Have you started looking for recipes for your vegan Christmas menu? Today I’m sharing my ultimate collection of 45 show-stopping vegan main course recipes for Christmas dinner that will help even vegan newbies to plan epic plant-based holiday meals. From traditional to edgy, from easy to complex, these vegan main dishes for Christmas will make holiday recipe planning a breeze!
Note: this list originally included 21 vegan Christmas main course recipe ideas, but I’ve since expanded it to 45 recipes. If you came here from Pinterest pins saying “21 Recipes”, you’re in the right place!
I originally wanted to put together a list with vegan recipes for every course of a traditional Christmas dinner – think appetizers, sides, sauces, desserts, etc. But then I thought that I already had a lot of those in my post with 80+ plant based Thanksgiving dinner recipes.
So I decided to zero in on the main course instead. After all, the centerpiece of every holiday dinner gets the most attention, and when we go vegan, replacing the traditional glazed ham or beef Wellington on our new vegan Christmas menu can get puzzling.
Thankfully, the vegan community has come up with lots of recipes of vegan main dishes that are perfect for a memorable Christmas dinner. And in today’s post, you’ll see lots of great vegan main course ideas that will surely get you inspired.
These vegan Christmas recipes have been created by a variety of food bloggers from all over the blogosphere (including yours truly). While not all of these bloggers are 100% vegan, all of the recipes below are vegan.
More holiday recipe roundups from the blog:
- Recipes + survival tips for your first vegan Thanksgiving
- 30 best vegan Valentine’s Day dinner recipes
- 25 vegan recipes for a memorable Mother’s Day brunch
- 40 vegan summer recipes for Memorial day, 4th of July, Labor Day, etc.
- 53 vegan Halloween recipes for the spookiest party ever
For some sweet post-Christmas-dinner deliciousness, try my yummy vegan Christmas cookies.
On to the vegan Christmas dinner deliciousness!
45 Vegan Christmas Dinner Main Course Recipes
1
Festive Cashew Nut Roast
Photo Credit:thinlyspread.co.uk
This traditional plant-based nut roast makes a truly festive Christmas dinner centerpiece! Each of its three layers is baked in a brioche tin, but you can make it in a conventional loaf pan if you'd like.
2
Mushroom Lentil Loaf with Cranberries
Photo Credit:avirtualvegan.com
This cranberry-topped mushroom and lentil loaf will become a showstopper on your Christmas table.A variety of veggies, lentils, and spices make it a delicious and wholesome entree option.
3
Gluten Free & Nut Free Holiday Chickpea Veggie Loaf
Photo Credit:watchlearneat.com
A gluten free and nut free loaf option for your vegan Christmas dinner. This chickpea-based loaf is made with carrots, celery and onions, and flavored with traditional holiday herbs like thyme and sage.
4
Vegan Gluten-Free Lentil Loaf
Photo Credit:healthmylifestyle.com
This gluten-free lentil loaf is a more traditional twist on the classic holiday meatloaf. Its festive colors will make it a beautiful centerpiece and main course.
5
The Best Vegan Beyond Meat Meatloaf
Photo Credit:tyberrymuch.com
For those of us who aren't satisfied with nuts and legumes in meatless meatloaves, this Beyond Meat-based meatloaf will surely hit the spot. It has the most convincing taste and texture that even meat eaters will appreciate.
6
Vegan Ham
Photo Credit:zardyplants.com
Can you believe this gorgeous glazed ham is vegan?! It's got a smoky, sweet, and satisfying flavor and a moist, meaty texture. A perfect holiday centerpiece or family dinner that will make great sandwiches later.
7
Glazed Vegan Seitan Turkey Roast
Photo Credit:www.worldofvegan.com
This delicious homemade seitan turkey roast is made with herbs and spices, and has a sliceable, meaty texture. The flavorful three-ingredient savory-sweet glaze really takes this seitan roast to the next level!
8
Vegan Christmas Goose (Traditional German Recipe)
Photo Credit:thesimplesprinkle.com
Bet you didn't expect to see a Christmas goose on my list of vegan Christmas main course recipes! This seitan and jackfruit-based goose is a vegan homage to a traditional German holiday recipe. Believe it or not, it even has vegan "goose skin"!
