How to Invite a Vegetarian to Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a holiday for everyone, even vegetarians. Don’t be afraid to invite one (or two,) to share your Thanksgiving feast. It’s really easy to do, here’s how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Vegetarian
• Soy milk
• Vegetable broth
• Separate containers for turkey stuffing and non-turkey stuffing

1. Pick up the phone and invite your vegetarian friend/relative/co-worker. == Vegetarians like Thanksgiving just as much as everyone else and they will probably accept your invitation. There is a chance that the vegetarian you’re inviting may have a very strong aversion to being in the presence of meat and will not accept your invite. Don’t take it personally if that happens.

2. Don’t Stress! == There is almost always too much food at a Thanksgiving dinner, most of which is not meat. Don’t worry that your vegetarian friend won’t get enough to eat. She will, just like the rest of your guests.

3. 
   Thanksgiving salad

   Ask your vegetarian guest if she is vegetarian or vegan. In addition to meat, vegans do not consume any dairy products. Honey is another food that strict vegans do not eat.

4. Make Small Substitutions == If you normally use chicken broth in your stuffing use vegetable broth, and skip adding the giblets. Put the turkey stuffing in a separate bowl from the non-turkey stuffing and make sure everyone knows the difference.

5. Ask your vegetarian guest if what you’re serving will be enough if you’re not certain. Most often a vegetarian will bring their own main course in lieu of eating turkey.

6. 
   Thanksgiving pies

   Relax, eat your pumpkin pie, enjoy your guests, and give thanks.

Tips & Warnings

• Be adventurous: explore some vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes

Resources

• Thanksgiving Recipes
• Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes
• Vegan Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

[dsarokin]

on 11/18/2008 Thanks for this. My wife is a vegetable, er, vegetarian ;-) There are some great ideas here.

[BeaEmery]

on 11/7/2008 This is great, I have a lot of vegetarian friends and am planning a potluck this year. Great article!

[DUSTYMILLS]

on 11/6/2008 I would have thought that it would be difficult to feed a vegetarian at a turkey dinner, but I guess you just need to plan a little for this kind of guest. Thanks for your input.