Unless the host asked or suggested you bring a meat dish, bring something vegetarian. It's impolite to bring a dish you know the host can't eat unless you were asked to do so.

Definitely check with the host or err on the side of vegetarian. I'm mostly vegetarian but spouse and kids are not. Depends on the gathering, but sometimes it would be nice to have a meat dish to serve guests that I didn't have to deal with myself. But sometimes I'm hosting a bunch a vegans and mostly veggies and a meat dish would be a little awkward.

If I was visiting a vegetarian house, meaning that no one in the home eats meat, then I'd respect that and bring a vegetarian dish. Many of the vegetarians I know don't want meat on their dishes, etc . . . Also, part of the reason I bring food is as a gift for the host, so why bring something they won't eat.

If I was visiting a family that was mixed, I can see going either way. I have a couple vegetarian friends who cook meat for their spouses and children on daily basis. In this case, I can see how the vegetarian might appreciate knowing that someone else has taken care of the meat, so they can just cook foods they enjoy.

Anonymous wrote:I'm not a vegetarian. I would never bring a meat dish to a vegetarian's house. Vegetarian food is something everyone can eat. People don't need meat at every meal. I'm sure you like some recipes that are veggie anyway. Spinach lasagna. Veggie egg bake. Veggie chili. Loads of options.

+1

I would bring a vegetarian dish.

It's rude to bring something that you know the host definitely can't/won't eat -- unless the host has specifically asked you to bring a meat dish.

I wouldn't bring a dish without asking.

Have you been asked to bring a dish? If you were, that is the right time and the right person to ask.

I'm not a vegetarian. I would never bring a meat dish to a vegetarian's house. Vegetarian food is something everyone can eat. People don't need meat at every meal. I'm sure you like some recipes that are veggie anyway. Spinach lasagna. Veggie egg bake. Veggie chili. Loads of options.

If there will be non-vegetarian guests and one of the household is non-vegetarian, I usually make something that can be split in half and do one half with meat and one without. For example, I'll make a vegetarian stir-fry and then cook some tofu for the one side and some chicken for the other side. Just make sure that you keep them in separate serving containers. I've also done a vegetarian stir-fry and then added egg and shrimp to half afterwards.

I'm a vegetarian, and I wouldn't care at all if you brought a meat dish. As a courtesy I'd appreciate if you kept a small portion of whatever it is meat free, just so that I'd be able to enjoy it too! I'm pretty relaxed about these things though, and take a pretty live and let live attitude.

Does the spouse eat/keep meat in the house, or only eat it when out? That might give you a hint as to how strict a veggie house they keep.

My whole family is vegetarian and it would definitely be appreciated if you brought a vegetarian dish--it is maybe a little weird if everyone but the host family can partake of the thing you brought--but I would just be happy that you brought anything at all.

If you do bring a meat or fish dish, please bring your own serving platter and implements, etc.

If you go veg, the no tofu or soy shouldn't be an issue for you, I'm guessing (it's rare for a non-vegetarian to be good at tofu dishes), and the ability to include dairy/egg makes it super easy. There are a million recipes online. Check out Mark Bittman's for really easy and tasty dishes.

It is nice of you to be thinking of this before you go.

Yes.

I'm vegetarian and would appreciate someone bringing a non-veg dish for the carnivore guests. But, that's me. Both my DH and son eat meat. I guess it depends on how strong the ethical views are of the host/if you think they'd be offended.

I think it would be polite to bring a dish that the host is able to eat. There are tons of yummy vegetarian options.

(I am not a vegetarian.)

I would make sure the dish I bring is something the host can eat.

If host is vegetarian but guests are not and we are bringing a dish to share, should it be vegetarian? The spouse isn't vegetarian, but the vegetarian is for health & ethical reasons. Talked about becoming dairy/egg free but isn't there yet, limited soy & no tofu dishes.