If you're planning a vegan Christmas dinner, you've come to the right place! I've rounded up all my favorite holiday worthy vegan recipes right here.
The best part of the holiday season has always been the food. Ok, fine. All the family togetherness is nice and all too. But really we're there to eat, right? 😉
And there's no reason for us plant based eaters to be left out of the fun. So I've gathered up all my favorite vegan Christmas recipes here. From appetizers to meatless main dishes to indulgent vegan desserts - there's something for everyone!
And if you're here planning your holiday menu, don't forget to check out our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
Best Vegan Christmas Recipes
Here's a mix-and-match list of festive and colorful vegan Christmas recipes to make planning your holiday gatherings easier and healthier.
Vegan Appetizers
These plant-centric appetizers are the perfect way to start off your vegan Christmas feast!
Vegan Charcuterie Board
Ok, fine. It's not really charcuterie if it's vegan. But this gorgeous vegan snack board is the perfect way to kick off any celebration.
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
This vegan-friendly spinach artichoke dip is packed with fresh, flavorful ingredients and only takes 30 minutes to throw together!
Lentil Fritters with Garlic Sauce
These tasty lentil cakes are loaded with mushrooms, garlic, lentils, quinoa, walnuts, and more! Perfect for snacking.
Puff Pastry Tomato Tart
This light and flaky tomato tart is so pretty and only takes 30 minutes to make. And it's totally vegan if you use a vegan puff pastry!
Vegan Crab Cakes
These easy vegan "crab cakes" are packe with delicious garbanzo beans, artichokes, and cajun seasoning
Smoky Vegan Cheddar Cheez
You can make this vegan "cheese" spread in no time. Serve it up with your favorite crackers or slices of fresh veggies for a healthy starter.
Spinach and Cucumber Dip
One of my old favorites, this tasty spinach spread, with hints of dill and crisp cucumber, never loses its charm. Perfect with fresh veggies on a snack tray!
White Bean and Sun-Dried Tomato Pâté
Here’s an old standby that never fails to please — a savory spread based on creamy white beans, accentuated with sun-dried tomatoes.
Vegan Salads
These hearty vegan salads are the perfect way to add some greens to the Christmas table!
Kale Avocado Salad (with Lemon Dijon Dressing!)
This fresh salad is loaded with fresh kale, white beans, sunflower seeds, avocado, drizzled with a lemon dijon dressing.
Chickpea Avocado Salad with Tahini Maple Dressing
This creamy chopped salad is ready in under 20 minutes and topped with a sweet Tahini Maple Dressing.
Roast Beetroot Salad with Lentils, Fennel and Blood Orange
This beautiful vegan Roast Beetroot Salad with Lentils, Fennel and Blood Orange with a Blood Orange Dressing will brighten up your holiday table.
Vegan Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a family favorite - and this vegan version is loaded with fresh veggies and a tasty tofu "feta".
Massaged Kale Salad with Cranberries and Cashews
This Massaged Kale Salad with Cranberries and Cashews is luscious, festive, and just as welcome for every day as well as holiday meals. Its colors make it especially nice for a vegan Christmas meal.
Hearty Vegan Main Dishes
These Christmas-worthy main dishes are vegan friendly and ready to be the star of the show!
Vegan Lentil Meatloaf with Tomato Glaze
This vegan lentil loaf is filled with healthy flavor from lentils and veggies, and topped with a savory tomato glaze.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Gnocchi was almost my favorite dish growing up, and this vegan version will not disappoint. Made with just 5 ingredients and fancy enough for Christmas dinner.
Vegan Baked Mac And Cheese
For a kid-friendly vegan main dish, you can't go wrong with this flavorful and creamy vegan mac and cheese.
Vegan Bolognese Sauce
Serve up an Italian-inspired Christmas feast with this hearty vegan bolognese sauce, paired with your favorite pasta.
Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
A 30 minute main dish that is sure to be a holiday hot! Breaded eggplant is baked until crispy and served up with marinara sauce and noodles. Yum!
Vegan Mushroom Wellington Recipe
Juicy mushrooms take center stage in this vegan mushroom wellington - a fun spin on the classic beef wellington.
