Planning a meat-free Thanksgiving feast? Or do you simply want to provide veggie-forward alternatives to the vegetarians in your family? Whatever the case may be, Mahatma® Rice is here to inspire you with a whole host of delicious Thanksgiving recipes to serve at your Thanksgiving feast. From casseroles to skillet meals to salads and desserts, we’ve got you covered! So, without further ado, let’s dive into the recipes!
Create Your Own Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu
Let’s kick things off by creating a meat-free Thanksgiving menu replete with appetizers, a mouthwatering main dish, and a dessert to die for!
Easy Veggie Appetizers
One of the best things about vegetarian dishes is the scope for creativity they provide. If you’re looking to dazzle your diners from the get-go, try this Peruvian Tacu Tacu recipe. Topped with poached egg and avocado slices, it’s a rice and bean dish you can slice up and pass around the table. Alternatively, try our easy Vegetable Rice Fritters. Crispy and brimming with flavor, don’t be surprised if they fly off the platter in a matter of seconds!
Vegetarian Thanksgiving Main Dish
Finding the right vegetarian main dish to please everyone can be tricky. One way to approach it is to think about what makes traditional Thanksgiving dinner so great. Every successful Thanksgiving meal is both hearty and packed with flavorful ingredients. Our Green Bean Rice Casserole ticks both of these boxes and then some. Boasting a range of holiday season staples such as green beans, pine nuts, cloves, onion, rosemary, manchego cheese, and Mahatma® Parboiled Rice, this dish will please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a quick and easy Thanksgiving main that’s suitable for vegetarians, try our Rice and Beans Skillet Dinner. Made with a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning, tomatoes, rice, and pinto beans, it’s a mouthwatering meat-free meal with a spicy kick.
Fruity Thanksgiving Dessert
Finally, to round off your vegetarian-themed Thanksgiving menu with something sweet, how about trying these Sweet Rice Tamales? These delightful Mexican rice desserts have a creamy blueberry filling and are both refreshing and indulgent. What’s more, they’re unique and pleasing to the eye, which makes them the ideal dessert to serve on special occasions.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something that’s equally fruity and pleasing to the eye but a little easier to prepare, we’ve got just the recipe for you. These Street Fair Rice Crepes are made with kiwi, mango, and pineapple. Their creamy interior is achieved through a blend of honey, milk, canola oil, and coconut whipped cream, this dessert is sure to become a family favorite all year round!
Vegetarian Options to Serve at Traditional Thanksgiving Dinners
Nowadays, vegan and vegetarian diets are becoming more and more popular, especially among the younger generation. It’s important to cater to these dietary preferences during the holiday season so that no one at your dining table feels left out. If you’re looking for easy-to-make veggie-based dishes without skimping on flavor, then you’ve come to the right place! Our Black Bean and Rice Taquitos are sure to be a hit with the veggie lovers at your gathering. Cheesy, spicy, and satisfying, don’t be surprised if the non-vegetarians in attendance want to try one.
Then, for another quick and easy vegetarian option, try our Moroccan Warm Salad with Spiced Rice and Chickpeas. Made with Mahatma® Ready to Heat Yellow Rice, this simple yet flavorful rice and chickpea salad dish takes only 5 minutes to make, leaving you with plenty of time to focus on the other dishes you’re preparing.
Holiday Hosting Tips and Tricks
Now that you’ve got plenty of inspiration for your vegetarian Thanksgiving, let’s take a look at some neat tips and tricks to help make your celebration a fun and stress-free occasion.
- Planning: Efficient planning in the weeks running up to Thanksgiving is a must. Decide which dishes can be cooked ahead of time and get a headstart.
- Delegate: No one person in any family should have to shoulder all the responsibility. Have a family meeting to decide who’s doing what on the day. Get the young ones involved and make it an inter-generational endeavor!
- Shopping: Avoid the holiday season rush to the store. Draw up a list of ingredients and stock up on them well ahead of time. Keep your pantry packed up with the staples, too, you don’t want to discover on the day that you’re missing a simple yet essential ingredient for one of your recipes.
- Confirm numbers: Find out as early as possible how many people are going to attend. This way, you can shop and cook accordingly.
- Music: Create a shared playlist and encourage everyone to add their favorite festive songs to listen to. This will help make everyone feel that they are not just attending your Thanksgiving dinner, they’re also participating.
- Find time for you: Seriously, pencil in regular breaks. Cooking for family occasions can be stressful. If you are the one in charge, make sure to take care of yourself and get the rest you need.
#Playwithyourfood this Thanksgiving
Hosting a Thanksgiving meal for your family is one of life’s great pleasures. These occasions will provide you with memories you’ll treasure forever. That’s why it’s important for you to have fun on the day and express yourself. At Mahatma® Rice, our motto is to #playwithyourfood. And what better time of year to get creative in the kitchen than during the holiday season!
For more expert advice, culinary tips, and recipe inspiration, be sure to check out our blog, where there’s always something delicious cooking.
