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21 Vegan Holiday Recipes for Christmas and Thanksgiving

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Whenever I’m putting together a holiday menu, one thing I’m always worried about is making everyone feel included. If you feel the same, you’re in the right place! I’ve gathered 21 vegan holiday recipes to help you create a festive spread. These vegan holiday dinner ideas are perfect for hosting, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner at home. And trust me when I say, no one will miss the meat or dairy 🙂

collage of vegan holiday dishes including stuffing, pot pie, green bean casserole, and cinnamon-spiced eggnog

I created this roundup to make your life so much easier during the busiest time of the year. You’ll find vegan Christmas recipes, vegan Thanksgiving recipes, and plant-based holiday recipes that are simple to prepare, big on flavor, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers. Basically, this list has everything you need to build a full vegan holiday dinner menu from start to finish.

Whether you’re new to vegan dinner recipes for the holidays or you’re the go-to plant-based chef in your family, these easy vegan holiday recipes will help you serve a delicious feast.

So… Shall we dig in?

Appetizers and Sides

Let’s begin with the dishes that set the tone: vegan holiday appetizers and vegan holiday sides. These dishes truly set the holiday mood. After all, they’re (most likely) the first flavors your guests will experience. In my lineup today, I’ve mixed and matched vegan comfort food recipes with some fresh ideas, so you can pick the ones you like best! Get ready for crowd-pleasing dishes that might just outshine the mains 😉

These recipes are perfect for grazing boards, family-style feasts, or those pre-dinner bites that keep everyone happy while the main course finishes in the oven.

Vegan Cheeseball on a cutting board
Pistachio and Pomegranate Cheese Ball
This one’s a wow-worthy holiday appetizer. Creamy, tangy, and rolled in a festive mix of pistachios and jewel-bright pomegranate seeds, it brings sparkle to your holiday table. It’s the kind of centerpiece-style appetizer that looks fancy and tastes indulgent. But it’s surprisingly simple to make with just 10 ingredients! Serve these cheese balls with crackers, fruit, and your holiday charcuterie board.
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black skillet filled with easy plant-based creamed spinach and wooden spoon on marble
Easy vegan creamed spinach
This ultra-creamy spinach brings nostalgic holiday comfort, minus the dairy. It’s rich, silky, and full of flavor, thanks to sauteed onion, garlic, and a velvety dairy-free cream sauce that coats every bite. I like to call this the “add-it-to-everything” side, because it pairs beautifully with roasts, casseroles, and all your holiday mains. Plus, it’s ready in 10 minutes!
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Cauliflower mashed potatoes
Meet the lighter, low-carb version of classic mashed potatoes. These fluffy mashed cauli “potatoes” (there’s not a single potato here) taste indulgent, yet they’re completely dairy-free, gluten-free, and made with simple ingredients in under 20 minutes. Serve them warm with a pat of vegan butter and chives, and watch them disappear just as fast as the traditional version.
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Vegan stuffing with apples and hazelnuts
This is the fragrant holiday side that always steals the spotlight at my holiday spreads. Tender cubes of bread are baked with sauteed apples, celery, fresh herbs, and toasted hazelnuts for a comforting taste. It feels familiar and nostalgic. But just elevated enough to make your holiday table feel special.
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Finished sweet potato casserole in a glass casserole dish
Classic vegan sweet potato casserole
Enjoy a classic favorite this Thanksgiving with this vegan sweet potato casserole. It’s exactly like you remember: creamy mashed sweet potato topped with a sweet and crunchy pecan crust. This casserole feels like the holidays in a single bite, and it’s one of those dishes guests look for every year… so don’t be surprised if it becomes a non-negotiable tradition in your home, too.
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Vegan Scalloped Potatoes in casserole dish
Skinny vegan scalloped potatoes
This is one of the plant-based festive recipes that’s creamy, comforting, and secretly veggie-powered. These skinny scalloped potatoes are made with layers of Russet potatoes and cheesy cauliflower sauce that’s topped with vegan parmesan cheese and fresh chives. So good! Let’s just say it’s crowd-pleasing upgrade to the traditional version, and no one will guess it’s “skinny”.
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Finished gravy in a skillet with a wooden spoon
vegan portobello mushroom gravy
You will want to pour this vegan mushroom gravy on everything! Made with portobello mushrooms, red wine, and aromatic herbs, it’s deeply flavorful and, well, downright irresistible. Pour it over mashed potatoes, holiday roasts, stuffing—truly anything that could use a savory boost. It’s also easily adapted to be gluten-free, making it an inclusive choice for any holiday table.
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Finished green bean casserole in a cast iron skillet
classic vegan green bean casserole
A true holiday classic, made completely plant-based. Every bite is still as creamy and cozy as the original. Fresh green beans are folded into a rich homemade mushroom cream sauce, then baked with a golden layer of fried onions for that irresistible crunch. It’s quick to make, full of familiar flavor, and has a its own way of winning over even the non-vegans at the table.
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Finished cranberry sauce in a white bowl with two cinnamon sticks
Vegan cinnamon orange cranberry sauce
This one’s a zesty, sparkling twist on the classic cranberry sauce. Fresh cranberries simmer with orange juice, cinnamon, and warming spices to create a fragrant side. It’s vibrant, homemade, and worlds better than anything from a can. Just 15 minutes and minimal ingredients.
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finished vegan vegetable gratin in a glass dish topped with cashew cream and fresh rosemary
Vegan root vegetable gratin
This is the kind of dish that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking, “What smells incredible?”. This version of potato gratin layers beets, sweet carrots, and buttery Yukon golds under a luxurious cashew cream sauce. It’s creamy, tender, and rich enough to impress even the cheese-lovers at the table. After all, it’s an eye-catching side that feels just as special as the main course!
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Vegan Holiday Main dishes

Once the table is set and the appetizers have done their job, it’s time for the vegan main dishes. These plant-based centerpieces prove that holiday feasts don’t need meat to feel hearty. From cozy classics to show-stopping roasts wrapped in golden pastry, each dish will wow your guests! Buckle up for my list of vegan Christmas dinner ideas.

