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.
As a lifelong vegetarian, I never imagined I’d be able to enjoy a festive Thanksgiving meal without the traditional turkey centerpiece But times have changed and nowadays there are more meatless turkey options than ever before! In this article, I’ll share my top recommendations for turkey substitutes that will make your vegetarian Thanksgiving feast feel just as special
I still remember the holidays growing up when my family would carve up a big golden turkey while I ate sides or a simple veggie burger. I felt left out watching them savor juicy turkey meat while I had no equivalent main dish But now with the rise of realistic plant-based turkey options, veggie lovers like me can indulge in a full holiday spread
The key is finding a quality turkey substitute that mimics the look, taste and texture of real turkey. My favorites are made from wheat protein or tofu with added seasonings to replicate that savory umami flavor. They can be roasted whole for slicing or prepared into cutlets, drumsticks or ground meat. With the right preparation, they become absolutely indistinguishable from the real thing!
Here are my top picks for turkey substitutes to try this Thanksgiving:
Tofurky Roast
Tofurky pioneered the vegetarian turkey replacement back in 1995 and their roast is still a classic. It’s made from tofu and wheat protein stuffed with wild rice and breadcrumb dressing. The texture mimics turkey breast meat while the flavoring blend gives it a savory, herby quality. It roasts beautifully and looks just like a regular roast turkey on your table!
Field Roast Celebration Roast
This wheat protein based roast is stuffed with mushrooms, carrots, celery, apples and a variety of seasonings for a delicious flavor. Garlic, sage, and other herbs give it that quintessential Thanksgiving taste. It’s smaller than a turkey but still feeds about 4. Slice it up over stuffing just like the real deal!
Gardein Turkey Cutlets
These meatless cutlets are breaded and shaped just like turkey breast cutlets. They have the juicy texture of poultry thanks to their blend of pea protein, wheat and other binds. Grill or bake them in gravy for a quick, fuss-free option. Four cutlets is enough for 2-3 as a main course.
Quorn Turk’y Roast
Made from mycoprotein, this veggie roast is big enough to feed a small crowd. The onion and sage flavoring with added vegan butter creates a remarkably close flavor and texture. It looks beautiful sliced overstuffing or mashed potatoes. A great centerpiece!
Butterball Plant-Based Turkey
Yes, even Butterball makes turkey for vegetarians now! Their ground comes in breakfast sausage and Italian sausage varieties. For whole turkey options, they have burger patties, tenders and roasts carved to look like the real thing. The taste impresses even carnivores.
With all these options, my vegetarianThanksgiving table is just as abundant and satisfying as my family’s feasts growing up. Don’t be afraid to get creative – shred a roast for tacos, use the ground meat for stuffing, turn extra into sandwiches. The possibilities are endless. This year, give thanks for how far turkey substitutes have come!
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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.