The best vegan Christmas dinner recipes from around the web! Find festive appetizers, delicious sides, hearty mains and decadent desserts the whole family will love as well as a fully planned-out printable menu.
Christmas time has something really magical about it — getting together with loved ones, decorating the house, sharing delicious food and so much more.
If this is your first holiday season as a vegan or you’re hosting a vegan-friendly Christmas dinner this year, the following list of easy and healthy vegan Christmas recipes will be just for you.
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But even seasoned vegans can find some new additions to their holiday spread on this list! From meatless mains to undetectably dairy-free desserts and everything in between, the following plant-based recipes will be a huge success with all of your guests.
For more holiday-related resources, find our favorite vegan Christmas breakfast recipes, vegan Christmas cookies, vegan sides and 55+ plant-based Thanksgiving recipes on our website.
We also wrote a vegan holiday survival guide and shared our favorite vegan gift ideas as well as easy vegan edible gifts!
Don’t miss out on our printable vegan Christmas dinner menu at the end of the article and browse our collection of vegan winter recipes for more seasonal goodness.
Easy Festive Appetizers
Vegan Hummus Cheese Platter
Would you believe that this colorful appetizer platter isn’t just fully vegan but can also be put together within half an hour, tops?
Choose from beautiful seasonal produce, creamy spreads and your favorite dippable bread when following along our guide to creating the ultimate hummus and nut cheese platter for the holidays.
Creamy Avocado Spinach Hummus
When you’re looking for a simple and versatile vegan appetizer, nothing beats the humble hummus. This vibrantly green variety features chickpeas as well as green peas, avocado and spinach!
Top with fresh herbs, cracked black pepper and lemon slices, then serve this hummus with all kinds of bread and crackers.
Vegan Christmas Pinwheels Appetizer
This pretty vegan appetizer is perfect during the holidays! Christmas pinwheels are filled with pesto and sundried tomatoes for a lovely green-and-red theme.
They are fun and easy to make and such delicious little snacks!
Rosemary Stuffed Mushrooms
What better time to make all things oven-baked? These crowd-pleasing whole food plant-based stuffed mushrooms are completely oil-free and likely to be devoured within minutes.
The creamy cashew and spinach filling is wonderfully herb-infused and will have every kitchen smell like a dream.
Pistachio Crusted Cheese Ball
Every festive spread calls for some delectable cheese – nut cheese, that is. Not only is this version cruelty-free and full of healthy fiber, but it’s also super creamy and flavorful.
Complete with a pistachio crust, this herb-infused nut cheese ball is a hit at every party. Highly recommended!
Easy Vegan Mushroom Crostini
Crunchy baguette topped with grilled vegan mozzarella, sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms all join forces for this festive vegan appetizer!
These mushroom crostini feature lots of delicious flavors like balsamic, Dijon mustard, garlic and fresh thyme.
Vegan Holiday Hummus
Let’s add one more hummus to this list! This holiday-themed recipe doesn’t just call for chickpeas but also features carrots, rosemary and parsley.
Garnished with pomegranate seeds, it makes for a pretty and unobtrusive addition to the table, perfect for spreading, dipping or just enjoying by the spoonful.
Healthy Vegan Christmas Sides
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
These creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for anyone trying to add more healthy yet delicious sides to the table!
Made without cream, butter or oil, these mashed potatoes are so easy to make in under 30 minutes and taste best when topped with vegan brown gravy.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Every good holiday spread needs some roasted Brussels sprouts! This simple recipe is easily customizable to your taste preferences and brings out that delicious caramelized flavor.
Enjoy the crispy outside and tender inside of these veggies and don’t forget to add a handful of nuts during the roasting process!
Roast Pumpkin Feta Salad
This easy roast pumpkin salad is easy to make and feels super special at the same time!
Loaded with flavorful seasonal ingredients and ready in about 30 minutes, this recipe is a colorful crowd-pleaser at any table.
Enjoy the layers of texture and flavor in this delicious side dish!
Vegan Gluten-Free Cornbread
Our simple and gluten-free vegan cornbread recipe can be enjoyed sweet or savory and is best served straight out of the oven.
The moist inside and crunchy top make for a comforting holiday meal addition that you can use in any way you like. Completely oil-free and sugar-free but definitely not taste-free!
Warm Lentil Winter Salad
This colorful lentil and kale salad features all of the flavors we love about winter! Hearty greens, protein-packed lentils, juicy pomegranate seeds, roasted red cabbage, creamy tahini and a few more add-ins make this a really delicious side dish.
