Happy holidays and welcome to this epic vegan Christmas dinner ideas roundup! On this page you’ll find a carefully curated selection of mains, sides and desserts chosen from the best vegan Christmas recipes to help you build a showstopping holiday menu.
I’m a bit of a traditionalist: I like my Christmas dinner to echo classic holiday flavours, but without meat, dairy or eggs. That usually means familiar potato and vegetable sides plus a delicious plant-based centerpiece to replace the turkey.
Below you’ll find a collection of inspiring vegan mains, sides and desserts from talented bloggers and recipe developers. I’ve also included practical advice on menu planning, prepping ahead and decorating your holiday table. Use the links or scroll to explore each section.
- What do vegans eat for Christmas dinner?
- What recipe types are included?
- Planning your menu
- Menu ideas
- Main course recipes
- Side dishes
- Desserts
- Decorating the holiday table
What do vegans eat for Christmas dinner?
A vegan Christmas dinner can closely mirror a traditional one: roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and other vegetable sides are staples. The turkey is typically replaced by a plant-based main — popular options include seitan or nut roasts, Tofurkey-style loafs, vegan wellingtons, or hearty vegetable-centered mains like stuffed squash.
Tofurkey is one example of a tofu- and seitan-based turkey alternative, while nut roasts, mushroom wellingtons and stuffed vegetables offer impressive centrepieces that suit a festive table.
What recipe types are included?
This roundup focuses on main course and entrée recipes, along with a wide range of classic UK/US/Irish-style Christmas sides and desserts. You’ll find roast-style mains, pies and wellingtons, plus potatoes, vegetable sides, traditional condiments like cranberry sauce and gravy, and showstopping vegan Christmas desserts.
Planning your menu
Good planning makes a relaxed, enjoyable holiday. Consider whether you need appetizers (useful if cooking takes longer than expected) and decide how many mains and sides you’ll prepare. For gatherings of up to six, I recommend offering two mains when family includes non-vegan eaters — a choice helps ensure everyone is satisfied.
Potatoes are a must: two potato dishes (for example roast potatoes and a gratin) with contrasting textures work well. If you include sweet potatoes, you might reduce to a single potato dish. Aim for three to four vegetable sides for larger gatherings, or two to three for smaller tables. Factor in oven and stovetop space and pick items that can be made ahead and reheated.
Traditional extras such as stuffing, cranberry sauce and vegan gravy are optional but beloved — choose at least one. Desserts should be prepared ahead when possible: vegan Christmas cake, trifle, pudding or a festive tart all make excellent finishes.
Write it down!
Create two lists: a shopping list and a timed cooking plan. Note what to prepare in the days before (eg. make-ahead gratin, prep sprouts) and break down Christmas Day timing by temperature and order of dishes. A clear timeline prevents last-minute stress and helps coordinate multiple oven or hob tasks.
Menu ideas
Break your menu down into a basic structure you can scale up. A simple menu for two to four people might be:
1 main course + 2 potato dishes + 2 vegetable sides + optional sides (stuffing, cranberry, gravy) + 1 dessert
Choose one or two mains depending on guest mix. For potatoes, pick two dishes with contrasting textures (roast, gratin, mash or hasselback). Choose two non-potato vegetable sides (eg. roasted carrots, Brussels sprouts, glazed parsnips). Optionals such as vegan stuffing or gravy are traditional favourites. For dessert, one showstopping option usually suffices for smaller gatherings.
Sample menus
- Vegan wellington, roast potatoes, potato gratin, roasted Brussels sprouts, mashed carrots, sage stuffing, vegan gravy, Irish-style Christmas cake.
- Seitan “turkey”, mashed and roast potatoes, glazed carrots, roasted squash, cranberry sauce, gravy, vegan gingerbread cake.
- Plant-based meatloaf, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, mashed butternut squash, gravy, vegan pecan pie.
- Butternut roast, roast potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, miso-glazed Brussels sprouts, tempeh stuffing balls, vegan Christmas pudding.
