Over 70 Vegan Holiday Recipes in one place! Whether it’s Hanukkah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or whatever you celebrate, we’ve got some great festive recipes for you.
Do you need vegan Thanksgiving recipes? Or are you planning ahead and looking for vegan Christmas recipes?
Maybe you even need vegan Easter recipes? I don’t know what time of year you’re reading this, but I do know that the giant list below contains over 70 fantastic vegan holiday recipes for whatever you’re celebrating.
These recipes are great for entertaining—or if you’re not serving a lot of people, these recipes are a.) easily halved and b.) make great leftovers.
We always end up taking a bunch over to my husband’s family’s house and surprisingly a lot of things get eaten by his picky omni family!
What Do Vegans Eat for Thanksgiving Dinner?
Whether you're serving an entire meal or just a dish or two or three, here's the general idea of what a vegan can eat for Thanksgiving, all of which you can find in the list below:
- Seitan-Based "Turkey"
- Vegan Cordon Bleu (surprisingly easy and perfect for 1 or two servings, though you can double/triple the recipe as needed)
- Some kind of plant based meatloaf, whether that's lentil mushroom loaf or store-bought style like Beyond Meat Meatloaf
- A non-meat-style main like Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese or another noodle dish
- Veganized traditional sides like Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole (yes, there are vegan marshmallows!), etc.
- Veggie sides like Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Butternut Squash, Air Fryer Delicata Squash, or Roasted Apple Brussels Sprouts
- Vegan Mashed Potatoes (remember these need to be made vegan too!) and I have two gravy recipes: Vegan Mushroom Gravy (my fave) and Quick Vegan Gravy for those who don't like mushrooms!
- Most cranberry sauces are accidentally vegan, but try my Vegan Cranberry Sauce with apples and orange—yum!
- Unique sides like Vegan Pumpkin Risotto, Vegan Butternut Squash Risotto, Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, or a fresh fall-inspired salad like my Pomegranate Orange Pecan Salad
- Festive soups like Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup or Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup
- Fun appetizers like Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
- Traditional desserts like Vegan Pumpkin Pie—veganized, of course! Or a easier or healthier version like Pumpkin Pie Vegan Custard or Vegan Pumpkin Chia Pudding!
What Vegan Hanukkah Food Can I Serve?
Well, now, this is my wheelhouse. Here's some awesome vegan Hanukkah food.
- Traditional Vegan Latkes
- Vegan Spinach Artichoke Latkes (Baked!)
- Tofu Sour Cream to enjoy with those latkes
- Shockingly Easy Vegan Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts, but these use a really easy hack instead of traditional dough)
- Chocolate Vegan Babka
- Vegan Spinach Noodle Kugel
- Vegan Potato Kugel
- Seitan Brisket
- Vegan Matzo Ball Soup
- In fact, I've got a whole e-book FULL of Plant Based Jewish Recipes—which incidentally makes the perfect gift and arrives immediately.
But Christmas—What do vegans eat for Christmas?
Whether you're making food for a Christmas eve dinner, brunch or lunch or even dinner on the day of—Christmas will have a lot of folks stumped on what to serve vegans.
While I didn't grow up celebrating Christmas in a traditional way, I have talked to a lot of people about their traditions--as research!
A lot of people tell me that what they eat on Christmas is similar to what they ate on Thanksgiving! And some folks change up the main and eat the same sides.
So while this list might look similar to the Thanksgiving one above—you can really mix and match as you please.
Try some of the below options.
- Vegan Ham (Seitan Style)
- Vegan Cordon Bleu
- Seitan Turkey
- Vegan Shepherd's Pie
- Lentil Mushroom Loaf or Beyond Meat-Style Meatloaf
- Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
- Delish appetizers like Vegan Brie, Vegan Camembert, or even a Vegan Cheese Ball! A great non-cheesy option is my Vegan Mushroom Pâté that tastes very close to the vegan chopped liver I grew up eating!
- I also went and tried making Vegan Baked Brie wrapped in puff pastry and it is AMAZING!
- Cozy soups like Vegan Beef Stew, Vegan Cream of Mushroom soup, Vegan Chicken and Dumplings, Vegan Gnocchi Soup, Vegan Cream of Chicken Soup, Vegan Dumpling Stew, Vegan Potato and Leek Soup, etc.
