The ultimate guide to a vegetarian or vegan Christmas. Tips and recipes including starters; main course; side dishes; sauces; desserts and puddings as well as drinks and sweet treats.

Family Christmas

Since our son was born Christmas has been celebrated at home, apart from one Christmas when we decided to eat Christmas dinner at a local hotel.

Needless to say the Christmas offering at the hotel wasn't great. The veggie option felt like it was added to the menu last minute because they had to have one and it was a real disappointment. 

The meal started with a delicious butternut squash soup which was the highlight of the meal and it all went downhill after that. 

Enjoying Christmas dinner at home is definitely the best option.

Plan Ahead

Every November I sit down and plan Christmas dinner. It always takes a bit of thought and planning. 

When you're vegetarian or vegan you really need to be creative to present something special. 

Once I've decided what I'm cooking I can set that aside and concentrate on all the other things that happen at Christmas, the shopping; wrapping gifts; decorating; baking and all the fun events.

Lets make Christmas dinner easy!

Let me take the stress out of Christmas for you this year.

I'll pulled together lots of easy recipes for you to try this Christmas. 

They've all been tested on my family and have photos and simple printable instructions, with no fancy ingredients. 

There are a selection of both vegetarian and vegan dishes for starter; main course; sides; sauces & dressings; dessert; sweet treats; soft drinks and cocktails.

Open the recipes you'd like to try and print them out to take into the kitchen this Christmas. 

If there are any you aren't sure about, try them out before Christmas day and remember I'm always happy to help if you need any tips. 

Email: tinnedtomatoes@googlemail.com

SCROLL DOWN FOR RECIPES

1. Make a list. Add all the things you need to prepare and buy for Christmas. Tackle the list a little at a time.
2. Set a budget and try to stick to it. Over-spending will make you feel stressed.
3. Don't try to be perfect, just keep things simple and try to enjoy Christmas. It's all about spending time with family and friends.
4. Plan your Christmas dinner as soon as possible and try out anything you aren't sure about before Christmas Day.
5. Make things easy and plan Christmas dinner with a mixture of ready made dishes and homemade dishes. This way you'll have more time to spend with your guests on the day.
6. Have a look on Pinterest for table setting and decoration ideas.
7. Start a Christmas folder, either online or in a ring binder or box. Print out your recipes and save them in your folder with notes and any ideas you've collected.
8. Stock up on plenty of gift wrap, ribbons and sellotape in advance, so you don't have that last minute panic.
9. Build some fun things into your list. Take time out to visit seasonal displays and take part in fun Christmas activities, but have some time off from Christmas too. When it becomes too much, have a long bubble bath, read a book or watch a movie.
10. Have fun!

VEGGIE CHRISTMAS

Have yourself a Very Veggie Christmas from my home to yours.

STARTERS

These starters can be served with a small side salad and dip.

The soup is best served with crusty bread and we often buy part-baked rolls to finish baking just before the soup is ready to serve.

Just remember to keep your portions small if you are having a few courses. We all tend to make too much food.

Vegetarian Starter

(keep scrolling for the vegan options)

Batter

Beer Battered Haggis Balls

Beer Battered Garlic Mushrooms

Crispy Battered Veggie Sausage Bites

Pastry

Brie, Potato and Mushroom Tart
Garlic Mushroom and Spinach Puff Pastry Tart

Mini Spinach and Cream Cheese Parcels

Spinach and Onion Puff Tart

Spinach & Feta Triangles (Spanakopita)
Veggie Sausage Rolls

Pate 

Serve with oatcakes and grapes or at the end of the meal with a cheese board.

