Vegan Christmas Dinner Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.

Creating a holiday dinner for family and friends is easy and enjoyable with these amazing vegan Christmas dinner recipes. From appetizers to desserts—and everything in between—these dishes will make the season bright and delicious!

vegan christmas dinner recipes photo collage.

Christmastime can be challenging for vegan and plant-based folks because there is so much tradition steeped in food during the holiday season. Many people think traditional ham, turkey, and roast are a mandate. That’s probably the hardest part for me when it comes to preparing meals and celebrating the season.

The truth is, Christmas dinner recipes can be amazing and even familiar without the meat and other animal-based dishes. We can be creative and dazzle eaters with dishes like my amazing vegan seitan roast and these dairy-free scalloped potatoes. There are so many options, so I’ve pulled together some of my favorite Chrismas-appropriate dishes from this website as well as other vegan bloggers. I think you will be inspired and encouraged to create an amazing meal this holiday season.

We have other festive vegan holiday recipes on this website like these 46 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes, our 50 Amazing Vegan Christmas Cookies, and this list of 33 Vegan Holiday Desserts that will provide even more holiday cooking inspiration.

Mains

Notably, the most challenging part of a vegan Christmas dinner is often the centerpiece. But fear not—there are plenty of dishes that can take center stage, offering a lovely presentation, satisfying flavors, and healthy ingredients. One that I make every holiday season is my vegan meatloaf recipe. Below are just a few vegan Christmas dinner main recipes to inspire your plant-based main course!

vegan holiday tofu ham with glaze on a white plate.

Vegan Tofu Glazed Ham (PlantYou)

vegan meatloaf and dairy-free mashed potatoes and brown gravy on a plate with casserole dish in background.

Vegan Meatloaf (EatPlant-Based)

vegan roast beef made from seitan sliced on a cutting board.

Seitan Vegan Roast Beef (PlantYou)

cast iron casserole pan with handles filled with vegan roast with gravy and roasted potatoes and carrots.

Ultimate Vegan Roast (EatPlantBased)

bbq lentil loaf sliced and stacked with sauce dripping down.

BBQ Lentil Loaf (TheVegan8)

white and brown plate with a serving of lentil shepherd pie.

Meatless Shepherds Pie (EatPlantBased)

roasted cauliflower with tahini sauce drizzled on top.

Roasted Cauliflower (PlantYou)

tahini cabbage steaks topped with parsley on a platter.

Tahini Cabbage Steaks (PlantYou)

chickpea vegan meatloaf cliced on cutting board.

Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf (Shane&Simple)

big serving of spinach lasagna dripping with vegan homemade cheese sauce on a bright blue plate.

Spinach Mushroom Lasagna (EatPlantBased)

Sides & Casseroles

Many side dishes can easily be made vegan, like my dairy-free broccoli salad, which is always a big hit at our family Christmas gatherings. This list of my favorite vegan holiday side recipes is sure to inspire your festive menu!

bright blue dish filled with vegan hash brown breakfast casserole with casserole dish in background.

Hash Brown Casserole (EatPlantBased)

vegan brown gravy being poured from silver gravy boat over dairy-free mashed potatoes.

10-Minute Brown Gravy (EatPlantBased)

white plate filled with roasted potatoes and carrots on wood tabletop

Roasted Potatoes & Carrots (EatPlantBased)

vegan broccoli casserole serving on colorful plate with casserole dish in background

Broccoli Rice Casserole (EatPlantBased)

Garlic Mashed Potatoes (EatPlantBased)

protein-packed-vegan-thanksgiving-stuffing

Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing (VeggieDon’tBite)

platter of loaded vegan stuffed potatoes with one in front spotlighted.

Vegan Loaded Potatoes (EatPlantBased)

butternut squash vegan mac and cheese in a white casserole dish being spooned out.

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese (PlantYou)

vegan potato pops on a platter with greens.

Potato Pops (PlantYou)

Scalloped Cauliflower (VeggiesDon’tBite)

Garlic Chive Muffins (Vegan8)

Holiday Roasted Vegetables (ShaneandSimple)

vegan sweet potato casserole in a casserole dish with spoon.

Sweet Potato Casserole (ShaneandSimple)

vegan green bean casserole in a white square baking dish.

Vegan Green Bean Casserole (VeggiesDon’tBite)

Cranberry Sauce (ShaneandSimple)

vegan scalloped potatoes in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon scooping a serving out.

Scalloped Dairy-Free Potatoes (EatPlantBased)

Salads

Nothing adds color to your holiday table like beautiful rainbow-colored salads. When I take salads like my easy dairy-free broccoli salad to family Christmas gatherings, sometimes it’s the only colorful dish on the table, and it always disappears fast. Try some of these amazing vegan salads for your Christmas celebration!

vegan broccoli in a white bowl with a fork.

Easy Broccoli Salad (EatPlantBased)

sauteed kale with cranberries on an oval platter with wooden salad utensils.

Sautéed Kale with Dried Cranberries (ShaneandSimple)

white textured square dish with vegan coleslaw on a wooden table with a large wooden spoon.

Easy Dairy-Free Coleslaw (EatPlantBased)

white plate of spinach salad with strawberries and walnuts on white table

Spinach Citrus Salad (EatPlantBased)

bright yellow bowl of cucumber slices with small chopped cherry tomatoes and seasonings.

Easy Cucumber Salad (EatPlantBased)

green bean salad with tomatoes and onions on a white plate with fork.

Green Bean Salad (PlantBasedonaBudget)

chipotle chickpea kale salad in a large rectanular pain on wooden table.

