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    Home » Recipes » Holiday

    25 Vegan Christmas Dinner Ideas

    Dec 11, 2022 · Modified: Dec 30, 2022 by Tracy Halasz · Leave a Comment · THIS WEBSITE EARNS INCOME FROM ADS, AFFILIATES, AND SPONSORSHIPS.

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    These Vegan (vegetarian) Christmas dinner recipes are a mix of holiday classics, easy cozy vegan main dishes, vegan sides and starters, along with some popular holiday condiments like vegan cranberry sauce, vegan worcestershire sauce (gf), sage and onion seasoning, and our favorite holiday drink! Let's get to the list.

    Collage of Christmas food dishes.

    Sometimes, it's difficult to know what to cook for Christmas if you don't eat meat/dairy (or your guests don't). I've been there, I know what it's like. So if you're in charge of the Christmas feast this year but don't know what to make, here's a few vegan/vegetarian dishes to try that everyone will love!

    You probably already have your favorite veggie side dishes like glazed carrots, cauliflower and cheese sauce, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole covered already. So here's a roundup of other fabulous Christmas recipes (many are gluten free as well!). I hope you'll find a few new favorites too!

    Table of Contents show
    1 Vegan Appetizers/Starters
    2 Vegan Soup & Salad
    3 Vegan Side Dishes
    4 Vegan Christmas Dinner (main dishes)
    5 Vegan Desserts
    6 Favorite Holiday Cocktail
    7 Pantry Items
    8 Healthier Cranberry Sauce (vegan)
    8.1 INGREDIENTS
    8.1.1 Optional
    8.2 INSTRUCTIONS
    8.3 NOTES

    Vegan Appetizers/Starters

    The BEST Vegan Sausage Rolls
    If I could choose only one appetizer for a holiday party, these vegan sausage rolls are IT! They are sought after and loved by all eaters! Made with a meaty, savory filling of mushrooms and onions and rolled in tender, flaky puff pastry, they are baked to golden crispy perfection.
    It's everyone's favorite vegan starter for Christmas!
    Get The Recipe
    Vegan mushroom sausage rolls on a baking tray.

    Vegan Soup & Salad

    Here's just two of our favorite, super flavorful and colorful soups and salads. You can find more vegan starters on the blog.

    Easy Spicy Cauliflower Curry Soup
    This vegan cauliflower rice and mushroom soup is our favorite to serve on Christmas Eve (buffet style). The there's tons of texture and the rich, creamy broth is exploding with savory flavor and just a kiss of heat! This flavorful soup will make your tastebuds sing.
    Perfect for holiday dinners! Gluten Free
    Get the Recipe
    Pot of vegetable soup with blue and white striped napkin.
    Shaved Brussels Sprouts Crunch Salad
    The most craveable crunchy flavorful Brussels sprouts salad ever! Made with pomegranates, pistachios, and toasted ramen noodles for extra crunch - this salad is a showstopper!
    Easy to make, this festive winter salad is tossed with the prettiest and most delicious, creamy pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette. Gluten Free
    Get the Recipe
    Pomegranate dressing poured on Brussel sprouts salad.

    Vegan Side Dishes

    When you first decide to follow a vegan lifestyle, sometimes all there is to eat are the side dishes so they are important!

