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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Recipes

    Best Vegan Christmas Recipes

    Published: Dec 1, 2011 · Updated: Nov 23, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    recipes for a vegan Christmas dinner menu
    recipes for a vegan Christmas dinner menu
    recipes for a vegan Christmas dinner menu
    recipes for a vegan Christmas dinner menu

    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.

    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.

    APPETIZERS & DRINKS

    Rosemary Roasted Mushrooms

    Here's a delicious roasted mushroom appetizer that can also be used as a first course for your Christmas dinner menu.

    Smoky Vegan Cheddar Cheez

    You can make this vegan cheese-y appetizer as a spread in no time, or let it set up into slices. I like it both ways and hope that you will, too.

    Spinach and Cucumber Spread or Dip

    One of my old favorites, this tasty spinach spread, with hints of dill and crisp cucumber, never loses its charm.

    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.

    Spiced Cranberry Nog

    A knock-your-socks-off festive holiday beverage, this unique take-off on eggnog lights up with a tangy edge and an inviting powder puff pink color thanks to the season’s bountiful cranberry harvest.

    Creamy Veggnog 

    Eggnog is the official beverage of December. It's rare to encounter it any other time, and it truly is Christmas spirit in a cup. We were so pleased when we whipped up this vegan eggnog recipe and created an egg-free version to sip with some spiced rum or on its own.

    See also 8 Easy, Amazing Vegan Appetizers- VegKitchen's Favorites

    SEASONAL SALADS

    Mixed Green Salad with Beets and Walnuts

    This simple mixed green salad with beets and walnuts makes a delicious light yet filling meal. Marinated beets add plenty of flavor to this winter salad, and the walnuts add a satisfying crunch!

    Spinach, Orange, and Red Cabbage Salad

    Here’s a gorgeous salad of spinach, red cabbage, and oranges that adds a burst of color and nutrition to the plate. It's a quick salad for everyday meals and is equally welcome as part of a vegan Thanksgiving feast.

    Contemporary Waldorf Salad

    An American classic, Waldorf salad is a crunchy mixture of apples, walnuts and celery. This version is updated with vegan mayonnaise and a bed of baby greens.

    Cranberry Slaw

    This delicious coleslaw is easy to make with pre-shredded cabbage (make sure to get the kind with added carrots), though you're welcome to use a combination of fresh green and red cabbage, as suggested in the variation. This is welcome as an everyday salad, yet is festive enough to serve with holiday meals.

    Festive Cabbage, Apple, and Raisin Slaw

    This colorful and naturally sweet slaw is a medley of cabbage, apples, and raisins with an appealing crunch. Make this recipe for everyday as well as holiday meals.

    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 Thanksgiving or Christmas meal.

    Fruity Kale Salad

    This simple and beautiful massaged kale salad provides a gorgeous burst of color for every day or special occasion meals (festive enough to include in a vegetarian/vegan Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner menu).

    Pear and Toasted Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

    This salad recipe has flavors that speak eloquently of autumn—pears, walnuts, bitter greens, and cranberries. It's a welcome addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas menus, as well.

    Roasted Root Vegetable Salad

    Root vegetables are so abundant in the fall, and come in so many earthy hues. Since they taste just as good at room temperature as they do hot, they’re presented here in an altogether appetizing salad. 

    Wild Rice Salad with Corn and Black-Eyed Peas

    This hearty wild rice salad, embellished with corn, black-eyed peas, veggies, and herbs, is an invigorating melange of flavors, textures and colors. It's an attractive dish to serve at room temperature, any time of year, at buffets, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.

    HEARTY MAIN DISHES

    Leek and Corn Stuffed Peppers

    This festive leek and corn stuffed peppers makes an attractive centerpiece for special occasion dinners like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

    Quinoa, Black Bean, and Corn-Stuffed Peppers

    Quinoa, black beans, and corn add up to a hearty filling for vegan stuffed peppers. A simple coleslaw or other slaw-style salad goes well with these, whether or not you serve with roasted vegetables. 

