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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf [Vegan]

    Published: Nov 9, 2020 by Sherri Hall · This post may contain affiliate links.

    pin showing overhead of loaf with gravy

    This flavorful chickpea veggie loaf is packed with carrot, celery and onion and features the flavors of thyme and sage, making it the perfect vegan main course for any holiday such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and more! This meatless main is gluten-free and nut-free too and has an oil-free option.

    Jump to Recipe
    holiday chickpea veggie loaf on platter topped with gravy

    This chickpea loaf is the perfect gluten-free and vegan alternative to turkey this Thanksgiving.

    This tasty main is loaded with the traditional flavors of the holidays such as carrot, celery, onion, thyme and sage.

    And it pairs perfectly with this gluten-free and vegan chickpea flour gravy that is a hit with vegans and omnivores alike.

    It's truly a winner of a holiday dinner!

    overhead of sliced loaf with gravy on serving platter

    How to make this holiday chickpea veggie loaf

    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 salt.

    Cook on medium for 5-7 minutes until onion is translucent and vegetables begin to soften.

    Turn off heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes.

    For the oil-free option, cook veggies with vegan white wine or vegetable broth.

    celery, carrots and onion cooking in non-stick pan

    Add chickpeas, thyme, sage, white pepper, 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 a loaf pan greased with olive oil cooking spray.

    chickpea loaf formed in a loaf pan

    Alternatively (and for the oil-free option), you use parchment paper to line the loaf pan.

    uncooked loaf in parchment-lined loaf pan

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

    Cooked chickpea loaf in loaf pan
    loaf in parchment-lined loaf pan after cooking

    Slice and serve.

    loaf with one slice cut off on serving platter

    Top with our chickpea flour gravy or your favorite gravy recipe and enjoy!

    front view of sliced loaf with gravy on serving platter

    If you are looking for an oil-free gravy, check out this 911 vegan gravy from Fat Free Vegan Kitchen or this magical vegan turkey(less) gravy from Plant Power Couple.

    Storing leftovers

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    If desired, line the bottom of the container with leftover gravy and top the pieces of chickpea loaf with some more before freezing.

    You can also cover the container with plastic wrap before sealing with the lid to avoid freezer burning.

    Reheating leftovers

    Reheat leftovers in a 400° F oven in a covered casserole dish that has been lightly coated with olive oil spray until warmed throughout.

    Alternatively, you can place leftover pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover and cook in a 400° F oven until thoroughly heated.

    You can also microwave the leftovers in a covered microwave-safe dish in 30-second intervals until warmed throughout, but note that the loaf will get mushy using this method.

    If you have frozen the leftovers, be sure to allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

    More gluten-free, vegan holiday recipes

    • Maple Dijon Baked Tempeh
    • Vegan Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
    • Apple Walnut Stuffing
    • Vegan Green Bean Casserole
    • Vegan Cranberry Sauce
    • Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate
    • Vegan Mac and Cheese
    • Vegan Pear Crisp
    • Pumpkin Pie Truffles
    • Sugar Cookie Truffles
    overhead close-up of loaf with gravy on platter
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    5 from 21 votes

    Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf

    This flavorful chickpea veggie loaf is packed with carrot, celery and onion and features the flavors of thyme and sage, making it the perfect vegan main course for any holiday such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and more!  This meatless main is gluten-free and nut-free too and has an oil-free option. Serve topped with our chickpea flour gravy for the ultimate flavor combination!
    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 -8
    Calories 225kcal
    Author Sherri Hall