- Maybe a fun dessert like Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake or a festive green Vegan Matcha Pound Cake or Vegan Monkey Bread!
- And speaking of cookies, you definitely need to use Christmas as an excuse to enjoy all your favorite cookies—but vegan, so try my Vegan Ginger Cookies, Vegan Matcha Cookies (remove the matcha and they're just sugar cookies!), and Coconut Almond Butter Cookies.
- Oh and for Christmas morning, definitely give these Vegan Cranberry Chocolate Chip Muffins a try!
Great Christmas Gifts for Vegans
Oh, and this might be a great place to list a few of my favorite Hanukkah or Christmas gifts for vegans, too.
All of these items are items I've given or received as a gift and love them (or the person I gave it to loved it)!
- My favorite tofu press
- My go-to: All-Clad nonstick cookware
- Silicone baking mat for easy cooking and cleanup!
- Vegan cookbook like my (shameless self promotion) new book: Second Helpings: Classic Vegan Comfort Food
- Glass food storage containers
- This is the air fryer I use daily
- And the Instant Pot I use at least twice a week for meal prep, which is also indispensable to my seitan recipes
- My favorite nutritional yeast
- An everyday staple, a John Boos Cutting Board is a luxury for someone who preps a lot of food
- My favorite rolling pin
- I've referred many people to this vegetable peeler and everyone is obsessed with it. This will change how you peel vegetables. It cuts through butternut squash skin with ease!
Anyway, let’s get into this list of vegan holiday recipes.
Vegan Holiday Recipes
Are there days where you just can’t even summon the strength to deal with the world? Last thing you want to do is cook an extensive meal for yourself, let alone anyone else. Don’t worry, with these Lazy Vegan Meals you’ll be able to throw together recipes that are cheap, delicious and, most importantly, easy.
Decadent yet healthy, this home cooked Seitan Turkey is moist, packed with flavor, and has an awesome meaty texture. This vegan turkey recipe is perfect for a holiday centerpiece, easy meal prep, or even just a nice main dish for a family dinner.
This firm, savory, satisfying Lentil Mushroom Loaf is the perfect main dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a dinner party, or any occasion. With its classic sweet and smoky flavor, it is sure to please the whole family.
Smoky, sweet, and satisfying yet healthy, this Vegan Ham is the perfect holiday centerpiece or family dinner. It’s moist, packed with flavor, has a great meaty texture and is also great for meal prep or leftovers (hello, sandwiches!).
This juicy, tender, satisfying Beyond Meat Meatloaf is beyond delicious. Made with simple ingredients, this vegan meatloaf is the perfect family dinner for an average meal, a special meal, meal prep, and everything in between.
Cheesy, creamy, and rich, this Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese will quickly become a family favorite. Perfect for both children and adults, you’ll keep coming back to this simple and easy vegan recipe.
This savory and hearty Vegan Smoky Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate cozy dinner, perfect for a weeknight or special occasion. Easy to make, customizable, and healthy, this delicious and classic dish is a great, budget-friendly, stick-to-your-ribs meal.
Juicy, tender, and satisfying, this Vegan Brisket is a perfect dinner main or holiday centerpiece. Slow roasted so it’s fork-tender, this seitan brisket will have vegans and non-vegans raving.
This creamy Vegan Spinach Noodle Kugel is a fantastic kosher-friendly main or side dish for any holiday meal or even on a weeknight, as it takes just 35 minutes to throw together. Protein-packed and much lighter than normal kugel, this healthy dish is delicious and perfect for the entire family.
A fun twist on a classic party dip, these spinach artichoke latkes are flavorful and nutritious! A healthier baked potato pancake, these versatile latkes make a great snack, appetizer, or even a meal if you’re so inclined. Dip them into my tofu sour cream and some applesauce.
Vegan Side Dishes
If you ask me, the best thing about Thanksgiving dinner is the SIDES! Yes, potaotes, casseroles, and stuffing, that's what I want! So if you're looking for vegan sides, read on.
This delicious, creamy, and crunchy Vegan Green Bean Casserole is made with homemade vegan cream of mushroom soup, fresh green beans (see notes for canned), a pinch of vegan cheese, and crispy onions for the best vegan side dish perfect for any holiday meal.