    Roasted Seitan, Peppers, and Portobellos

    This hearty Roasted Seitan, Peppers, and Portobellos dish is super easy to throw together, yet festive enough for special occasions. It makes for a great centerpiece for vegan Easter dinner or a Christmas menu!

    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.

    Vegan Shepherd's Pie with Lentils and Mushrooms

    This vegan shepherd's pie is a bit of a project but not at all difficult, and definitely worth it for a special occasion or holiday meal. This is a perfect vegan main dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner!

    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.

    Classic Veggie Shepherd’s Pie

    This delicious classic casserole, a vegetable-filled shepherd's pie may not qualify as a quick dish to make when you come home from work, it’s a comforting weekend meal. It’s substantial and filling.

    Roasted Sweet Potato Macaroni and "Cheese"

    This mac and cheese is 100% vegan and so healthy! The ‘cheese’ in this recipe is a combination of roasted sweet potato, mustard, and nutritional yeast. The result is a nostalgic mac and cheese with a grown up edge and a rich, creamy, and satisfying dish!

    Vegan Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

    This easy vegan broccoli quinoa casserole of made out of quinoa, broccoli, and vegan cheese makes for a dish that's both nourishing and comforting.

    Silken Tofu or White Bean Scalloped Potatoes

    Here’s a deceptively rich-tasting version of scalloped potatoes. Simple and comforting, it's a great Thanksgiving dish for the vegans in the family, especially if you have your potatoes prepared beforehand.

    Mozzarella Mashed Potato Pie

    Here's one of my earliest comfort food favorites, a casserole-like dish of mashed potatoes and melted cheese, now veganized, from Vegetariana.

    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.

    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 and Brown Rice Pilaf With Apples and Pecans

    This makes a great stuffing for squashes or peppers, as well as serving as a hearty side dish for 8 or more at the vegan Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table.

    Quinoa with Cauliflower, Cranberries, and Nuts

    This pilaf combines two companionable ingredients—cauliflower and quinoa. If you can plan ahead, having cooked quinoa and chopped cauliflower makes this dish a breeze to put together.

    Simple Quinoa Pilaf with Peas and Almonds

    Lots of peas and toasted almonds combined with quinoa add up to a tasty and nourishing pilaf.

    Sautéed Red Cabbage

    This wine-scented dish of red cabbage and onion is a cheering winter recipe, and a simple side dish for everyday and holiday meals.

    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 Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    The garlic in these Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes adds a big yum factor to a comforting classic.

    Roasted Potatoes and Tomatoes with Rosemary

    This recipe for Roasted Potatoes and Tomatoes with Rosemary makes an appealing side dish for winter holiday meals or company dinners.

    Orange-Glazed Beets

    This is a great way to use beets when they're plentiful at the farm market or from your home garden. They're great in the winter, too.

    Black Rice with Corn and Cranberries

    This delectable dish of black or wild rice, corn, and cranberries is a festive eyeful, but it’s too good to save for only special occasions, and too simple not to make for everyday meals. It makes a gorgeous holiday side dish, or, stuffed into small squashes, a great vegan main dish.

    Black Lentil Celery Couscous with Jeweled Fruit

    This delicious grain dish, studded with celery, black lentils, cranberries, and pistachios, is as welcome for everyday meals as it is for the holiday table.

    Pan-Seared Winter Squash and Fresh Corn

    This simple side dish is easy enough to serve at everyday meals, and festive enough for the holiday table.

    Bulgur and Sweet Potato Pilaf

    This attractive dish has a subtle sweet flavor and the crunch of toasted walnuts. Double this recipe for a great winter holiday grain dish—it's perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.

    Glazed Baked Onions

    Slow-baking onions gives them a mellow sweetness. Glazed Baked Onions make a nice side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

    DESSERTS

    Chocolate Chip Pear Blondies or Mini-Loaves

    Rich with chocolate chips and pears, this melt-in-your-mouth vegan treat is delicious as a dessert or tea bread. Easy enough as an everyday dessert, yummy enough for holiday fare.

    Orange-Cranberry Muffins or Mini-Loaves

    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.