Spiced Moroccan Pate

Spicy Black Bean Pate

Scottish Mushroom & Chestnut Pate

Soup

Carrot & Squash Soup with Coconut

Cauliflower Cheese Soup with Broccoli

Cheesey Broccoli & Spinach Soup

Tortellini Minestrone Soup
Winter Minestrone Soup

Stuffed

Avocado, Spinach and Goats Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Peppers with New Potatoes, Feta & Pesto

Vegan Starter

Batter

Beer Battered Haggis Balls

Beer Battered Garlic Mushrooms

Pastry 

Garlic Mushroom and Spinach Puff Pastry Tart
Mini Spinach and Cream Cheese Parcels

Mini Spinach and Cream Cheese Parcels
Mushroom and Chestnut Sausage Rolls

Pate

Serve with oatcakes and grapes

Spiced Moroccan Pate

Spicy Black Bean Pate

Scottish Mushroom & Chestnut Pate

Soup

Parsnip, Carrot & Lentil Soup

Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
Carrot, Leek & Mustard Seed Soup
Creamy Butternut Squash & Tomato Soup
Fridge Lentil Soup
Lightly Spiced Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup
Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup
Winter Minestrone Soup
Yellow Split Pea Soup

Stuffed

Stuffed Courgettes with Bulgur Wheat and Preserved Lemon
Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

MAIN COURSE

A Christmas main course is the star of the show. If you are going to save time by buying ready made options for Christmas dinner, add them as a starter or side. Love and care needs to be taken over the main course.

Here are a few main courses that you and your guests will enjoy. They are easy to make but really worth taking the time to make.

Vegetarian Main Course

Balsamic Tomato and Feta Tart
Brie, Potato and Mushroom Tart
Butternut, Red Onion & Potato Puff Pastrry Plait
Cheesey Vegetable Puff Pie
Garlic Mushroom and Spinach Puff Pastry Tart
Mushroom Lentil and Nut Wellington
Mushroom Nut Roast with Tomato Sauce
Tomato Gnocchi Bake with Cheesey Oat Crumble
Veggie Haggis & Red Lentil Nuf Loaf 
Veggie Sausage Rolls

Vegan Main Course

Butternut, Red Onion & Potato Puff Pastrry Plait (with sundried tomato pate) 
Cheesey Vegetable Puff Pie
Easy Mediterranean Tart
Garlic Mushroom and Spinach Puff Pastry Tart
Mushroom and Chestnut Sausage Rolls
Mushroom Lentil and Nut Wellington
Puff Pastry Tomato, Red Onion and Vegan Feta Tart
Tomato Gnocchi Bake with Cheesey Oat Crumble
Veggie Haggis & Red Lentil Nuf Loaf 

SIDE DISHES

Vegetarian Side Dishes

Cheesy Cauliflower and Potato Bake with Spinach
Creamy Mushroom & Potato Dauphnoise
Jamie's Blackened Potatoes
Rumbledethumps 
Rustic White Beans

Vegan Side Dishes

Cheesy Cauliflower and Potato Bake with Spinach
Moroccan Style Potato Bake 
Paprika Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
Roast Potato and Double Red Onion Bake
Rustic Greek Beans (Fasolia Gigantes)
Vegan Coleslaw with Fresh Herbs

SAUCES, DIPS & PICKLES

Veggie Sauces, Dips and Pickles 

All recipes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans

Chutney & Pickle

Cheeseboard Chutney
Chuck-It-All-In Chutney 
Chunky Plum & Apricot Chutney 
Hot Mango Chutney

Dip

Red Pepper Sweet Chilli Sauce
Smutty Sweet Chilli Jam

Gravy

Mushroom Gravy

Mayo

Vegan Mayonnaise

Sauce

Best Tomato and Basil Sauce
Roast Vegetable Pasta Sauce
Simple Tomato Sauce
Tomato & Chilli Sauce

FESTIVE DESSERTS

Vegetarian Desserts & Puddings

Cheesecake

Deep Chocolate Cheesecake

Deep No-Bake Bounty Coconut Cheesecake
Deep Lemon Curd and Raspberry No-Bake Cheesecake
Individual Strawberry Cheesecakes
Lemon Cheesecake
Oreo and Caramel Cheesecake
The Ultimate Rolo Cheesecake

Dessert

8 Minute Banoffee Pie
Chocolate Truffle Torte
Easy Banoffee Trifle
Key Lime Pie with Meringue
Lemon Honey & Pear Syllabub
Mum's Trifle
Scottish Cranachan

Pudding

Panetonne Chocolate and Cranberry Pudding
Pear & Ginger Crumble
Rich Sticky Toffee Pudding

