Vegan Holidays – Plant-Based Festive Feasting

Thanksgiving is coming up, and we all know what that means — the start of the holiday season! The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, and, most relevant to our discussion, delicious food.

The holidays can present a challenge for many vegans as they often involve numerous food-centric occasions with friends and relatives who are not vegan. Don’t worry, though. There are SO many plant-based recipes that will satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike.

Whether you are hosting an entirely vegan soiree or bringing a plant-based dish or two to a festive gathering, we’ve got you covered. From turkey-rivaling mains to veganized sides to tantalizing desserts to cocktails, we’ve got you covered, course by course.

Table of Contents

In this post, we will discuss the numerous ways to veganize every aspect of your holiday feast. We will break it up into categories as follows. Feel free to skip around to the areas you are most concerned about:

• Festive Finger Foods
• The Main Event
• Seasonal Sides
• Gravies and Sauces
• Sweet Endings
• Celebratory Beverages

Strap on your apron and hop in the kitchen! It’s going to be one delicious ride!

Festive Finger Foods

Kick off your holiday feast with a vegan starter or two. These are perfect to bring along to a holiday potluck to make sure you and any other plant-based attendees have something to sink your teeth into during cocktail hour.

Here are some ideas for you:

• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Savory Pecan Stuffed Dates
• Vegan Crab Cakes
• Easy Vegan Cheese Balls

The Main Event

This is where a lot of people get hung up. Holiday feasts seem to revolve around the turkey, the roast beef, the spiral ham, and/or [insert other festive meaty main here]. But there are plenty of plant-based mains that can take center stage.

From stuffed acorn squash to butternut squash galettes to giant stuffed portobello mushroom caps, there’s something for everyone (even the meat eaters at your table!). Don’t forget to incorporate plant-based proteins like lentils, chickpeas, or tofu. They add substance and nutritional value to your main course.

Who needs turkey when you can have one of these?

• Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
• Lentil Shepherds Pie
• Vegan Butternut Galette with Shallots, Apples & Black Pepper Crust
• 1-Hour Vegan Pot Pies

Luckily the fall and winter months are peak time for some seriously delish produce. From squash to root vegetables to dark leafy greens, it’s a vegan’s dream. So don’t forget to take advantage when dreaming up your holiday mains…and side dishes too! which brings us to our next point.

Seasonal Sides

Side dishes are an essential part of any holiday meal. They complement the main course and add variety to the table. Traditional holiday sides are loaded with butter, cream, bacon, and/or other animal products. They don’t have to be, though.

Butter, cream, etc. lend plenty of flavor, don’t get us wrong, but there are plenty of plant-based substitutes out there that do the same. And don’t underestimate the natural flavors of plant-based foods themselves. When prepared correctly (we love roasting), they can really pour a lot of flavor into your recipe!

Ready for some awesome vegan holiday sides?

• Vegan Stuffing
• White Truffle Mac and Cheese
• Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
• Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Smokey Almond Bites
• Vegan Biscuits
• Vegan Cornbread

Gravies and Sauces

Gravies and sauces can elevate your vegan holiday dishes to new heights. Typical sauces served at holiday feasts are gravy and cranberry sauce. They add flavor, moisture, and richness to the whole kit and kaboodle that’s hard to resist.

Cranberry sauce is, by nature, vegan. So, let’s focus on the gravy bit, here. Traditional gravy calls for pan drippings from some sort of roasted meat and/or butter. Believe it or not, though, you can make a great vegan gravy using vegetable broth, a little flour, herbs, and maybe a dash of plant-based milk to make it creamy.

Here are some fun recipes for you to try:

• Super Simple Vegan Gravy
• Vegan Thanksgiving Gravy
• Vegan Mushroom Make-Ahead Gravy

Sweet Endings

No holiday feast is complete without a sweet dessert to wrap things up. Many traditional holiday desserts (and desserts in general) are loaded with animal products such as butter and cream. Fret not, you can totally satisfy your sweet tooth the plant-based way.

Use plant-based milks, vegan butter, and egg substitutes to make your favorite pies, cakes, and cookies, and make sure to check out our post on Vegan Baking 101. It’ll help set you off on the right foot.

Here are a few of our favorite vegan holiday dessert recipes:

• Vegan Pumpkin Pie
• Vegan Pecan Pie
• Vegan Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Frosting
• Vegan Apple Crisp

Celebratory Beverages

A holiday soiree isn’t complete without a festive beverage or two. Lots of beverages (such as hot toddies, mulled wine, and apple cider) are vegan by default, but what about eggnog? Hot chocolate? These holiday faves can easily be made with plant-based milk. So, raise a glass and enjoy!

Here come our favorite veganized holiday sips:

• Easy Vegan Eggnog
• Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate
• Vegan White Russian
• Vegan Baileys
• Vegan Hot Chocolate, for the kiddos

That’s a Wrap!

Embracing a vegan holiday doesn’t mean giving up on festive favorites. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can create a plant-based feast that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

Cheers to celebrating a vegan holiday with a table full of plant-based delights!

Related Read

• The Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet
• Savor the Switch: A Guide to the Best Plant-Based Milk Alternatives
• Why Veganism Matters – Ethic Principles Behind Choosing a Plant-Based Lifestyle