Anonymous
09/27/2025 19:03
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Op. Speaking from experience TSA will allow you to bring like a frozen meal through security. So I brought stuffed vegetarian field roast one year. You could also check it with an ice pack and then it can be warming up while everything else goes.
One year, Because my host wasn't a total jerk, I purloined some green beans and mashed potatoes before my host added the ham and turkey bits.
Yes, it is one meal. But Thanksgiving is about family and gratitude and love and acceptance and as a host I always try to make sure that my loved ones needs are met. And if I could meet them, I certainly wouldn't make them feel bad and say here just have a granola bar if they have to create their own options.
One year, Because my host wasn't a total jerk, I purloined some green beans and mashed potatoes before my host added the ham and turkey bits.
Yes, it is one meal. But Thanksgiving is about family and gratitude and love and acceptance and as a host I always try to make sure that my loved ones needs are met. And if I could meet them, I certainly wouldn't make them feel bad and say here just have a granola bar if they have to create their own options.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 19:01
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It's one meal. OP should have her Thanksgiving at home before she goes. Just go for the company and not focus on the food that much given all the constraints. Pack granola bars and other things that won't spoil during the flight to have as snacks to get through the day.
What kind of a-hole has a guest with a known dietary restriction fly in to visit and expects them to eat granola bars out in their suitcase?!
Where were you people raised?
My in laws used to promise to not use butter or dairy since DC is lactose intolerant. More than once I saw a stick come out of a box labeled butter go into the mashed potatoes or gravy.
They want what they want. Best to have a backup.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:57
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Can we all just assume that OP has considered the normal things (oven availability, grocery store availability, eating only sides,....) and determined after speaking with the host that bringing a dish to share is the best way to go? She's here looking for recipe ideas, not an etiquette lesson for herself or the host.
(I posted earlier with my suggestion, so not just throwing stones... but with 4 pages, I was really hoping there would be more ideas for vegetarian dishes!).
(I posted earlier with my suggestion, so not just throwing stones... but with 4 pages, I was really hoping there would be more ideas for vegetarian dishes!).
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:50
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!
These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.
OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.
That sounds lovely. I’ll just eat the pad Thai and nothing else!
Are you ordering enough for everyone? This would be a bad look to order your own separate meal and just eat that in front of everyone.
And is not a bad look not to prepare a single dish that an out of town guest can eat?
Did OP ask and they said no?
It sounds like she did ask! She clarified the hosts said she could use the kitchen for a short time in the morning so she could make something without meat.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:49
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:It's one meal. OP should have her Thanksgiving at home before she goes. Just go for the company and not focus on the food that much given all the constraints. Pack granola bars and other things that won't spoil during the flight to have as snacks to get through the day.
Actually, it’s not “one meal” She’s arriving on Wednesday evening and probably not leaving until Friday or later. That’s a long to survive on nothing but rolls and granola bars.
She’s a human being and the hosts are being rude by not offering a single side without meat. She should definitely door dash a meal on Thursday. Or go pick up a meal that she can reheat from Whole Foods.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:42
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!
These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.
OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.
That sounds lovely. I’ll just eat the pad Thai and nothing else!
Are you ordering enough for everyone? This would be a bad look to order your own separate meal and just eat that in front of everyone.
And is not a bad look not to prepare a single dish that an out of town guest can eat?
Did OP ask and they said no?
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:42
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It's one meal. OP should have her Thanksgiving at home before she goes. Just go for the company and not focus on the food that much given all the constraints. Pack granola bars and other things that won't spoil during the flight to have as snacks to get through the day.
What kind of a-hole has a guest with a known dietary restriction fly in to visit and expects them to eat granola bars out in their suitcase?!
Where were you people raised?
Who are these people and why is OP even going then?
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:41
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!
These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.
OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.
That sounds lovely. I’ll just eat the pad Thai and nothing else!
Are you ordering enough for everyone? This would be a bad look to order your own separate meal and just eat that in front of everyone.
And is not a bad look not to prepare a single dish that an out of town guest can eat?
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:40
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:It's one meal. OP should have her Thanksgiving at home before she goes. Just go for the company and not focus on the food that much given all the constraints. Pack granola bars and other things that won't spoil during the flight to have as snacks to get through the day.
What kind of a-hole has a guest with a known dietary restriction fly in to visit and expects them to eat granola bars out in their suitcase?!
Where were you people raised?
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:40
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!
These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.
OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.
That sounds lovely. I’ll just eat the pad Thai and nothing else!
Are you ordering enough for everyone? This would be a bad look to order your own separate meal and just eat that in front of everyone.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:38
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!
These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.
OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.
That sounds lovely. I’ll just eat the pad Thai and nothing else!
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:38
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
It's one meal. OP should have her Thanksgiving at home before she goes. Just go for the company and not focus on the food that much given all the constraints. Pack granola bars and other things that won't spoil during the flight to have as snacks to get through the day.
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:37
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Do a search to see what grocery stores might be open Thursday morning and can do a delivery (Walmart, Whole Foods, Amazon fresh, etc) then have something delivered. Tip well. I’m sure you can find something. Or have something delivered from a local restaurant - tofu spring rolls or pho or curry or something.
Actually, how about Japanese curry? Sweet potatoes, onions, white potato, carrots. Have them delivered in the morning. Throw in pressure cooker on stew with a golden curry packet and water. Make rice in rice cooker. Done!
Actually, how about Japanese curry? Sweet potatoes, onions, white potato, carrots. Have them delivered in the morning. Throw in pressure cooker on stew with a golden curry packet and water. Make rice in rice cooker. Done!
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:37
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
It's one meal. OP should have her Thanksgiving at home before she goes. Just go for the company and not focus on the food that much given all the constraints. Pack granola bars and other things that won't spoil during the flight to have as snacks to get through the day.
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
Not OP, and I have definitely experienced this. Once even the rolls had bacon bits. OP wants more than rolls and salad on Thanksgiving, and she's willing to help prepare to make that happen. You all are being jerks.
OP, I think asking if you can make a meat free version of a traditional side is a good idea. My mom has been making Indian style green beans for Thanksgiving for 40+ yearsNow my meat-loving non-Indian ILs think its not Thanksgiving without them
Anonymous
09/27/2025 18:34
Subject: Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.
I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.
You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.
If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.
The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).
Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.
My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!
These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.
OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.