The holiday season is a time for warmth, togetherness, and indulgence—but that doesn’t mean sacrificing compassion or plant-based principles. With the right recipes, you can treat friends and family to a festive spread of vegan dishes that satisfy every palate. This collection of vegan holiday recipes covers everything from savory starters to decadent desserts, ensuring your celebration is both cruelty-free and crowd-pleasing.
Planning Your Vegan Holiday Menu
Before diving into recipes, consider the flow of your holiday meal. Aim for:
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Appetizers: Light, flavor-packed bites to welcome guests.
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Main Course: A centerpiece with satisfying protein and festive flair.
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Sides: Complementary dishes in varied textures and flavors.
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Salads and Soups: Fresh or warming options to balance richness.
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Desserts: Sweet finales that feel indulgent but plant-based.
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Beverages: Festive drinks to toast the occasion.
Mix make-ahead dishes and freshly prepared items to streamline cooking on the big day. Let’s explore each category.
Appetizers
1. Stuffed Mushrooms with Herbed Cashew Cheese
Ingredients: Large cremini mushrooms, soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, fresh parsley, lemon juice, olive oil.
Instructions:
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Remove mushroom stems and set caps aside.
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Blend cashews, yeast, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and oil into a creamy cheese.
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Spoon mixture into mushroom caps and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Why It Works: Savory, creamy filling makes these mushrooms an elegant starter.
2. Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites (Vegan Version)
Ingredients: Vegan brie-style cheese, phyllo dough cups, cranberry sauce, chopped pecans, fresh thyme.
Instructions:
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Pre-bake phyllo cups until crisp.
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Fill cups with small cubes of vegan brie, top with cranberry sauce and pecans.
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Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes; garnish with thyme.
Why It Works: Sweet-tart cranberry complements nutty cheese for festive flavors.
Main Courses
3. Lentil and Mushroom Wellington
Ingredients: Puff pastry (vegan), green lentils, cremini mushrooms, onion, garlic, thyme, vegan butter, Dijon mustard.
Instructions:
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Cook lentils until tender; sauté mushrooms, onion, and garlic in vegan butter.
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Mix lentils, mushrooms, mustard, and thyme; season with salt and pepper.
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Roll out pastry, place filling in center, fold edges to seal.
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Brush with plant milk; bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes until golden.
Why It Works: A hearty centerpiece with rich umami flavors and flaky pastry.
4. Maple-Glazed Tofu Roast
Ingredients: Extra-firm tofu, tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper.
Instructions:
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Press and drain tofu; cut into a loaf shape.
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Mix glaze ingredients; brush over tofu.
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Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes, flipping and re-glazing halfway.
Why It Works: Sweet and smoky glaze infuses tofu with holiday spirit.
Sides
5. Roasted Root Vegetables with Herb Sauce
Ingredients: Carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh rosemary, parsley, lemon juice.
Instructions:
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Chop vegetables into uniform pieces; toss with oil, salt, pepper.
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Roast at 400°F for 30–35 minutes.
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Blend herbs with lemon juice and oil; drizzle over vegetables.
Why It Works: Roasting enhances natural sweetness; herb sauce brightens flavors.
6. Creamy Vegan Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients: Yukon gold potatoes, unsweetened plant milk, vegan butter, garlic powder, salt, chives.
Instructions:
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Boil potatoes until fork-tender; drain.
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Mash with milk, butter, garlic powder, and salt until smooth.
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Top with chopped chives before serving.
Why It Works: Silky texture and savory notes make this a holiday classic.
7. Green Bean Almondine
Ingredients: Fresh green beans, slivered almonds, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, salt.
Instructions:
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Blanch green beans in boiling water and shock in ice water.
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Sauté almonds and garlic in olive oil until golden; add beans and lemon zest.
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Season with salt and toss to coat.
Why It Works: Crisp-tender beans and toasted almonds offer contrast in texture.
Salads and Soups
8. Winter Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Pistachios
Ingredients: Lacinato kale, pomegranate seeds, shelled pistachios, avocado, lemon-tahini dressing.
Instructions:
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Massage kale with a bit of dressing until tender.
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Toss with pomegranate, pistachios, and avocado.
Why It Works: Vibrant colors and a creamy dressing bring freshness to the table.
9. Butternut Squash Soup with Coconut Cream
Ingredients: Butternut squash, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, coconut milk, ginger, nutmeg.
Instructions:
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Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger; add squash and broth.
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Simmer until squash is soft; blend until smooth.
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Stir in coconut milk and nutmeg; heat through.
Why It Works: Luxurious texture and warm spices evoke cozy holiday vibes.
Desserts
10. Vegan Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients: Prepared vegan pie crust, pumpkin puree, coconut milk, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch.
Instructions:
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Whisk pumpkin, milk, syrup, spices, and cornstarch until smooth.
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Pour into crust; bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes.
Why It Works: Classic holiday flavor in a dairy-free version that holds its shape.
11. Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Ingredients: Vegan dark chocolate, coconut cream, peppermint extract, crushed candy canes.
Instructions:
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Heat cream until simmering; pour over chopped chocolate and stir until melted.
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Add extract; chill until firm.
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Roll into balls; coat in crushed canes.
Why It Works: Rich chocolate and refreshing mint make these an elegant treat.
12. Apple Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients: Apples, dried cranberries, rolled oats, almond flour, vegan butter, cinnamon, maple syrup.
Instructions:
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Toss fruit with cinnamon and syrup; place in baking dish.
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Mix oats, flour, butter, and syrup; sprinkle over fruit.
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Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes until topping is golden.
Why It Works: Warm spices and chewy fruit filling feel festive and comfortable.
Beverage Pairings
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Mulled Apple Cider: Simmer apple cider with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices.
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Vegan Eggnog: Blend soaked cashews, almond milk, maple syrup, nutmeg, and vanilla.
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Cranberry Ginger Spritzer: Mix cranberry juice, ginger beer, and fresh lime.
Make-Ahead and Hosting Tips
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Prep in Stages: Make doughs and sauces a day ahead. Chop vegetables and store in airtight bags.
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Utilize Slow Cookers and Instant Pots: Keep dishes warm and free up oven space.
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Delegate Tasks: Assign guests simple prep jobs like mixing salads or setting the table.
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Label Allergen Information: If hosting non-vegans, clearly mark vegan dishes to avoid confusion.
Where to Find Festive Vegan Kitchenware
Make your holiday cooking more sustainable and stylish with eco-friendly utensils, serving platters, and linens from The Dharma Store. Elevate your table setting with ethically sourced decor and tools.
With these vegan holiday recipes, you’ll be able to craft a memorable feast that celebrates the season with compassion and flavor. From savory mains to sweet treats, each dish is designed to delight a diverse crowd and prove that plant-based cooking shines at any gathering. Enjoy the festivities and the warm glow of knowing your holiday spread is as kind as it is delicious!