When planning Thanksgiving dinner, we at One Green Planet acknowledge that this undertaking poses a significant challenge. In an ideal culinary experience, harmonious synergy is achieved when diverse flavors in a blend of herbs, spices, and notes converge to create a sublime balance. Why not host a spectacularly themed Thanksgiving celebration that honors America’s harvest heritage and becomes the centerpiece of your family’s holiday traditions?
When pondering the concept of comfort food, a single culinary tradition immediately springs to mind: the rich and hearty dishes of the South. Here are our top picks from the Food Monster app for a plant-based Southern Thanksgiving: Here they are:
The Main Dish
Source: Seitan Ribs
These flavorful strips of culinary delight are delightfully messy to devour. Savory, fall-off-the-bone tender homemade vegan Seitan Ribs. Bathed in a rich, sweet homemade barbecue sauce, these tender morsels are seared to perfection before being finished off with a gentle baking that yields a satisfyingly crispy, caramelized crust along their edges. Pair these dishes with a refreshing side of creamy potato salad and tangy coleslaw.
Source: Chili Cornbread Casserole
What’s more mouthwatering than the quintessential combination of warm, crumbly cornbread and rich, spicy chili? It’s undoubtedly Melanie Sorrentino’s delectable Chili Cornbread Casserole. The hearty chili recipe features a blend of rice, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and an abundance of savory seasonings. This straightforward recipe boasts simplicity and ease of execution. Consider adding some sautéed green peppers and onions to your chili recipe for an extra boost of flavor.
What’s more quintessential to American culture than the warmth and comfort of a homemade Thanksgiving feast? Here’s a reason to upgrade your Turkey Day celebration with One Green Planet’s Gratitude: A comprehensive plant-based cookbook offering innovative recipes to forge your own unique Thanksgiving tradition. In our comprehensive cookbook, discover 100 tantalizing plant-based Thanksgiving recipes that will delight your senses. Indulge in sweet treats like Soft Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts and Spiced Apple Cake with Cashew Frosting, or satisfy your cravings for savory delights such as Roast Root Vegetable Stack With Dukkah, Vegducken: Butternut Squash Stuffed With Eggplant, Zucchini, and a Mushroom Lentil Stuffing, Seitan Roast With Sausage and Pear Stuffing, Apple Cider Gravy, and many more mouthwatering creations!
Can you make this dish for me? The comforting combination of butternut squash, macaroni, and cheese will warm hearts and bellies alike.
What a delightful dish! Here’s the revised version:
Gabi’s Creamy Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Casserole: A Seasonal Twist on a Comfort Classic.
(Note: I assume “Gabrielle St.” is Gabi, a common nickname for Gabrielle. If not, please let me know!) Claire is comfort food heaven. Rich, velvety butternut squash melds seamlessly with indulgent macaroni elbows, while a distinctive flatbread crust provides a satisfying finish to this harmonious fusion of flavors. With the final flourishes in place, this dish reaches new heights, elevated by the subtle smokiness of the Shiitake bacon, the bold pop of red pepper flakes, and the rich sweetness of maple syrup. This rich and satisfying casserole is unlikely to linger beyond a day or two, despite its potential as a convenient meal solution for the week ahead.
Source: Lentil Loaf
Savory, velvety-textured, and delightfully free from stickiness, this exceptional Lentil Loaf recipe crafted by Lee Khatchadourian-Reese makes a compelling centrepiece for any Thanksgiving celebration. The subtle smokiness from the smoked paprika glaze brings a delightful depth to the dish. I’ve finally perfected my vegan meatloaf recipe, and I’m thrilled with the results!
Source: Jackfruit Fried Chicken
The tender, fibrous texture of young jackfruit proves an ideal substitute for pulled pork or chicken in various culinary applications.
Sarah Pether’s innovative Jackfruit Fried Chicken dish features jackfruit marinated in a rich and creamy soy milk mixture, then coated in a zesty breadcrumb batter before being fried to a golden crisp perfection. Savor these crispy treats with a dollop of creamy vegan mayonnaise or a tangy ranch dip for an added layer of flavor and delight.
Sides
![Rosemary Chicklins and Dumplins Stew [Vegan]](https://i0.wp.com/www.onegreenplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Rose-Chick-Dump-Stew_credit-Annie-Shannon.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1)
What’s a comforting way to warm up on a chilly day?
This iconic Southern dish, originally created by Annie and Dan Shannon, has been skillfully adapted into a vegan version of Rosemary Chicklins and Dumplins Stew. Perhaps the pleasure stems from whimsically uttering “dumplins,” reminiscent of the sassy and stylish Sugarbaker’s trademark phrase, as portrayed by Dixie Carter’s iconic character on the popular TV series Designing Women. Prior to the Great Depression, a hearty variant of coq au vin gained fame among French-Canadian trappers, credited with crafting this rugged rendition in the depths of Canada’s vast wilderness? As the Great Depression gripped the United States, a peculiar phenomenon emerged: meatloaf’s popularity surged, capitalizing on its ability to creatively repurpose leftover ingredients. In recent times, this treat has earned a reputation as genuinely scrumptious and utterly divine.
!['Buttery' Skillet Cornbread [Vegan, Gluten-Free]](https://i0.wp.com/www.onegreenplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cornbreadsyrupslice-1-of-1-2.jpg?resize=640%2C402&ssl=1)
Source: Buttery Skillet Cornbread
This delectable Buttery Skillet Cornbread recipe, courtesy of Brandi Doming, earns its moniker from a generous amount of genuine butter, not vegan alternatives. All the rich, velvety flavor stems from a single, enchanted component: toasted pecans.
