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Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

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This Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf is packed with carrot, celery and onion and features the flavors of thyme and sage, making it the perfect meatless “meatloaf” for the holiday season.
Overhead view of chickpea meatloaf on serving platter with gravy on top

I seriously cannot believe that Thanksgiving is next week. Crazy, right? It feels like just yesterday it was still summer.

And this year, not only will I be celebrating Thanksgiving next Thursday, but I will also be celebrating my birthday. It just happens to fall on Thanksgiving every few years. There’s nothing better than a birthday where you’re expected to eat all day!

A piece of chickpea meatloaf with mashed potatoes and corn on a plate with gravy in the background

I remember (back in my younger years) one Thanksgiving Eve when I went to a nightclub with my friends. They just happened to tell the lead singer of the cover band that was playing that the next day was my birthday. He invited me on stage and in front of the whole room, he asked me, “What’s it like to have your birthday on Thanksgiving?”

I replied, “Well, you get to eat a lot!”

I looked out at the crowd and saw my friends hiding their faces. Hey, at least I was honest! 😉

Eye level view of chickpea meatloaf on serving platter with gravy on top

So, speaking of eating a lot, let’s get back to this vegan “meatloaf.” In addition to chickpeas as the base, this baby is packed with the traditional flavors of the Thanksgiving (and Christmas) holidays such as carrot, celery, onion, thyme and sage. Top it with our vegan and gluten-free Chickpea Flour Gravy and you have a winner of a holiday dinner!

Ladling gravy on a piece of chickpea meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and corn

Learn how to make it

Preheat oven to 400° F. Make flax eggs and set aside. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chopped carrot, celery and onion and season with kosher salt. Cook on medium for 5-7 minutes until onion is translucent. Turn off heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes.

Carrots, celery and onions cooking in a pan

Add chickpeas, thyme, sage, white pepper, kosher salt and the chopped veggie mixture to a food processor. Process on low or pulse until everything is well combined but not pureed, scraping down the sides as needed.

Chickpeas, veggie mixture and seasonings in a food processor

Transfer chickpea mixture to a mixing bowl. Add flax eggs, vegetable broth, gluten-free bread crumbs and chickpea flour and use a spoon to mix in.

Chickpea loaf mixture with bread crumbs, flax eggs and chickpea flour in a mixing bowl

Form the mixture into a loaf shape and press evenly into loaf pan greased with olive oil cooking spray.

Uncooked chickpea loaf in loaf pan

Bake for 45-50 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

Cooked chickpea loaf in loaf pan

Top with gravy and chow down! 😉

Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf
5 from 18 votes
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Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

This Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf is packed with carrot, celery and onion and features the flavors of thyme and sage, making it the perfect meatless "meatloaf" for the holiday season.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword chickpeas, gluten free, meatless monday, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 235 kcal
Author Sherri Hall

Ingredients

  • 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 medium carrots (peeled and chopped)
  • 2 medium celery stalks (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup onion (chopped)
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt (divided into 1/4 and 1/2)
  • (2) 15 oz. cans no salt added chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp ground sage
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free, low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup plain vegan & gluten-free bread crumbs
  • 3 tbsp chickpea flour

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F.

  2. Spray loaf pan with olive oil cooking spray and set aside.

  3. Whisk ground flaxseed and water together with a fork and set aside.

  4. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chopped carrot, celery and onion and season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook on medium for 5-7 minutes until onion is translucent. Turn off heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes.

  5. Add chickpeas, thyme, sage, white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and the chopped veggie mixture to a food processor. Process on low or pulse until everything is well combined but not pureed, scraping down the sides as needed.

  6. Transfer chickpea mixture to a mixing bowl. Use a spoon to stir in flax eggs, vegetable broth, gluten-free bread crumbs and chickpea flour.

  7. Form the mixture into a loaf shape and press evenly into greased loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. 

  8. Allow to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Please note that nutrition facts for this recipe were calculated without gravy or any other condiments. 

In addition, the nutrition calculator used did not make accommodations for low-sodium vegetable broth or no salt added chickpeas.

Nutrition Facts
Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
Amount Per Serving
Calories 235 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 767mg 32%
Potassium 359mg 10%
Total Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Dietary Fiber 9g 36%
Sugars 1g
Protein 9g 18%
Vitamin A 70%
Vitamin C 2.8%
Calcium 9%
Iron 16.3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below. And if you make this recipe, tag @watchlearneat in your photos on Instagram. 🙂

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. You are killin’ it lately with the chickpeas, Sherri! I had no idea you could use chickpeas to create a meatloaf…or a chickpealoaf? 🙂 We have a good friend here whose birthday rotates around Thanksgiving as well. It’s fun to celebrate both at the same time, but he notes that they’re always traveling to visit family for Thanksgiving and sometimes he just wants to be at home. I get that! Either way, I hope you have a wonderful birthday and Thanksgiving this year! 🙂

    Reply

    • I am finding I can make almost anything with chickpeas! They are so versatile! I am lucky I get to stay at home for Thanksgiving and do all the cooking…lol 😉 Thank you so much for the birthday and Thanksgiving wishes and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

      Reply


  7. Love all of the Thanksgiving flavors in this vegan loaf. Plus it’s packed with a lot of protein and fiber. That’s a win-win!

    Reply


  9. How terrific! I really have been thinking a lot lately about how difficult it is for my vegetarian and vegan friends (and readers) at the holidays. So often, there isn’t really a special main dish for them to look forward to, and they’re sort of just forgotten and left to cobble together a meal out of whatever side dishes work for them. Not very fun! This yummy loaf is a perfect solution – so full of great flavors and truly a main dish to look forward to eating! I’m really excited to find this recipe, and definitely pinning to share, as well! Thanks – and happy holidays!

    Reply


  10. My granddaughter’s birthday was on Thanksgiving this year, so I imagine it will often be on Thanksgiving and she will get to eat a lot too! This loaf looks wonderful!

    Reply

  11. I love chickpeas too find it so versatile! Such a hearty and healthy “meatloaf”. Love it !

    Reply


  16. This is such a great idea, it’s great to have a couple of veggie recipes under your sleeve for special occasions.

    Reply


  18. Oh WOW! How delish does this look!!! I’ve never made a loaf like this…especially vegan and gluten free all in one! Looks amazing and I’m definately going to give it a try!

    Reply

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