store like Whole Foods.
Seasonings: I use a blend of garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, and poultry seasoning to give my roast that signature turkey flavor. It’s my go-to mix for holiday perfection!
Vital Wheat Gluten is what holds my roast together and makes it firm and sliceable. It’s the secret to that chewy, meat-like texture I can’t get enough of.
Vegan Butter is a must for me in this recipe. It’s what I use to baste the roast and give it that beautifully golden, crispy crust!