WASHINGTON—As families plan holiday gatherings and festive meals, Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, is encouraging people to take small steps for good by putting more plant-based foods on the menu. These ingredient swaps preserve the flavors and traditions people love and make holiday meals better for animals and the planet while also lowering grocery bills.
“Small steps can have a big impact for animals, and the holiday table is a great place to start,” said Paige Haringa, manager of culinary innovation at Humane World for Animals. “You don’t have to reinvent your entire menu. A few simple, tasty substitutions can make holiday favorites plant-based and satisfying while helping to reduce animal suffering.”
Five tips from Humane World for Animals for a more plant-based holiday feast:
1. Swap dairy butter for plant-based butter. Many traditional holiday sides and baked goods can be made by replacing dairy ingredients with nondairy alternatives. Keep plant-based butter, coconut oil or olive oil on hand for mashed potatoes, vegetables, stuffing and desserts. For an easy fall favorite, try whipped sweet potatoes with fresh orange zest, bourbon and plant-based butter, topped with a pecan brown sugar and thyme crumble.
2. Replace dairy milk with your favorite nondairy milk. Oat, almond, soy, cashew and coconut milk can make it easy to give familiar recipes a plant-based update. Use nondairy milk in mashed potatoes, sauces, casseroles and baked goods. For something festive, try coconut nog made with nondairy milk, full-fat coconut milk and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.
3. Reach for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. This is one of the simplest holiday swaps of all. Use delicious vegetable broth in stuffing and other savory dishes.
4. Put a hearty plant-based main dish at the center of the table. Swap meat for ingredients such as beans, lentils, mushrooms, vegetables and grains for a protein and fiber-filled feast. For example, a lentil and mushroom shepherd’s pie in a savory gravy beneath creamy mashed potatoes, can deliver the comfort and flavor people expect from a holiday centerpiece.
5. Make dessert dairy- and egg-free. Holiday treats don’t need eggs or dairy to be delectable. Plant-based butter, nondairy milk and everyday ingredients such as applesauce, bananas, flaxseed and aquafaba can help recreate favorite baked goods. For baking, Humane World for Animals recommends simple swaps for eggs: one tablespoon of ground flax or chia mixed with three tablespoons of water, or ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana do the trick. Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, works especially well in cakes and meringues.
Humane World for Animals has educated and trained over 34,000 food service professionals including chefs and dietitians. Since 2012, the organization has partnered with thousands of institutions and chefs nationwide to help build a healthier, more sustainable food system by expanding their plant-based dining options. Our team of chefs, food service experts and registered dietitians works with some of the nation's largest dining operations including food management companies, colleges and universities and K-12 schools.