If you’re like me, you are already beginning to plan your Thanksgiving menu (okay, I dream of Thanksgiving dinner all year ’round). As a vegan, you start early and think ahead because this meal can be kind of difficult. Often times, we’re stuck trying to compile a plate full of, well, side dishes. And if you want to try to make your feast plant-based, it can be hard to figure out what to serve.  After all, it’s a holiday typically centered around eating a stuffed bird. But it can be done, and it can be really good!

I’ve got some suggestions if you’re looking for a delicious, festive vegan main dish to be the star of your holiday dinner. These are amazing recipes I’ve tried – and loved – from some of my favorite vegan people out there.

CHICKPEA CUTLETS
Isa Chandra Moskowitz, ThePPK.com
Because sometimes, especially on a holiday, you just want something that’s as close to the real thing as possible. Okay, no, these don’t taste like turkey. But they’re way better than the fake meat products out there if you are looking for just real good food. And, as mentioned in the recipe, you’ll want to break out your (long-forgotten) steak knives. They’re that hearty. Find a vegan gravy recipe you love and use it to smother these suckers for maximum enjoyment.

RED LENTIL AND SQUASH CURRY STEW
Angela Liddon, Oh She Glows
There are no frills here. It’s not super fancy, and it doesn’t look that pretty on the plate. But it’s hearty and delicious, and it’s got the warming fall flavors you want in a Thanksgiving dish with a kick of curry to bring them all together. Serve it up over a pile of brown rice and you’ve got yourself a mean, filling main dish that veg-heads and omnivores alike will devour.

CRISPY PORTOBELLO STEAKS
Laura Theodore, Jazzy Vegetarian
(It’s the 2nd recipe on the page.)
I absolutely love mushrooms as a main dish. Few can argue against the meaty earthiness of a nice big portobello mushroom. These crispy “steaks” are coated in corn flakes and deliciously seasoned. They’re also gorgeous sliced up and presented on your serving dish. Plus, they can easily be made gluten-free so everyone wins, really.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT ALFREDO
Isa Chandra Moskowitz, ThePPK.com
Because sometimes you just want pasta, even on Thanksgiving. And this recipe is way tasty; it’s creamy and rich, and it calls for some wine so there’s that. You can definitely do pasta, like the recipe calls for. Or, you could get super fancy and up the squash factor by mixing the sauce into cooked spaghetti squash instead. So. Freakin’. Good.

DO YOU HAVE A THANKSGIVING DISH SO GOOD IT BEGS TO BE SHARED?
Please let me know, or post a link to the recipe, below!