Vegan Desserts & Puddings

Vegan Cakes

Indulgent Chocolate Cake with Coconut Whipped Cream
Quick Vegan Blackberry Chocolate Cake
Quick Vegan Lemonade Cake

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Pear

Vegan Sticky Golden Syrup Loaf Cake

Vegan Cheesecake

Vegan Banoffee Pie Cheesecake
Vegan No-Bake Oreo and Caramel Cheesecake

Vegan Dessert

Chocolate Caramel Tart
Sin-Free Chocolate Mousse
Traditional Strawberry Trifle
Vegan Apricot Trifle with Sprinkles
Vegan Choc Chip & Peanut Butter Mousse (made with aquafaba)

Vegan Pudding

Panetonne Chocolate and Cranberry Pudding
Pear and Mincemeat Strudel
Vegan Dark Chocolate Magic Pudding

SWEET TREATS

Vegetarian Sweet Treats

Brownies

Cheesecake Brownies
Maltesers Fudge Brownies
Rich Chocolate Brownies
Toffee Pecan Brownies

Cookies

Cranberry & White Chocolate Cookies
White Chocolate & Macadamia Nut Cookies

Pastry

Caramel Apple Coopers
Caramel and Banana Filo Hand Pies
Easy Filo Apple Crumble Pies

Traybake

Mars Bar Slice
Peanut Butter Blondies with White Chocolate

Truffles

White Chocolate Peppermint Truffles

Vegan Sweet Treats

Vegan Banana Bread

Dark Treacle Gingerbread 
Easy Choc Chip Banana Bread
Peanut Butter Choc Chip Banana Bread 

Vegan Brownies

Fudgy Pineapple Chocolate Brownies
Prune and Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Vegan Cookies

Peanut Butter & Coconut Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Shortbread Cookies 
Sweet Basil & Lemon Shortbread

Vegan Cupcakes & Muffins

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Pineapple Frosting

Vegan Pastry

Caramel and Banana Filo Hand Pies
Easy Filo Apple Crumble Pies

Vegan Traybake

3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge 
No-Bake Peanut Butter and Cornflake Tiffin
Oreo Chocolate Tiffin
Peanut Butter Bars

Vegan Truffles

Sneaky Chocolate Maple Truffles

SOFT DRINKS

Vegetarian Soft Drinks

Cold Drinks

Apple Snow with Pomegranate
Mangolicious Shake
Mango Lassi with Cardamom & Cinnamon

Hot Drinks

Chocolate Milk with Pear & Ginger
Frothy Babyccino
Real Spiced Hot Chocolate

Vegan Soft Drinks

Cold Drinks

Blackberry Apple Slushie Mocktail
Plum & Apple Smoothie with Fizz
Mango & Ginger Mocktail Smoothie
Oreo Chia Shake
Pineapple & Ginger Sparkler
Winter Mixed Berry Smoothie

Hot Drinks

Fresh Ginger & Cinnamon Hot Toddy

COCKTAILS

Check out this Drinkaware Vegan Guide to make sure the spirits you are using are vegan.

Cola Cube Cocktail  

Green Apple Margarita
Frozen POM Orange & Tequiila Cocktail  
Honey Badger Cocktail
Prosecco, Elderflower & Mint Cocktail   
Ruby Red Gin Cocktail with Clementine  
Mulled Wine with Orange Liqueur 
Purple Stag Cocktail
Scottish Raspberry Mint Cider Cooler
Strawberry & Elderflower Cocktail   
Summer Sip Cocktail   
Traditional Sangria  

pin it for later

also try Vegan Christmas Feast Sandwich

ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GUIDE

I hope my Christmas recipe guide has given you lots of inspiration for planning a veggie Christmas. 

My main Christmas dinner tip is to try and prepare as much as you can the day before so you just have to prepare the vegetables and gravy on the day while everything else just needs heated up.

I hope you have a really happy and food filled Christmas with some time to just sit back and relax too.

I will be adding to this guide as I create more Christmas recipes in the run up to the big day, so do bookmark or favourite this page to come back to for fresh ideas.