Here’s a festive array of vegan Christmas dinner main dishes — abundant seasonal fare for your festive holiday menu. Rather than focusing what’s no longer feasible to use in holiday fare, vegans and vegetarians have started new traditions that make lavish use of all the fresh foods available in season.
The main meal of the holiday, Christmas dinner, often closely follows Thanksgiving traditions in North America. For those who have gone plant-based, it can also pose the same challenges, as well as similar opportunities.
Feasting with family and friends, so central to this beloved holiday whose traditional directive is to “make great cheer,” is made all the merrier when the compassion of the vegan kitchen is paired with the abundance of the season.
“Beefy” Vegan Holiday Pot Roast: A hearty dish made with plant-based beefy tips or seitan, plus portobello mushrooms and plenty of vegetables, this is a fantastic option for holidays and special occasions.
Brown and Wild Rice Stuffed Peppers: This might just be the perfect vegan (and gluten-free) main dish to serve for holidays and special occasions.
Quick Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: Laura Theodore’s stuffed portobello mushrooms are easy enough to make for a weeknight meal and special enough for a company meal. A fantastic choice when serving a smaller group.
Chick’n or Chickpea Vegan Vegetable Pot Pie: Everyone loves the nostalgic classic vegetable pot pie, whether for everyday meals or as a crowd-pleasing vegan option as a Thanksgiving or Christmas main dish.
Chickpea Sheet Pan Pie: Cradled in a flaky, golden crust, chickpeas and green peas commingle with the classic French mirepoix of onion, carrots, celery, and savory spices.
Classic Vegan Meatloaf: Though there’s nothing that particularly says “Thanksgiving” about this classic vegan meatloaf, The Vegan Atlas’s most widely viewed recipe is popular year-round, whether for holidays or everyday meals.
Beluga Lentil-Stuffed Delicata Squash with Cashew Raita: Hannah Kaminsky writes, “Have you ever seen a better vegetable for stuffing than the humble delicata squash? Each perfect yellow and green-striped edible tube becomes an ideal vessel for every sort of filling imaginable, no matter how you cut or cook it.” It makes a stunning main dish for the holiday.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie: This comforting, hearty vegan sweet potato shepherd’s pie is a perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas main dish, but you need not wait for a holiday to enjoy it.
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils & Mushrooms: With a richly flavored filling of lentils and mushrooms, this vegan shepherd’s pie is a deep dish of comfort. For years, this recipe has been a favorite of mine (and my readers) for Thanksgiving and other special occasions.
Lasagna-Like Vegan Pasta Casserole: If you want to go a little less traditional, here’s an easy vegan pasta casserole that has all the great flavors of lasagna with less hassle.
HOLIDAY ROASTS & WELLINGTONS
Thanks to the talented blogger/recipe developer/photographers who contributed these recipes to this roundup — some extra fancy, amazing fare for the holiday table. Photos reprinted with permission.
Vegan Nut Roast: Irena Macri offers this special vegan nut roast made with lots of vegetables, mushrooms, and a variety of nuts. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special occasion, this dish will wow your guests.
Roasted Vegetable Pie with Puff Pastry: From Occasionally Eggs, a roasted vegetable pie, made extra easy with (vegan) puff pastry is a great holiday main dish! With pumpkin, cauliflower, and parsnip, it’s a seasonal centerpiece.
Vegan Seitan Roast: A Virtual Vegan presents an easy to make, tender seitan roast that’s packed full of flavor and perfect for serving with all the trimmings!
Vegan Holiday Roast: Make your festive dinner complete with this step-by-step recipe for Vegan Holiday Roast. It’s filled with savory stuffing and finished with a mouth-watering glaze.
Easy Vegan Wellington (Step-by-Step Recipe): This vegan Wellington is savory and delicious and perfect for Thanksgiving! It is easy to make and filled with warming veggies.
Mashed Potato Stuffed Vegan Wellington: Kitchen Treaty ponders if this is the ultimate vegan Wellington? Possibly so! A flavorful chickpea-walnut loaf with a buttery mashed potato core, all wrapped up in flaky-golden puff pastry and baked to perfection. The perfect holiday table centerpiece!
If you’re looking for a sweet finish …
Make sure to explore this fantastic array of vegan Christmas cookies
See more of this site’s vegan holiday round-ups.
I FINALLY got around to opening this email with all the wonderful recipes held within it – it doesn’t matter, though, because every day is a festive holiday with recipes you share with us. I am especially interested in savory loaves & pies and look forward to making your Classic Vegan Meatloaf and the Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie. Happy January, Nava!
Thank you, Carol! Yes, these recipes can be enjoyed all winter, not just for holidays. I don’t usually mind winter (I’m the indoorsy type!), but this is one spring I’m especially looking forward to …