30 Vegan Holiday Recipes
Whether the festivities are at your house, or you are looking for amazing dishes to take to gatherings, we’ve got you covered with these Oil-free Vegan Holiday Recipes from some of your favorite plant-based bloggers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year!
It’s that time of year again! The holidays are all about spending quality time with family and friends and feasting on delicious food from November to January. This list of delicious vegan holiday recipes is going to help with that!
We have it all–appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts. Everything from a vegan cheese ball for an appetizer, to vegan meatloaf for a main dish, all the way to dairy-free pumpkin pie for dessert. Believe it or not, it’s all oil-free! We have more seasonal options on our list of vegan Christmas dinner recipes.
Reasons you will love these recipes
- Festive and Flavorful – These recipes bring bold holiday flavors without the need for oil or heavy ingredients, making every dish a hit at gatherings.
- Inclusive for All Diets – Perfect for accommodating vegan, gluten-free, and health-conscious guests, ensuring everyone can enjoy the feast
- Guilt-Free Indulgence – Packed with plant-based goodness, these recipes let you enjoy delicious holiday treats while staying on track with your health goals.
Plant-based twists on classic holiday dishes
Reinventing classic holiday dishes with plant-based ingredients is a fun and creative way to bring everyone together at the table, regardless of dietary preferences. We have a whole vegan holiday recipe page and these 46 Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes can provide even more holiday cooking inspiration.
Instead of traditional turkey or ham, a hearty veggie loaf or stuffed acorn squash can serve as a flavorful main dish centerpiece. Classic sides like mashed potatoes can be made just as creamy and delicious using plant-based milk and homemade vegan mayonnaise, while green bean casseroles can shine with homemade cashew cream instead of dairy.
Even dishes like stuffing can be easily veganized by using vegetable broth and skipping the meat drippings. These plant-based twists not only keep the nostalgia of holiday meals alive but also offer a healthier, more sustainable way to celebrate the season.
Show-stopping desserts
Creating show-stopping vegan holiday desserts is easier than you might think and will leave your guests raving about your culinary skills. From decadent chocolate mousse pies to rich pumpkin cheesecakes made with cashews, vegan desserts can be just as indulgent and satisfying as their traditional counterparts.
Use ingredients like aquafaba to whip up airy meringues or silken tofu for creamy, luscious fillings. Don’t forget to top off your treats with festive garnishes like spiced nuts, dairy-free whipped cream, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate. Whether it’s a towering layer cake, a tray of perfectly frosted cookies, or a rustic fruit tart, these desserts will prove that plant-based sweets can steal the holiday spotlight.
For more awesome holiday desserts, check out these 50 Amazing Vegan Christmas Cookies and this list of 33 Vegan Holiday Desserts!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can swap meat for plant-based proteins like lentils, tofu, or seitan, use plant-based butter and milk in side dishes, and make desserts with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or almond milk.
Yes! Vegan holiday recipes are delicious and can be enjoyed by everyone. Many dishes, like roasted veggies, soups, and desserts, are naturally appealing to non-vegans too.
Great egg substitutes for holiday baking include flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with water, applesauce, mashed bananas, or commercial egg replacers like Ener-G.
Healthy Vegan Holiday Recipes
These healthy vegan holiday recipes are packed with festive flavors and plant-based goodness, perfect for celebrating the season while keeping meals wholesome and delicious. From hearty mains to indulgent desserts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
This vegan meatloaf, made with hearty oats and bulgur, offers a satisfying, plant-based twist on a classic dish. Packed with protein and fiber, it’s a nutritious and delicious option for a comforting, meat-free meal.
This vegan roast made with seitan is a savory, protein-rich dish that’s completely plant-based and oil-free, offering a healthy yet indulgent alternative to traditional roasts. Its meaty texture and bold flavor make it the perfect centerpiece for any vegan meal. It is surprisingly simple to make and perfect for dinner and even special occasions like parties and holiday meals.
This vegan shepherd’s pie made with lentils is a hearty, comforting dish packed with rich flavors and plant-based protein. The savory lentil filling, combined with creamy mashed potatoes, creates a satisfying and nutritious meal that’s perfect for any occasion!
This mushroom spinach vegan lasagna is rich, hearty, and bursting with savory flavors! Layered with creamy dairy-free ricotta, tender spinach, and meaty mushrooms, it’s the perfect plant-based comfort food that’s satisfying and packed with nutrients.
This Vegan Barbecue Lentil Loaf is oat-free, sturdy, hearty and not mushy. This loaf is bursting with barbecue flavor! The homemade BBQ sauce is baked into the loaf, on top of the loaf and used as a dipping sauce after it is baked.
This hash brown vegan breakfast casserole made with homemade dairy-free cheese is so delicious because it’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with comforting flavors that make each bite irresistible. The homemade vegan cheese sauce adds a rich, savory taste without any dairy, making it a satisfying and indulgent dish for everyone.
Making gravy doesn’t get any simpler than this Vegan Brown Gravy in only 10 minutes. Spoon it over mashed potatoes, mushroom roast, pasta, biscuits, and everything else you can think of.