9
The Ultimate Vegan Turkey Roast
Photo Credit:urbanfarmie.com
Another take on the traditional roast bird Christmas dinner - a delicious vegan turkey roast. Made with chickpeas and seitan, this is an easy, delicious recipe that comes together in under 2 hours.
10
Savory Vegan Holiday Roast
Photo Credit:shaneandsimple.com
A "meatier" take on the traditional vegan holiday roast: this tender and savory roast is made with vital wheat gluten, which gives the finished product a texture resembling meat. If you have meat eaters attending your Christmas dinner, they will surely be impressed.
11
Vegan Brisket
Photo Credit:zardyplants.com
Juicy, tender, and satisfying, this Vegan Brisket is a perfect dinner main or holiday centerpiece. Slow roasted so it’s fork-tender, this seitan brisket will have vegans and non-vegans raving.
12
Juicy Vegan Roast Beef
Photo Credit:www.myplantifulcooking.com
Another vegan twist on a traditional holiday roast dinner. This protein-packed vegan roast beef is juicy, flavorful, and has the perfect meat-like texture.
13
Vegan Holiday Roast
Photo Credit:veganhuggs.com
Make your festive dinner complete with this succulent Vegan Holiday Roast. It's filled with savory flavors and finished with a mouth-watering glaze.
14
Pineapple Glazed Tofu Ham
Photo Credit:vegantraveleats.com
If you're looking for a faux meat recipe that isn't based on seitan, this roasted tofu ham with a delicious pineapple glaze is a great option. Better yet, it's quite simple to make!
15
Baked Holiday Tofu with Cranberry & Orange
Photo Credit:www.glueandglitter.com
This festive baked tofu dish calls for a shorter marinating time because the tofu block is sliced first. Cranberries and orange slices add a dramatic look and a delicious flavor.
16
Vegan Roast Dinner with Veggies and Gravy
Photo Credit:tyberrymuch.com
This epic vegan holiday roast dinner is complete with savory seitan roast beef, marinated tender root vegetables, and a creamy mushroom gravy.
17
Beefy Holiday Vegan Pot Roast
Photo Credit:theveganatlas.com
This "beefy" plant-based holiday pot roast is a hearty dish made with plant-based beefy tips or seitan, plus portobello mushrooms and plenty of vegetables. A fantastic option for holidays and special occasions.
18
Vegan Portobello Pot Roast
Photo Credit:avirtualvegan.com
If you don't want to make a formal centerpiece dish for your vegan Christmas dinner, this Portobello Pot Roast will make a delicious and comforting alternative. Portobello mushrooms and potatoes are braised in red wine and herbs to make a celebration-worthy holiday main course.
19
Mini Bundt Chestnut Loaf with Sage Gravy
Photo Credit:veggiedesserts.co.uk
A yummy and fun Christmas dinner main course idea: personal-sized chestnut loaves baked in a mini bundt pan! If you don't have a bundt pan, feel free to use a loaf or cake pan.
20
Little Lentil Loaf with Mushrooms and Sage
Photo Credit:quitegoodfood.co.nz
These personal-sized mini lentil loaves are made with mushrooms, lentils, oats and fresh sage. They make a satisfying vegan main course to serve with cranberry sauce at your Christmas dinner.
21
Stuffed Roasted Butternut Squash
Photo Credit:itdoesnttastelikechicken.com
Move over turducken! This stuffed roasted butternut squash will make an impressive centerpiece on your Christmas dinner table. Butternut squash halves are roasted first, then stuffed with a medley of wild rice, walnuts, cranberries, and spices.
22
Lentil Puff Pastry Pockets
Photo Credit:www.vnutritionandwellness.com
These lovely veggie-stuffed pockets are another option for puff pastry-wrapped vegan Christmas dinner centerpiece. Filled with wholesome lentils, carrots, and herbs, these pockets are easier to make than you'd think!
