The holidays are a magical time of year, and if you eat a solely plant-based diet, you can still indulge in all of the wonderful tastes, textures and culinary delights of the season – without feeling at all deprived. The truth is, with just a few simple substitutes here and there, you can still enjoy some of your favorite Christmas dishes.
Not to mention that there are also a ton of totally unique and exciting vegan Christmas recipes that will be completely new to non-vegans at the table – but they’ll be grateful to try them! One of the best things about vegan holiday recipes is that they include lots of fresh, whole foods, including nutrient-packed veggies, so they’re typically amazing for your health.
Check out our list of colorful, inspired, and downright delicious vegan Christmas recipes, below…
Vegan Christmas Main Dishes
1. Vegan Shepherd's Pie
© Photo By Ela Vegan
This Vegan Shepherd’s Pie makes a sumptuous vegan Christmas dinner main course that’s deeply satisfying, especially in chillier weather. By switching out the lamb in typical Shephard’s Pie dishes for lentils, and adding in colorful veggies (like carrots, celery, onion, corn and peas), you get an interesting and appealing mix of tastes and textures. Plus, by topping it all off with rich and creamy vegan mashed potatoes, you get a healthified comfort food fit for any occasion or celebration.
Get this Vegan Shepherd's Pie Recipe here.
2. Vegan Mushroom Wellington
© Photo By Delicious Every Day
Next, a lighter take on traditional beef wellington, this vegan Christmas recipe features juicy portobello mushrooms as the star of the dish. Paired with cooked onions, baby spinach, thyme and Dijon mustard, the filling is then rolled up in a decadent vegan puff pastry – then coated with a vegan “egg” wash, creating a golden brown coating when cooked. The finished result is a savory mushroom “tart” with a decadent, savory inside and a thin and flaky crust that’s simply irresistible.
Get this Vegan Mushroom Wellington Recipe here.
Vegan Christmas Sides
3. Roasted Carrots With Maple Tahini
© Photo By Darn Good Veggies
Veggie lover or not, just about anyone will fall for this exciting, healthy dish full of beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber – while also being full of flavor. In the recipe, a colorful mix of carrots are roasted with avocado oil (which provides beneficial fatty acids), and topped with pomegranate seeds and parsley, both high-flavor, nutrient-packed superfoods.
Plus, the simple tahini sauce topper is easy to make yet takes this recipe over the top in terms of amazing flavor. Featuring Dijon mustard, maple syrup, tahini and parsley, the tangy sauce complements every dip of crunchy, sweet and juicy carrot.
This vegan holiday recipe looks great as a beautiful side dish on any holiday table, and is full of sumptuous flavor!
Get this Maple Tahini Roasted Carrot Recipe here.
4. Winter Citrus & Greens With Miso Ginger Dressing
© Photo By The Simple Green
Next, this simple yet elegant winter citrus salad makes another great vegan Christmas dinner main course or side dish. It also makes the perfect antioxidant-packed meal to help keep your family well this holiday season. Full of vitamin-packed superfoods including three different kinds of oranges (blood, cara and navel), spinach, arugula, and fresh ginger root, it’s a power salad that also happens to taste fabulous.
Top off the dish with sesame or sunflower seeds for a plate that will look just as beautiful and exciting as it tastes!
Get this Winter Citrus & Greens Recipe here.
5. Vegan Wild Rice Salad
© Photo By Girl Heart Food
Move over white and brown rice, because this interesting wild rice salad may just become a new vegan staple recipe. Colorful and nutritious, it’s packed with vitamins, fiber, protein and healthy fats that will leave you satisfied and energized.
This vegan holiday recipe features a wild rice blend, acorn squash, kale, pumpkin seeds and pomegranate, for great taste along with interesting crunch and texture in every bite. Seasoned with curry powder, garlic and black pepper, this salad offers a spicy-sweet mix of flavor and fun.
Get this Wild Rice Salad Recipe here.
6. "Parmesan" Roasted Brussels Sprouts
© Photo By Stacy Homemaker
If you have a family member that doesn’t like Brussel sprouts, this recipe has the potential to change that! In this dish, vitamin-packed Brussel sprouts are drenched in a tasty, aromatic sauce containing maple syrup, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, olive oil, sea salt and pepper – then topped with vegan parmesan cheese. The sweet, tangy and addicting sauce makes this veggie dish extremely attractive, even for non-veggie lovers!
Get this Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe here.
7. Vegan Rosemary Roasted Vegetables
© Photo By Taste And See
A classic dish for any holiday celebration, roasted veggies are a total crowd-pleaser – and you can easily add in any type of veggies you desire. In this vegan Christmas recipe, there’s a festive, tasty mix of carrots, parsnips, multicolor baby potatoes, butternut squash, shallots and garlic. The addition of chopped fresh rosemary or thyme makes this simple dish extremely fragrant and satisfying.
Get this Rosemary Roasted Vegetable Recipe here.
8. Cheesy Vegan Cauliflower Casserole
© Photo By Vegan Huggs
If you thought you couldn’t enjoy cheese on a vegan diet, the good news is, there are plenty of plant-based substitutes – so you can get your fix of cheesiness. You certainly can satisfy your desire with this extra-cheesy vegan cauliflower casserole recipe – which makes a great vegan side dish or even vegan Christmas dinner main course.
The sauce in the recipe is created by mixing up raw cashews, unsweetened soy milk, vegetable broth, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, onion, sea salt, tapioca flour and nutritional yeast – which makes a great cheese substitute. If you like your meals hot, top it off with some red pepper flakes!
Get this Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Recipe here.
Vegan Christmas Desserts
9. Chocolate Peppermint Rice Crispy Bars
© Photo By Veggie Inspired
Moving onto the best vegan Christmas dessert recipes, this one is perfect for chocolate and peppermint lovers. And, believe it or not, it tastes just like peppermint mocha specialty drinks at your local coffeeshop – but much healthier. This treat is the perfect addiction to your holiday dessert table – and will be loved by vegans and non-vegans alike.
Plus, these bars offer great nutrition, with cashew butter for heart-healthy fats, brown rice cereal for complex carbs and protein, and unsweetened almond milk to get your daily dose of vitamin E. They’re also easy to make.. with only 15 minutes of prep time to reach minty, chocolaty goodness.
Get this Chocolate Peppermint Rice Crispy Bar Recipe here.
10. Vegan Carmelitas
© Photo By Happy Healthy Mama
Finally, this vegan Christmas dessert recipe is the perfect choice for an ooey-gooey treat featuring rich chocolate and “caramel” – featuring nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, old-fashioned oats, coconut milk and tahini. The result is a treat that tastes just like a high-sugar dessert while containing antioxidant-packed maple syrup and dark chocolate chunks. Now you can dig in totally guilt-free!
Get this Carmelita Recipe here.
Which recipes are you going to make this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more healthy vegan recipes? Check out more delicious, nutrition-approved 310 recipes here!
