Vegan Christmas Recipes (Vegetarians Welcome!)
Choosing festive and colorful recipes for a vegan Christmas dinner menu (suitable for any vegetarian as well) — as well as desserts and appetizers — doesn’t have to be difficult. VegKitchen is here to help with healthy holiday party fare! Feasting with family and friends, so central to this beloved holiday is made all the merrier when compassion is paired with the abundance of the season. Here’s a mix-and-match list to make planning your holiday gatherings easier and healthier.
APPETIZERS & DRINKS
- Rosemary Roasted Mushrooms
- Smoky Cheddar Cheez
- Spinach and Cucumber Spread
- White Bean and Sun-Dried Tomato Pâté
- Spiced Cranberry Nog
- Veggnog
Smoky Cheddar Cheez; photo by Hannah Kaminsky
SEASONAL SALADS
- Mixed Greens Salad with Beets and Walnuts
- Spinach, Orange, and Red Cabbage Salad
- Contemporary Waldorf Salad
- Cranberry Slaw
- Cabbage, Apple, and Raisin Slaw
Spinach, Orange, and Red Cabbage Salad; photo by Hannah Kaminsky
- Leek And Corn Stuffed Peppers
- Seitan “Meat and Potatoes” Stew
- Hearty Vegetable Pot Pie
- Baked Risotto
- Tortellini or Ravioli in Sweet Potato Sauce
- Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
- Pan-Seared Winter Squash and Fresh Corn
- Bulgur and Sweet Potato Pilaf
- Sweet Potato and Edamame Shepherd’s Pie
Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie; photo by Susan Voisin
SEASONAL SIDE DISHES
[If you don't want to add another recipe to make to your holiday meal, you can always serve a green veggie like broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts, simply prepared with a little olive oil and garlic]
- Wild Rice Pilaf With Apples and Pecans
- Quinoa with Caulflower, Cranberries, and Pine Nuts
- Simple Quinoa Pilaf with Peas and Almonds
- Sautéed Red Cabbage
- Soy and Agave-Glazed Winter Squash
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Orange-Glazed Beets
- Black Rice with Corn and Cranberries
- Black Lentil Celery Couscous with Jeweled Fruit
Black Rice with Corn and Cranberries; photo by Susan Voisin
DESSERTS
- Cocoa Mock-Mince Pie
- Chocolate Chip-Pear Bread
- Fresh Apple Cake
- Orange-Cranberry Muffins or Mini-Loaves
- Pineapple-Orange Ambrosia
- Stewed Spiced Pears in Red Wine
- Pear and Apple Crumble
- Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
- Here are more tips for keeping the Holidays and Special Occasions healthy!
- For lots more features on healthy lifestyle, please explore VegKitchen’s Healthy Vegan Kitchen page.
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Wow, was really worried my vegan family members would not have anything special for Christmas. Just found this wonderful sight and now I’m really excited to get cooking. Well done and thank you.
hi..
good blog for veg recipe and kitchen tips. i approciate it.
my cousin made this for me on xmas. LOVED it!! thank you vegkitchen
Which specific recipe did your cousin make, Evie? Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful Recipes, I’m new to the world of Vegan Living and this is our first Christmas. This is great ideas for the holiday and all year long. I love them all. Merry Christmas to all.
Lo, best wishes for your first plant-based holiday season!
This will be our First all Vegan Christmas and I am really glad to have seen your site. One question: any suggestions on how to make or purchase your own seitan? I would really like to start making my own vegan meat preparations instead of always purchasing ones that are high in fat content.
Thanks, great recipes!
Hi Sheila, as long as you and your guests don’t have issues with gluten or wheat allergies, you’re good to go, as seitan is pure wheat gluten. Here’s a recipe on VegKitchen for homemade seitan: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/homemade-seitan/ — it’s not difficult, but you’ve got to get a bit of a feel for it. Ready-made seitan is available in natural foods stores and food co-ops; not as many supermarkets, but that depends on where you live. You might also enjoy trying Sweet and Smoky Tofu or Tempeh Strips: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/tofu-tempeh-and-seitan/sweet-and-smoky-tofu-or-tempeh-strips/ —these have a subtly “meaty” aspect, without being overly meat like. I think that the problems with commercial meat substitutes is that they’re high in sodium and often made with soy protein isolate, which is junk. Enjoy your all-vegan Christmas!!!
I was looking what to prepare my family this Christmas and found your site. I am grateful for the posting!
Thanks, Hann! Enjoy the holiday.