Vegan Weenie Roast

Turns out you CAN teach an old dog a new trick! Rubbery, tasteless vegan hot dogs (or “NOT-dogs” as some folks like to call them) are a thing of the past. We’ve come a long way, baby, and now you can find a variety of delicious dogs that were made without animal suffering. Most healthy grocery stores have several options to choose from; some are made with soy and others with wheat. Choose a brand (Field Roast and Tofurkey are two favorites), make a variety of gourmet toppings to create theme-dogs, and be sure to invite some friends or family members. A vegan weenie roast is way too much fun to keep to yourself! Check out some of these ideas, or create your own: Love chili dogs? Try this mushroom-lentil chili dog–full of flavor, heat, and texture. It’s what hot dogs were made for! Mexi-Cali Dog: creamy guacamole, crisp sprouts, and fresh tomatillo salsa. Make things simple, buy the guacamole and salsa or if you’ve got the time, make yours fresh. Shiitake “Bacon”, Mac & Cheeze Dog: Make Buffalo Mac ‘n Cheese using butternut squash then top with roasted, salty shiitake “bacon” crisps. Boston BBQ Dog: Brush your hot dog with your favorite BBQ sauce before grilling, then top with sweet & tangy vegan baked beans (check the label for pork fat or other animal ingredients) and crunchy vegan coleslaw. Rocky Balboa Italian Stallion Dog: make vegan Italian sausage instead of hot dogs then grill up some onions and peppers in foil with dried oregano & basil. Assemble and eat! A popular favorite at the Sanctuary is the Reuben Dog. Caramelized onions, vegan sliced cheese, Russian dressing, and sauerkraut are reminiscent of the sandwich, but work even better on a hot dog! Just use your imagination, and you can create all kinds of fixins’ that will make your vegan weenie roast the talk of the town.