Trying to keep Thanksgiving meat-free this year? Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just turkey-curious, there are some fantastic plant-based alternatives that deliver all the flavor without the bird.
We’re sharing the best turkey substitutes we’ve actually tried—and loved—plus why skipping the turkey is a win for everyone (especially the turkeys).
Why Consider Turkey Substitutes This Thanksgiving?
Before we get into the best turkey substitutes, we’ll share some benefits of skipping turkey for Thanksgiving, which may make you feel better about your decision.
- Turkeys are living beings with personalities and don’t want to die so you can eat them. They form strong bonds with their flock, enjoy playing, and are very curious. Why take that away from them so that you can have a big meal with your family?!
- Most turkeys that are purchased in stores come from terrible conditions that you wouldn’t even want to set foot in. Not only are the slaughterhouses inhumane and crowded, causing high-stress levels for the turkeys (to say the least), they are often mutilated, infected with disease, maybe treated with antibiotics, inhaling ammonia during their short lives, then killed in an inhumane way, and landing on your dinner table so that you can eat all of that trauma.
- Not only are the conditions terrible for the turkeys, but most slaughterhouses are terrible for the workers as well. When demand is high, production needs to increase. Not only are the animals hurt more in the process, but the workers are as well. In 2018, the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism compiled data from U.S. meat plant workers and found that “amputations, fractured fingers, second-degree burns, and head trauma” are common injuries workers face every day. Yikes! Can you imagine how bad it gets when demand gets high?
- Meat consumption has been linked to increased cancer risks as well as heart disease. Processed meats can harbor harmful bacteria, including E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. Hello, how often do we all hear about beef recalls due to these issues?
- Delish turkey alternatives exist, and we are going to tell you about the best turkey substitutions. We’ve tried just about all of them, and there is something for just about every palate, so there really are no excuses when everyone loves all the sides and fixings anyway.
The Best Plant-Based Turkey Alternatives
Turkey alternatives have come a long way over the past few years. More companies are coming through with their own recipes.
Bye-bye are the days of just tofu-bland turkey-dupe recipes. We’re talking about companies that are doing it right, where the average meat-eater wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
In the average grocery store, you will find a few plant-based turkey brands, especially around the holidays. There are a few others that we will introduce you to, that may take some digging, but we’ll share the resources with you, too.
We aren’t wasting your time with the bland; we only have the best turkey substitutions!
Tofurky– ahhh, the tried and true standby for non-turkey eaters at Thanksgiving everywhere. You really cannot go wrong with Tofurky, and they seem to get better and better every year. Their Holiday Feast is absolutely amazing. It is tasty, comes with wild-rice stuffing, a side of gravy, and a chocolate cheesecake.
We have always found this to be a great alternative. *Found in most grocery stores around the holidays, and Vegan Essentials.
Gardein– this is for the turkey lover who may want a little more breading. Gardein’s Turk’y Roast is a great option. The plant-based roast has wild rice, kale, and cranberry stuffing inside. It also comes with gravy.
You will need your own sides to pair with this one. It is flavorful, though not as much as the Tofurky in our opinion. If you are a Gardein fan, though, you will like it. *Found in most grocery stores around the holidays, and Vegan Essentials.
Field Roast — this one is great, though hard to find. Even our Vegan Essentials resource often sells out. It is the Field Roast Sage and Garlic Celebration Roast. If you can find it, grab it!
Their website has a delicious recipe to pair with it, which we are linking to. It is a recipe for the roast, made with cumin and roasted carrots- the perfect meal for Thanksgiving.
Some of our local specialty stores have it, and/or can order it if we contact them early enough, so try that if you run into issues.
Honorable Mention —also by Tofurky —for those ham lovers, Gerry loves for us to grab the Plant-Based Ham Roast with Amber Ale Glaze. Cooked slowly, it is juicy, flavorful, and has a nice, sweet, brown-sugar glaze that is absolutely amazing! This is hard to find, so we usually have to order it from Vegan Essentials early. Order two —one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas.
We couldn’t leave out the plant-based ham, even though it is about the best turkey substitute!
Save a Turkey by Considering One of the Best Turkey Substitutions
This year, please consider saving a turkey by not eating one. If you haven’t encountered a turkey, please seek a sanctuary and go spend time with one.
We love days like the Day with the Turkeys at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge in Pittsboro, NC, where you can learn more about the animals and get to know the turkeys by name.
Turkey production is cruel, dangerous for the workers, and harmful to our health. Americans can still have a delicious Thanksgiving feast without eating turkeys.
This year, we encourage you to go meatless and try one of the plant-based options. Lastly, if you want a real chuckle, check out this Ode to Turkeys and Not Eating Them from a few years back. 🙂
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
We love the Tofurky Holiday Feast and Field Roast Celebration Roast for flavor and texture.
Check stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or order online through Vegan Essentials and Vejii. Stock up early—they sell out fast!
Yes! Tofurky’s Plant-Based Ham Roast with Amber Ale Glaze is a holiday favorite, with a rich texture and a sweet, savory glaze.