Sweet, gooey, and a little toasty, this Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole is an easy veganized classic for your holiday table. With roasted sweet potatoes (instead of boiled), vegan marshmallows, and a whole lot of flavor, this delicious side dish will steal the show.
Hearty, savory, and just a little sweet, this Vegan Challah Stuffing is the dressing that Thanksgiving dreams are made from. The solid yet delicious dried out bread chunks soak up all the tasty herby flavor and pair beautifully with any Thanksgiving main, like Seitan Turkey or Lentil Mushroom Loa
This Gluten-Free Holiday Stuffing with Tempeh Sausage and Veggies recipe is packed with goodies like smoky tempeh sausage crumbles, dried cranberries, mushrooms, and fresh herbs, which can be a luxury when you’re on a budget.
My super easy garlic Vegan Mashed Potatoes and Gravy are delicious! With It can’t get any better with these Easy Vegan Mashed Potatoes. With only 3 ingredients and no oil, added sugar, or dairy, this simple side dish will shine on its own. Top it with my 5-minute gravy or ridiculously delicious vegan mushroom gravy for the perfect side or meal!
This creamy and cozy one-pot Vegan Pumpkin Risotto is the ultimate comfort meal, but still healthy and family friendly. This 20 minute dish is sure to be a favorite entree, but also makes a fabulous side. Bonus points: it’s great for a holiday meal or just a quick weeknight favorite.
This delicious Vegan Creamed Kale is a twist on the classic spinach side dish. It’s simple, quick, easy and the perfect complement for any dinner, from everyday to Thanksgiving.
My Vegan Nut-Free Pumpkin Cheese Sauce is a Fall-inspired cheese that is vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, and oil-free. Throw it on some pasta for a delicious mac and cheese side dish perfect for Thanksgiving.
Vegan Gravies & Sauces
Whether you're specifically looking for vegan gravy or something else, I'm sure these sauces perfect for your holiday meal.
Smoky, rich, and packed with umami flavor, this Vegan Mushroom Gravy is easy to make and perfect for topping mashed potatoes, lentil loaf, and more.
This 10 minute Quick Vegan Gravy is rich, savory, and the perfect topping for mains and sides. Easy enough to make on a weeknight for baked potatoes and steamed veggies, but delicious enough to deserve a place at the holiday table, this easy condiment is a keeper.
Sweet and slightly tart, this delicious Vegan Cranberry Sauce is far superior to store-bought versions and the perfect addition to any holiday plate. Whether you’re hosting a vegan feast or bringing a vegan option to a shared table, you’ll definitely want to make this 20 minute holiday dish.
Creamy and lush, this two-minute Maple Mustard Tahini Sauce is super easy, simple, and delicious for just about anything. Use it on salads, Buddha bowls, as a dipping sauce for veggies and more, you need no equipment or hard to find ingredients for this simple sauce recipe.
This rich, tangy, Vegan Lemon Miso Tahini Dressing is AMAZING and a great sauce for virtually any dish. Use it to top pasta, salads, Buddha Bowls, and more! It is a versatile sauce you'll want to make every week -- luckily it takes less than 5 minutes to make!
Vegan Holiday Soups
While few of these are actually themed by the holidays, any of these vegan soups would make a great addition to your table.
Smooth, creamy, and warming, this delicious Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup is the perfect meal to celebrate the fall season. This recipe is super easy to make--all you have to do is roast sugar pie pumpkin (the same pumpkin that’s used for puree) and sweet potatoes, blend them up with a few other ingredients to add depth of flavor, and heat on the stove for a few minutes
Rich, hearty, and comforting, this Vegan Beef Stew is the perfect cozy dinner. It is packed with vegetables, vegan beef chunks, and a savory broth full of flavor and pairs wonderfully with a slice of crusty bread.
This creamy loaded Vegan Stew with Dumplings is flavorful, satisfying, easy to make. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this cozy stew features amazing, fluffy dumplings that are easier than you think.
This rich and creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Carrot Ginger Soup is so cozy and delicious. Packed with nutrients, this soup is easy to throw together in your pressure cooker or stove top (instructions provided) and perfect for weeknight or a holiday spread.
