Christmas Meal Ideas for Veggies and Vegans

Though a turkey roast and other meat dishes like pigs in blankets often make up a traditional Christmas meal, there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals out there suitable for your particular tastes or preferences. Or if you’re cooking for someone who doesn’t eat meat.

Read on for our pick of veg-based Christmas meal ideas…

Vegetarian Mushroom Pithiviers

If you’re looking for an eye-catching and tasty centrepiece for your Christmas meal, mushroom pithivier does the trick. This vegetarian recipe makes use of ready-made puff pastry so the pithivier’s an absolute breeze to put together.

The filling is made up of a tasty, creamy combination of portobello mushrooms, caramelised chestnut mushrooms, onion, garlic, double cream and plenty of herbs. The result is a savoury dish that the vegetarians and meat lovers alike will devour on Christmas Eve, especially when served with some golden roasties.

Vegan Mushroom Wellington

Mushrooms take centre stage once again in this vegan mushroom wellington recipe. This wellington is a treat in terms of taste and texture: the inside is stuffed with rich, crunchy chestnuts and pecans and delicious roasted mushrooms and lightly sweetened with cranberry sauce, then wrapped in a vegan puff pastry. It’s then glazed on the outside in maple syrup. With all of this tasty, textured goodness, this mushroom wellington is sure to be a showstopper this Christmas.

Vegetarian Nut Loaf

This vegetarian friendly nut loaf is so easy to make and so filling, ideal to serve at Christmas dinner. It’s chock full of lentils, chestnut mushrooms, cheddar cheese and a whole lot of mixed nuts, including walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts.

This recipe comes with steps to make your own flavourful tomato sauce, which can be served up with slices of the nut loaf at your Christmas meal.

Vegan Caramelised Onion Tart

It’s sure to be love at first bite with this savoury caramelised onion tart, suitable for vegans and those avoiding gluten. The sweetness of the caramelised onion is complemented by a homemade cashew cream, spinach and a rich almond pastry case, which all come together for a unique dish sure to impress anyone at Christmas dinner.

Vegetarian Cauliflower Sformato

This satisfying vegetarian friendly cauliflower sformato is like a hybrid of a dense soufflé and a crustless quiche. It’s hearty, it’s comforting and it’s festive, so give this recipe a try this Christmas.

The sformato is packed full of roasted cauli, parmesan cheese and eggs, but you can add in any of your favourite veg or opt for vegan cheese. Top off the dish with crispy kale and caramelised pine nuts for a wonderful crunch.

Vegan Christmas Pudding

What’s Christmas without a pudding to end the meal? That’s why we’re finishing this list off with this vegan Christmas pudding, sure to delight everyone at the table.

Sultanas, raisins, dried figs and grated apple form the bulk of this pudding, while rum, brown sugar and allspice add to the delicious flavour. For a truly phenomenal Christmas pud, serve this warm with vegan ice cream.

Until next time…