Vegetarian and Vegan Christmas Dinner: Festive, Flavorful & Easy Holiday Classics

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Looking for the best vegetarian and vegan Christmas dinner ideas? These easy, comforting dishes bring big holiday flavor, without meat or dairy. Perfect for cozy meals, potlucks, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Remember when holiday dinners were basically turkey plus sides? Times have changed, in the best way. These days, vegetarian and vegan Christmas dinners are packed with flavor, texture, and comfort food goodness.

We’re roasting veggies, layering casseroles, making plant-based gravies, and even serving fun twists like vegetarian sushi or hearty soups.

In this post, you’ll find festive recipes, clever tips, gluten-free options, and answers to the most common holiday cooking questions. Let’s make this your easiest (and tastiest) Christmas yet.

🎄 Vegetarian & Vegan Christmas Recipes That Always Work

From the most delicious and easy noodle soups, to crunchy and spiced tacos. The best ideas for a different and unique plant-based Christmas filled with flavor.

🍜 Vegetarian Soups

Keep it cozy, healthy, and delicious with these vegan and vegetarian soups. Filled with minerals, nutrients and always a hit for all guests.

Vegetarian Wonton Soup🥟🍲 Recipe By Veggie K
I recently went to an Asian Supermarket for the first time and I was surprised to find so many unique and vegetarian ingredients. This warm wonton soup is an original recipe I created to keep warm during the cold weather.
CookpadVeggie K
Vegan Lemongrass “Beef” Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế Recipe By Kat Truong
Great recipe for Vegan Lemongrass “Beef” Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế.
CookpadKat Truong
Creamy Cauliflower Soup With Rosemary Olive Oil Recipe By Ricardo
This soup turns a short list of vegan ingredients into a sublimely silky soup. Add chickpeas to add protein. The croutons here are optional, but they transform an elegant and delicate first-course soup into a satisfying lunch. This excellent recipe is by Lidey Heuck, from The New York Times.
CookpadRicardo

💡Quick Tip: Add a spoonful of cashew cream at the end for extra richness.

🍞 Vegan Biscuits and Mushroom Gravy

Give a delicious twist to your Holiday brunch with this comforting, plant-based classic. These flavorful vegan recipes will surprise everyone.

Cheddar Biscuit Dupe (Vegan) Recipe By Spice And Zeal
I was obsessed with Red Lobster’s biscuits as a kid. Like OBSESSED. I would sneak them in my pockets whenever we went to Red Lobster! I’m glad as a vegan, I now have this dupe to get me through my withdrawals!!
CookpadSpice and Zeal
Wild Garlic Scones (Gf, Vg) Recipe By Genna
Adapted from Clare Knivett’s recipe, made vegan and gluten free to suit all dietary needs at this year’s Easter brunch 🌱 I tested 3 different recipes before I found one that really worked and had enough rise to really call it a scone. I didn’t add vegan cheese to replace regular cheese as it doesn’…
CookpadGenna
Mushroom Gravy Sauce For Steak Recipe By Minda
Great recipe for Mushroom Gravy Sauce for Steak.
CookpadMinda
Vegan Gravy Recipe by Ettie Eyre
A roast dinner needs a really good gravy. This recipe can impress those most sceptical of a vegan roast! I find you can change the veg ingredients to suit what you have at home, but the dried mushrooms are an essential not to be skipped.
CookpadEttie Eyre

💡Quick Tip: Brown the mushrooms deeply before adding flour—more color = more flavor.

🍲 Vegetarian Casserole

If your family wants a crowd-pleasing main dish that feels festive and filling, this it it.

Delicata Squash Shepherds Pie Recipe By Conchata Hosley
Soooo..I received some organic delicata Squash not too long ago. I was thinking “what am I going to do with this?” Well, I love comfort foods and pies so I decided to make my vegan version of a shepherd’s pie. So delicious! Enjoy!
CookpadConchata Hosley
Vegan Spinach Cassarole Recipe By Nena’s.Cook.Nook
In an effort to healthy up the Thanksgiving table add this delicious cassarole!
CookpadNena’s.cook.nook
Vegan Shepherds Pie Recipe by Balint Dezso
Great recipe for Vegan Shepherds Pie.
CookpadBalint Dezso

💡Quick Tip: Mix soft and crunchy toppings—panko + herbs gives the perfect holiday crust.

🥘 Vegan Split Pea Soups

Budget-friendly, comforting, hands-off winter soup for holiday gatherings.

