The ultimate guide to a vegetarian or vegan Christmas. Tips and recipes to make the festive season less stressful and more delicious.

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.

Enjoying Christmas dinner at home is definitely the best option, it just needs a bit of planning.

Plan Ahead

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

When you're 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.

Let's make Christmas dinner easy!

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

I've 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 vegan dishes for starter; main course; sides; sauces & dressings; dessert; sweet treats; soft drinks and cocktails.

Click on the recipes you fancy trying and print out the recipes ahead of Christmas (the recipe card is always at the bottom of the post, after all the tips, info and step-by-step photos).

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: jac@tinnedtomatoes.com

VEGAN CHRISTMAS

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.

I like to stagger the courses and have a break in between so we can really enjoy the meal.

Christmas starters with batter

Battered starters are always a bit special, but only make them if you are organised and have a bit of time to make them fresh. 

If you are going to be rushed these are not for you.

1. Beer Battered Haggis Balls - use ready-made veggie haggis or try my recipe for homemade haggis
2. Beer Battered Garlic Mushrooms - sliced or button mushrooms
3. Crispy Battered Sausage Bites - with garnish and sweet chilli sauce as a dip

Pastry Christmas Starters 

Use ready-made puff pastry or filo pastry for these easy starters that are perfect to start a Christmas feast.

1. Mini Falafel & Onion Pies - easy peasy and good flavours, serve with salad leaves and cranberry sauce
2. Mini Spinach and Cream Cheese Parcels - serve with salad and a dip
3. Mini Tomato Pastry Bites - these are great as an appetiser, party snack or a starter with salad
4. Mushroom and Chestnut Sausage Rolls make them mini bites and serve with a spicy sauce
5. Pizza Swirls - so easy to make, taste great and look pretty on a plate on a dressed salad
6. Spicy Lentil Sausage Rolls - good with salad and a dipping sauce, make them mini
7. Vegan Cheese & Red Pepper Filo Pies - sere with salad and a drizzle of either sweet chilli sauce or balsamic glaze
8. Vegan Halloumi & Spinach Borek - these make the ideal starter, light and crispy

Easy Vegan Pate Recipes

Pate makes an easy and eliegant starter. You can make it ahead and serve it with crackers or oatcakes and a small garnish for a pop of colour.

1. Spiced Moroccan Pate
2. Spicy Black Bean Pate
3. Scottish Mushroom & Chestnut Pate
4. White Bean & Olive Pate - from my lunch blog The Vegan Lunchbox

Soup Recipes

Soup is an easy option for a starter and if the temperatures have dropped, everyone enjoys it.

The great thing about soup as a starter is it can be made ahead and will taste even better. It can be kept in the fridge for a few days or frozen until you need it.

I like to serve soup with freshly baked (part-baked) petit pain (small soup rolls0 and vegan butter. They can be baked in the oven or air fryer and served warm and crisp.

1. Carrot, Leek & Mustard Seed Soup
2. Carrot & Squash Soup with Coconut
3. Easy Mushroom Soup
4. Homemade Tomato Soup made with Tinned Tomatoes (just like that famous brand)
5. Lightly Spiced Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
6. Scottish Lentil Soup
7. Scotch Broth with Barley & Kale
8. Tomato & Red Pepper Soup
9. Yellow Split Pea Soup 

Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

In the last couple of years, I've used my slow cooker to cook my soup. 

It gives me more space on the cooker top and I can use it like a pan with the lid off (mine is a multi-cooker with a saute function) but you could use it as a slow cooker and cook the night before then warm through.

Remember if it's not a specifically slow cooker recipe, reduce the liquid by a third. 

These recipes are made specifically for the slow cooker, so no need to tweak them.

1. Lentil & Peanut Butter Slow Cooker Soup
2. Scottish Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
3. Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup
4. Vegetable Slow Cooker Soup

Stuffed Vegetable Starters

Stuffed vegetables make a great starter too. Again serve them with a small green salad or just a garnish.

