This vegan meatless loaf is so moist and flavorful that you won’t need stuffing or even gravy. It’s gluten-free and soy-free, too!
This is not your mama’s meatloaf. This is not even your mama’s seitan loaf, tofu turkey, or nut roast. It doesn’t taste like meat. It doesn’t even pretend to have the texture of meat. But if you like savory, Thanksgiving flavors so concentrated that you can just skip the gravy and dressing, you will want to give this recipe a try.
I was inspired by the Comfort Loaf in Robin Robertson’s Vegan on the Cheap*, but instead of using vital wheat gluten, oatmeal, and bread crumbs, I decided to make my loaf gluten- and grain-free. So it’s brown and slightly crispy on the outside like a traditional meatloaf, but the inside is almost as tender as mashed potatoes, partly because it does, in fact, contain mashed (sweet) potatoes. The heady flavor and aroma come from the holy quartet of fall herbs–parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme–and believe me, they will have you singing!
*If you’re interested in the original recipe, I highly recommend getting a copy of Vegan on the Cheap.
Please visit my Thanksgiving Recipes page for all of my holiday dishes, from side dishes to desserts. If you don’t follow a gluten-free diet, you may be especially interested in the Mushroom Seitan Roast and Seitan Stuffed with Walnuts, Dried Cranberries, and Mushrooms, both great Thanksgiving main dishes that will impress your guests.
Thanksgiving Meatless Loaf
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet potato
- 1 medium onion
- 2 ribs celery
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15- ounce can cannellini beans or other white beans drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu or an additional can of white beans
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown or whole-grain prepared mustard
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon rubbed sage
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaf
- 1/2 tablespoon dried rosemary crushed
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
- 3/4 cup quinoa flakes or quick oatmeal
Instructions
- Wash a medium sweet potato (about 7 ounces), pierce it several times with a fork, wrap it in a paper towel, and microwave until done, 4-5 minutes. (Alternately, bake or steam the sweet potato.) Allow to cool enough to handle and then peel and set aside.
- Mince the onion, celery, and carrot. You can do this quickly by cutting each vegetable in quarters and then pulsing in a food processor until finely chopped.
- Heat a large, non-stick skillet. Add the minced vegetables, including garlic, and cook, stirring regularly, until they become tender, about 6-10 minutes. Add water by the teaspoon if necessary to keep the vegetables from sticking or becoming dry. Once they’re softened, add the drained beans and mash them lightly with a slotted spoon or spatula.
- Place the peeled sweet potato into the food processor along with the tofu, soy sauce, and all seasonings, including nutritional yeast. Process until fairly smooth. Add the walnuts and pulse a few more times. Scrape the tofu mixture into a large mixing bowl and add the quinoa flakes and the cooked vegetables. Stir well.
- Preheat oven to 375F. If you have a silicone baking mat (recommended) place it on a baking sheet. Otherwise line the baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray. Spoon the tofu mixture onto the prepared baking surface, using dampened hands to shape it into an oblong or oval loaf about 2 1/2 inches high. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is evenly browned. Loosely cover with aluminum foil and cook for 20 more minutes. Check to make sure that the center is firm; if not, give it a little extra time. (You can also remove the foil and cook for 5 more minutes for a crunchier crust.) Remove from oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve alone or with Mushroom Gravy on the side.
Notes
Nutritional info is approximate.
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Maggie
I followed this to the letter. I got mush… and honestly the flavor was not the best. I tried to redeem it by slicing it and cooking it longer. Honestly it was in the oven for about an hour and a half and still mushy. I would definitely add some kind of binder, maybe chickpea flour instead of the white beans. It also needs flavor. MORE SPICES. Sorry but I will not be making this again, I feel like I wasted money.
Maureen
Hi There!
Made this last night as a test for Thanksgiving. I formed a big loaf and a very small loaf so that I could try it first. Since that’s less than a week away, I was wondering if I can freeze this. I know I can, but I”m not sure how to reheat without drying it out. Do you have any advice on this?
Susan Voisin
I haven’t tried freezing it, but I think that as long as you keep it well-covered it shouldn’t dry out. Hope you enjoy it on Thanksgiving!
Taza G.
It’s still in the oven after an hour. I covered it with foil after 30 minutes, and just now lowered the temp to 250°, but I knew when I shaped the loaves (2 small vs. one large) that the texture was too gooey to bake well. I’m sure it will taste fine, but I’m disappointed in the texture & am grateful that it’s not the centerpiece of our family’s meal later on! 😕
Brad Levy
Hi! I have a no-meat ball dish with eggplant and mushrooms I use at Thanksgiving time, but was intrigued by this. I made it by doubling the cannellini beans (w/o tofu) and used quinoa (not flakes). It was delicious! BUT it didn’t set up firmly enough. I can try the flakes or quick oats, but what should I reasonably expect as far as firmness? I think it should hold up to the knife without falling apart.
Susan Voisin
It should be firmer with quinoa flakes or oats, but some people haven’t found it firm enough. I would try using a 1/4 cup more if the flakes or oatmeal.
Roula
Hi! Just wondering if this could be made the day before and then baked just before serving. Or even baked the day before and heated in the oven before serving
Susan Voisin
Either one of those options should work. Set aside extra time when you cook it, especially if it’s been refrigerated.