This vegan stuffing recipe is not only perfectly textured without the mush, but packed with flavor. Option to make it gluten-free too!
These vegan mashed potatoes are incredibly creamy and flavorful, made with simple plant-based ingredients that deliver all the comfort of traditional mashed potatoes without any dairy. Perfect for holiday feasts or weeknight dinners, they offer a delicious, wholesome side dish that everyone will love!
These Vegan Garlic Chive Muffins are gluten-free, oil-free, 1 bowl and have an incredible soft, light and fluffy texture. They are incredibly delicious dinner muffins on their own or great served with soup or stews.
Super simple cranberry sauce recipe made with fresh cranberries, maple syrup, and freshly squeezed orange juice! Delicious and fat-free. A great side for Thanksgiving or any other holiday meal.
This vegan scalloped potato recipe is so good because it’s creamy, flavorful, and completely dairy-free, making it a perfect comfort food for everyone. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, especially for Thanksgiving and the holidays.
Scalloped Cauliflower is baked in a rich creamy dairy free sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb topping. The most incredible side dish ever!
This vegan broccoli casserole is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, making it a perfect comfort dish that’s also healthy and plant-based. Loaded with fresh broccoli and a homemade dairy-free cheese sauce, it’s a satisfying and nutritious meal everyone will love.
These roasted potatoes and carrots are oil-free, perfectly seasoned, and can be made easily in your air fryer or oven for a crispy, healthy side dish. Enjoy a flavorful, healthy vegan side dish option that’s ideal for any meal!
This vegan cheese ball is so delicious that no one will even realize that it’s dairy-free. It is perfect for parties, family get-togethers, the holidays, and game nights. You don’t even need a special occasion to enjoy this amazing vegan appetizer; simply eat it as a snack anytime!
A classic favorite, broccoli cheese soup was one dish I missed after going dairy-free, so I worked hard to come up with this deliciously satisfying vegan broccoli cheddar soup version that is loaded with flavor by the spoonful.
Hands down, this vegan, loaded potato recipe is the best you’ll ever try. These are a hit with everyone—even non-vegans—because the homemade dairy-free cheese sauce is the secret ingredient that wins over all types of eaters!
The natural shape of this neat little squash is perfect for adding stuffing. This delicious Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe is packed with beta carotene and fiber, and makes a beautiful table display, especially during the holidays!
These Holiday Oven Roasted Vegetables made with tamari, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup are the perfect holiday side dish! Oil-free, gluten-free, healthy, and absolutely delicious.
This Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time of the year. It’s made with whole-food plant-based ingredients and sweetened perfectly with pure maple syrup or date paste.
9-1-1 is an easy formula for a delicious fat-free, gluten-free vegan gravy that you can make in about 15 minutes using only 5 ingredients.
These Crockpot Carrots are simmered in tangy BBQ sauce and are mouthwateringly delicious. They are perfect for holidays, game days, birthday parties, and even family dinners. Be forewarned, they’re super addictive!
Chocolate balls are simple, no-bake chocolatey truffles that are easy to make and loved by adults and kids alike. Whether you need a chocolate fix or a quick dessert to serve, these will be a big hit!
Vegan Chocolate Cookie Dough Fudge Cake is creamy, yet dairy-free and oil-free and full of chocolate richness, cookie dough bits and a nice texture from the coconut butter. Only 8 ingredients!
This vegan Irish cream cake is a rich, indulgent dessert with a moist, flavorful base and a hint of creamy Irish-inspired decadence—perfect for any celebration!
This vegan carrot cake with silken tofu glaze is a standout dessert thanks to its moist, spiced carrot base paired with a creamy, dairy-free tofu glaze. The combination delivers a rich, flavorful treat that’s both indulgent and healthy, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without compromising on taste.
This vegan no-bake chocolate pie made with tofu is so good because it delivers a rich, creamy texture and deep chocolate flavor, all while being a healthy, plant-based treat that’s incredibly easy to make in about 15 minutes. It’s the perfect guilt-free indulgence for chocolate lovers!
The most amazing Best Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe ever made with just 8 ingredients, is creamy, rich, decadent, dairy-free, gluten-free and oil-free! Made with a delicious gluten-free oil-free pie crust!
This gluten-free, vegan pumpkin pie forms its own crust as it bakes. Delicious and addictive–and low-fat and only 153 calories per serving!
I hope you enjoyed browsing this list of plant-based holiday recipes and found some inspiration for planning your Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts. With these dishes, you’ll be ready to impress family and friends while creating memorable meals around your table!
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…
Thank you for all your work on these recipes. This is the best resource on the internet. They are all great! Thanks so much! You make eating this way not only easy but tasty as well!
Tyler- Thank you so much! You just made my day!
Thank you so much for sharing this. How great to have all these recipes in one place!
You’re welcome! I think these are some of the best holiday recipes too. So glad it’s helpful.
Love to have these recipe’s
That’s what I was hoping for! Making the holidays more enjoyable for us all. 🙂