Vegan Instant Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe By Kikki Avila
Great recipe for Vegan Instant Pot Split Pea Soup.
CookpadKikki Avila
Vickys Green Split Pea Soup, Gf Df Ef Sf Nf Recipe by Vicky@Jacks Free-From Cookbook
A vegan version of my pea & ham soup
CookpadVickyJacks Free-From Cookbook

💡Quick Tip: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar before serving to brighten the flavor.

🌮 Vegetarian Tacos

A fun, unexpected option for Christmas Eve parties. Easily made gluten-free.

🌮 Vegetarian Chickpea Tacos 🌮 Recipe By Veggie K
I was searching for a chickpea taco recipes online when I came across a picture that inspired me to make these tacos. This was perfect timing because I had red cabbage in the fridge and a ripe avocado I needed to use. These tacos are vegetarian (and vegan) and are done in less than 20 minutes. Taco …
CookpadVeggie K
Vegan Birria Tacos With Consommé 𝓥 (𝙿𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝙱𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚜🌿) Recipe By Celestial Enigma
Nothing better than dipping your tacos in a rich and hearty sauce. Meaty mushrooms shredded and slow cooked , then stuffed into warmed tortillas with melty cheese and fried to perfection to make the best Vegan Birria Tacos. Serve each taco with fresh onions, cilantro, and lime … and of course, a sid…
CookpadCelestial Enigma
Raw Vegan Tacos Recipe By Chez Zig
This is soo freaking good!
CookpadChez Zig

💡Quick Tip: Warm tortillas in a damp towel in the oven—keeps them soft for guests.

⭐ 5 Go-To Holiday Vegetarian/Vegan Recipes

Vegetarian Pho Recipe 👇

Vegetarian Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup) Recipe by Vanitha Bhat
This filling and comforting vegetarian Vietnamese soup is full of flavors from shiitake mushrooms, fresh herbs and aromat spices; served over rice noodles and topped with some crunchy and fresh toppings, it is a complete meal!
CookpadVanitha Bhat

Vegetarian Sushi Recipe 👇

Vegetarian Sushi Rolls Recipe by spicequeen
Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish which is prepared using sushi rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar and salt. Usually raw seafood and vegetables are used as stuffing. Sushi is served with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce. It can be even served with a spicy sauce of your choice. I have prepared …
Cookpadspicequeen

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells Recipe 👇

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells Recipe By My Rad Kitchen | Eva
My Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells are creamy, cozy and full of fall flavor with roasted squash, maple syrup and a parmesan sage butter sauce.
CookpadMy Rad Kitchen | Eva

Vegan Cookies Recipe 👇

Vegan Autumn Spiced Cookies Recipe By Sarahsfoodblast
Great recipe for Vegan Autumn Spiced Cookies.
CookpadSarahsfoodblast

Vegan Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 👇

Cowboy Cookies (Gluten Free / Vegan) Recipe By Genna
These were my favourite cookies when I was a kid, packed with nuts and chocolate. I found this free-from friendly version online from the Minimalist Baker and have tweaked it a little to suit whatever ingredients are at home. Original recipe here: https://minimalistbaker.com/1-bowl-cowgirl-cookies-vegan-gluten-free/
CookpadGenna

❓ FAQs About Vegetarian and Vegan Christmas

What is the best vegetarian main dish for Christmas?

Vegetarian casseroles, lasagna soup, stuffed squash, and mushroom-based roasts are among the most popular Christmas mains in the U.S.

How do you make vegan gravy taste rich?

Use browned mushrooms, caramelized onions, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and a little nutritional yeast. These layers create deep, savory flavor.

Are gluten-free Christmas dinners easy to make?

Yes! Focus on naturally gluten-free dishes like split pea soup, roasted vegetables, tacos, sushi, and flourless cookies.

Can you prep vegetarian Christmas meals ahead?

Absolutely. Make gravy, casseroles, and soups 1–2 days early. Reheat gently on the stove or in the oven for best texture.

What vegan dishes work well for Christmas breakfast?

Vegan biscuits and mushroom gravy, fruit casseroles, tofu scramble, and cinnamon oat pancakes are all holiday favorites.

Whether your Christmas dinner features lasagna soup, mushroom gravy, tacos, casseroles, or gluten-free cookies, the right plant-based recipe turns every meal into a cozy, crowd-pleasing favorite. Flavorful, festive, and surprisingly easy, these dishes deserve a spot on your holiday table.

Got a go-to vegetarian or vegan Christmas recipe? Share it with us!
Share Your Recipe! 👨‍🍳

And if someone you know thinks plant-based food is boring, send them this post! 🎄😉

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