Ready in 30 minutes total and best enjoyed warm!
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
Using a mix of regular white potatoes and sweet potatoes, this classic side dish offers more than just a vegan twist!
We love the simplicity of the recipe and the ingredients which are very wholesome and easy to find. The creamy cashew sauce is sure to make everyone quickly get over the dairy-free part of this delicious dish.
Quick Savory Pumpkin Tart
Take advantage of the nearly endless possibilities this delicious winter squash variety has to offer by making this savory pumpkin tart.
Yes, pumpkin is fantastic on its own, but pairing it with some puff pastry and garlicky cashew sauce? Uhm, yes, please!
Certainly a pretty and unusual side dish you need to try. Our favorite part is that it only takes 10 minutes of prep time!
Spicy Roasted Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts
This healthy vegan Christmas side is a must! Roasted new potatoes and Brussels sprouts mixed with pomegranate, roasted garlic and lots of spices, make for a beautiful holiday recipe with festive colors.
Serve hot with a plant-based protein-rich centerpiece for a great plant-based dinner menu!
Easy Festive Vegan Stuffing
This delicious herby stuffing is appreciated by vegans and non-vegans alike and can be made one or two days ahead of time to take some of the stress out of Christmas.
We love that the ingredients are rather easy to find and that the stuffing will keep in the fridge for up to a week – if it’ll even survive the first outing on the dinner table, that is.
White Bean Mashed Potatoes
Are you looking for a little twist on traditional Christmas recipes this year?
These creamy mashed potatoes have been upgraded with a bunch of protein-rich white beans as well as some garlic and fresh herbs. Add more creaminess by using extra coconut milk if you like and this sage-infused mashed magic will be yours!
Easy Festive Chestnut Bites
One of our favorite childhood memories revolves around looking for chestnuts in our local forest. So, this ingredient is a must for a cozy and complete winter menu in our books!
These chestnut bites are a perfect “nibble of Christmas” – featuring onion, garlic and cozy winter spices as well as a crispy cornmeal coating. Try pairing them with some cranberry sauce!
Radicchio Clementine Salad
This festive salad is ready in less than 30 minutes and combines seasonal produce with roasted almonds and a sherry shallot vinaigrette.
The bitterness of the radicchio goes perfectly with the sweetness of the clementines and the dressing balances everything out wonderfully!
Air Fryer Butternut Squash
Have you jumped on board with one of the latest trends? Air fryers are fantastic kitchen tools that make crunchy and healthy low-fat meals.
These butternut squash fries can be made entirely without oil (your choice) and are seasoned with oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika and some maple syrup. You won’t be able to take your hands off this sweet and spicy side!
Roasted Squash Farro Salad
This meal brings all of the delicious food groups of a plant-based diet together. You’ve got the nutty whole grain (farro), the starchy vegetable (squash for the win!), sweet and sour fruit, crunchy leafy greens and some wholesome fats and proteins (yay for tahini).
This colorful bowl of joy is the perfect choice to bring to a Christmas party, can partially be made days in advance, and ensures you stay well-nourished during any celebration.
Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls
These 4-ingredients sage and onion stuffing balls make for a wonderful 30-minute side dish during your Christmas dinner!
Serve alongside vegan Wellington, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy for a beautiful vegan-friendly spread.
Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad
Kale, pomegranate, apples, cranberries, Brussels sprouts and sunflower seeds all come together for a nutritious party in a bowl when you make this salad!
Tossed in apple cider vinaigrette, this healthy side dish is both sweet and savory, offerings lots of textures and flavors.
Easy Vegan Christmas Dinner Ideas
Hearty Chickpea Meatloaf
Let’s move on to our meatless mains! This hearty chickpea loaf is made with budget-friendly ingredients and a true hit with plant-munchers and meat-eaters alike.
It can be assembled in advance so that all you have to do on the day of the gathering is to place the loaf pan into the oven and bake it for 40 minutes!
Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Wreath
If you’re looking for a really stunning centerpiece on Christmas, make this savory mushroom wreath! It features butternut squash, puff pastry, caramelized onion and lots of herbs and spices.
Vaguely like a giant vegan sausage roll, this wreath is super hearty and very holiday-appropriate — a true eye-catcher!
Sweet Potato & Kale Pot Pie
This sweet potato and kale pot pie is healthy comfort food at its best. Featuring a simple almond flour crust and a colorful veggie stuffing, it’s completely oil-free, gluten-free and whole food plant-based.
