Recreate traditional Christmas dishes with plant-based ingredients, or create your own traditions with these vegan alternatives.
Planning a plant-based Christmas?
With an estimated 3.5 million vegans in the UK, more people than ever are opting for a plant-based diet with both health and environmental benefits in mind. It is likely you will be hosting at least one vegan at your Christmas table this year, or you may be looking for vegan options for yourself.
One of the joys of a vegan lifestyle is discovering how to recreate traditional dishes using plant-based ingredients, or starting new traditions with spectacular vegan dishes packed with flavour.
Here are suggestions on how to craft a perfect vegan Christmas:
Vegan Christmas Dinner Main Courses
Rather than serving your sides up around a joint of meat, it is important to choose a vegan centrepiece which can still mop up the gravy. This cranberry mushroom lentil loaf is simple to gather together in a large loaf tin and is topped with a tart layer packed with cranberries which pop at every bite.
Prove that vegetables can truly be the main event with this fabulous spiced whole baked cauliflower, served on a bed of lentils dotted with festive sparkling pomegranate seeds. Once the cauliflower is prepared in a roasting tin, it only has a roasting time of 90 minutes, and is a great fuss-free recipe if you want a more relaxed Christmas day.
Want to show off your vegan culinary skills? This vegan Wellington puts a twist on a classic with a smoky beet filling. Layered with rich mushroom duxelles and wrapped in flaky vegan pastry, prepare for gasps at the table when you reveal the dark pink filling.
Vegan Christmas Dinner Sides
Using the magic of seasoning and nutritional yeast (a mainstay in vegan cooking) you can recreate both chicken and beef gravy for a vegan Christmas dinner. Make plenty of gravy and keep it warm in a stockpot, as it will prove to be popular!Those experiencing their first vegan Christmas will likely be missing pigs in blankets, so recreate them using smoky vegetarian sausages and puff pastry (most supermarket brands are vegan) with Exceedingly Vegan’s vegan pigs in blankets recipe.
Vegan Christmas Desserts
Traditional Christmas desserts can be easily adapted using dairy-free alternatives. The Happy Pear’s vegan mince pies use coconut sugar for a layer of tropical flavour. Prepare in a muffin tin and fill deep with boozy mincemeat.Speaking of boozy, vegans won’t miss out on a Christmas classic with this brandy-heavy vegan Christmas pudding recipe. Top with a plant-based cream alternative.
If you’re seeking an indulgent headline dessert, this vegan take on a traditional yule log is heavy with moreish chocolate icing wrapped around chocolate vegan sponge. One slice of this and none of your guests will be missing dairy.