Ground into a fine flour, these remarkable nuts combine seamlessly with cornmeal to yield a tender, rich, and indulgent cornbread that’s remarkably oil-free.
Source: Biscuits
Savoring life’s simple pleasures, such as the delightful combination of Molly Patrick’s scrumptious gluten-free biscuits and rich mushroom gravy. This iconic comfort food side dish is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and leave you yearning for another helping. A perfect appetizer or snack to serve at your next gathering; the leftovers also make a satisfying treat when you need a quick pick-me-up.
![Coconut Milk Braised Collard Greens [Vegan, Gluten Free]](https://i0.wp.com/www.onegreenplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/img_0400.jpg?resize=640%2C400&ssl=1)
What’s your favorite way to prepare collard greens? For me, it’s all about that rich, creamy coconut milk flavor. Here’s a simple yet satisfying recipe that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
In the Southern culinary tradition, collard greens offer a delicious and nutritious way to incorporate green, leafy vegetables into your diet. This recipe for Coconut Milk Braised Collard Greens, courtesy of Courtney West, offers a satisfying and flavorful main course option or pairs well with a variety of entrees when served alongside. A blend of garlic, pepper, cumin, and mustard seeds infuses this dish with a rich, complex spice profile, which is beautifully tempered by the velvety texture and subtle sweetness of coconut. Experiment with a personal touch by infusing your favorite spices into the dish, or alternatively, serve it atop nutty quinoa for added texture and flavor.
Source: Okra Fritters
Indulge in this delectable recipe for Okra Fritters, courtesy of Yana Chistyakova – an ideal showstopper for your next Thanksgiving celebration. The batter, expertly seasoned, yields a satisfyingly crispy golden crust that beautifully contrasts with the soft, succulent okra within. These crispy fried okra pods are a delightfully straightforward, rapid, and surprisingly effortless recipe.
Source: Sweet Potato Pie
A traditional Southern Thanksgiving simply wouldn’t be complete without the sweet, comforting taste of Sweet Potato Pie. Sweet potatoes take center stage as Leah Moldowan’s show-stopping pie eclipses its pumpkin counterpart. Crown this decadent dessert with a generous sprinkle of toasted pecans and a dollop of creamy coconut whipped cream to leave your guests utterly impressed.
Source: Red Velvet Brownies
Rich and indulgent, these Red Velvet Brownies by Stacey Horler boast a deep, velvety chocolate flavor and a delicate whisper of creamy vanilla. Craving something rich and indulgent? These decadent, fudgy brownies are the perfect treat to satisfy your chocolate cravings. The vibrant hue of pink Himalayan salt crystals is actually derived from the natural pigments present in beets, rather than artificial additives like food coloring. Not only do the beets contribute to their overall richness, but they also play a crucial role in elevating the dish’s flavor profile.
What’s the most decadent dessert you’ve ever had? A slice of rich, fudgy black bean brownies with a crunchy pecan pie crust on top? The combination of textures and flavors is pure magic.
The dense, velvety brownie base is made possible by using cooked black beans, which add natural sweetness and an extra boost of fiber. The gooey chocolate chips melt into the mix, creating a deep, indulgent flavor profile that’s impossible to resist.
But it’s the pecan pie crust that takes this dessert to new heights. A simple mixture of melted butter, sugar, eggs, and ground pecans forms a golden-brown crust that adds a satisfying crunch to each bite. The nutty flavor of the pecans perfectly complements the earthy undertones of the black beans, creating a harmonious balance that will leave you wanting more.
So if you’re looking for a dessert that’s sure to impress, look no further than these Black Bean Brownie Pecan Pies. With their unique combination of textures and flavors, they’re sure to become your new go-to dessert obsession.
SKIP
Introducing Jessica Bose’s innovative Black Bean Brownie Pecan Pie, a reimagined twist on the traditional pecan pie that combines decadent, fudgy, and flourless indulgence. The addition of a sweet and crunchy glazed pecan topping elevates this dish to new heights.
Source: Hummingbird Cake
Hummingbird cake is a classic, nostalgic Southern dessert that consists of moist, sweet layers, typically served as a celebration cake. Wrapped in the tender embrace of moist banana and pineapple cake, infused with the warm allure of cinnamon, and punctuated by the satisfying crunch of pecans, this indulgent masterpiece from Amy Lyons culminates in a rich, cream cheese frosting that defies self-control. This sublime cake, with its refined texture and delectable flavor, is an ideal choice for celebrating any significant event.
Source: Maple Banana Tiramisu Trifle
While trifles may have originated in England, this sweet treat has transcended borders to become a staple at many a Southern gathering. This autumnal twist on European classics – specifically, an English trifle and Italian tiramisu – is Christina Ross’s creative offering: Maple Banana Tiramisu Trifle. The resulting masterpiece is a sublime and elegant dessert that would undoubtedly take its rightful place among the most impressive offerings at any Thanksgiving celebration.
Sustainable Living Strategies for a Greener Tomorrow?
One small step towards a larger purpose begins at home.
Reducing your carbon footprint can start with simple actions like using reusable bags and water bottles.
Innovative eco-friendly products are now readily available, making it easier than ever to make environmentally conscious choices.
By supporting local farmers markets, you’re not only reducing carbon emissions but also promoting community growth.
Make a difference by participating in neighborhood cleanups or organizing your own beach cleanup events.
Recycle, repurpose, and reuse whenever possible – every little bit counts.
Every daily decision has the potential to impact the environment for better.
- Eat Less Meat:
- Adopt-a-Pet:
- Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint:
- Support Independent Media:
- Sign a Petition:
- Stay Informed:
- Do What You Can:
