When it comes to food, Christmas is all about indulgence. We want a meal to remember and one that will impress family and friends. It can be hard trying to come up with an interesting and delicoius vegetarian or vegan festive feast if you’re not used to it. Or you could just be looking for new ideas. Here’s a bountiful basket of over seventy vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes that should take some of the stress out of your yuletide decision making.
Vegetarian and Vegan Christmas Recipes
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or just looking for some non-meat alternatives, you’ll find plenty of ideas in this comprehensive festive recipe guide. Start with homemade mincemeat and finish with leftovers and a ‘cheese’ board on Boxing Day. Wake up to cinnamon rolls for breakfast, enjoy a drink with some festive canapรฉs then tuck in to the main event.
I hope you find something to inspire you in these vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes. If not, head to my Vegetarian Christmas board on Pinterest. You’ll find even more recipes there. May your festivities be merry and go with a swing.
Mincemeat Recipes
Before you get too stuck into all these vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes, do try and make some mincemeat. It’s such useful stuff. Don’t be limited to mince pies alone, although they can be delicious. It can be used as an ingredient for all sorts of things, including a last minute Christmas cake (see Christmas cake section for a recipe).
I have several recipes for mincemeat on Tin and Thyme; I’ve included two of them here. The earlier you prepare it the better it will taste.
chilli & chocolate mincemeat (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
fat-free mincemeat via Tin and Thyme
lemon & ginger mincemeat (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
mince pies via Recipes Made Easy
the ultimate vegan mince pies (vegan) via The Veg Space
chocolate mincemeat flapjacks via Tin and Thyme
chilli & chocolate mincemeat slice via Tin and Thyme
mincemeat brownies via Tin and Thyme
Recipes for Christmas Cookies
Christmas is a time for giving and cookies make an excellent gift. You’ll find heaps of biscuit recipes here on Tin and Thyme, but I’ve extracted the ones I thought were the most festive. A Scottish shortbread recipe is also a must.
chilli Christmas shortbread biscuits via Tin and Thyme
boussou la tmssou (Algerian shortbread cookies) (vegan) via Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey
coconut shortbread stars (vegan) via The Vegan Larder
wholemeal clotted cream shortbread via Tin and Thyme
chocolate orange Scottish shortbread via Farmersgirl Kitchen
cinnamon & honey Christmas stars via Tin and Thyme
gingerbread cookies (vegan + gluten-free) via Rhian’s Recipes
chocolate pistachio biscotti with orange & cardamom via Tin and Thyme
matcha, chocolate & vanilla butter biscuits via Tin and Thyme
pistachio biscuits with rose & almonds via Tin and Thyme
Breakfast Recipes
My favourite Christmas breakfast is a bowl of frumenty. It’s an old fashioned recipe, but so good. It’s best cooked overnight in a slow cooker, or, as my mother does, in the bottom of the Aga. It consists of whole wheat grains such as spelt or kamut with raisins, orange zest, spices and double cream – mmm! I still haven’t managed to get the recipe onto the blog, but I will some day.
Alternatively, porridge with a slug of whisky and a big dollop of clotted cream is rather good. If that doesn’t float your festive boat, here’s a few other ideas.
cheat’s stollen croissants via Fab Food 4 All
cranberry nut rolls (vegan option) via Green Gourmet Giraffe
Danish pastry cinnamon rolls via Apply to Face Blog
gingerbread fluffy pancakes (vegan) via Veggie Desserts
mincemeat buns via Tin and Thyme
Strasbourg kouglof via Tin and Thyme
Canapรฉs
It’s nice to have something other than posh crisps to nibble on whilst you’re waiting for dinner. I usually try and make something a bit special. Sadly, I don’t seem to have documented many of my recipes here on the blog. Luckily, I’ve found a few to include in this guide to vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes.
bruschetta Christmas trees (vegan) via Thinly Spread
chocolate mushroom vol au vents via Tin and Thyme
mushroom & chestnut sausage rolls via Tin and Thyme
onion & butternut squash bhajis (vegan) via Gingey Bites
Vegetarian and Vegan Mains
Call me old fashioned, but I do enjoy a good nut roast. Please don’t think nut roast has to be boring, dry or tasteless; it can be a real star. I always find meat eaters dig into my nut roast with gusto, so there must be something to it.