23
Vegan Wellington
Photo Credit:veganhuggs.com
This gorgeous Vegan Wellington will have your guests going back for leftovers! The meaty, satisfying filling is made with chickpeas, mushrooms, and walnuts.
24
Vegan Portobello Mushroom Wellington
Photo Credit:veganonboard.com
This vegan Wellington reveals a cut portobello mushroom in every slice. It has an umami rich nut-based filling, whole roasted portobello mushrooms and a tangy layer of cranberry sauce.
25
Hearty Portobello Wellingtons
Photo Credit:www.spabettie.com
Another wonderfully comforting and wholesome idea for your vegan Christmas dinner centerpiece. These individual-sized Portobello Wellingtons have a filling made with mushrooms, lentils, and vermouth-infused cashew cream.
26
Vegan Shepherd's Pie
Photo Credit:lovingitvegan.com
This classic vegan shepherd’s pie will put a smile on every comfort food lover's face. Made with a delicious veggie-packed mince and creamy mashed potatoes
27
Vegan Pot Pie with Filo Crust
Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks
This vegan “chicken” pot pie makes a great vegan Christmas main course. Colorful broccoli, leek, mushrooms and carrots are simmered in a smooth and nutty veganbéchamel sauce and enveloped in a flaky phyllo crust.
28
Gluten and Grain-free Chickpea Pot Pie
Photo Credit:frommybowl.com
This deliciously savory vegan pot pie is another traditional main course option for Christmas. Made with veggies and chickpeas, and topped with a gorgeous grain-free crust.
29
Mini Vegetable Pot Pies
Photo Credit:cadryskitchen.com
These cute vegan pot pies with homemade pie crust are loaded with veggies in a cashew cream sauce. So cozy!
30
Vegan Mushroom Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
Photo Credit:www.fromthecomfortofmybowl.com
This vegan mushroom pot pie has a creamy, hearty filling topped with a flaky puff pastry crust. It makes delicious family-friendly holiday meal.
31
Easy Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Cashew-Almond Ricotta
Last year I decided to start a tradition of serving these vegan ricotta-stuffed shells at our family's annual Christmas dinner. They look dramatic, taste delicious, and believe it or not, they are easy to make! Dairy free, soy free, gluten free if made with gluten free pasta.
32
Vegan Baked Ziti
Photo Credit:healthiersteps.com
Another pasta-based comfort food staple that will be welcome on your holiday table. Ziti pasta is mixed with vegan ground meat, marinara sauce, and vegan cheese sauce, then baked to perfection.
33
The Easiest Vegan Lasagna
Photo Credit:lovingitvegan.com
Lasagna is another stellar choice for a Christmas dinner centerpiece. This easy vegan lasagna recipe is made with oven-ready spinach lasagna pasta sheets layered with rich tomato sauce and creamy vegan bechamel.
34
Vegan Sausage-stuffed Italian Rice Balls
In my husband's family, holiday dinner is impossible without these luscious vegan sausage-stuffed rice balls, a.k.a. arancini. A few years ago, we veganized his family's traditional recipe, and never looked back.
These vegan rice balls make a decadent vegan Christmas main course when served over some marinara sauce, or can be used as an appetizer by themselves.
35
Eggplant Roll Ups with Black Bean-Potato Filling
Another vegan main course idea with an Italian flair for your Christmas dinner. These delicious eggplant rollups are filled with potatoes, beans, and veggies, and baked in the oven with marinara sauce. Believe it or not, they are quite easy to make!
36
Polenta Stacks with BBQ Sauce and Cashew Cream
Photo Credit:cadryskitchen.com
A festive personal-sized entree option for your vegan Christmas dinner. Homemade polenta circles are layered with BBQ sauce-glazed delicata squash and cashew cream, and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds.
37
Vegan Tamales with Black Beans
Photo Credit:www.yummymummykitchen.com
Another traditional Christmas dinner option, this time with a Mexican twist. These vegan tamales are filled with black beans, chilies, and dairy-free cheese, and can be steamed in the Instant Pot or on stovetop.
38
Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
Photo Credit:www.chocolatemoosey.com
This Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash is an all-in-one vegan Christmas dinner meal. It's filled with cranberry rice, pecans, and chickpeas.