    Fluffy, Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    Learn how surprisingly quick & easy it is to make mashed potatoes from scratch. Super fluffy, creamy and flavorful, they are dairy free, gluten free, and vegan.
    Simple enough for everyday, but fancy enough for holiday dinners!
    Get the Recipe
    Bowlful of mashed potatoes with butter and chives.
    How to Make THE BEST Vegan Gravy!
    Learn how to make full-flavored mushroom gravy without any drippings and no lumps! This vegan gravy is easy to make, is loaded with holiday flavor, and is make ahead friendly.
    It's incredible drizzled on everything from vegan turkey and mashed potatoes to homemade biscuits and fries! GF Option
    Get the Recipe
    Bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy.
    Crispy Smashed Potatoes
    The crispiest smashed potatoes with perfectly golden edges and creamy centers.
    Everyone loves these easy, smashed potatoes served as an appetizer with dip or as a side dish. Absolutely irresistible drizzled with sour cream, tahini or gravy! Gluten Free
    Get the Recipe
    Crispy smashed potatoes topped with sour cream and green onions.
    Crispy Brussels Sprouts Recipe (2 ways)
    Easy to make, super flavorful, crispy Brussels sprouts made two ways - oven roasted and deep fried. Perfect served as a vegan appetizer/starter, a side dish for the holidays or a quick and easy weeknight meal. Gluten Free
    Plus I've included Nana's famous vegan sauce for dipping!
    Get the Recipe
    Bowlful of oven roasted Brussels sprouts.
    Soft Vegan Dinner Rolls
    These soft, fluffy, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely incredible. They are melt-in-your mouth tender and ridiculously flavorful! The crusty version is a carby bread lovers dream come true served hot out of oven with butter, as a side for dinner, and they make THE BEST DANG hamburger buns ever!
    Get the Recipe
    Freshly baked golden brown dinner rolls.

    These soft and fluffy vegan dinner rolls are so easy to make using all purpose refrigerator dough. Make the bread dough up to 14 days in advance, then enjoy freshly baked dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, pizza, pitas, and so much more in no time. It's a foolproof recipe perfect for beginners and seasoned pros alike.

    Easy Buttermilk Biscuits
    Super light and fluffy, these vegan biscuits are melt in your mouth tender and delicious! This easy vegan biscuit recipe is perfect for beginners and home bakers who want to bake from scratch!
    Excellent on Boxing Day with leftover vegan turkey slathered with gravy!
    Get the Recipe
    Fluffy homemade biscuits stacked up on a plate.

    Vegan Christmas Dinner (main dishes)

    Some of our favorite main dishes during the holidays include savory vegan/vegetarian versions of turkey, Shepherd's pie, cabbage rolls, and pasta dishes. Here's a few of our current favorites:

    Vegan Turkey (for Thanksgiving & Christmas Dinner)
    This vegan turkey is made from shaved tofu perfectly seasoned with sage and onion seasoning. It takes only 15 minutes to make, and has all the flavors and textures you've come to expect from a traditional turkey dinner (but no turkey!). Super meaty, juicy, and tender but also some irresistibly crispy edges. Everyone in the family loves this shaved vegan holiday roast smothered in vegan turkey gravy. I think you will too!
    Get the Recipe
    Gravy being poured onto a pile of turkey slices on a white plate with a silver fork.
    Vegan Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce
    This vegan lasagna recipe is super luxurious! It's made with rich, red marinara sauce, thick creamy bechamel white sauce, meaty spinach and onion filling, and dairy free mozzarella cheese layered between tender lasagna noodles.
    Everyone LOVES this delicious vegan lasagna!
    Get the Recipe
    vegan lasagna in a pan with a piece missing
    How To Make Vegan Lasagna with a California Twist!
    The most incredible vegan lasagna made with spicy Italian sausage, portobello mushrooms and roasted red peppers, dairy free 'goat' cheese sauce, and rich red marinara sauce.
    This is THE most requested vegan lasagna at our family holiday gatherings - for good reason!
    Get the Recipe
    vegan sausage lasagna served on a plate with a fork and a glass of red wine
    Easy Vegan Shepherd's Pie
    This easy Vegan Shepherd's pie is a layer of hearty vegan mince topped with fluffy, garlic mashed potatoes baked to crispy golden perfection.
    An incredible vegan version of Gordon Ramsay's classic British Shepherd's pie recipe. Super flavorful, thick, rich, and oh so satisfying. Gluten free to boot!
    Get the Recipe
    Ramekins filled with Shepherd's pie topped a piped edge of mashed potatoes.
    Quick and Creamy Vegan Mushroom Pasta
    A simple, super flavorful, vegan creamy mushroom pasta recipe.
    This luxurious vegan/vegetarian pasta meal comes together in under 30 minutes! It's a healthy, hearty creamy vegan pasta to serve during the week or as a side dish during the holidays - everyone LOVES it! Gluten Free Friendly
    Get the Recipe
    Bowlful of creamy mushroom spinach pasta with a blue and white striped napkin and a glass of wine.

