And luckily, it doesn't have to involve a day of sweating in the kitchen. Plenty of eateries in South Florida are offering vegan Thanksgiving dinner or to-go options.
Here's what's available for this week's feast:
Bunnie Cakes. The vegan bakery is offering a special, orange-hued Thanksgiving cake that serves up to ten people. It comes in vanilla and chocolate, and guests can choose from regular vegan ($55) and vegan/gluten-free ($59). Bunnie Cakes, 2322 NE Second Ave., Miami; 786-268-9790; bunniecakes.com.
Full Bloom Vegan. The upscale vegan eatery will serve a three-course menu on Thanksgiving for $40 per person. It includes roasted coconut butternut squash soup, raw sweet potato noodles with curry almond sauce, or cumin-carrot hummus with blue corn chips and veggies as a starter; roasted lentil loaf with mushroom gravy over scallion mashed potatoes, gnocchi in a porcini and sausage cream sauce, or spiced chickpea-stuffed roasted sweet potato with garlic tahini as an entrée; and pumpkin cheesecake or date and almond-crusted chocolate ganache pie. 1670 James Ave., Miami Beach; 305-397-8018; fullbloomvegan.com.
La Moderna. In Sunset Harbour, the eatery will be open Thanksgiving Day and is offering three special new dishes: house-made
Parlour Vegan Bakery. This two-branch bakery, with locations in Plantation and Boca Raton, is offering a huge menu of Thanksgiving goodies. Options include a nine-inch Dutch apple pie ($39/$44 for gluten-free), a nine-inch pumpkin pie ($28/$33 for gluten-free), a nine-inch pumpkin mac-and-cheese pie ($48), gourmet herb and sausage stuffing ($39), pumpkin cinnamon butter cake ($59 and up), empanadas and tamales in a variety of flavors ($39 to $45), cupcakes, doughnuts, and other treats. Orders must be placed by noon Monday for pickup Wednesday; orders can be placed via phone or the website. 1487 S. University Dr., #3, Plantation; 954-533-7104; and 415 S. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton; 561-617-7144; parlourvegan.com.
Plant Theory Botanical Cafe at the Whitelaw Hotel. This South Beach spot will serve a Friendsgiving burger ($15) — a house-made, organic plant-based patty on a gluten-free apple-raisin brioche bun with roasted mushroom-thyme gravy. Also try a slice of pumpkin spice "
Whole Foods Market. All Whole Foods locations are offering a special two-person vegan Thanksgiving feast by chef Jeremy Fox ($39.99). The meal includes a romanesco cauliflower roast with miso bagna càuda, charred escarole with tomatoes and chickpeas, cremini mushroom stuffing with kimchee, roasted acorn squash with maple and hazelnut dukkah, and a sweet-potato blondie with cashew frosting and spiced cashews. Orders can be placed online and must be submitted 48 hours before pickup; stores are open till 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. All Whole Foods Market locations; wholefoodsmarket.com.