1. Stuffed Courgettes with Bulgur Wheat and Preserved Lemon - Something a bit special
2. Peanut Butter & Carrot Stuffed Mushrooms - these are lush and were origianlly topped with grated cheddar, but just top them with your favourite vegan cheese, cheddar or mozzarella
3. Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms - simple but delicious

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.

1. Butternut, Red Onion & Potato Puff Pastry Plait - serve with roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy
2. Cauliflower 'Steaks' with Red Pepper Sauce - serve with roast potatoes and broccoli
3. Cheesy Vegetable Puff Pie - serve with roast potato (or mashed potato and green vegetables
4. Easy Mediterranean Tart - serve with roast potatoes, vegetables and a tomato sauce
5. Easy Vegan Haggis - serve Scottish style with mashed potatoes, neeps and a creamy whisky sauce or serve with roast potatoes, vegan Yorkshire puddings, vegetables and gravy
6. Garlic Mushroom and Spinach Puff Pastry Tart - serve with roast potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, parsnips, carrots and mushroom gravy (you can blend this gravy smooth or keep it full of mushrooms)
7. Mushroom Lentil and Nut Wellington - serve with roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, maple roasted parsnips and mushroom gravy (once again, leave the gravy full of mushrooms or blend smooth)
8. Portobello Mushroom 'Steaks' with Butterbean Mash - serve with broccoli and wilted spinach
9. Roast Miso Aubergine 'Steaks' - serve with carrot mash, garlic pak choi (or cabbage, both in the recipe), maple roasted parsnips and tenderstem broccoli
10. Shallot Puff Pastry Crown - a stunning centrepiece for the Christmas table, serve with roast potatoes, veg and cranberry sauce
11. Miso Mushroom Nut Roast - serve with red pepper sauce, roast potatoes and veg for a tasty Christmas classic witha twist.

SIDE DISHES

Of course, you can just cook some vegetables and roast or mashed potatoes as side dishes to enjoy with Christmas dinner, but if you are lookimg for something different, these are the dishes for you.

1. Air Fryer Roast Potatoes - no boiling first and a hint of garlic for flavour
2. Balti Potato Bake - serve something different as a side with lots of flavour
3. Cheesy Cauliflower and Potato Bake with Spinach - a luxurious side dish with plenty of cheese sauce, great to serve instead of gravy
4. Mediterranean Potato Bake - another side with a difference
5. Moroccan Style Potato Bake - potatoes in the most delicious sauce
6. Roast Potato and Double Red Onion Bake - a twist on roast poatoes
7. Scottish Neeps
8. Mushroom Dauphinoise Potatoes - a creamy potato gratin with mushrooms

SAUCES, GRAVY, CHUTNEY & DIPS

These sauces and gravy are perfect to serve with your Christmas main course

The pickles, dips and dressings are good to serve with a light starter.

Pickles and chutneys can be also be served with a vegan cheese board with vegan cheese, grapes, olives and crackers or oatcakes.

Chutney & Pickles

1. 10 Minute Pickled Onions 
2. Apple & Red Onion Chutney
3. Homemade Rhubarb Chutney
4. Hot Mango Chutney

Dips & Dressing

1. Creamy Russion Dressing
2. Creamy Italian Dressing
3. Creamy Sriracha Dip
4. Easy Greek Salad Dressing
5. Lemon & Chive Dip
6. Pomegranate & Lemon Salad Dressing
7. Red Pepper Sweet Chilli Sauce
8. Ranch Dressing
9. Smutty Sweet Chilli Jam
10. Whipped Vegan Feta with Lemon & Herbs

Gravy & Sauce

1. Cranberry Sauce with orange juice and balsamic vinegar
2. Creamy Whisky Sauce
3. Homemade Chipotle Ketchup
4. Marinara Sauce
5. Mushroom Gravy
6. Red Pepper Sauce for Nut Roasts

FESTIVE DESSERTS

Now I hope you've left room for dessert because these are some of the best.

From simple to table centre pieces that are something really special, but all easy to make.

Some of them you can make ahead and chill or freeze.