Savory, earthy, and packed full of flavor, this Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup is super easy to make in less than 30 minutes and yet achieves a depth of flavor that far surpasses any can of whatever. This soup is great on its own yet perfect for other recipes. Keep a couple cups-worth in the freezer for easy pasta sauces, casseroles, and more.
Cozy, satisfying and easy to make, this Vegan Potato and Leek Soup is pure comfort food. It’s great for dinner, meal prep, leftovers, freezing, picky eaters, you name it. And if you don’t like leeks, it’s just as easy to substitute onions or leave them out.
Cozy, savory, and perfect for fall, this Vegan Cream of Chicken Soup is hearty, healthy, and stick-to-your-ribs satisfying. Whether you make up a big pot to eat throughout the week, serve to your family with crusty bread, or freeze for a snowy day, this soup is sure to become your new household favorite. Did we mention it takes only 30 minutes to make?
This Vegan Matzo Ball Soup is delicious and satisfying and tastes just like Bubbe used to make. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy the delicious matzo balls or the savory herb infused soup! This recipe is easy and quick to make, so enjoy it for any evening.
Vegan Appetizers
If you need delicious vegan Hors d'Oeuvres to serve your guests or yourself as a holdover until dinner, try some of these delicious options below.
Creamy, rich, and buttery smooth, this Vegan Brie is not only incredibly easy to make, but it’s also deliciously similar to its dairy counterpart. Instructions included for nut-free and soy-free versions. Prep this vegan Brie recipe in just 10 minutes and the next day you’ll be met with amazing vegan cheese perfect for a party or just for snacking.
Creamy and loaded with flavor, this awesome Vegan Cheese Ball is easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for an appetizer or party snack. Highlight it on a vegan snack board or just dig in with some crackers and enjoy!
Rich, creamy, and smooth, this delicious Vegan Camembert is a fantastic fancy yet easy nut-free vegan cheese perfect for any vegan charcuterie board or snack. Prep this vegan Camembert recipe in just 10 minutes and let chill for an out-of-this-world flavor experience.
Completely delicious and bite-sized, these Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms are a great appetizer for a dinner, party, or even part of a fun movie-night buffet. They’re super quick and easy to make and PACKED with flavor.
Tender and delicious, these Vegan Pierogi with Potato and Leek are the perfect appetizer or a side dish. Topped with caramelized onions or shallots, these little vegan dumplings are easier than you think and completely customizable as you can fill them with just about anything.
Smoky and packed with umami flavor, this easy vegan Mushroom Lentil Pâté is the perfect appetizer or snack (it’s gluten-free too!). It keeps well in the fridge and is a great feels-fancy dish but is simple and quick to make.
Tender and delicious, these are the Easiest Vegan Meatballs ever, and they’re also gluten-free! Made of wholesome ingredients, these little bean balls are great in any kind of sauce, whether it’s part of your entree or you’re sticking toothpicks in them and serving them at a party!
These fun and delicious Vegan Pigs in a Blanket are surprisingly easy to make and are the ultimate appetizer or party food. Make from scratch using my vegan sausage recipe or substitute store bought vegan meat if preferred.
Quick and easy, this Vegan Garlic Bread is super delicious and flavorful. Make this cozy classic side dish in just 20 minutes with only 5 ingredients including the bread!
These delicious baked Vegan Crab Rangoon are a healthy and easy twist on a traditional take out appetizer. You can fry them if you wish, but I provide a simple method for getting a nicely browned & crispy baked version.
Move over store-bought vegan chicken replacements, these Seitan Chicken Nuggets are AMAZING and taste BETTER than composite chicken alternatives, and even better than meat products. Super packed with protein with simple ingredients, these chicken nuggets are super easy to make, freeze well, and create an easy snack or meal to feed even the pickiest of eaters.
Vegan Holiday Desserts
These desserts, varying in difficulty, are all festive and completely delicious--and, of course, completely vegan.
This delicious and easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie is the best dessert to serve your family this Thanksgiving or for any occasion because it’s that simple to make. Simply blend up the filling, pour into a crust, bake, and chill till set, this creamy pie is perfect every time.
Smooth, creamy, and sweet, this low-fat Pumpkin Pie Vegan Custard is a ridiculously easy alternative to pumpkin pie. Make it in under 10 minutes and chill it an easy option for Thanksgiving or just a quick dessert or snack!
