Thanksgiving Vegan Holiday Roast Recipe (2024)

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This Vegan Holiday Roast is a savory and delicious substitute to that traditional Thanksgiving main course. Wrapped in rice paper for a crispy finish and brimming with flavorful juices, it’s unforgettable. Meatless, dairy-free, nut-free, and bursting with fall flair.

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Vegan Holiday Roast

This Thanksgiving roast is a variation of my fan favoriteVegan Steaks. It’s the best roast for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner alongside my olive oil mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, beyond stuffing, mac and cheese+roasted carrots . It’s the perfect substitute for chicken or turkey, super easy to make and extra delicious drizzled with our cashew queso or chimichurri sauce. Plus, it’s fail-proof, protein-loaded, and features plenty of fall flavors such as sage, rosemary and thyme.

A kind meal, baby! Does it get any better?! The answer to that is “no” and I’ll scream it if I have to. If you miss the flavors and texture of meat, this is the substitute you’ll fall in love with. It tastes unbelievably like meat and it’s hard to tell the difference. I can’t stress enough that plant-based recipes are the way to go. You’re going to be exceptionally surprised by the flavor of every dish.

How to Make a Vegan Holiday Roast

  1. Make the dough – Combine all the ingredients except those for the crust, in a food processor.
  2. Knead the dough – Transfer the mixture to the counter and knead for 3-5 minutes or until fibrous. Form the seitan into a loaf.
  3. Boil – Bring a pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the loaf to the water and lower the heat so the water gently simmers. Boil for 25 minutes.
  4. Prep the rice paper – Fill a bowl with warm water and submerge the first sheet of rice paper for 7 seconds and lay it on a wet plate.
  5. Wrap the loaf – Place the loaf on top of the rice paper and start folding the paper upwards. Submerge the second paper and place it on the top of the loaf and fold it downwards.
  6. Season – Brush the loaf with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings, rubbing in the seasonings with your fingers.
  7. Bake – At 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Recipe Tips + Variations

  • Storage – Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I would not suggest freezing this recipe. I’m not a fan of the resulting flavor.
  • Reheating – Reheat in a baking dish at 350 degrees fahrenheit, covered tightly with foil to keep it from drying out. You can add a splash of stock in the pan for steam or place a few slices of oranges or lemon below the roast. The microwave also works in a pinch.
  • Boil before roasting – When you boil the setain before roasting, it keeps it from drying out. Nobody wants a dry dish.
  • Make your holiday roast in advance – Do all the steps up to boiling the roast, and once boiled, store the dough. You can roast it when you’re ready to serve it.
  • Don’t over knead the roast – Just knead the roast until fibrous. This should only take a couple of minutes.
  • The tomato sauce is vital – The sauce is a large part of keeping the meat juicy and tender. Without it, the roast isn’t near as satisfying or juicy.
  • More side dish options – This roast also pairs well with these sides: Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, Vegan Balsamic Cranberry Sauce, Vegan Dinner Rolls, Thanksgiving Wild Rice Pilaf, Vegan Broccoli Casserole and this easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole.

FAQ

What is Seitan?

Seitan is also known as wheat gluten, which is one of the main proteins found in wheat. It’s not tofu or tempeh, like some would have you believe. These two ingredients are made from soybeans while seitan is not. In order to end up with seitan, wheat flour dough is washed until all the starch has been removed. These are also known as dough particles. What results is a fibrous mass, that’s used as a meat substitute for vegan meals.

What is Vital Wheat Gluten?

Vital wheat gluten is simply another term for seitan. Seitan is simply a wheat protein separated from wheat flour dough. There are a couple of nicknames it might go by, vital wheat gluten being one of them. In fact, you may see this term pop up more often on ingredient lists than seitan. Click here to order your Non GMO wheat gluten!

Thanksgiving Recipes

  • Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
  • Classic Bread Stuffing
  • Vegan Pumpkin Pie
  • Garlic Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
  • Best Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
  • Vegan Creamed Spinach
  • Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apple
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Appetizers
  • Vegan Gravy
  • Vegan Wellington

Thanksgiving Vegan Holiday Roast Recipe (9)

5 from 2 votes

Thanksgiving Vegan Holiday Roast

Vegan Holiday Roast a savory and delicious meatless substitute to that traditional Thanksgiving main course. Wrapped in rice paper for a crispy finish and brimming with flavorful juices.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:45 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr

Ingredients

The Crust

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • To the bowl of food processor add the cannellini beans, tomato sauce, tamari, nutritional yeast together with all the spices, herbs, wheat gluten and 1/2 cup of water. Process until a dough is form. Carefully transfer to your kitchen counter or a pastry board.

  • Knead the dough (sprinkling with more wheat gluten as need not to stick) for a few minutes until a fibrous texture is visible. Three to five minutes is all it takes. Form the sienna into a loaf.

  • Meanwhile bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Transfer the roast to the boiling water and turn down the heat if needed so a gentle but constant simmer is achieved. Boil for 25 minutes keeping an eye on the pot so it doesn’t boil over. Transfer to a plate.

  • Fill a bowl with warm water (use a similar size with the rice paper).

  • Submerge one sheet of rice paper in the water and count to 7. Remove and transfer to a wet plate.

  • Place your roast on top of the soaked rice paper then start folding it upwards.

  • Dip the other rice paper in the water until softened then place it on top of the roast and wrap it downwards.

  • Brush the top with some olive oil and sprinkle with paprika, sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Use your fingers to rub in all the spices.

  • Transfer the roast to a small baking dish lightly oiled or lined with parchment paper. I like to lay mine on top of fresh herbs, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme and a couple of slices of lemon or orange.

  • Preheat your oven to 400”F and bake the roast for 20 to 25 minus until golden brown and crisp on top.