Vegan "Ham" Recipe
his impressive and realistic vegan "ham" is guaranteed to impress as a centerpiece at any holiday feast.
Vegan Nut Roast
This vegan roast is packed with veggies, almonds, pecans, and pistachios. And it's gluten free too.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Tahini Sauce
Ther's something so impressive about serving up a whole roasted cauliflower head. And this one couldn't be tastier thanks to the homemade tahini sauce!
Hearty Vegetable Pot Pie
Everyone loves the nostalgic classic, vegetable pot pie. Many VegKitchen readers have let us know that this mild dish of hearty veggies enclosed in pie crust is on their regular cool-weather meal rotation; it's also a crowd-pleasing vegan option for a Thanksgiving or Christmas menu.
Ravioli in Sweet Potato Sauce
Sweet potato sauce for pasta? Try it and see! Serve with colorful sautéed bell peppers and zucchini for a more colorful, veggie-packed meal. This is a nice company dish, so if you'd like more servings, simply double the recipe.
Sweet Potato and Edamame Shepherd's Pie
This vegan sweet potato variation on shepherd's pie makes a festive holiday centerpiece, especially for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Curried Sweet Potatoes with Chard and Chickpeas
A superb fusion of flavors permeates this nourishing harvest dish of sweet potatoes and chard. Serve like a stew in shallow bowls, accompanied by warm flatbread.
Vegan Side Dishes
These vegan friendly holiday side dishes are so good they may just be the star of the show!
Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
No one will miss the marshmallows when you serve up this delicious vegan sweet potato casserole. Packed with fall flavors and the perfect crunchy topping.
Vegan Mashed Potatoes
It's not a holiday feast without mashed potatoes, and this vegan-ized recipe is so rich and creamy, you'd never guess it's dairy free.
Vegan Biscuits
Fresh homemade biscuits are a must at any holiday celebration! These are light, fluffy, and irresistible.
Roasted Veggies with Vegan Cheese Sauce
Even the kids will eat those veggies when they're roasted and tossed in this creamy vegan cheese sauce.
Vegetable Terrine
This gorgeous vegetable terrine is loaded with roasted veggies like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers.
Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon, Garlic, and Herbs
This simple roasted cauliflower is loaded with flavor from lemon, garlic, and herbs.
Quinoa with Cauliflower, Cranberries, and Nuts
This pilaf combines two perfect ingredients - cauliflower and quinoa. And it's easy to make in advance too!
Simple Quinoa Pilaf with Peas and Almonds
Lots of peas and toasted almonds combined with quinoa add up to a tasty and nourishing pilaf.
Maple-Glazed Winter Squash
This roasted butternut squash is tossed in a flavorful soy and maple glaze. It's a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and a whole lot of delicious.
Roasted Potatoes and Tomatoes with Rosemary
This recipe for Roasted Potatoes and Tomatoes with Rosemary is just pure comfort food!
Glazed Baked Onions
Slow-baking onions gives them a mellow sweetness. Glazed Baked Onions make a nice side dish for a holiday feast.
Vegan Holiday Desserts
These vegan desserts are so rich and indulgent, no one would ever know they're completely vegan!
Vegan Hummingbird Cake
This layered cake is packed full of crushed pineapple, coconut, bananas and topped with a silky smooth vegan cream cheese frosting!
Vegan Tiramisu
No dairy in this tiramisu - just plenty of creamy, delicious flavor.
Vegan Thumbprint Cookies
These 5 ingredient cookies are the perfect Christmas cookies - with a juicy jam filled center.
Vegan Banana Pudding
Full of sweet banana flavor, this pudding is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
These homemade vegan peanut butter cups are made using just 6 ingredients and taste better than store-brought.
Vegan Sweet Potato Brownies
What could be better than brownies? Sweet potato brownies, of course!
No-Bake Vegan Lemon Bars
These No-Bake Vegan Lemon Bars require just six ingredients and are loaded with zesty flavor!
Orange-Cranberry Muffins
These delicious and healthy vegan muffins or mini-loaves prove that pairing orange and cranberry makes for a lively flavor combination in baked goods. For winter holiday baking or giving, this batter is nice made into mini-loaves.
Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake
This totally delectable, moist vegan chocolate cake is our family’s favorite for special occasions.