Sweet, fluffy, and full of flavor, this Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake is soft, buttery, and delightful any time of year. It’s easy to make, will impress your guests, and magically disappears because it’s so good.
Rich, moist, and classic with a twist, my Vegan Matcha Pound Cake is the perfect texture and totally vegan and oil-free! This recipe is super easy but it looks fancy enough to bring to a potluck or serve at a holiday party. The color is perfect for spring, too.Creamy, rich, and easy to make, this is the best vegan chocolate pudding you’ll ever make, and the last recipe you’ll need. Only a few minutes to absolutely incredible chocolaty goodness.
Creamy, rich, and easy to make, this is the best vegan chocolate pudding you’ll ever make, and the last recipe you’ll need. Only a few minutes to absolutely incredible chocolaty goodness.
Sweet, delicious, and well worth the effort, this vegan babka is super impressive in looks and flavor. This enriched bread is filled with chocolate, tahini, and pecans, and magically disappears!
This moist and delicious Vegan Apple Cake tastes like fall and is just as easy to make as box cake mix. A healthier version of what Bubbe used to make, this cake is sweet, soft, and a tiny bit crunchy when you get a little pop of baked apple!
This easy and delicious Vegan Coffee and Walnut Cake is a classic flavor combo in its simplest form. Enjoy this loaf-pan cake for breakfast or dessert, with a spot of coffee or tea. It’s also a great option for any holiday gathering, especially in the cooler months.
Rich, fudgy, and delicious, this Vegan Flourless Chocolate Cake is gluten-free and also kosher for passover! Made with almond flour and two kinds of chocolate, this lush cake is the perfect feels-fancy dessert that’s easy to make at home.
This moist and delicious Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread is the perfect mix between breakfast and dessert. Easy to make and customize, this loaf can be made with the same measurements using regular all purpose flour if you aren’t gluten-free.
These Chocolate Bliss Balls make the perfect snack or dessert and are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, and freezer friendly! Throw them together in less than 15 minutes and chill to desired temperature. Fancy enough to serve guests but easy enough to make for any occasion.
Luscious, rich, moist and packed with coconut flavor, this perfect vegan coconut cake is a show stealer at any party but also perfect for imagining yourself on a tropical island--while at home. Frosted with homemade vegan buttercream frosting and toasted coconut flakes, this isn’t a cake you’ll soon forget--in fact, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Fluffy, tender, and flavorful, this Vegan Lemon Loaf is delicious and easy to make. This is no lemon-scented imposter; it’s a super lemony, tart and sweet dessert that’s sure to impress.
Sweet, fruity, and fluffy, this Vegan Hummingbird Cake is absolutely delicious and easy to make. Impress family, guests, yourself, your dog--anyone will be begging for another slice of this tender fruit-filled cake.
Vegan Cookies
And who could forget the cookies?!
These easy Vegan Matcha Cookies are absolutely delicious little sugar cookies with a caffeinated twist with the addition of matcha (green tea powder). The matcha can also be left out for regular vegan sugar cookies (without changing the recipe!).
These super simple vegan coconut almond butter cookies are chewy, sweet, absolutely delicious and they happen to be gluten-free! Taking just a half hour to make, they are the perfect cookie to dunk in milk or enjoy with afternoon tea, or they are great to serve at a party!
These Vegan Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies require no refrigeration and are so soft and chewy (even after a few days, if they last that long!). They're super easy (perfect for kids helping), take less than 20 minutes, and so tasty even non-vegans will love them.
Decadent, soft, and chewy, these Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies are simply the easiest cookie to make and perfect for chocolate lovers. Make them for vegans or non-vegans--everyone seems to gobble them up!
These slightly crispy, slightly soft Vegan Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies are a quick and tasty dessert. This is a classic cookie made with a delicious fall twist, and they’re just as easy to make as any others. They’re fun for kids to help make, too!
Okay so they're not actually cookies, but these vegan scones are tender, melt-in-your-mouth, surprisingly easy to make, and an absolutely delicious dessert or breakfast as they are loaded with delicious melty chocolate but not overly sweet. Serve them with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold non-dairy milk -- great for grown-ups and kids alike!
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