    Pineapple-Orange Ambrosia

    If you want to end a holiday dinner with a lighter dessert, this Pineapple-Orange Ambrosia is a nice choice. It also makes a fabulous fruity finish for a casual brunch.

    Stewed Spiced Pears in Red Wine

    In this light dessert, pears are lightly cooked in red wine and apple juice and gently spiced with cinnamon and allspice.

    Pear and Apple Crumble

    If you'd like an alternative to pumpkin pie for fall celebrations like Thanksgiving, or everyday meals, this pear and apple crumble is a welcome dessert.

    Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

    This delicious and very pretty cake is a lovely dessert to serve at for winter holiday meals, but you need not wait for a special occasion to make and enjoy it.

    Gingered Winter Fruit Medley

    This simple and pretty combination of winter fruits — pears, apples, oranges, and pineapple, spiced with crystallized ginger — can be a refreshing Christmas dinner dessert.

    Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake

    This totally delectable, moist vegan chocolate cake is our family’s favorite for special occasions.

    • 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.
    « Classic Marinara Sauce
    Cocoa Mock Mince Pie »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie G says

      December 02, 2012 at 3:09 pm

      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.

    2. Recipe says

      December 22, 2012 at 7:18 am

      hi..

      good blog for veg recipe and kitchen tips. i approciate it.

    3. Evie says

      January 01, 2013 at 12:27 pm

      my cousin made this for me on xmas. LOVED it!! thank you vegkitchen 🙂

    4. Nava says

      January 01, 2013 at 12:29 pm

      Which specific recipe did your cousin make, Evie? Glad you enjoyed it!

    5. Lo says

      December 12, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      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.

    6. Nava says

      December 12, 2013 at 10:17 pm

      Lo, best wishes for your first plant-based holiday season!

    7. Sheila says

      December 17, 2013 at 3:09 pm

      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!

    8. Nava says

      December 17, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      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!!!

    9. Hann says

      December 20, 2013 at 11:55 am

      I was looking what to prepare my family this Christmas and found your site. I am grateful for the posting!

    10. Nava says

      December 20, 2013 at 12:05 pm

      Thanks, Hann! Enjoy the holiday.

    11. Somerset Wedding Gal says

      April 23, 2014 at 10:55 am

      'Veggnog' - LOVE it!

    12. Patrice says

      November 10, 2014 at 9:40 am

      Great site and love your recipes and all the beautiful pictures. Any suggestion for my Xmas guests who are vegan, gluten free, grain free ?

    13. Nava says

      November 10, 2014 at 10:26 am

      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/

    14. Louise says

      December 11, 2014 at 11:51 pm

      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.

    15. Nava says

      December 12, 2014 at 8:24 am

      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!

    16. Hurley says

      October 29, 2015 at 7:23 am

      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.

    17. Nava says

      October 30, 2015 at 9:17 pm

      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!

    18. Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says

      December 21, 2015 at 10:47 am

      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

    19. Nava says

      December 21, 2015 at 10:50 am

      Cecile — of course! Thanks for asking, and thanks for spreading the plant-based love.

    20. Lea says

      December 22, 2015 at 4:50 am

      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!!

    21. Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says

      December 22, 2015 at 6:59 am

      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!

    22. Nava says

      December 22, 2015 at 7:53 am

      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!

    23. Cecilie @A Story of Freedom says

      December 22, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      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

    24. Nava says

      December 28, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      Thanks so much for spreading the plant-based love, Cecille! Happy holidays to you as well.

    25. Nava says

      December 28, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      So happy that you found this useful, Lea — and hope it helped you and yours enjoy the holiday meal!

    26. yesenia says

      October 05, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      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!

    27. Nava says

      October 09, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      I hope you and yours enjoy these for the holiday season!

    28. Bob says

      November 14, 2016 at 6:41 am

      Hi ... I've been asked to make a vegan cake for Christmas, does any one have a good recipe ... bob

    29. Nava says

      November 15, 2016 at 8:22 am

      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/

    30. Jane says

      December 02, 2016 at 11:37 pm

      Great recipes! I'd like to prepare healthier meals for our Christmas Dinner. Less meat, more vegetables and wholesome food.

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