Vegan Christmas Dishes You’ll Want to Make This Year
Discover our favorite festive recipes, from a showstopping main to a dessert worth saving room for.
A Plant-Based Holiday Menu to Remember
Ready to Plan Your Christmas Feast?
Pick a favorite dish and bring something delicious to the holiday table.
Gather Around the Table
All the Comfort and Celebration of Christmas, Made Vegan
A vegan Christmas feast is a chance to share the flavors everyone looks forward to: savory herbs, golden pastry, warming spices and a sweet finish. Our favorite recipes make those moments feel special without relying on meat or dairy. Try a centerpiece that invites everyone to take a slice, a colorful side that brightens the table and a dessert that tastes like the holidays. Whether you’re planning the whole menu or bringing one dish to share, these are the recipes we’d make again this year.
Our Favorite Vegan Christmas Recipes
Christmas Puff Pastry
Christmas Tree is a festive, pull apart appertizer filled with juicy tomatoe sauce and melty dairy-free cheese. Golden flaky lazers twist into stunning tree ahpe that ’s perfect for holiday gatherings. Each branch is crisp on the outside, wild bursts of tomato flavor and aromatic herbs in every bite. It’s simple to prepare yet visually impressive — the ultimate plant-based party centerpiece.
Christmas Cookies
These delightfully crumbly and fragrant cookies can become a classic Christmas treat, made entirely plant-based. With their rich coconut flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. Are you ready to dive into the preparations?.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These classic, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are a stunning holiday favorite, made entirely plant-based. With their crackly, powdered sugar tops and rich, brownie-like center, they’re a decadent treat that no one will guess is vegan.
4 Servings
Cranberry-Glazed Lentil & Mushroom Wellington
A golden puff-pastry centerpiece with a savory lentil-mushroom filling and bright cranberry glaze. Prep: 25 minutes; bake: 40 minutes. Serves 6 with roast potatoes, greens, and extra cranberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet vegan puff pastry, thawed
- 2 cups cooked green lentils, drained
- 300 g mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1/3 cup cranberry sauce, plus extra to serve
Instructions
Step 1
Sauté the onion and mushrooms until dry and deeply browned. Stir in the lentils and thyme; season generously, then cool completely.
Step 2
Spoon the filling down the center of the pastry, fold to seal, and brush the top with cranberry sauce. Score lightly to let steam escape.
Step 3
Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 35–40 minutes until crisp and golden. Rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve with roast potatoes and greens.
Vegan Sides, Sauces & Festive Extras
Rosemary Roast Potatoes
Maple-Glazed Carrots
Garlic Green Beans
Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Orange-Braised Red Cabbage
Creamy Parsnip Mash
Sage & Onion Stuffing
Balsamic Roasted Shallots
Herbed Cauliflower Gratin
Lemon-Dressed Broccolini
Rich Mushroom Gravy
Spiced Cranberry Relish
Mustard Cashew Cream
Caramelized Onion Chutney
Warm Dinner Rolls
Toasted Chestnuts
Pomegranate Winter Salad
Quick-Pickled Red Onions
Three Steps to a Calmer Christmas Dinner
1
Plan Your Menu Early
2
Prep Fillings & Sauces Ahead
3
Bake, Reheat & Serve
Vegan Christmas Cooking FAQs
Planning a plant-based Christmas feast? Find practical tips for swapping ingredients, preparing dishes ahead, and serving everyone at the table.
What can I use instead of eggs in Christmas baking?
For cakes and muffins, try a flax egg: one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water. Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, works well when a recipe needs whipped egg whites.
What can replace butter in festive recipes?
Use plant-based butter for pastry, biscuits, and rich sauces. Olive oil works well in savoury dishes, while coconut oil can suit recipes where its flavour is welcome.
How do I make a vegan Christmas main feel special?
Choose a centrepiece such as a mushroom Wellington, lentil loaf, or stuffed squash. Add a glossy glaze or herb-rich gravy and serve it with colourful seasonal sides.
Which Christmas dishes can I make ahead?
Prepare soups, sauces, cranberry relish, and many desserts a day or two early. You can also assemble a Wellington or loaf in advance, then bake it fresh according to your chosen recipe.
How can I make creamy sides without dairy?
Use unsweetened oat or soy milk in mashed potatoes and sauces, and add plant-based butter for richness. For a thicker sauce, blend in soaked cashews or use a little cornflour.
What should I check when buying ingredients for vegan guests?
Read labels on pastry, stock, chocolate, and meat alternatives, which can contain milk or eggs. Check for honey in glazes, and ask guests about allergies or other dietary needs before you shop.
How much food should I plan for a mixed group?
Make your vegan main and sides generous enough for everyone to try, not just the vegan guests. Offer familiar favourites such as roast potatoes and vegetables so each person can build a satisfying plate.
Can I make vegan gravy without meat drippings?
Yes. Brown onions and mushrooms, then add vegetable stock, herbs, and a splash of soy sauce for depth. Thicken with flour or cornflour, and taste before serving.
How do I keep vegan Christmas dishes warm for guests?
Warm serving dishes before filling them, and keep sturdy sides covered in a low oven. Leave crisp foods uncovered until serving so they stay crunchy, and bring gravy to the table hot.
Make a New Christmas Favourite
Pick the vegan recipe you can’t wait to share, add its ingredients to your shopping list, and give it a place on this year’s Christmas table.
