The best vegan turkey roast shouldn’t feel like a punishment for people who’ve cut out meat. Being vegetarian is good for the planet, it’s good for animals, and it’s good for you—truly, a win-win-win situation—that is until a big meat-centric holiday dinner like Thanksgiving rolls around and you’re stuck eating a plateful of side dishes (but only the ones that weren’t made with poultry broth, sorry!).
The good news: There are more vegetarian turkey alternatives on the market than ever before (even though Trader Joe’s discontinued theirs, which we really liked when we tasted it last year), and that means a main course doesn’t have to be off the menu. Of course, every vegan turkey roast isn’t created equal. We fired up the oven and tried five of the biggest brands out there to find the best plant based turkey for thanksgiving.
There’s no shame in having a solo Thanksgiving. It’s quiet. You can watch TV while you eat. And you can have your very own individual vegetarian turkey roast. Cute and delicious. Gardein (maker of our number one vegan turkey roast, spoiler, sorry) also makes this little individual version and we love it. It’s vegetarian turkey, stuffed with cranberry and sage stuffing, breaded, and fried. So many vegetarian turkey roasts are so dry. Last year we ranked Tofurky, but eliminated it this year because we just couldn’t handle how dry it came out. Gardein’s plant-based turkey substitute is nice and moist. Honestly, the stuffing in the center doesn’t have much flavor, but the gravy it comes with helps a lot. If you don’t want a bunch of leftovers, this is the best vegetarian turkey option for you.
If you like Field Roast products, you’ll love this roast, which is essentially just a big, honkin’ version of one of their meat-free sausages. Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling liked how seasoned and salty this one is, but I personally have a hard time getting past the fact that the stuffing in the center of the loaf is exactly the same texture as the rest of the loaf (ie rubbery). While this may be the best vegan turkey alternative for someone who loves the brand, I have to say that Field Roast always gives me indigestion. If you’re similarly afflicted with agita, buckle up for a ride to burp city.
I am not vegetarian, but I eat a lot of veggie meat products at home. Gardein is a favorite (their breaded turk’y cutlets and gravy make such a good, quick weeknight dinner), so I’m pleased to report that Gardein makes the best vegan turkey loaf out there. My biggest beef with vegan turkey (pun intended) is that it’s always so dense. Seriously, if you neglect to baste a Tofurky roast, you’re going to have to go at that thing with a hacksaw. Gardein’s turk’y is super tender, and the breading encasing the loaf is lightly seasoned and adds just a little bit of crunch. The stuffing inside isn’t the tastiest stuffing I’ve ever had, but bits of celery give it some texture, while cranberries contribute a subtle tart sweetness. Most importantly, the loaf comes with a packet of vegan gravy (some of these options are BYOG, sadly) and the gravy actually tastes good. I would be stoked if someone served this to me on Thanksgiving!
Credit: Merc / Instacart
Rating:
9/10
Sporks
Other products we tried: 365 Plant Based Roasts with Gravy & Mushroom Stuffing, Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkey-less Stuffed Roast (discontinued), Tofurky Veggie Roast & Wild Rice Stuffing
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About the Author
Gwynedd Stuart
Gwynedd Stuart, Sporked’s managing editor, is an L.A.-based writer and editor who spends way, way too much time at the grocery store. She’s never met an Old El Paso taco or mozzarella stick she didn’t like.
I tried eight vegan-friendly holiday roasts to see which is the best. The original Tofurky roast and the Field Roast Celebration Roast have classic turkey-like flavors. The Field Roast hazelnut-and-cranberry roast was the overall winner with its bold seasonal flavors.
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.
A savory blend of wheat and tofu, the Roast is filled with a flavorful wild rice and bread crumb stuffing, ready to be basted, roasted, carved and devoured by the whole posse. Compliment your roast with an included tub of our savory gravy and go crazy.
Staples like beans and rice are easy to find in most small shops, as well as in the big supermarkets, and they're cheap. Bulgar wheat is big in Turkey if you're into that, and oats are easy to find too. As I said, the fresh fruits and veggies are so good.
Cooked legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils can be swapped for a lot of ground beef recipes. Buying canned or dried beans instead of meat can also save you money. In addition to protein, beans, and legumes are packed with health-beneficial fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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