Don’t skip the meaty soy curls and mushrooms, which give the recipe a nice bite. Plus, the well-rounded garlic, thyme, sage and smoked paprika seasoning make this main taste like heaven.
Meaty Vegan Wellington
Surprise your guests with this vegan-friendly meaty Wellington! The savory loaf filling is wrapped in flaky golden pastry and makes for such great comfort food.
It’s high in protein and features lots of herbs, spices and other simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Cranberry Stuffing Festive Pot Pies
How about combining two festive classics – stuffing and pot pies – to make the ultimate healthy, delicious and surprisingly easy Christmas magic that is cranberry stuffing pot pies? We don’t see how you could go wrong with this.
Everyday staples like dried herbs, onions and veggie stock mixed with wintery ingredients such as butternut squash, parsnip and chestnuts, combined into one mouth-watering recipe. Everyone will be all over these in no time!
Vegan Lentil Mushroom Loaf
As Christmas is all about love, why not swap the beautiful animals on the table for a much healthier, easier and cheaper version of meatloaf?
Each serving of this lentil loaf offers 19 grams of plant-strong protein, 10 grams of fiber, double the omega-3 that you need for the whole day – and a whole lot of savory, chewy, flavorful goodness.
Spinach & Almond Ricotta Cannelloni
Pasta is the right choice for any day of the year, right? We’re usually not ones to get the casserole dish out of the cupboard for weeknight dinners but occasions like Christmas definitely call for a scrumptious lovingly prepared plant-strong main meal.
These cheesy, creamy spinach-filled almond ricotta cannelloni make for a wonderful impression and are the perfect comfort meal for young and old alike.
Easy Vegan Nut Roast
This easy vegan nut roast is different from legume-based mains because it features mostly hearty nuts alongside breadcrumbs, some spices and even dried cranberries!
It requires only 15 minutes of prep time and can be served alongside roast potatoes, vegan gravy, steamed veggies and cranberry sauce.
Butternut Squash Kale Lasagna
You cannot go wrong with seasonal produce made into comfort food during Christmas! Especially when you have picky eaters at the table, this creamy, flavorful and scrumptious pumpkin kale lasagna with a cashew cheese sauce will be a true win all around.
Serve with a side of green beans, any of the salads on our list and some freshly baked rolls.
Vegan Seitan Ham
If you’re looking for a great homemade plant-based meat alternative this holiday season, make this seitan ham! Smoky, sweet, satisfying and undetectably healthy, it has a really meaty texture and is packed with flavor.
Any leftovers can be used to add tender, juicy and meaty layers to your vegan sandwiches the next few days!
Vegan Vegetable Wellington
How about this stunning flaky puff pastry beauty for your Christmas centerpiece? Nobody will miss the meat after having tasted this delicious vegetable Wellington.
We love that it’s easily customizable and if you end up with too much filling, you can enjoy it on its own. Perfectly spiced with lots of herbs and wonderfully textured thanks to chopped pecans and cooked rice, this vegan Wellington will be devoured in a matter of minutes!
Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
If you want a satisfying all-in-one meal during the holidays, make this quinoa and cranberry stuffed squash!
With savory goodness coming from sautéed onions, celery, mushrooms and warm spices, texture and protein from quinoa and some sweetness from apples, this main dish doesn’t just look pretty but also tastes heavenly.
Curried Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
This beautiful Christmas dinner option isn’t just your usual Shepherd’s Pie. Offering tons of flavor thanks to curry spices and caramelized tomato paste, this recipe takes a classic dish to the next level.
This satiating family-friendly meal comes with a good load of veggies, lentils and chickpeas and is topped with creamy coconut mashed sweet potatoes.
Cranberry Portobello Pot Roast
For a veggie-rich pot roast version, try this portobello roast recipe! With lots of deep flavors and meaty texture from the mushrooms, it tastes fantastic with some mashed potatoes on the side.
You cannot go wrong with simple ingredients and tasty add-ins like red wine, garlic, rosemary, sage and cranberries!
Healthy Vegan Christmas Treats
Vegan Chocolate Mousse Cake
Our rich and chocolatey mousse cake is the perfect balance between decadent yet not too heavy or overly sweet and it makes for a great holiday dessert.
Secretly high in protein, it features a cookie crust and sugar-free vegan mousse that just needs refrigeration for an hour until it’s ready to serve. Decorate with more chocolate, coconut flakes, fruit or nuts!