    Vegan Desserts

    Who can resist a little something sweet after dinner? Here's a few of our favorite vegan (dairy free) holiday desserts that are easy to make, can be made ahead, and the leftovers are delicious for breakfast!

    Easy Apple Galette on Puff Pastry
    Incredible vegan apple galette made with golden flaky puff pastry and an irresistible Dutch crumble topping. Faster and easier than apple pie, this vegan apple tart is simple enough for Sunday dinner or make it fancy with a scoop of dairy-free ice cream and a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
    Get the Recipe
    Apple tart in puff pastry drizzled with caramel sauce.
    Easiest Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
    Learn how to make THE BEST, soft and fluffy vegan cinnamon rolls from scratch using refrigerator dough. No equipment, no kneading, and no mess -the perfect recipe for beginners!
    The refrigerator dough contains no eggs or dairy, takes only 5 minutes to mix, and can be made up to 14 days in advance.
    These gooey, buttery, brown sugar and cinnamon buns are a necessity for weekend brunches and Christmas morning at our house!
    Get the Recipe
    Close up of cinnamon rolls slathered in frosting.
    The Best Vegan Apple Crumble
    This vegan apple crumble (crisp) recipe is super delicious and easy to make. It's a combination of cinnamon spiced apples topped with a double helping of crispy oat clusters. It's a long-time family favorite vegan dessert at Christmas.
    Get the Recipe
    Apple crisp with scoop of vanilla ice cream on a white and gold plate.
    Best Vegan Monkey Bread (easy + indulgent)
    This vegan monkey bread recipe is seriously delicious! It’s easy and fun to make from scratch using refrigerator dough. The soft and fluffy cinnamon bites are a cross between the gooey, sticky sweet center of a cinnamon roll and a vegan donut hole! Perfect for Sunday brunch or holiday dessert!
    Get the Recipe
    White ceramic pie plate with freshly baked monkey bread drizzled with lemon icing.
    Salted Caramel Millionaire Cookies
    The most decadent vegan salted caramel and chocolate ganache shortbread cookies ever! Just like a millionaire shortbread bar, but deconstructed and vegan! These showstoppers are beyond indulgent - and everyone loves these vegan cookies!
    Get the Recipe
    shortbread cookie with chocolate and salted caramel topped with a raspberry and a sprinkle of nuts
    Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
    Ready in 20 minutes, these vegan peanut butter cups are super delicious and extra crunchy from peanuts and pretzel pieces. This vegan version of Reese's peanut butter cups is easy to make at home! (dairy free, gluten free)
    Be sure to hide one of two because these super addictive mini peanut butter cups are highly sought after at family get togethers and holiday gatherings!
    Get the Recipe
    Mini peanut butter cups stacked in a tower on a plate of peanut butter cups.

    Favorite Holiday Cocktail

    There are so many pretty and delicious festive drinks out there, and we like to try a new cocktail recipe (or two) every year. My sister and I LOVE this one from Half Baked Harvest!

    The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail.
    Keeping things festive and fun with Half Baked Harvest's Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail.

    It’s a touch of sweet and a little bit spicy...perfectly fitting for “the Grinch”.
    Get the Recipe

    Pantry Items

    Here's a few pantry items typically in Christmas recipes, but can be difficult to find in some areas. I've also included my recipe for easy cranberry sauce (vegan + gf) in the recipe card below, (not on the blog yet).

