5 Vegan Swaps You Can Make for Under $5 This Thanksgiving

By: Taylor Welniak

“What do you even eat? Like salad and tofu right?” As a fellow vegan tired of fielding these questions, I decided to make a list of a few vegan swaps anyone can easily make this Thanksgiving! Not only can you surprise your friends and family with an incredible entree or two, but all of these swaps are so tasty, you won’t even think about missing the originals. This list was inspired by the fact that I'm both celebrating being vegan for almost one year and living as a recently graduated human on a budget. Vegan food that is deliciously tasty with options under $5? Let’s get into it:

mac & cheeze

No thanksgiving is complete without a carb and my comfort go-to is always mac and cheeze. I am still perfecting my homemade vegan mac skills but I have recently tried the Daiya Cheezy Mac, Deluxe Cheddar Style and for a box version and, in a quick pinch, it does the job. And it costs only $3.97 at Walmart (please don’t @ me, remember the recent grad budget thing?). If you’re not sure if there will be a mac for you at the Thanksgiving table, BYOVM (Bring Ya Own Vegan Mac). I know I certainly will!

Hot tip: salt/pepper/spices are ALWAYS your friend! If you’re going to start with a pre-made item don’t be afraid to step outside the BOX (pun intended) by adding your own special touch! A little sriracha and nutritional yeast really elevates it.

green bean casserole

A popular Thanksgiving favorite is green bean casserole and the minimalist baker has an amazing vegan version. No cream but definitely plenty of mushroom! Even if you’re only a sometimes home chef, you likely have most of the spices this recipe calls for on hand and you can use whatever oil you have! Also, you can use white mushrooms to make the recipe pocketbook friendly and swap almond milk for a can of unsweetened coconut milk (I’ve found cans for under $1 before!)

Hot tip: try buying bulk, fresh green beans from a local farmers market or from the grocery store when they're in season in your area. Fresh green beans make the dish taste 10x better.

mashed potatoes

Thanksgiving would not be complete without mashed potatoes and this recipe (https://minimalistbaker.com/the-best-damn-vegan-mashed-potatoes/) is so simple and satisfying your loved ones likely won’t even know it’s been vegan-fied! Don’t skimp out on roasting the garlic though because it really makes mashed potatoes that hit DIFFERENT.

Hot tip: you can look for cheap vegan butters (I found the Country Crock Plant Butter with Olive Oil to be about $3) or poke around the internet for vegan butter swaps (like oil that you might already have in your pantry!)

Jackfruit Turk'y & Gravy

If you’re looking to round out your perfect vegan thanksgiving with some protein, the Gardein Holiday Roast can be on the pricey side so that’s why I would opt for this jackfruit recipe instead! This over the vegan mashed potatoes? The perfect pairing.

Hot tip: recipes are guides, not law! If you don't want to break the bank with things like miso paste or a bunch of seasonings you don't have, work with what you got! Make sure to include the important things in this recipe like veggie broth, jackfruit, vegan butter/oil, and onion...but tap into your inner home chef and spice it up your way!

Dessert

Okay yes, these So Delicious dipped ice cream bars come in at $5.19 but it is dessert so why not SPLURGE for the decadence! Shock everyone by turning thanksgiving pie on its head and opt for ice cream! My personal favorite is the salted caramel, but there are other flavors and even regular vegan ice cream varieties under $5 sure to please a crowd. Or to save all for yourself because you just cooked the best cheap, vegan Thanksgiving meal and you earned it!

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