Chocolate Coconut Truffles
These little snowballs require only 4 ingredients and 15 minutes of preparation time to make! They are melt-in-your-mouth delicious, low in sugar and make for great edible gifts.
You need to try these rich and intensely coconutty little treats!
Vegan Skillet Cookie Cake
This delicious vegan cookie cake is the perfect combination of a moist cookie and scrumptious, slightly sweet cake that can be dressed up to your liking!
Featuring accessible staple ingredients, it’s fiber-rich, high in protein and such a crowd-pleaser. Serve with vegan frosting or a dollop of homemade ice cream!
Healthy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Can you imagine a better smell filling your kitchen than that from warm, fluffy and nutty vegan cinnamon rolls?
Our easy and wholesome recipe has only 8 basic ingredients plus all the wintery spices you want. No milk, oil, dairy or refined sugar is required for these sweet holiday-friendly buns.
Easy Vegan Pecan Pie
From just looking at this scrumptious vegan pecan pie, you wouldn’t think that it’s actually grain-free, gluten-free, oil-free and refined sugar-free!
Only 8 delicious and healthy plant-based ingredients such as coconut milk or white sweet potatoes and 15 minutes of prep time are needed to make this nutrient- and flavor-dense Christmas treat happen.
Creamy Homemade Vegan Eggnog
Get cozy this Christmas with a creamy, nutty vegan nog! This delicious drink shouldn’t be skipped during the holidays and can totally be made vegan-friendly.
With warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, this delicious creamy nog makes for a great holiday experience everyone will love.
Vegan Christmas Pudding
This gorgeous and fuss-free vegan Christmas pudding is made with all the delicious winter fruit – Medjool dates, golden sultanas, dried cranberries and pears.
Very easily customizable, you can add your favorite Christmas fixings to this recipe, such as prunes, orange zest or cherries. It does take quite a bit of cooking time and a hefty swig of brandy but the result will be so worth it.
4-Ingredient Vegan Peppermint Bark
Make your favorite holiday treat vegan-friendly with this easy recipe! Fun to make and great as a DIY gift, this sweet chocolate and mint combination is just perfect during Christmas.
Try this easy and delicious recipe that’s top-8 allergy-free so that pretty much everyone can enjoy it!
Vegan Chocolate Yule Log
Traditionally made with dairy and eggs, this French yule log (Bûche de Noël) is completely plant-based and the perfect vegan-friendly Christmas treat for the whole family!
It’s super festive, decadent and really beautiful to look at if you spread the chocolate ganache in rustic lines like a tree bark.
Easy Vegan Pumpkin Mousse
This healthy and easy vegan pumpkin mousse only requires 4 simple ingredients plus a few spices like cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg.
It uses a coconut cream and pumpkin (that one was obvious) base and tastes amazing on its own – or you can go crazy with toppings, such as nuts, pecan crumble, granola or coconut whipped cream!
Festive Chocolate Peppermint Tart
A creamy chocolate filling set in a simple crust and topped with whipped coconut cream and crushed candy canes – what could spread more holiday cheer than this delectable vegan and gluten-free chocolate peppermint tart?
Perfectly showcasing that you can still eat awesome food when living a vegan lifestyle, this creamy and decadent tart is great to feed any crowd.
Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
These festive vegan cupcakes feature a rich chocolate bottom and creamy peppermint frosting with crushed candy canes.
This gluten-free recipe is made with everyday kitchen staples and results in moist and fluffy Christmas cupcakes the whole family will love!
Festive Gingerbread Cake
Heavily spiced, deeply dark and slightly sticky, this festive vegan gingerbread cake is a wonderful Christmas dessert idea!
The delicious base is smothered in huge rivers of orange glaze and can be decorated with fresh rosemary springs, cranberries or other holiday-approved items.
Healthy Gingerbread Bliss Balls
Looking for a truly easy and healthy vegan Christmas recipe? These gingerbread bliss balls will be for you!
You can make them within just 10 minutes or less (depending on your rolling skills) and they are so easy to customize to your taste or dietary preferences. Plus, they can be prepped in advance!
Vegan Candy Cane Macarons
These beautiful candy cane macarons are perfect for Christmas! Decorated with crushed candy cane pieces and filled with peppermint buttercream, they are delectable treats for vegans and non-vegans alike.
To make vegan macarons, you can use aquafaba instead of egg whites to achieve a similar texture. Definitely worth trying!
