Autumn Gravy Bowl
By the Gracious Vegan
Looking for new ways to eat Thanksgiving leftovers? Think “bowl.” The basic bowl formula is a base of grains, followed by vegetables, protein, sauce, and toppings. The Thanksgiving meal gives you most of these ingredients, so if you have leftovers, you’re almost there. You may prefer to cook up some fresh grains or prepare some fresh protein.
See other ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers below the recipe.
Choice of Grain Base
Sweet, white, red, or Yukon gold potatoes—roasted, mashed, etc.
Wild rice, brown rice, quinoa, millet, or other grains
Leftover bread dressing
Choice of Cooked Vegetables (roasted, steamed, etc.)
Acorn squash
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Butternut squash
Corn
Green beans
Lima beans
Choice of Protein
Sage-seasoned Baked Tofu
Baked or broiled tempeh
Crumbled Gracious Vegan Savory Quinoa Cakes
Soy curls (rehydrated with vegetable broth and cooked in a skillet to get a bit brown)
Canned beans, drained and rinsed
Sauce
Choice of Toppings
Dried cranberries
Cranberry sauce or relish
Walnuts or other nuts
Fresh sliced spinach or shredded cabbage
Other ideas for delicious ways to use plant-based Thanksgiving leftovers
Sandwich with protein, mashed or smashed potatoes, lettuce, gravy, and cranberry sauce or relish
Chowder using mashed or smashed potatoes, vegetable broth, cooked vegetables, added cashew cream, pieces of baked tofu or soy curls
Rice or millet medley using cooked brown rice or millet, leftover vegetables, pieces of baked tofu or soy curls, topped with gravy
Pasta — Make pasta and Vegan Fettuccini Alfredo sauce. At the end, add chunks of leftover vegetables and protein
Stacked leftovers — If your leftover bread dressing can be sliced, slice it into slabs. Cook the slabs in a nonstick skillet (add a little oil if needed). Layer the slabs on each plate with leftovers of all kinds, including gravy
Casserole — use leftover mashed potatoes and vegetables in Potato-Vegetable Bake with Gravy
Timing: Time varies
Gluten-free possible