Deliciously Sustainable: Easy Thanksgiving Recipes for 2023

Thanksgiving is here again. This yearly celebration is a good time to spend with family and friends and reflect on what you are grateful for. But did you know that about 200 million pounds of turkey is tossed during Thanksgiving week in America? Most people view the upcoming holiday season as a time for a feast; but often, most of the food ends up in the trash.
Think about the resources that went into preparing the classic Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, turkey or cranberry sauce, talk of water, the carbon blueprint of all the cars used in transportation, the landfills, and the loss of the nutritional value of the meals. The holidays don’t have to be wasteful. The best way to prevent that is to stop it from happening in the first place. What if you added a little diversity to the menu with vegan options such as green beans, mushroom burgers, sweet potato, and cauliflower mash?
If you want to reduce the amount of meat in your diet or are exploring vegan options, this is one way to love a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. You can also reduce waste by using freeze dried products, which allow you to use products even when they are out of season due to their long shelf life. If you are looking for easy, sustainable Thanksgiving recipes, look no further. Here are our top four sustainable recipes that you can make for your guests this Thanksgiving.
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Green Bean Casserole1
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For The Onion Topping
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced or our chopped dried onions (¼ cup)
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- A pinch of salt to taste
- A pinch of black pepper
For Casserole
- 2 cups freeze dried green beans
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
- 1 cup freeze dried mushrooms
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon dried garlic (granulated)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cup almond milk
Directions
To make the onion topping
To make the casserole
2. Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Mash3
Make this tuber desert a healthier alternative to candied yams, which are a staple for Thanksgiving. The sweet and savory dish is delicious and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes. You’ll definitely make it more than once a year.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 3 medium cups organic dried sweet potatoes
- 1 cup freeze dried cauliflower pearls
- ¼ cup oat milk (or plant milk of choice)
- 1 tablespoon dried garlic (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- A pinch of black pepper to taste
Directions
3. Potato Leek Soup4
The creamy soup is not common in the traditional Thanksgiving menu, but it is a comforting appetizer option for guests who are vegetarians. It uses whole ingredients and is one of the best sustainable Thanksgiving recipes.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 5 cups dried leeks
- 1 tablespoon dried garlic (granulated)
- 2 cups freeze dried potatoes
- 7 cups vegetable broth
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons dried chives, for serving
Directions
4. Mushroom and Bean Burgers5
Veggie burgers are a perfect substitute for turkey during Thanksgiving. They are delicious, easy to make, and are a healthier alternative to meaty burgers. Combining the meaty mushrooms with fiber filled beans makes a protein powerhouse for your Thanksgiving menu.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup freeze dried mushrooms
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups dehydrated pinto beans
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (or egg replacer)
- 1 tablespoon dried garlic (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Three Onion Soup/Dip Mix
- 1 small white or yellow onion, diced, or ¼ cup of dried chopped onions
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Vegetable toppings (spinach, tomato flakes or sliced cucumbers, for serving
Directions
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to eat turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Try these sustainable Thanksgiving recipes this holiday season and reduce the statistics on wasted food. If you have more than you can eat, freeze the leftovers or donate to the homeless shelters. Don’t forget to buy our freeze dried supplies to enjoy the long shelf life and reduce the worry of wasting food.
Happy Thanksgiving from Mother Earth Products.
References
- https://www.nrdc.org/bio/andrea-spacht-collins/thankful-feast-not-wasteful-one
- https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a23013030/easy-vegan-green-bean-casserole-recipe/
- https://madetosustain.com/sweet-potato-and-cauliflower-mash/
- https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/potato-leek-soup.html
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/vegan-mushroom-bean-burger-recipe-3378623
- Branden Evans
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