Vegan Christmas Recipes for a Festive Holiday

Vegan Christmas recipes dinner plate with mushroom lentil loaf, roasted vegetables, vegan mash and gravy

Planning a festive meal without meat or dairy is much easier than people think. With the right vegan christmas recipes you can serve a cozy, satisfying meal that everyone at the table will love, whether they are vegan or not.

In this guide, I am sharing simple and comforting vegan christmas recipes that fit together as a full vegan christmas dinner menu:

  • Mushroom lentil loaf
  • Balsamic roasted vegetables
  • Vegan mashed potatoes
  • Vegan gravy
  • Chocolate mousse

You can use all of these vegan christmas recipes for one complete menu, or mix a few of them with your other plant based dishes.

Vegan Main Course For Christmas Eve

Mushroom Lentil Loaf

This mushroom lentil loaf is the star of your vegan christmas dinner. It has a hearty texture from lentils, mushrooms, and oats or breadcrumbs, plus plenty of herbs for flavor. Once baked, it slices beautifully and looks great on a serving platter.

Among vegan christmas recipes, a good loaf is a must, because it gives you a main dish that feels as special as a roast.

Sliced mushroom lentil loaf topped with herbs, served with greens on a plate.

Why you will love it:

  • Hearty, filling and rich in protein
  • Easy to slice and serve with sides and gravy
  • Can be made ahead and reheated on Christmas Eve

👉 Full recipe: Mushroom Lentil Loaf

Classic Vegan Christmas Side Dishes

No vegan christmas dinner is complete without cozy side dishes. These vegan christmas recipes are dairy free but still creamy, flavorful, and perfect with your lentil loaf.

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Balsamic roasted vegetables are a simple way to bring color and sweetness to your plate. A mix of vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, onions, or parsnips is tossed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, then roasted until caramelised.

Out of all vegan christmas recipes, this one is very flexible. You can use whatever vegetables you like or have in your fridge.

Roasted bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and onions glazed with balsamic, topped with herbs and sesame seeds.

Why you will love it:

  • Beautiful mix of colors and textures
  • Balsamic glaze adds sweetness and depth
  • Easy to cook in a big tray for guests

👉 Full recipe: Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Vegan mashed potatoes are a key part of many vegan christmas recipes collections. You can make them very creamy using plant based milk and vegan butter or olive oil. Garlic, nutritional yeast, or herbs can be added for extra flavor.

They are perfect for soaking up gravy and pairing with your lentil loaf and roasted vegetables.

Creamy vegan mashed potatoes topped with chives and a sprinkle of paprika in a bowl.

Why you will love them:

  • Comforting and familiar, even for non vegans
  • Easy to make in a large pot for many people
  • Work with almost any main in a vegan christmas dinner

👉 Full recipe: Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Essential Sauce For A Vegan Christmas Dinner

Vegan Gravy

A rich vegan gravy pulls all your vegan christmas recipes together. It is often made with vegetable stock, onions or mushrooms, herbs, and a thickener like flour or cornstarch. You simmer everything until it becomes glossy and smooth.

Pour it over the mushroom lentil loaf, mashed potatoes, and even your roasted vegetables for a complete vegan christmas dinner experience.

Bowl of thick vegan gravy with a spoon, showing a smooth, glossy texture.

Why you will love it:

  • Deep savory flavor without any meat or dairy
  • Simple ingredients but big impact
  • Can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving

👉 Full recipe: Vegan Gravy

Vegan Christmas Dessert To Finish The Meal

Chocolate Mousse

To finish your vegan christmas dinner, a silky vegan chocolate mousse is perfect. It tastes rich and indulgent but is made with plant based ingredients such as dark chocolate and coconut cream or aquafaba.

This is one of those vegan christmas recipes that feels like a restaurant dessert but is surprisingly simple to make.

Vegan chocolate mousse topped with whipped cream and fresh berries in a glass bowl.

Why you will love it:

  • Luxurious texture and deep chocolate flavor
  • Can be prepared in advance and kept chilled
  • Easy to decorate with berries, grated chocolate, or mint

👉 Full recipe: Vegan Chocolate Mousse

How To Use These Vegan Christmas Recipes As A Full Menu

Here is a simple way to turn these vegan christmas recipes into a complete and balanced vegan christmas dinner:

Suggested menu:

  • Mushroom lentil loaf
  • Balsamic roasted vegetables
  • Vegan mashed potatoes
  • Vegan gravy
  • Chocolate mousse

This combination gives you:

  • A hearty plant based main
  • Colorful roasted vegetables
  • A creamy, comforting potato side
  • A rich sauce to connect everything
  • A chocolate dessert to end the evening

You can also add extras like a simple green salad, bread rolls, or your favorite vegan starter.

Timeline For A Stress Free Vegan Christmas Dinner

To make these vegan christmas recipes easier to handle, try this simple plan.

The day before:

  • Cook lentils and prep vegetables for the loaf
  • Assemble the mushroom lentil loaf and keep it chilled, ready to bake
  • Prep vegetables for roasting and store them in containers
  • Make the chocolate mousse and keep it in the fridge

On Christmas Eve:

  1. Bake the mushroom lentil loaf.
  2. Roast the vegetables in the oven while the loaf is baking or resting.
  3. Boil potatoes and prepare the vegan mashed potatoes.
  4. Cook the vegan gravy on the stove shortly before serving.

This schedule keeps your vegan christmas dinner organized and stops everything from happening at once.

Tips To Make Vegan Christmas Recipes Taste Amazing

  • Season well:
    Good salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and a touch of acid like lemon or vinegar make vegan christmas recipes shine.
  • Use fresh herbs where possible:
    Rosemary, thyme, parsley, and sage add a holiday feeling to a vegan christmas dinner.
  • Play with texture:
    Combine creamy potatoes, crunchy roasted vegetables, firm lentil loaf, and smooth mousse so every bite feels interesting.
  • Make extra gravy:
    Everyone loves gravy, and it works on almost all parts of your plate.

FAQs :

What do vegans have for Christmas?

Vegans can enjoy a full Christmas spread with a plant-based centerpiece plus classic sides. Common options include a lentil or mushroom wellington, stuffed squash, vegan roast, nut loaf, and plenty of sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes (with plant milk and vegan butter), gravy, cranberry sauce, and festive desserts.

How do vegans celebrate Christmas?

Vegans celebrate Christmas the same way as anyone else, with a few simple food swaps. Many people plan a vegan menu, bring a dish to share, or host a plant-based dinner. Traditions like decorating, exchanging gifts, baking cookies (vegan versions), watching holiday movies, and spending time with family and friends stay the same.

What are the most popular vegan dishes?

Popular vegan dishes include:
Lentil bolognese or pasta dishes
Chickpea curry or vegetable stew
Tofu or tempeh stir-fry
Bean chili
Buddha bowls with grains, veggies, and sauces
Vegan burgers and wraps
Roasted veggies and salads

What is a very vegan Christmas “Viva”?

If you mean a very vegan Christmas feast or menu, here’s a simple “all-vegan” lineup:
Main: mushroom or lentil wellington (or a vegan roast)
Sides: maple-roasted carrots, garlic green beans, mashed potatoes, and vegan gravy
Extras: cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and a big winter salad
Dessert: vegan chocolate truffles or a dairy-free cheesecake cup
Drinks: spiced apple cider or a cranberry spritzer

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