    Vegan Worcestershire Sauce (GF)
    Homemade vegan Worcestershire sauce has all the salty, sour, umami flavors with just a kiss of sweetness as the original Worcestershire, but no anchovies (and no gluten)!
    It's the perfect vegan alternative to Worcestershire sauce adding a ton of flavor to vegan Caesar salad, bloody Mary's, tofu marinades, and sauces like chili, Shepherd's pie, and vegan spaghetti. Gluten Free
    Get the Recipe
    Worcestershire sauce substitute being poured from a measuring cup into a bottle.
    Sage, Onion and Garlic Seasoning Blend
    The perfect savory, sage and onion seasoning for holiday side dishes like vegan turkey, sage and onion stuffing, and crispy potatoes.
    Easy and inexpensive to make, this is the most reached for seasoning blend in our pantry at Christmas.
    Get the Recipe
    Jar of sage and onion seasoning with spoon on top.
    Vegan Heavy Cream Substitute
    This recipe is the best tasting, vegan substitute for heavy cream ever! Trust me, it's easy to make heavy cream at home with no dairy and no additives.
    Plus it's gluten-free, plant based, freezes well, and is fantastic in soups, stews, vegan desserts and so much more.
    My husband is obsessed with it in his coffee too!!!
    Get the Recipe
    Dairy free heavy cream substitute made from cashews being poured into a jar.

    Did you make one of these recipes? I'd love to see it!
    Please leave a review and ⭐️ rating below. Thank you so much for sharing!
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    Bowlful of cranberry sauce surrounded by fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.

    Healthier Cranberry Sauce (vegan)

    Cranberry sauce is a popular side dish (condiment) on the table at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. It's easy to make from scratch and tastes way better than canned cranberry sauce. Grab a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries and let's get making the best, low sugar or sugar free cranberry sauce.
    Author : Tracy Halasz
    Servings:1.5 cups

    Rate this recipe!

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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins

    INGREDIENTS

    • 12 ounce bag cranberries, fresh or frozen
    • ½ cup sugar (or maple syrup)
    • ½ cup water
    • ¼ cup orange juice, fresh
    • pinch sea salt

    Optional

    • orange rind or zest
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick)
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Add cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, salt, and orange zest/rind to a medium saucepan. Bring up to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low for ~10-15 minutes while the cranberries breakdown and become jammy. Stir as needed.
    • Taste and adjust the level of sweetness. Add a tablespoonful of maple syrup at a time to increase sweetness or a splash of apple cider vinegar to bring down the sweetness. Add another pinch of salt to enhance flavors as needed.
    • Cranberry sauce will thicken and set further as it cools down. If it's too thick, add more orange juice or water. If it's too thin, put it back on the stove to simmer (no lid).

    NOTES

    Tart or Sweet?: This recipe as written is semi-sweet tart. To make it sweeter, add more sugar/maple syrup or sub extra orange juice for the water.
    Too sweet? Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar: stir, taste, and repeat as needed.
    Sugar free version: Use maple syrup in place of sugar for a naturally sweetened cranberry sauce.
    They pop and burst!: If this is your first time making cranberry sauce from scratch, be prepared for the cranberries - they pop and burst while they heat up and breakdown. You may need to place a lid partially over the pot.
    Thick or berrylicious?: The longer you cook the cranberries, the more they will breakdown and become thicker. So if you like a lighter cranberry sauce with chunks of berries, remove from the heat a little sooner.
    Make Ahead Friendly: Cranberry sauce can be made a week in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to use. You may need to stir in another splash of water or orange juice to correct consistency before serving.
    Leftovers: Just like my homemade berry jam, leftover cranberry sauce is amazing on toast with peanut butter. It's also delicious in a homemade pop tart made with leftover pieces of pie dough or puff pastry from your apple pie or apple galette.

    This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

    Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ceeceecooks or tag #ceeceecooks

    More Holiday

    • Easy Vegan Monkey Bread
    • Sage Seasoning with Onion and Garlic
    • Easy Vegan Shepherd's Pie
    • Easy Vegan Apple Crumble
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    Hi, I’m Tracy, welcome! I’ve been creating and cooking vegetarian/vegan food for decades, and love helping others on their journey to eat more plants. Here you’ll find super flavorful vegan recipes you and your family will love – vegan or not!

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