Close side view of vegan shepherds pie with creamy mashed potatoes and hearty lentil filling
Classic Vegan Shepherds pie
A true comfort-food centerpiece! This plant-based Shepherd’s Pie layers a savory lentil and veggie filling under a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes, baked to perfection. It’s hearty, wholesome, and surprisingly simple to make—perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any chilly evening. This one always earns seconds, even from non-vegans.
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top view of vegan lentil wellington on a plate with potatoes
Classic Vegan Wellington
This stunning plant-based Wellington is a true holiday showstopper. A lentil and veggie filling is wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Then, it is baked. This dish is surprisingly simple to prepare, yet adds sophistication to your vegan Christmas dinner menu.
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Finished vegan meatballs on a silver platter with a serving spoon
Vegan cranberry meatballs
These bite-sized mushroom-walnut meatballs are coated in a tangy-sweet cranberry sauce that tastes like the holidays in one perfect bite. They’re festive, a little spicy, and incredibly addictive—Also great as an appetizer or served as one of those vegan Thanksgiving sides.
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Two slices of vegan meatloaf on a white plate
Vegan Holiday Meatloaf
This cozy lentil-and-mushroom loaf is packed with veggies, herbs, and warming spices, then finished with a maple-tomato glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. It’s hearty and full of flavor—an easy, crowd-pleasing centerpiece for your plant-based Thanksgiving menu.
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Finished recipe on a white plate with roasted carrots and potatoes
Balsamic Portobello steaks
These tender, “meaty” portobello steaks are brushed with a rich pomegranate-balsamic marinade and roasted until juicy. The dish is finished with a glossy balsamic reduction and fresh pomegranate arils, making it a festive, elegant plant-based main that feels special with very little effort.
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Whole finished pot pie with fresh sage
Vegan Pot Pie
This is one of my favorite dairy-free holiday recipes! The cozy pot pie will wrap tofu, veggies, and herbs in a creamy sauce, all baked beneath a golden crust. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing main for chilly evenings or a plant-based holiday feast.
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Vegan Holiday Desserts and Drinks

Ready to end the feast on a sweet (and sippable) note? This is where the holiday magic begins 🙂. From spiced pies and show-stopping cakes to cozy warm drinks, vegan holiday desserts are all about indulgence… without the dairy or eggs. These treats bring the familiar flavors of the season in the most comforting way, and no one at the table will guess they're plant-based!

Vegan chocolate tart
This velvety chocolate tart sits on a toasted hazelnut crust. Pure indulgence right there! The silky ganache filling is dairy-free, gluten-free, and made with just a handful of simple ingredients—yet it tastes like a bakery-level dessert.
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Christmas shaped sugar cookies on a wooden platter
Vegan Christmas sugar cookies
These soft and buttery vegan sugar cookies are one of the best vegan holiday recipes on my list. They’re fluffy inside with a light golden edge and topped with sweet, festive icing. They’re fun to bake and decorate, kid-friendly, and made with simple ingredients you likely already have at home. Perfect for Christmas cookie plates, gifting, or decorating traditions that bring everyone into the kitchen.
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Two glasses of homemade eggnog
Vegan holiday eggnog recipe
Another one of my easy vegan festive recipes is this creamy vegan eggnog. This is what I like to call a holiday must-sip: rich, spiced, and ready in under 5 minutes. The eggnog is blended from cashews and coconut for a silky base, and then lightly sweetened and seasoned with warm spices. Serve it chilled or warm for a cozy drink everyone can enjoy through the holiday season.
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Two slices of apple pie on white plates
Vegan Apple Pie Recipe
If you’re looking for make-ahead vegan holiday dishes, you’ve found your recipe. This classic vegan apple pie is a good balance between sweet and tart apples wrapped in a flaky crust. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and ideal for holiday gatherings. Plus, you can prep the filling ahead of time to make baking day a breeze. Serve the pie warm with coconut whipped cream or a scoop of dairy-free ice cream.
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Raw pecan pie tartlets
Vegan pecan pie bites
These adorable pecan pie bites deliver the caramel-like flavor of traditional pecan pie, but without the refined sugar or baking. Made with just three simple ingredients (walnuts, dates, and pecans),they’re vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweet. A wholesome holiday treat that’s quick to make and perfectly pop-able.
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Our vegan holiday conclusion

So, there you have it, folks! Holiday cooking for vegans made easy 😁

This vegan holiday recipe roundup is all about taking the stress out of planning and filling your kitchen with warmth and flavor. You’ve now got everything you need to host a celebration that’s joyful, intentional, and delicious for everyone at the table.

So, ready to prep gluten-free vegan holiday dishes? Bookmark this list and pick your faves! 🌟

@mydarlingvegan on Instagram
If you give this recipe recipe a try, snap a photo and share it on Instagram. Make sure to tag @mydarlingvegan so I can see your creations!
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Hi, we’re Shayne and Kristina! I’m the chef and editor here at My Darling Vegan, and Kristina is the photographer and writer. Together we’re carrying on this space with the same focus on easy, flavorful vegan recipes that anyone can enjoy at home. Check out our 4-Week Vegan Meal Plan.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and read more about me here.

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