15 Exciting Vegan Christmas Recipe Ideas

Some are looking for vegan Christmas recipe ideas this year. Others search for plant based Christmas recipes. Both are delicious, and both are included here!

By Lora O’Brien

Sure, Christmas is an exciting time, but it can also bring stress. It can often seem like the to-do list is endless, and that we will never get it all done in time. And one of the biggest stressors? What food to make!

If you’re making this year a cruelty-free Christmas and are searching for plant based Christmas recipes to serve at your table, well, call it a Christmas miracle – but I’ve found them!

Here below are 15 of the best vegan Christmas recipe ideas on the net.

Whether you’re hosting the holiday at home, or are taking a dish to someone else’s place, there’s something for everyone in this delicious roundup. Happy holidays to all!

1. Maple-Roasted Carrots with Thyme

Sweet, glossy, and perfectly caramelised, these maple-roasted carrots are a simple but incredibly elegant side dish. A drizzle of maple syrup, a touch of olive oil, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme give them a festive lift that works beautifully alongside heartier mains.

2. Creamy Vegan Potato Gratin

Ultra-creamy, comforting, and rich without a drop of dairy, this potato gratin uses cashew cream and garlic to achieve that indulgent texture. It’s one of the best plant-based Christmas recipes to please vegans and non-vegans alike.

3. Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & Pecans

Crispy, caramelised sprouts paired with tart cranberries and toasted pecans create the perfect balance of textures and flavours. It’s a colourful, crowd-pleasing side that tastes as festive as it looks.

4. Vegan Mushroom Gravy

No Christmas dinner is complete without gravy, and this plant-based version is so rich and savoury that no one will miss the meat. Made with mushrooms, herbs, and a splash of tamari, it’s perfect ladled over everything from roast potatoes to nut roasts.

5. Classic Stuffing

Is Christmas even Christmas without stuffing? A classic dish that is super easy for a plant based Christmas. The secret ingredient for that nostalgic flavour is the sage, which, paired with breadcrumbs and herbs will make the most delicious side dish. And did I mention it’s cheap and easy to make?

6. Vegan Wellington

Christmas dinner needs a main, and this vegan Wellington is going to be the star of the show. Instead of a turkey, this delicious dish is made with veggies and herbs will go down a treat with all guests, especially when it’s smothered in vegan gravy!

7. Cashew Nut Roast

One of the most popular plant based Christmas recipes is nut loaf – but this one is particularly festive! This tree shaped nut roast will look good on any table – but you can make it in any pan you like, of course. No matter how it’s shaped, it will taste amazing, too!

8. Festive Pie

A pie of a wonderful meatless main recipe to serve your guests. And this one is loaded with vegan sausage meat, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mushrooms – and even roasted sprouts! It’s literally bursting with these famous festive flavours, all encased in golden, flaky pastry.

9. Holiday Roast

If you want a ‘meaty’ main that is full of Christmas dinner nostalgia, this is one of the best plant based Christmas recipes for you! It’s a holiday roast that’s a perfect, winning dish. Succulent and full of savoury flavours, you’ll be able to carve this into slices to serve alongside all the trimmings!

10. Herb-Crusted Roast Potatoes

Crunchy on the outside and fluffy inside, these roast potatoes get an upgrade with a rosemary-garlic herb crust. They pair effortlessly with every main on this list and are always one of the first dishes to disappear from the table.

11. Creamy Vegan Leek & Mushroom Pie

This comforting leek and mushroom bake is the perfect savoury addition to any plant based Christmas dinner. Tender leeks and earthy mushrooms are folded into a silky dairy-free cream sauce, then topped with golden breadcrumbs and fresh herbs. It’s warming, rich, and wonderfully fragrant — the kind of side dish that feels indulgent without being heavy. It pairs beautifully with nut roast, Wellington, or any festive main you’re serving.

12. Sticky Toffee Pudding

I can confirm this wonderful dessert is popular with most Brits. A hot, sweet and decadent sticky toffee pudding is the ultimate sweet treat, and this dish is made without dairy and eggs! The result is a cake that is moist with just the right amount of gooey toffee sauce.

13. Peppermint Brownies

These peppermint brownies look super rich and decadent but are actually made with some feel good ingredients, such as ground flax, almond flour, almond butter, coconut oil and coconut sugar. They are still gooey inside and taste wonderfully festive with a minty infusion.

14. Mince Pies

Another classic sweet treat dessert to serve at Christmas, these vegan mince pies will be a crowd pleaser. Whether you serve them warm or eat them cold, these won’t stick around for long!

16. Yule Log

What’s not to love when it comes to yule log? A delicious chocolate sponge cake with chocolate buttercream and covered in a rich chocolate ganache. This is the perfect plant based Christmas idea for the chocoholics, and it will look lovely on the dining room table!

FAQs About Plant Based Christmas Dinners

Q: What are the best vegan Christmas recipes for beginners?
A: Some of the easiest plant based Christmas ideas for beginners include maple-roasted carrots, nut roasts, vegan gravy, and creamy potato gratin. These dishes require simple ingredients, cook quickly, and still look festive on the table.

Q: Is it hard to host a fully plant based Christmas dinner?
A: Not at all. Hosting a vegan or plant based Christmas dinner is often easier than people expect. Most traditional holiday dishes — stuffing, roast potatoes, pies, and gravy — can be made vegan with small swaps like dairy-free butter, plant milk, and vegetable stock.

Q: What can I serve as a vegan main dish for Christmas?
A: Popular vegan Christmas mains include nut roast, vegan Wellington, festive pies filled with seasonal vegetables, and plant-based holiday roasts. These mains are hearty, flavourful, and pair beautifully with classic sides.

Q: What desserts work well for a plant based Christmas?
A: Sticky toffee pudding, gingerbread cake, vegan brownies, mince pies, and chocolate yule logs are all excellent plant based Christmas dessert options. They taste indulgent and festive while remaining fully dairy- and egg-free.

Q: Can non-vegans enjoy vegan Christmas recipes?
A: Absolutely. Many non-vegans enjoy plant-based Christmas dishes because they’re flavourful, colourful, and often feel lighter after a big meal. Vegan recipes also tend to be healthier and easier on the stomach, which is a bonus during the holidays.

A plant based Christmas doesn’t mean sacrificing tradition — it simply means reimagining it with kinder, greener, and often even more delicious ingredients. Whether you’re preparing a full vegan feast or adding a few plant-based Christmas ideas to your usual spread, these recipes prove that festive food can be vibrant, indulgent, and cruelty-free. With beautiful mains, hearty sides, and comforting desserts, you’ll have everything you need to create a memorable holiday table that everyone can enjoy.

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Lora O'Brien

After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience. See more about Lora here.