The Spicy Spatula

It’s that time of year again, folks. Okay well it’s beyond that time of year this year when I indulge in some of my favorite, most nostalgic holiday meals. Growing up in a family where both of my grandmothers are from the deep south meant one thing for many, many years; cornbread dressing.

What is cornbread dressing?

If you’re familiar with items like Stove Top Stuffing, then you’re almost there with cornbread dressing. Cornbread dressing is a southern U.S. staple during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It starts with cornbread and dried bread. Add in onions, bell pepper, garlic and celery and you’re on your way to a delicious casserole-type dish that satisfies…more so when you add fresh, homemade vegan cranberry dressing to the table.

This has always been one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, but as I’ve begun tracking my calories and macros, well let’s just say that this isn’t the healthiest or most calorie friendly of dishes. It doesn’t change my love for southern vegan dressing, but it does mean it’s a REAL treat when I allow myself to indulge.

I’ve done this recipe before, so if you’re interested in making this vegan holiday recipe click on the link to get the full recipe.

Cranberry Sauce

I’m not a food snob. Okay, I totally am but in fairness to me I always felt this way about canned cranberry sauce even before I knew that fresh cranberry sauce was a thing! I swear.

I don’t usually gravitate towards super sweet dishes and even when I was a kid who lived and breathed Snickers bars, I felt that canned cranberry sauce was just too much for me. But one day I was watching the Food Network and learned that there were people out in the world who made cranberry sauce from–gasp!–fresh cranberries, I became obsessed immediately.

Fresh vegan cranberry sauce makes me want to make vegan southern style dressing more often than I do, but I don’t so it’s a yearly treat that we enjoy during the holidays.

Vegan Alternatives

When either of my grandmothers (hailing from Alabama and Tennessee, respectively) made southern style dressing they made it with some type of meat. It could be shredded chicken, sausage or something else, but these are the two that stuck with me so when it came to vegan meat alternatives, I stuck close to their original recipe.

I used shredded mushrooms or Verdino “just like chicken” filets which are indeed just like chicken…minus the cruelty and murder. Add in some naturli sausage or TVP and you’re well on your way to a totally authentic, but veganized holiday recipe.

So grab your ingredients and prepare yourself for a delicious vegan holiday recipe that’s guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters…as long as you tell them afterwards that their favorite dish was vegan all along.

Before you go, check out these vegan HOLIDAY RECIPES:

*Romanian Vegan Drob Recipe
*Vegan Holiday Side Dishes