‘Tis the season for some of the best food of the year. Roasts, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and of course, more than one kind of dessert. While meat and dairy are cornerstone ingredients of the traditional feast, your vegan Christmas dinner can include all of the above without sacrificing the flavor of the food you love.
Here’s how to pick sides, choose the perfect roast for you, and some dessert ideas.
Vegan Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
How do you put together the best vegan Christmas dinner? You can recreate what you would normally make, but make it vegan. Start the night with a vegan cheese board paired with wine.
If you’re looking to save time, try using a premade vegan roast. Some sides to consider includes roasted seasonal vegetables (Brussels sprouts, parsnips, beets, cauliflower, etc), dairy-free mashed potatoes, vegan gravy, dinner rolls, and stuffing. Any sides that you would serve for Thanksgiving are typically good for Christmas dinner as well.
Vegan Christmas Dinner Roasts
As exciting as side dishes are, a roast is like the crown jewel of the holiday table, somehow pairing perfectly with the amalgamation of flavor from the various sides on your plate. Pre-made roasts have made holiday dinners easy, but making your own is also a rewarding experience. it may mean that you’re working with certain ingredients, like seitan, for the first time. Remember to read the ingredients list and the instructions twice before getting started—it really helps!
13 Vegan Christmas Dinner Ideas for the Ultimate Festive Feast
1. Vegan Wellington
An oh-so-delicious meat-free Wellington consisting of lentils, carrots, celery, and greens enclosed in dairy-free puff pastry. You can make this ahead of time.
Get the recipe here.
2. Vegan Nut Roast
A festive roast packed with pulses, vegetables, mixed nuts, and spices, topped with homemade cranberry sauce. It makes for exceptionally good leftovers.
Get the recipe here.
3. Stuffed Butternut Squash
Your centerpiece doesn’t have to be meaty—this stuffed butternut squash is a delicious, whole food, plant-based roast. It’s packed with quinoa, garlic, shallots, celery, chickpeas, and parsley and topped with crunchy pecan and tart pomegranate arils.
Ger the recipe here.
4. Vegan Maple-Glazed Ham
Ham is another holiday classic and this vegan maple-glazed ham is at home on any holiday table. Made from seitan, this delicious meat-free ham is brushed with a sweet and smoky maple syrup and studded with whole cloves.
Get the recipe here.
5. Vegan Stuffed Seitan Roast
Centerpiece-worthy, but shockingly easy to make, this seitan roast is a high-protein main fit for the holidays. It’s stuffed with a creamy, buttery chestnut and white wine risotto and even better when covered with savory mushroom gravy. The risotto filling can (and should) be made ahead of time to give it time to cool off.
Get the recipe here.
Vegan Christmas Dessert Recipes
Always save room for dessert. This vegan versions of classic Christmas desserts are absolutely delicious. Stick to the classics or venture outside of tradition with something new. Looking for baking advice? Learn more about how to make vegan baked goods and which substitutes to use, like eggs and butter. When in doubt on which recipe to pick, having more than one dessert is never a bad thing.
1. Vegan Yule Log
Yule log—also known as Bûche de Noël—is a holiday tradition. This vegan version features a chocolate sponge cake made with whipped aquafaba, the brine from a can of chickpeas, in place of egg whites. It’s filled with a decadent dairy-free chocolate mousse, covered in chocolate ganache, and decorated with egg-free mushroom meringues and powdered sugar for a winter wonderland look.
Get the recipe here.
2. Vegan Christmas Pudding
This pudding is a traditional part of the British Christmas meal. A pudding is a steamed sponge made with black treacle, vegetable suet, spices, and stout, speckled with sherry-soaked fruit. It has a dense, moist texture that pairs well with dairy-free custard.
Get the recipe here.
3. Vegan Gingerbread Men
It’s not Christmas without cookies and these vegan gingerbread men are sure to disappear in minutes. They’re full of spice and everything nice, like molasses. You can opt for the classic gingerbread men shape or break out your arsenal of cookie cutters and make trees, reindeer, and more.
Get the recipe here.
4. Vegan Pavlova
Pavlova is a classic Australian Christmas dessert. You don’t need egg whites to make these festive treats. They’re made from aquafaba and served in perfectly-portioned mini sizes.
Get the recipe here.
5. Vegan Mince Pie
Making these mini vegan mince pies is a breeze. The dairy-free pastry dough comes together in a food processor in mere minutes. When they bake, your home will be filled with the scent of warm spices and bubbling mincemeat.
Get the recipe here.
6. Vegan Sugar Cookies
Forget leaving cookies out for Santa, because you’ll want to keep these vegan sugar cookies all to yourself. They’re soft in the middle, crispy around the edges, and oh-so-fun to decorate.
Get the recipe here.
7. Vegan Candy Cane Fudge
You only need three ingredients to make this dairy-free chocolate peppermint fudge. It’s made from cashew butter, chocolate, and a few drops of peppermint extract. Top it with crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
Get the recipe here.
8. Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sticky, scrumptious, and absolutely stunning, this vegan sticky toffee pudding is unforgettable. The sponge is gooey and moist and jam-packed with moreish, dairy-free toffee. Enjoy with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a generous helping of custard.
Get the recipe here.
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