Vegan Cakes

1. Apple Loaf Cake
2. Banoffee Pie Loaf Cake
3. Cherry Bakewell Loaf Cake
4. Coconut Loaf Cake
5. Golden Syrup Loaf Cake
6. Jaffa Orange Loaf Cake
7. Indulgent Chocolate Cake with Coconut Whipped Cream
8. Moist Vegan Fruit Cake
9. Quick Vegan Blackberry Chocolate Cake
10. Quick Vegan Lemonade Cake
11. Treacle Gingerbread Loaf Cake
12. Vegan Chocolate Cake with Pear

Vegan Cheesecake

1. Vegan Banoffee Pie Cheesecake
2. Vegan No-Bake Oreo and Caramel Cheesecake

Vegan Dessert

1. Chocolate Caramel Tart
2. Sin-Free Chocolate Mousse
3. Traditional Strawberry Trifle
4. Vegan Apricot Trifle with Sprinkles
5. Vegan Choc Chip & Peanut Butter Mousse (made with aquafaba)

Vegan Pudding

1. Panettone Chocolate and Cranberry Pudding
2. Pear and Mincemeat Strudel
3. Vegan Dark Chocolate Magic Pudding

Vegan Ice Cream

Easy no- churn ice cream.

1. Creamy Biscoff Ice Cream
2. Homemade Orange Ice Cream
3. Peach Ice Cream
4. Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream
5. Stracciatella Ice Cream

SWEET TREATS

Vegan Sweet Treats

Vegan Banana Bread

1. Dark Treacle Gingerbread 
2. Easy Choc Chip Banana Bread
3. Peanut Butter Choc Chip Banana Bread 

Vegan Brownies

1. Fudgy Pineapple Chocolate Brownies
2. Prune and Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Vegan Cookies

1. Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies
2. Hazelnut & Raisin Cookies
3. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Pumpkin Spice Shortbread Cookies 
5. Sweet Basil & Lemon Shortbread

Vegan Cupcakes & Muffins

1. Blueberry Ginger Muffins
2. Choc Chip Muffins
3. Easy Chocolate Muffins
4. Gingerbread Cupcakes with Pineapple Frosting
5. Iced Lemon Muffins
6. Jam Doughnut Muffins
7. Raspberry Muffins

Vegan Pastry

1. Biscoff & Chocolate Pastry Swirls
2. Caramel and Banana Filo Hand Pies
3. Custard Tarts with Berries
4. Easy Filo Apple Crumble Pies

Vegan Traybake

1. 3 Ingredient Chocolate Fudge 
2. Biscoff Oat Bars
3. No-Bake Peanut Butter and Cornflake Tiffin
4. Oreo Chocolate Tiffin
5. Peanut Butter Bars
6. Scottish Biscoff Tiffin

Vegan Truffles

1. Scottish Rum Chocolate Truffles
2. Sneaky Chocolate Maple Truffles

SOFT DRINKS

Vegan Soft Drinks

Cold Drinks

1. Blackberry Apple Slushie Mocktail
2. Plum & Apple Smoothie with Fizz
3. Mango & Ginger Mocktail Smoothie
4. Oreo Chia Shake
5. Pineapple & Ginger Sparkler
6. Winter Mixed Berry Smoothie

Hot Drinks

1. Fresh Ginger & Cinnamon Hot Toddy

COCKTAILS

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

1. Cola Cube Cocktail  
2. Green Apple Margarita
3. Frozen POM Orange & Tequiila Cocktail  
4. Honey Badger Cocktail (use vegan honey, maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey)
5. Prosecco, Elderflower & Mint Cocktail   
6. Ruby Red Gin Cocktail with Clementine  
7. Mulled Wine with Orange Liqueur 
8. Purple Stag Cocktail
9. Scottish Raspberry Mint Cider Cooler
10. Strawberry & Elderflower Cocktail   
11. Summer Sip Cocktail   
12. Traditional Sangria  

also try Vegan Christmas Feast Sandwich

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 - 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!

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.