The best vegetarian and vegan Christmas recipes


Updated on 01 December 2021 | 0 Comments

There's no need to miss out on a great Christmas dinner if you want to skip the meat.

Forget about overcooked sprouts and ready-made nut roasts, vegetarian and vegan Christmas dishes can be imaginative and delicious. These are a few of our favourites. 

Starters

Cauliflower soup with cheese twirls

Creamy and delicious, this cauliflower soup is great for kicking off Christmas dinner in style. Served with cheese twirls on the side to dip and dunk into the soup, it will appeal to everyone.

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Butternut squash, sage and cheese risotto

Creamy, salty and sweet, this risotto has everything you'd want from an indulgent dinner starter. It can also double up as a main if a bigger portion is served. Swap the Comté in this recipe for a vegetarian hard cheese.

Mushroom and spinach en croûte

Whether served as a part of a buffet or as a starter, vegetarians will love this. It can also be partly made in advance and frozen, then cooked to serve.

READ MORE: Inventive ways to use up Christmas leftovers

Mains

Nutty pithivier with watercress and pistachio pesto

This recipe makes an excellent alternative to a Christmas roast – and works well with all the trimmings. It takes time and attention to detail to prepare, but it's definitely worth it.


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Roasted spicy squash, nuts and beans

A hearty one-pan dish of root vegetables, nuts and beans, this is a great meat-free meal that can double up as a side for the meat-eaters. The different textures and flavours complement each other well while the ready-made sauce makes the cooking of this dish even quicker.

Butternut squash and mushroom Wellington

This is a showstopping veggie centrepiece, perfect for a festive feast. Sweet butternut squash is paired with nutty mushrooms and encased in a wonderfully buttery pastry. Don't be put off by the long cook time either – it's mostly just the squash roasting in the oven.

The perfect homemade nut roast

Recipes don't get much more adaptable than this nut roast, which can be made gluten-free and vegan with a few simple substitutions. You can also make it ahead of time and freeze for up to three months.

READ MORE: Our ultimate Christmas recipe collection

Sides

Vegan stuffing

This easy vegan stuffing recipe will be loved by everyone, even the meat-eaters. Save on the cook and prep time by using shop-bought vac-packed chestnuts.

Vegan gravy

This rich vegan gravy is the perfect accompaniment to something like nut roast. It's made with a base of mushrooms, onion and red wine and is flavoured with coffee and soy sauce for an umami-rich finish.

Honey-roasted vegetables

Up your sides by serving this brilliant one-tray wonder. The colourful root vegetables will not only look great on the table, they'll also add a touch of sweetness to a savoury meal thanks to the honey glaze.

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Baked sweet potato salad

An alternative to the classic sides, this sweet potato salad is great for both veggies and non-veggies. It's also a healthier option than standard roast potatoes.

READ MORE: The best supermarket mince pies

Desserts

Chocolate caramel tart

A decadent and irresistible dessert, this chocolate caramel tart is perfect for indulging during the festive season. Made without eggs or dairy, it's also suitable for vegans.

Chestnut and chocolate cake

It’s delectably tender, fudgy and chocolatey, and not too sweet or over-rich so perfect to serve after a heavy Christmas lunch or dinner. You can serve it warm from the oven or prep in advance and serve at room temperature.

Del Monte/loveFOOD

Peanut butter pudding

A dessert that ticks all the boxes, these peanut butter puddings have all the flavours we crave at Christmas. You can make both the puddings and the sorbet in advance and freeze until needed.

Vegan millionaire's shortbread

You won't even be able to tell these sweet bites are vegan. There's a classic rich chocolate topping, a traditional base made with dairy-free butter and the caramel combines dates with Biscoff spread in an especially indulgent treat. They're great to have with a cup of tea or coffee.

READ MORE: Best-ever Christmas baking recipes

Lead image: Maldon/loveFOOD

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