Vegan Christmas Chocolates
Super easy to make and actually good for you, these chocolate peanut butter Christmas treats are a great pick-me-up during the busy holidays.
Completely whole food plant-based, no oil or gluten, and slowly melting in your mouth… kids and grown-ups alike will love them! Another great dessert nobody will notice is actually vegan.
More Vegan Holiday Recipes
If you liked these vegan Christmas dinner ideas, be sure to check out the following plant-based holiday recipes next!
- 30+ Vegan Halloween Recipes
- 40+ New Year’s Eve Recipes
- 50 Vegan Easter Recipes
- 35+ Mother’s Day Recipes
- 22+ Vegan 4th of July Recipes
We hope you enjoyed our hand-selected list of healthy vegan Christmas recipes! Be sure to leave a comment below, print and rate our Christmas dinner menu and Pin this article here.
55+ Fantastic Vegan Christmas Dinner Recipes (+ Full Menu)
The best vegan Christmas dinner menu made from healthy whole food plant-based ingredients and easily customizable! Family-friendly, budget-friendly and incredibly delicious. Find 55+ more vegan Christmas recipes in the article above!
Ingredients
Instructions
Make the Cornbread
- Preheat your oven to 400° F (200 °C) and line a 8-9 inches baking pan as well as two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Get the seven basic ingredients for the gluten-free vegan cornbread and mix thoroughly until a homogenous batter is formed. Pour it in your prepared baking pan.
Roast the Vegetables
- Slice pumpkin, pears and onions for the roasted winter salad as well as other seasonal produce you want to add to your appetizer platter.
- Arrange in single layers on your prepared baking sheet, then put alongside the baking pan with the cornbread in the oven for around 20 minutes.
- Check in from time to time to make sure everything is baked evenly and nothing burns.
Prepare the Appetizer Platter
- Get your favorite seasonal fruit, veggies, fresh herbs, leafy greens and a few dips and spreads which you can beautifully arrange on your appetizer platter. We like to go for some hummus, chutney, garlic yogurt dip and homemade nut cheese.
- Add some sliced bread, sticks, chips or other dippers. Decorate with nuts and dried fruit, then add the roasted pumpkin once it’s done baking.
Make the Lentil Loaf
- Combine cooked lentils with oats, walnuts, shredded carrot, onion, garlic and some herbs and spices. Mix with a spoon, then transfer everything into a loaf pan and spread with tomato glaze.
- Reduce the temperature of the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and remove all of the vegetables and the baked cornbread. Place your pan with the lentil walnut mixture into the oven and set a timer to 45 minutes.
Make the Roast Pumpkin Salad
- Add fresh spinach and arugula into a large bowl and whisk together a quick 3-minute vegan honey mustard dressing in another small bowl.
- Top your greens with the roasted pumpkin, onion and pears from the oven, add some homemade vegan feta cheese, pomegranate seeds and walnuts. Drizzle with the dressing just before serving!
Make the Skillet Cookie Cake
- Put dates, almond butter and vanilla into a food processor and create a smooth puree. Add cooked chickpeas, almond flour, oat flour and baking powder. Process to obtain a creamy batter.
- Fold in chocolate chips, then transfer your cookie cake batter into a round baking pan or cast iron skillet which you put into the oven once the lentil loaf is done baking.
- Remove the hearty loaf, then set a timer for 20 minutes to be able to serve your cookie cake still warm topped with some coconut whipped cream or vegan ice cream.
Notes
- Nutritional information was automatically calculated without the appetizer platter. Servings may vary depending on the person and their nutritional needs.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6Amount Per Serving: Calories: 653Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 514mgCarbohydrates: 82gFiber: 16gSugar: 32gProtein: 22g
Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated automatically, their accuracy is not guaranteed. Just focus on whole plant-based foods and eat until satiety!
Hi ,
Thank you so much . I am definitely going to try some of these recipes. Although I am not totally Vegan . I prefer eating mostly vegan . They look easy and delicious 😊
How do we access the Christmas Dinner recipes?
Hi Nancy,
just click “Get the Recipe” beneath any of the recipes you’d like to check out and follow :)
Hope this helps!
These recipes look delicious. I really would like to try them all. How can I obtain all of these recipes?
Thank you for sharing delicious healthy lifestyle
Hi Denise,
thanks for your comment, we’re happy to know that we like our collection of Christmas recipes :) Just click the button beneath any recipe you’re interested in and it takes you to the ingredients and instructions.
Best wishes,
Alena