If we’re having Christmas at my mother’s, she always makes me a mock goose and that’s pretty good too. I have no recipe for mock goose here, but you’ll find a few nut roasts and a couple of alternative recipes. Most of those below are vegan or have vegan options, which makes them suitable for pretty much everyone.
lentil & Brazil nut roast with sage & onion stuffing (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
cauliflower & porcini mushroom Wellington via Food to Glow
chestnut & cashew nut roast (vegan) via Thinly Spread
chestnut & cranberry nut roast via Veggielicious
kale lovers Christmas pie (vegan) via The Veg Space
layered nut roast (vegan option) via Green Gourmet Giraffe
mushroom, lentil & nut Wellington (vegan) via Tinned Tomatoes
whole roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce via Tin and Thyme
Christmas Sides
Much as I love my nut roast or my mum’s mock goose, it’s always the Christmas side dishes that I really look forward to. Jerusalem artichokes in lemon sauce, parsnips in orange sauce, sticky red cabbage, never mind the roast potatoes, parsnips & onions. Even Brussels sprouts when cooked well can be delicious. For a quick guide on how to do this, head over to my post on how to cook the perfect Brussels sprouts.
So with this in mind, you’ll find a good selection of sides included in these vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes.
pigs in blankets (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
perfect roast potatoes (vegan) via Amuse Your Bouche
rosemary roast potatoes (vegan) via Veggielicious
Roasted squash with sage and hazelnut brown butter via Tin and Thyme
roast parsnips with honey & thyme (vegan) via Easy Peasy Foodie
honey butter glazed carrots via Tin and Thyme
fennel & maple roasted carrots (vegan) via Food to Glow
maple balsamic roasted carrots and parsnips (vegan) via Sneaky Veg
braised red cabbage (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
stir-fried Brussels sprouts with leeks, ginger, garlic & chilli (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts via Veggielicious
creamed kale (vegan & vegetarian versions) via Food to Glow
Stuffing Recipes
Just because we vegetarians and vegans don’t want to eat a bird, it doesn’t mean we don’t want a bit of stuffing.
chestnut & tempeh stuffing balls (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
cornbread stuffing (gluten-free & vegan) via Healthier Steps
mushroom & chestnut stuffing (vegan) via Amuse Your Bouche
quick vegetarian Christmas stuffing via Everyday Healthy Recipes
sage & onion stuffing (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
Sauces & Gravy
No guide to vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes would be complete without some bread sauce and gravy. Cranberry sauce is always good too. I make a mean cranberry sauce, so I usually make some to take along to whoever’s hosting on the big day – sometimes that’s us.
red wine gravy (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
easy bread sauce via Amuse Your Bouche
cranberry sauce with orange & Port (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
Christmas Pudding
Perhaps I would say this, but my mother makes the best Christmas puddings. Even CT likes them and he hates fruit cakes, mince pies and Christmas pudding. It’s a bit of a tradition now that she makes them for family members and many of her friends too.
To my shame, I’ve never made one in my life and don’t have the recipe. I guess I’m going to have to bite the bullet some day. Meanwhile, it’s my job to provide an alternative pud for the big day. I’ve tried all sorts over the years, but the favourites are always trifle and my cheesecake surprise.