Main course recipes
Choose a centerpiece that suits your guests: vegan wellingtons, seitan roasts, nut roasts, stuffed squashes and hearty pies all work well. Below are a variety of mains to inspire your centerpiece choices; each brings festive flavour and presentation to the table.
Highlighted mains
Easy Vegan Wellington (mushroom & butternut)
Puff pastry wrapped around a savory mushroom-walnut filling and tender squash — an elegant, crowd-pleasing centrepiece.
Photo Credit: mypureplants.com
Portobello Vegan Pot Roast
A hearty roast of seasonal vegetables and meaty portobello mushrooms, perfect for a large family-style dinner.
Photo Credit: mypureplants.com
Stuffed Whole Roasted Celeriac
A creamy, subtly nutty roasted celeriac filled with a flavorful stuffing — a striking alternative centrepiece.
Photo Credit: ketovegetarianrecipes.com
Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
Roasted squash filled with cranberry rice, nuts and chickpeas — hearty, seasonal and visually appealing.
Photo Credit: chocolatemoosey.com
Vegan Seitan Roast
A classic seitan roast that slices beautifully and pairs perfectly with vegan gravy and all the trimmings.
Photo Credit: myquietkitchen.com
Side dishes
Complement your main with delicious sides: roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes and classic vegan stuffing and gravy are all included below. These recipes rely on simple ingredients and festive flavours.
Popular sides
Easy Vegan Glazed Carrots
Sweet and savory glazed carrots with a hint of garlic — quick to prepare and a bright addition to the plate.
Photo Credit: thefieryvegetarian.com
The Easiest Vegan Stuffing
A moist, herby Irish-style stuffing that can be prepared ahead and baked on the day — a true classic.
Photo Credit: thefieryvegetarian.com
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Crispy on the outside and tender inside — a simple roast that pairs well with maple or balsamic glazes.
Photo Credit: tashasartisanfoods.com
Almond Milk Mashed Potatoes
Dairy-free, creamy mashed potatoes made with almond milk and olive oil — rich and versatile.
Photo Credit: biteontheside.com
Plant-Based Gravy
A quick one-pan vegan gravy ready in under 10 minutes — essential for pouring over mains and potatoes.
Photo Credit: rescuedogkitchen.com
Desserts
Finish your feast with a vegan dessert that wows. Choose from traditional fruitcakes and puddings, sticky toffee pudding, pecan pie, chocolate rum cake, trifle or a boozy vegan Christmas pudding. Many of these can be made in advance, keeping your day relaxed.
Showstopping desserts
Vegan Christmas Cake (Irish-style)
A dark fruit cake with whisky-soaked raisins and sultanas, aged and finished with marzipan and icing — a classic centerpiece dessert.
Photo Credit: thefieryvegetarian.com
Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding
Warm, moist and draped in caramel sauce — a beloved British dessert that’s fully vegan and utterly comforting.
Photo Credit: tashasartisanfoods.com
Healthier Vegan Pecan Pie
A rich, caramel-like vegan pecan pie without corn syrup — sweet and traditional for holiday gatherings.
Photo Credit: thishealthykitchen.com
Easy Vegan Tiramisu
A quick, make-ahead tiramisu that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum festive elegance.
Photo Credit: veganonboard.com
Decorating the holiday table
Good table décor elevates your meal. Assess your table space after choosing the menu: place empty serving dishes and plates to visualize spacing. Simple touches — chargers, cloth napkins or tasteful paper napkins folded creatively — bring cohesion. Use a runner down the centre and add greenery, pine cones, baubles or vegan candles for atmosphere.
If space is tight, keep centre decorations low so guests can see each other. With a larger table you can create a taller centerpiece or a row of smaller arrangements. Consider height and balance so dishes don’t obscure the view and everything remains functional.
I hope this roundup helps you plan a memorable vegan Christmas dinner. If you try any of these ideas, share how it went — and enjoy the feast!