Chickpea Kale Salad (ShaneandSimple)

white fancy dish full of black bean corn salad with lime slices and cilantro on the table beside.

Easy Black Bean Corn Salad (EatPlantBased)

vegan potato salad in a white fancy bowl with a wooden spoon and red and white checkered picnic napkin.

Vegan Potato Salad (EatPlantBased)

kale salad with quinoa and orange slices in white bowl

Kale Quinoa Salad with Miso (EatPlantBased)

Desserts

This list of vegan Christmas desserts is perfect for entertaining guests at your holiday gatherings. From decadent cakes to festive cookies, these plant-based treats will make your celebrations sweet and memorable! We have many more holiday delights on our list of 50 vegan Christmas cookies that even Santa will enjoy!

vegan chocolate cream pie in white pie dish sliced.

Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie (Vegan8)

Diary-Free Irish Cream Cheese Cake (FatFreeVegan)

chocolate balls on white plate with red cloth and Christmas ball decorations.

No-Bake Chocoalte Balls (EatPlantBased)

loaf of vegan carrot cake sliced with white frosting on a wooden board.

Glazed Vegan Carrot Cake (EatPlantBased)

dairy-free vegan oatmeal raisin cookies on a wooden table top with a glass of amond milk in background.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (EatPlantBased)

chocolate vegan christmas cookies on baking sheet

Pecan Sandies (MonkeyandMeKitchen)

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies (NoraCooks)

white plate with a big slice of crockpot chocolate cake topped with strawberries and a blueberry.

Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake (EatPlantBased)

vegan chocolate mint fudge on a white platter being cut with a knife.

Vegan Chocolate Mint Fudge (Vegan8)

white pie plate with a chocolate tofu mousse pie sprinkled with vegan chocolate chips and a silver pie serving utensil.

Chocolate Mousse Tofu Pie (EatPlantBased)

vegan buckwheat cake stacked on a wooden table with dripping frosting and fresh fruit.

Vegan Buckwheat Cake (MonkeyandMeKitchen)

chocolate peanut butter vegan rice cakes on a platter with brown paper.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Cakes (MonkeyandMeKitchen)

a slice of vegan lime cake on a white plate topped with a lime slice and lime zest with a cup of coffee in the background.

Lime Cake with Tofu Glaze (EatPlantBased)

Starters / Appetizers / Snacks

Discover the perfect vegan Christmas appetizers and starters to wow your guests this holiday season. From savory dips like this dairy-free spinach artichoke dip to festive finger foods, these plant-based recipes will kick off your celebrations in style!

white platter with a vegan cheese ball in the middle that is covered with nuts and surrounded by veggies and crackers.

Cashew Dairy-Free Cheese Ball (EatPlantBased)

homemade vegan butter-free chex party mix with a scoop for serving

Oil-Free Vegan Party Mix (EatPlantBased)

crockpot bbq carrots in a silver bowl with a tooth pick in top carrot.

Little Smoky Crockpot Carrots (EatPlantBased)

crusty bread bowl filled with dairy-free spinach artichoke dip with chunks of bread surrounding it.

Spinach Artichoke Dip (EatPlantBased)

dates stuffed with peanut butter, pistachios, and maple syrup on white background.

Easy Stuffed Dates (EatPlantBased)

white bowl filled with roasted red pepper hummus with cucumber slices and red peppers in the background.

Roasted Red Pepper Oil-Free Hummus (EatPlantBased)

vegan raw cookie dough balls on a white platter.

Edible Vegan Cookie Dough Bites (EatPlantBased)

Vegan Charcuterie Board with hummus, vegan cheese, and veggies

Healthy Plant-Based Charcuterie Board (EatPlantBased)

white fancy platter with stuffed vegan mushrooms.

Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms (EatPlantBased)

vegetable sandwich pinwheels sliced on a wooden cutting board and in rows.

Veggie Sandwich Pinwheels (EatPlantBased)

herb-roasted-potatoes-with a bowl of chive sauce in the center of platter.

Herb-Roasted Potatoes with Chive Sauce (MonkeyandMeKitchen)

cranberry salsa in a white bowl being dipped out with a chip.

Cranberry Salsa (PlantYou)

vegan taquitos being dipped in green sauce.

Vegan Taquitos (PlantYou)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I plan a vegan Christmas dinner menu?

Start with a show-stopping centerpiece, add a variety of side dishes like roasted veggies and salads, and finish with a festive dessert. Be sure to include a mix of flavors and textures to please everyone.

Can I make traditional Christmas dishes vegan?

Yes! Many traditional dishes can be made vegan with simple swaps, like using plant-based milk in mashed potatoes or making gravy with vegetable broth and mushrooms.

How can I make a vegan Christmas dinner appealing to non-vegans?

Choose flavorful, hearty dishes that everyone can enjoy, like creamy vegan casseroles, savory pies, and indulgent desserts. Season well and present your dishes beautifully for maximum appeal!

How can I make my vegan Christmas dinner more festive?

Use seasonal ingredients like cranberries, nuts, and herbs, and decorate dishes with garnishes like pomegranate seeds or fresh rosemary for a festive touch. Presentation is key!

More Vegan Holiday Recipes

photo collage of vegan holiday recipes for thanksgiving and christmas.

30 Vegan Holiday Recipes

50 Amazing Vegan Christmas Cookies

33 Best Vegan Holiday Desserts

collage of vegan oil free thanksgiving recipes

46 Best Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

I hope you enjoyed exploring our list of vegan Christmas dinner recipes and found inspiration for your holiday table. Get ready to impress your family and guests with these amazing plant-based dishes!

About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…