cavalo nero Christmas pudding via Veggie Desserts
ultimate vegan Christmas pudding (vegan) via A Virtual Vegan
no-churn Christmas pudding ice cream via Recipes Made Easy
family-size festive sweet mince pie (vegan) via A Bit of the Good Stuff
chocolate & lime cheesecake surprise via Tin and Thyme
cranberry & white chocolate trifle via Tin and Thyme
pomegranate & kiwi crown pavlova via Baking Queen 74
spiced prune chocolate pots with amaretto via Tin and Thyme
magical gingerbread mousse (vegan) via The Healthy Tart
Drinks
We tend to stick to the tried and tested when it comes to drinks. We’ll have a glass of mulled cider or mulled wine before the main meal, some fizz to go with the meal itself and maybe some sort of Irish cream drink in the evening. But in case you want something a bit different, here are a few Christmas drink recipes you might like.
mulled gin cocktail with mulled wine ice cubes via Veggie Desserts
Amaretto white cream liqueur (vegan) via Glutarama
Apple Mac cocktail via Tin and Thyme
mulled cider or mulled apple juice via Tin and Thyme
mulled wine spritzer via Veggie Desserts
winter warmer mulled gin & ginger beer via Foodie Quine
Christmas Cake
No Christmas is complete without a Christmas cake, even if it doesn’t actually get sliced until Boxing Day. If traditional Christmas cake isn’t your thing, there’s lots of enticing alternatives that can be made just a day or two before needed.
Personally, I find Christmas cake a bit too rich and heavy, although I love the marzipan. I infinitely prefer lighter fruit cakes that don’t need to be made weeks in advance. Or how about a roulade filled with all sorts of deliciousness?
figgy almond & whisky Christmas cake via Tin and Thyme
Amaretto Christmas cake via Something Sweet, Something Savoury
classic Christmas cake via Farmersgirl Kitchen
Earl Grey fruit cake with orange icing via Tin and Thyme
fig & mincemeat Christmas cake via Tin and Thyme
Italian chestnut cake (castagnaccio) via Tin and Thyme
naked Christmas cake with glazed nuts & cherries via Supper in the Suburbs
panforte via Tin and Thyme
ultimate Christmas cake (vegan) via The Veg Space
chocolate chestnut roulade via Tin and Thyme
Homemade Chocolates
You can’t have Christmas without chocolate. It starts with the Christmas stocking and goes on for the rest of the day. Or it does in CT’s case anyway. Homemade chocolates and fudge are generally much nicer than commercial offerings. They don’t need to be nearly as sweet and sickly, they’re not full of e-numbers and you can add all sorts of interesting flavours and touches.
I don’t make fudge very often as we always get a pack of homemade Bailey’s fudge from one of my aunts, although I do have one recipe for chilli chocolate fudge which is rather good. If that doesn’t suit, there are plenty of other delicious fudge recipes out there. I do, however, usually knock up a box or ten of chocolates. And really, what would you have with your post Christmas dinner coffee, if you didn’t have chocolate?
whisky truffles via Tin and Thyme
candied orange peel dipped in dark chocolate via Tin and Thyme
chocolate coated caramel Brazils via Tin and Thyme
Christmas bliss balls – cranberry, pistachio, coconut & salted caramel (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
ginger chocolates via Tin and Thyme
glitzy chocolate mendiants via Tin and Thyme
peppermint cracknel & coconut chocolate via Tin and Thyme
raw chocolates with a boosted cashew cream filling (raw & vegan) via Tin and Thyme
rosemary chocolate truffles via Tin and Thyme
gingerbread chocolate truffles (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
Boxing Day
Eating all the leftovers on Boxing Day is definitely one of life’s pleasures. My stepfather used to throw a selection into the frying pan for Boxing Day breakfast, including any leftover Christmas pudding.
Cheese and crackers, however, are de rigueur. I use the term loosely, as I basically mean anything that goes with crackers. A cheeseboard with some chutney, juicy ripe fruit, dried figs, nuts and anything else that grabs your fancy is great, but so is homemade pรขtรฉ. We never seem to have room on Christmas day itself for cheese and crackers; we’re always completely stuffed from the main event, so I look forward to this treat with great anticipation.
spiced apple chutney (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
festive baked camembert via Supper in the Suburbs
mushroom pรขtรฉ (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
seaweed spelt crackers (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
sesame & chia seed crackers (vegan option) via The Baking Explorer
smoky ham dip and a party platter (vegan) via Tin and Thyme
Your Favourite Vegetarian and Vegan Christmas Recipes
So after sifting through this lot, the big question is, what have I left out? What are your favourite vegetarian or vegan Christmas recipes? Do tell by commenting below. I really enjoy reading about what people are preparing and eating over Christmas and I’m always up for new ideas.