    Ingredients

    • olive oil spray, for greasing the loaf pan (omit for oil-free option)
    • 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed whisked with 6 tablespoons water and left to set for at least 10 minutes)
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil (for the oil-free option, use ¼ cup vegan dry white wine or vegetable broth)
    • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
    • 2 medium celery stalks, chopped
    • ¼ cup onion, chopped
    • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt salt, divided (plus more to taste, if desired)
    • (2) 15 oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 2 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon ground sage
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
    • ¼ cup gluten-free vegetable broth (ensure broth is oil-free for oil-free option; if you use a low sodium broth, you may want to add more salt to the chickpea mixture)
    • ¼ cup plain vegan & gluten-free bread crumbs
    • 3 tablespoon chickpea flour (aka garbanzo bean flour)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400° F.
    • Spray loaf pan with olive oil cooking spray and set aside. For the oil-free option, line loaf pan with parchment paper.
    • Whisk ground flaxseed and water together with a fork and set aside.
    • Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chopped carrot, celery and onion and season with ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook on medium for 5-7 minutes until onion is translucent and vegetables begin to soften. For the oil-free option, add veggies and wine or broth and cook over medium heat until onion is translucent and vegetables begin to soften (this method may take a few extra minutes). Turn off heat and let stand for 1-2 minutes.
    • Add chickpeas, thyme, sage, white pepper, *½ teaspoon 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.
    • Transfer chickpea mixture to a mixing bowl. Use a spoon to stir in flax eggs, vegetable broth, gluten-free bread crumbs and chickpea flour.
    • Form the mixture into a loaf shape and press evenly into greased or parchment-lined loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. 
    • Allow to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed topped with gluten-free, vegan gravy.

    (Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

    Suggested Equipment/Tools

    Food Processor

    Notes

    *You may want to add more salt to the chickpea loaf mixture, especially if you are using a low sodium vegetable broth. You can taste test after mixing and add more as desired.
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If desired, line the bottom of the container with leftover gravy and top the pieces of chickpea loaf with some more before freezing. You can also cover the container with plastic wrap before sealing with the lid to avoid freezer burning.
    Reheat leftovers in a 400° F oven in a covered casserole dish that has been lightly coated with olive oil spray until warmed throughout. Alternatively, you can place leftover pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover and cook in a 400° F oven until thoroughly heated. You can also microwave the leftovers in a covered microwave-safe dish in 30-second intervals until warmed throughout, but note that the loaf will get mushy using this method. If you have frozen the leftovers, be sure to allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
    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 include the olive oil spray for greasing the loaf pan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 8g

    This post originally appeared on Watch Learn Eat on November 14, 2018. It has been republished to reflect both recipe and photo revisions. Some changes to the story were also made.

    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and images are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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    1. Analida Braeger

      December 20, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      Wow. What a treat to serve to my vegetarian friends at Christmas parties. Usually they bring their own protein...not this time! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        December 21, 2018 at 7:40 am

        Thank you Analida! I hope they enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Farwin | Love & other Spices

      December 20, 2018 at 11:18 am

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

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        December 20, 2018 at 12:19 pm

        Yay chickpeas! Thank you Farwin! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Pam Greer

      December 19, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      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
      • Sherri Hall

        December 20, 2018 at 10:00 am

        Thanks so much, Pam! I suppose your granddaughter and I share a birthday then! 🙂 Happy Holidays!

        Reply
    4. Shelley

      December 19, 2018 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      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
      • Sherri Hall

        December 20, 2018 at 12:18 pm

        Thank you Shelley! And thanks so much for sharing too! 🙂 Happy Holidays to you as well!

        Reply
    5. Eva MacDuff

      November 27, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      So quick to prepare and yummy 😛

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        November 27, 2018 at 12:58 pm

        Thanks Eva! Glad you enjoyed! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Marisa

      November 15, 2018 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      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
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 9:02 pm

        Thank you Marisa! A winner for sure! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Alina | Cooking Journey Blog

      November 15, 2018 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      So cool, never thought it is possible to make such a delicious loaf dinner (oh, and that sauce!)

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 8:59 pm

        Thank you Alina! 🙂

        Reply
    8. David @ Spiced

      November 15, 2018 at 1:28 pm

      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
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 8:58 pm

        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
    9. Kathy Henderson

      November 15, 2018 at 1:25 pm

      5 stars
      All of your recipes look so intriguing and delicious!!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 8:57 pm

        Thank you so much, Kathy! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Allison

      November 15, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious! I have several vegetarians in my family, I will have to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 8:54 pm

        Thanks Allison! Hope you enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Annissa

      November 15, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      Love that this is a healthy version of loaf recipe loaded with great flavor combinations! Yum!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 8:50 pm

        Thank you Annissa!

        Reply
    12. Jennifer | SavorwithJennifer

      November 15, 2018 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! All my favorite Thanksgiving Day flavors. This looks perfect for my veggie loving friends. So happy to find something that I know they will love.

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        November 15, 2018 at 12:32 pm

        Thank you so much, Jennifer! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

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