  • Allow to cool off for a few minutes before slicing into it and serving with your favorite vegan gravy, cashew queso or chimichurri sauce.

Video

Notes

Tips and Variations

  • Storage - Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I would not suggest freezing this recipe. I’m not a fan of the resulting flavor.
  • Reheating - Reheat in a baking dish at 350 degrees fahrenheit, covered tightly with foil to keep it from drying out. You can add a splash of stock in the pan for steam or place a few slices of oranges or lemon below the roast. The microwave also works in a pinch.
  • Boil before roasting - When you boil the setain before roasting, it keeps it from drying out. Nobody wants a dry dish.
  • Make the roast in advance - Do all the steps up to boiling the roast, and once boiled, store the steak. You can roast it when you’re ready to serve it.
  • Don’t over knead the roast - Just need the roast until fibrous. This should only take a couple of minutes.
  • The tomato sauce is vital - The sauce is a large part of keeping the meat juicy and tender. Without it, the roast isn’t near as satisfying.

Nutrition

Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 472mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 146IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: holiday roast, plant based, Thanksgiving roast, vegan roast

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 74kcal

Author: Florentina

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Thanksgiving Vegan Holiday Roast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can replace turkey on Thanksgiving vegan? ›

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 the best vegan roast store bought? ›

Tofurky is the original vegan turkey brand, and it remains one of the best on the market. The classic Tofurky plant-based roast has a delicious flavor and a generous amount of "meat." The stuffing is also excellent. If you like a higher meat-to-stuffing ratio, this would be a good choice.

What is a vegan turkey called? ›

Tofurky is the brand name of an American vegan turkey replacement (also known as a meat analogue, or, more specifically, tofurkey) made from a blend of wheat protein and organic tofu.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to a roast turkey? ›

Vegan turkey recipes
  1. Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast. This stuffed seitan is the perfect replacement for a stuffed turkey joint this Christmas. ...
  2. Vegan Turkey Wellington With Walnut Gravy. ...
  3. Vegan Herb-Crumbed Whole Roasted Cauliflower. ...
  4. Leftover Vegetable Christmas Pie. ...
  5. Festive Vegan 'Turkey' Sandwich. ...
  6. Vegan Seitan Twizzlers.

What is the most popular vegetarian alternative to turkey at Christmas? ›

Nut Roast. The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference.

What tastes like meat but is vegan? ›

If you're not actually vegetarian, things like worcestershire, fish sauce, or beef stock can add a lot of that flavor you're looking for without adding meat directly. For actual vegan options: mushrooms, miso, fermented black bean, smoked salt, nutritional yeast, kombu, marmite.

What is the most extreme vegan? ›

Level 5 vegan

Level 5 vegans also avoid all animal-derived products such as eggs, dairy products, meats, fish and seafood, and will also avoid any food products where accidental traces of animal products may feature. They will also avoid leather, gelatin, and some food colourings.

What is Trader Joe's turkeyless roast made of? ›

The holiday centerpiece is made from a blend of soy and seitan, a plant-based protein made from vital wheat gluten, and is filled with an herbed, cranberry-speckled stuffing with gravy for serving.

What happened to Tofurky? ›

The Oregon plant-based food pioneer Turtle Island Foods, better known by its Tofurky brand, has been sold to a Japanese company. The buyer is Torfurky's longtime tofu supplier, Morinaga Nutritional Foods. Morinaga's parent company is Morinaga Milk Industry Co., a food conglomerate based in Tokyo.

What is a vegan that eats fish called? ›

By that definition, a pescatarian is someone who chooses to eat a vegetarian diet, but who also eats fish and other seafood. It's a largely plant-based diet of whole grains, nuts, legumes, produce and healthy fats, with seafood playing a key role as a main protein source. Many pescatarians also eat dairy and eggs.

What is Tofurky made out of? ›

INGREDIENTS: Water, vital wheat gluten, tofu (water, soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), soy sauce (water, soybeans, wheat, salt), expeller pressed canola oil, natural flavors, sea salt, contains less than 2% of onion, carrot, celery, garlic, leek, lemon juice concentrate, cornstarch, garbanzo bean flour, ...

How do you cook a Tofurky plant-based roast? ›

HOW TO MAKE ONE THAWED TOFURKY ROAST: (Thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours) With a knife or scissors, remove plastic casing and clips from the Roast. Place on a pan in foil. Pour half the baste over the roast. Cover and cook at 350°F for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Can you air fry Gardein? ›

nice to know you - lovelytheband

Here's your reminder that you can have crispy sausage. from an air fryer. Cook at 370 for 12 minutes, flip the sausage halfway and continue cooking.

Can i cook gardein roast in air fryer? ›

*2022 update: I prepared a frozen roast by air-frying approx. 16 minutes after microwaving 6 minutes in a covered container. The roast had a crispy exterior and perfectly cooked firm but moist interior.

What is the popular alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals. This is collaborative content from Food & Wine's team of experts, including staff, recipe developers, chefs, and contributors.

Do vegans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

And no, vegans do not eat chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, or even cheese, though they are often asked. But keeping a vegan happy on Thanksgiving is not difficult. Plenty of traditional dishes are (almost) vegan anyway, and the oven is on for baking special treats.

Is there a plant-based turkey? ›

A vegan turkey roast offers savory flavor and hearty texture without the meat. A quality vegetarian turkey has up to 26 grams of protein per serving — about as much as real turkey. I'm a nutritionist, and here are 4 of the best vegan turkey substitutes that also taste good.

How do vegans do Thanksgiving? ›

"A traditional Thanksgiving menu has lots of options for vegans and vegetarians: green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed or roasted potatoes, and sweet potatoes and yams—it's a carb-loaded feast, and we will happily lick our plates," says Peart.

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