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If youโd like even more Christmas recipes, follow the link and youโll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious and nutritious, of course. Or head to my Vegetarian Christmas board on Pinterest.
Choclette x
Monika Dabrowski says
What a fantastic veggie Christmas collection! Thank you for including my recipe. Shared.
Choclette says
Thanks Monika. It’s quite nice to have one place to go for ideas sometimes.
Lucy says
Loving all these veggie and vegan ideas for a Christmas. I want to have a main veggie option this year for those that want it so I am bound to find the right recipe here! Thanks for including my pud.
Choclette says
It’s always nice to have a choice and everyone always seems to want what I’m having – as well rather than instead of though ๐
angiesrecipes says
Such a great collection of holiday recipes! I need to make some mincemeat too.
Choclette says
Mincemeat is an absolute must at this time of year Angie ๐
Janice Pattie says
Looks like you have everything covered there. Thanks for including my shortbread recipe.
Choclette says
Couldn’t leave that out Janice. I have your Christmas cake too.
Mary says
Thanks for the plethora of fabulous recipes. Just proves that you donโt have to eat meat to have a luscious meal!!
Choclette says
Indeed Mary. I always enjoy my Christmas food. Hope you’ve garnered some inspiration.
Camilla Hawkins says
So many delicious veggie Christmas dishes here, I literally want to try them all. Thanks for linking to my recipe:-)
Choclette says
These sort of posts are terrible for making us want to do more than is ever possible.
Anna | Once Upon A Food Blog says
What a great collection of recipes. You have even tempted me ( a stalwart carnivore ) you try your nut roast! I love the fact that you have covered so many meals and all the sides!
Choclette says
Thanks Anna. No carnivore has yet tasted my nut roast and not wanted more – though I could just be saying that ๐
Michelle Blackwood says
Wow, so many great recipes to choose from. Thank you for sharing!
Choclette says
Thanks Michelle and thanks also for contributing your cornbread stuffing. It’s great to have a gluten-free alternative.
johanna @ green gourmet giraffe says
What a great collection. I love how we can see what you love to post – bikkies, mincewmeat and chocolates ๐ I love how you cover all courses – though I still don’t get these stuffing recipes because the stuffing we had as kids was like nut roasts – which I think is why I love nut roasts so much. I am glad to see your cinnamon and honey stars included – I often remember them at Christmas but have still never made them! Enjoyed reading about your traditions at Christmas – hope you have a great festive feast this year
Choclette says
Aw, thanks Johanna. My savoury offerings are a bit sparse I know, but I have a lot of catching up to do after years of posting just chocolate recipes. The stuffings I’ve always had rarely have nuts in them, unless it’s they’re chestnuts, but I know what you mean. Basically the Christmas meal is all about various flavours of stodge – love it ๐
Kate Hackworthy says
What a great collection of veggie and vegan Xmas recipes!
Choclette says
Thanks, I reckon I shall just keep adding to it. I’m sure there’s a few crucial things I’ve left out.
manda says
Can we have the recipes for frumenty and mock goose next year please?
Choclette says
Haha, yes, I really ought to get on and write those up.
Mandy says
What a fabulous selection of vegan and veggie Christmas recipes! Can’t wait to try some of these and thank you so much for including some of my recipes.
Choclette says
As you said Mandy, you had quite a few recipes to choose from – I think I chose most of them ๐
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Wowwww what a bumper collection! Thanks so much for including me ๐
Choclette says
A pleasure Becca, your potatoes look so good, I come away starving every time I look at them.