Vegan Christmas Recipes: Holiday Alternatives
Whether you agree that it’s the most wonderful time of the year or prefer treats from other holidays, Christmas has its own magical holiday charm. Family, friends, peripheral work acquaintances, and annually encountered aunts, uncles, and cousins may find themselves at your Christmas dinner, sharing in the festivities.
For those who choose not to partake in eggnog or the Christmas turkey (or beef Wellington, as the case may be), it’s nice to have alternatives. Whether you are plant-based, keto, or anything else, you still deserve a mouth-watering holiday meal set in front of you at Christmas. It only comes once a year, after all.
We are here to give you some delicious vegan recipes.
Below are some of the most delicious vegan recipes worthy of gracing your table this holiday season. Surprise your non-vegan family members and get ready to start passing plates because these treats are going to go fast!
For The Main Course
Sadly, we can’t just skip straight to the desserts. Once you put these items on your table, though, you’ll find that it’s more about the journey than the destination. These recipes are good enough to momentarily distract you from the dessert, and that should tell you everything you need to know.
Vegan Biscuits and Vegan Gravy
Vegans are generally pretty healthy. It’s one of the major benefits of the lifestyle. But dang it, we deserve comfort food too sometimes! Wondering how?
Let’s just say that vegan biscuits and white gravy are a match made in heaven. If you’re missing the extra texture from the sausage, consider tweaking the recipe to make mushroom gravy for a meaty, umami feel.
Sizzled Sprouts With Pistachios & Pomegranate
Not only is this recipe delicious and healthy, but it looks about as Christmas-y as a side dish can.
The bright red pomegranate seeds against the rich greens of the Brussels sprouts and pistachios look just like a holly tree. These vegetables are also considerably tastier and less pointy, which is a plus when planning your vegan Christmas dinner menu.
Vegan Christmas Wreath
Spinach, tofu, cloves, dried cherries, and just the right amount of garlic? We dare you to find a more festive entree.
This centerpiece dish will be the highlight of your Christmas meal (or appetizer spread) and look good doing it, too. Its hearty and filling ingredients pack in plenty of protein and flavor. It’s the vegan take on the British meat pie that is popular as a main dish during the Christmas season, and believe us—it can hold up to the best of them.
Red Cabbage With Port, Prunes & Orange
This cabbage is like a more diverse, less sugar-saturated Christmas cranberry sauce. Well, appearance-wise, at least. We are always big fans of any food that adds a vibrant splash of color to the table (as long as it’s not on the table cloth).
This fruity, tangy treat will make a unique addition to any spread. The longer you cook the veggies, the more the spices and flavors will intermingle, so it might be worth a few extra minutes in the oven to achieve maximum flavor. You can always give it a taste before serving, just to be sure.
You Have Now Arrived at Your Destination: Dessert
There’s no time to lose. This is the good stuff. Let’s dive into some vegan Christmas desserts.
Vegan Eggnog
Earlier, we implied that vegans could not partake in eggnog. That was just to throw you off the scent.
We are starting our list with this delicious little beverage, perfect for setting the tone for your Christmas events. You’ll need a non-dairy milk of your choice, cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut milk, and some maple syrup.
If you are looking for sugar-free maple syrup, try ours! It’s all-natural, zero added sugar, and has every bit of the mapley flavor you know and love.
Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookie Sandwiches
There is so much to unpack with the name that it’s difficult to know where to start. Let’s begin with gingerbread. It’s maybe one of the most iconic Christmas flavor profiles out there. There are countless ways to use it. We make houses out of the stuff, for goodness sake.
As for the rest of the recipe, the words “cookie” and “sandwich” in the same line as “gluten-free” really just speak for themselves. Seriously, why haven’t you clicked this recipe link already?
Super Simple Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies
Minimal effort for maximum taste? Sounds like a no-brainer to us.
These rich cookies are the perfect thing to set out on a tray next to your Christmas cake of choice. If you love chocolate and want to steer clear of gluten, these are a great option. Plus, if you need some high-quality baking chocolate that’s totally plant-based and with no added sugar, we just so happen to know where you can find some.
Orange Cranberry Cake
We’re not sure what it is about Christmas and cranberries, but the two are inexorably intertwined. We aren't complaining. After all, they are the perfect ingredient for a moist and citrusy orange cake.
This is the show-stopping vegan dessert that may or may not cause a holiday brawl for the last piece. Good thing you also had those super easy chocolate cookies on hand because they make for an excellent consolation prize.
Christmas Time!
Fast forward to December 25th. The smell of cinnamon and pine is in the air. There you sit, warm mug in hand, waiting for those closest to you to plop down by the tree and start the age-old practice of vigorously shaking anything with their name on it.
But what about the Christmas meal? In all the tumult of gift purchasing and stealing the cookies your kids made for Santa, you forgot to prepare your Christmas recipes! Now your whole family is forced to eat cold oatmeal for all three Christmas meals.
If only you had come across an article that could have provided you with delicious vegan recipes months in advance. Oh wait—you did! Thanks to this list of our favorite vegan Christmas recipes, you’re ready to take on the holiday season in stride, with great flavors along the way.
Sources:
Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits & Country Gravy | Simple Veganista
Cranberry Orange Cake (No eggs, milk, or butter!) | The Big Man’s World
Sizzled sprouts with pistachios & pomegranate recipe | BBC Good Food
Vegan Christmas wreath recipe | BBC Good Food
Red cabbage with port, prunes & orange recipe | BBC Good Food
1 comment
Love the suggestions.