39
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa Cranberry Stuffing
Photo Credit:www.knowyourproduce.com
This Stuffed Acorn Squash with Quinoa Cranberry Stuffing is a festive veggie-based main course option for Christmas dinner. Vegan, nut free, and gluten-free.
40
Air Fryer Stuffed Acorn Squash
Photo Credit:www.thefoodblog.net
Don't want to fire up the oven to make stuffed squash? This Air Fryer Acorn Squash recipe is made in the air fryer! Stuffed with quinoa, cranberries, apples and walnuts, it's flavorful, hearty and filling.
41
Stuffed Whole Roasted Celeriac
Photo Credit:ketovegetarianrecipes.com
Stuffed roasted celeriac makes an unusual low-carb alternative to traditional stuffed squash. Features a nut and veggie-based filling.
42
Oven Roasted Whole Cauliflower With Garlic and Herbs
Photo Credit:www.watchwhatueat.com
This dramatic oven-roasted cauliflower makes a light yet flavorful main course option for your Christmas dinner. Cauliflower is rubbed with a combination of herbs and spices, then roasted whole in the oven along with quartered tomatoes. Even non-vegans will be impressed!
43
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Veggies and Gravy
Photo Credit:healthiersteps.com
This gorgeous roasted cauliflower is baked with potatoes, carrots and herbs for a lightened-up yet delicious centerpiece of your vegan or vegetarian Christmas dinner.
44
5-Ingredient Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Photo Credit:www.herwholesomekitchen.com
Don't want to make a whole cauliflower? Make cauliflower steaks instead! These roasted BBQ cauliflower steaks are made with just 5 ingredients. A great vegan Christmas dinner main course idea for smaller holiday dinner parties.
45
Air Fryer Mushrooms Steaks
Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com
This Christmas dinner main course option doesn't get any easier. If you don't have time to make anything more elaborate (or don't feel like it), you can whip up these delicious mushroom "steaks" in all of 15 minutes! The recipe author suggests cooking them in an air fryer on on the grill, but I'm sure they'll come out fine on the stovetop as well.
Yield: 8 servings
45 Best Vegan Christmas Dinner Main Course Recipes
With these 45 vegan Christmas dinner main course recipe ideas the question is: what are YOU going to serve at your vegan Christmas dinner party? Here's a sample vegan holiday menu that covers all bases.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
- Your favorite vegan Christmas dinner main course recipe from this post
- 20-minute Vegan Mashed Potatoes
- Smoky Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Southern-style Slow Cooker Collard Greens
- Simple Roasted Butternut Squash
- Vegan Sausage-stuffed Italian Rice Balls
- Vegan Christmas cookies (or your favorite vegan holiday-themed dessert)
Instructions
- Select any of the vegan Christmas dinner main course dishes from this post, and prepare it according to the recipe instructions.
- Make 20-minute Vegan Mashed Potatoes according to the recipe instructions.
- Make Smoky Roasted Brussels Sprouts according to the recipe instructions.
- Make Southern-style Slow Cooker Collard Greens according to the recipe instructions.
- Make Simple Roasted Butternut Squash according to the recipe instructions.
- Make Vegan Sausage-stuffed Italian Rice Balls according to the recipe instructions.
- Enjoy Vegan Christmas cookies or your favorite vegan holiday-themed dessert after dinner.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 platter
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 688Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 12mgCarbohydrates: 97gFiber: 10gSugar: 10gProtein: 13g
Please note that the provided nutritional information data is approximate. See each recipe for more accurate nutritional information.
Question for you: Which of these vegan Christmas dinner main course ideas do you like best?
Image credits, from top left: ThinlySpread.co.uk, VeggieDesserts.co.uk, VeganRunnerEats.com, KnowYourProduce.com, WatchLearnEat.com.
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Alina Zavatsky - Vegan Runner Eats
Alina first made a switch to a vegan diet in 2013 to optimize her athletic performance as a marathon runner. Eventually she embraced veganism as a way to be kinder to fellow living beings and the environment. Alina hopes that this blog helps its readers on their path to becoming vegan and making this world a better place.
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