Vegan Holiday Recipes

Written by Katie Thurman, Sustainability Committee member

Whether vegan or not, this guide offers inspiration for those looking to try out some new vegan recipes over the holidays. Recipes are categorized by meal type and then ordered by difficulty/effort, with the simplest recipes listed first. Happy cooking/baking! 

A quick note on food waste: it is important to plan accordingly. Take into account how many people you will be serving and aim to make enough food rather than an excess amount of food. Also, see if you can utilize any ingredients already on hand, and aim to use leftover ingredients in other dishes. 

Salads

Pear Salade

This 6-ingredient salad tosses sliced pears, nuts, cranberries, and mixed greens in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Experiment with additional add-ins or keep it simple and pair it with any vegan main dish. 

Beetroot Salad with Maple Walnuts

This autumn-inspired salad showcases vibrant colors with beetroots, carrots, and apples, and can easily be prepared in advance.

Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw with Pine Nut “Parm”

This recipe highlights seasonal ingredients, making a hearty and delicious salad perfect for wintertime. 

Sides

Latkes

This cold-weather comfort food is easy to make and has lots of potential for customization and creativity. 


Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Miso Tahini Butter

Regular baked sweet potatoes are taken to the next level with Japanese sweet potatoes and a (vegan) butter flavored with miso, sesame, and lime.

Roasted Acorn Squash on White Bean Mash

Here, caramelized acorn squash is placed on a bed of creamy white bean mash and then topped with crispy sage leaves and maple pecans.

Mains

West African Peanut Stew

Featuring sweet potatoes, sunflower butter, and jackfruit, this nourishing stew is best served over rice. 

Tamales

A step-by-step guide renders making these vegan tamales fairly easy. Packed with flavor, they are perfect for sharing with friends and family.


Mushroom-Lentil Wellington

This take on a classic beef Wellington is sure to please all types of eaters, and is well-worth the effort. If looking to save time, most of the recipe can be prepared ahead of time. 

Gnocchi with Kale Sauce

Less than ten ingredients are needed, but this recipe requires some dedication. The resulting gnocchi is soft, tender, and paired with a velvety kale sauce.

Desserts

Peppermint Bark 

Only 4 ingredients and easy to make, this peppermint bark makes the perfect holiday snack, dessert, or edible gift, and leaves room to experiment with different flavor variations and toppings. 


Gingerbread Latte Cookies

Infused with espresso and warmly spiced, these soft-baked cookies taste just like a classic gingerbread latte.

No-Bake Reindeer Cheesecake Bars

This fun and festive dessert contains a buttery cookie and salted pretzel base, a smooth and creamy vegan “cheesecake” layer, and a thick layer of gooey salted caramel.


Yule Log

This woodland-inspired yule includes an indulgent chocolate sponge, creamy vanilla buttercream swirl, and a rich chocolate ganache, making a festive centerpiece for holiday gatherings.

Cannoli

A Sicilian classic made vegan, with a light and airy pastry shell piped full of sweet and creamy vegan ricotta filling and topped with powdered sugar.

Looking for a more in-depth resource on being vegan during the holidays? Check out this blog here.


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