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. Pictured above, Black Rice with Corn and Cranberries; photo by Susan Voisin.
APPETIZERS & DRINKS
- Rosemary Roasted Mushrooms
- Smoky Cheddar Cheez
- Spinach and Cucumber Spread
- White Bean and Sun-Dried Tomato Pâté
- Spiced Cranberry Nog
- Veggnog
- See also 8 Easy, Amazing Vegan Appetizers- VegKitchen’s Favorites
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
- Massaged Kale Salad with Cranberries and Cashews
- Fruity Kale Salad
- Pear and Toasted Walnut Salad
- Roasted Root Vegetable Salad
- Wild Rice Salad with Corn and Black-Eyed Peas
Spinach, Orange, and Red Cabbage Salad; photo by Hannah Kaminsky
- Leek And Corn Stuffed Peppers
- Quinoa, Black Bean, and Corn Stuffed Peppers
- Roasted Seitan, Peppers, and Portabellas
- Hearty Vegetable Pot Pie
- Ravioli in Sweet Potato Sauce
- Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
- Sweet Potato and Edamame Shepherd’s Pie
- Classic Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
- Roasted Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
- Quinoa, Broccoli, and Vegan Cheese Casserole
- Silken Tofu or White Bean Scalloped Potatoes
- Mozzarella Mashed Potato Pie
- Curried Sweet Potatoes with Chard and Chickpeas
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
- Pan-Seared Winter Squash and Fresh Corn
- Bulgur and Sweet Potato Pilaf
- Glazed Baked Onions
Simple quinoa pilaf with peas and almonds
DESSERTS
- Cocoa Mock-Mince Pie
- Chocolate Chip-Pear Bread
- Orange-Cranberry Muffins or Mini-Loaves
- Pineapple-Orange Ambrosia
- Stewed Spiced Pears in Red Wine
- Pear and Apple Crumble
- Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
- Gingered Winter Fruit Medley
- 12 Days of Vegan Christmas Cookies
- 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.
‘Veggnog’ – LOVE it!
Great site and love your recipes and all the beautiful pictures. Any suggestion for my Xmas guests who are vegan, gluten free, grain free ?
Hi Patrice, how nice of you to want to accommodate your guests! VegKitchen has a huge array of GF recipes. The choice is yours: http://www.vegkitchen.com/tips/healthy-eating-tips-tips/vegkitchens-gluten-free-vegan-recipes/
My daughter and her boyfriend are both Vegan. My son, youngest daughter and I are not. So, I will be serving a turkey but need to make a meal that they can eat as well, I work overnight so it can’t be too hard to make. (the turkey cooks while I sleep). Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks
I love your site by the way.
Hi Louise — whenever I talk about vegan holiday meals attended by those of varying culinary persuasions, I encourage the vegans to bring a main dish with plenty to share. This way, everyone is happy, and the non-vegans get to see how yummy vegan fare can be! But it this isn’t happening in this case, I’d recommend the hearty vegetable pot pies — http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/everyday-meals/contemporary-casseroles/hearty-vegetable-pot-pie/ — as once you’ve got the potatoes baked ahead of time, it comes together easily. Black Rice with Corn and Cranberries is seriously delicious, and so easy to make, again, once you’ve got the rice cooked: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/glorious-grains/black-rice-with-corn-and-cranberries/ Quick Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili is another good and fast one, and one that can be shared with everyone at the table. Have a great holiday!