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.
Total time: 15 mins
Beetroot Salad with Maple Walnuts
This autumn-inspired salad showcases vibrant colors with beetroots, carrots, and apples, and can easily be prepared in advance.
Total time: 27 mins
Kale and Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw with Pine Nut “Parm”
This recipe highlights seasonal ingredients, making a hearty and delicious salad perfect for wintertime.
Total time: 45 mins
Brussels Sprout Caesar Slaw w/ Kale, Chickpeas & Parm | The First Mess
Sides
Latkes
This cold-weather comfort food is easy to make and has lots of potential for customization and creativity.
Total time: 1 hour
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.
Total time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Miso Tahini Butter - Rainbow Plant Life
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.
Total time: 50 mins
Mains
West African Peanut Stew
Featuring sweet potatoes, sunflower butter, and jackfruit, this nourishing stew is best served over rice.
Total time: 45 mins
West African Peanut Stew {nut-free & vegan} -- Sweet Potato Soul
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.
Total time: 2 hrs
Oil-free version: Oil-Free Vegan Tamales (Easy + Gluten-free)
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.
Total time: 2 hrs 30 mins
Note: Make sure to read through all the steps before starting the recipe, as it does require a bit more time and prep than usual.
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.
Total time: 2 hrs 45 mins
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.
Total time: 3 hrs 10 mins
Gingerbread Latte Cookies
Infused with espresso and warmly spiced, these soft-baked cookies taste just like a classic gingerbread latte.
Total time: 31 mins
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.
Total time: overnight
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.
Total time: 1 hr 20 mins
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.
Total time: 2 hrs 20 mins
Looking for a more in-depth resource on being vegan during the holidays? Check out this blog here.
Sources:
Blogs:
Lazy Cat Kitchen - A food blog with plant-based recipes from all over the world
Affordable and Easy Plant-based Recipes | Plant-Based on a Budget
Other:
-Some expert tips on reducing food waste over the holidays
-How to reduce food waste and feast sustainably this holiday season | UBC Science
-Our top 10 ideas to decrease food waste during the holidays | Live Net Zero