I hope you found the perfect additions to your vegan Christmas menu. For more inspiration, check out all of my vegan Christmas recipes, and these delicious ideas:
Also try: our Vegan Pot Pie Casserole.
Also try: our Pumpkin Mac Cheese.
Also try: our Creamy Pasta And Butternut Squash Casserole.
And for the easiest holiday yet, don't forget to check out my complete Vegan Christmas cookbook!
Julie G says
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.
Recipe says
hi..
good blog for veg recipe and kitchen tips. i approciate it.
Evie says
my cousin made this for me on xmas. LOVED it!! thank you vegkitchen 🙂
Nava says
Which specific recipe did your cousin make, Evie? Glad you enjoyed it!
Lo says
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.
Nava says
Lo, best wishes for your first plant-based holiday season!
Sheila says
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!
Nava says
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!!!
Hann says
I was looking what to prepare my family this Christmas and found your site. I am grateful for the posting!
Nava says
Thanks, Hann! Enjoy the holiday.
Somerset Wedding Gal says
'Veggnog' - LOVE it!
Patrice says
Great site and love your recipes and all the beautiful pictures. Any suggestion for my Xmas guests who are vegan, gluten free, grain free ?
Nava says
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/
Louise says
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.
Nava says
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!
Hurley says
This is my first vegan xmas and this means a lot. I'm only 15 and nobody else in my family is vegan or even vegetarian, so I better get my cooking skills on! Where do I get the smoked tofu stuff from, it sounds nice.
Nava says
Hurley — you can find smoked tofu at natural foods stores. If you can't find it, any variety of baked tofu works. One of my favorite brands is Soy Boy. Good luck and enjoy your first vegan Christmas!
Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says
Hi nava!
I am currently writing an article about the top 5 best vegan Christmas dinner ideas. I would like to provide a link to your website, as one of the ideas, since you have such an abundance of options for Christmas here! Can I use one of your pictures, in the section where I talk about your website, while clearly writing the source and linking back to your site? I would use one of the pictures from this article.
Thank you for your help!
Cecilie
Nava says
Cecile — of course! Thanks for asking, and thanks for spreading the plant-based love.
Lea says
Hi, my big cousin and I are both vegan, and our family are not understanding. And this year, we have to make our own Christmas dinner, I was trying to find recipes but none sounded appetizing. Then I found this website and we are both so excited to try these recipes!! Thank you!!
Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says
Thank you so much nava! I will send a link to the finished article here, when it's done. Just a question: Are all the pictures yours? One of them says photo by Hannah Kaminsky. It was actually the one I was going to add to the article under the section about your website. Do you own the rights of this picture or is it better I use another one? (since I only have the permission to share from you and not from Hannah).
Thank you for your help!
Nava says
Cecille — Hannah's photos become the property of VegKitchen once they're published. So as long as you credit them and link back to VK, we're good to go!
Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says
Thank you so much for your help, Nava 🙂 I have now published the article, you can see it here: http://astoryoffreedom.net/plant-based-christmas-dinner-ideas
Let me know if you desire that I refer to your site in any other way.
Thank you so much for letting me refer to your site with a picture, it makes it look so much better ( and probably makes people click through the links to your site more than the others! ).
All the best and Merry Christmas to you!
Cecilie
Nava says
Thanks so much for spreading the plant-based love, Cecille! Happy holidays to you as well.
Nava says
So happy that you found this useful, Lea — and hope it helped you and yours enjoy the holiday meal!
yesenia says
A family member recently discovered she is allergic/intolerant to dairy. So, I've been stressing over the upcoming holidays.
I can't wait to try some of these and hope they turn out picture perfect in my kitchen!
Nava says
I hope you and yours enjoy these for the holiday season!
Bob says
Hi ... I've been asked to make a vegan cake for Christmas, does any one have a good recipe ... bob
Nava says
Hi Bob, you'll find lots of easy vegan cakes and pies here: http://www.vegkitchen.com/category/recipes/vegan-baking-and-sweets/cakes-and-pies/
Jane says
Great recipes! I'd like to prepare healthier meals for our Christmas Dinner. Less meat, more vegetables and wholesome food.