Skip to content

Our 12 Fav Vegan Holiday Recipes

12 favorite holiday vegan recipes

Our attachment to traditions and traditional foods, at holidays is very strong. This is particularly true at Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and Christmastime. We get it, so we’re here to help!

This can be a problem for all of us – new vegans, and long-time vegans – since we find ourselves being invited to gatherings, visiting family, or even hosting a get-together ourselves. The question we so often ask is: “what will I bring (or make)?” Well, we’re here to help by sharing our 12 favorite, go-to, recipes for the holidays. In this post, you’ll find wonderful vegan appetizers, delicious cruelty-free side dishes, and crowd-pleasing plant-based desserts. Read on!

Three Vegan Holiday Appetizers

1. Spinach Pie

This Vegan Spinach Pie, made with layers of phyllo dough and creamy cashew-based cheese, comes together quickly for an appetizer that will not disappoint! It is a savory and vegan version of the classic Greek dish, spanakopita. Click Here for the Recipe 

2. Brushetta

This White Bean Bruschetta answers the challenge of “just bring an appetizer.” So often, when at a party or gathering, the appetizers include cheese or dairy or small bites of fish or meat. After a few rounds of those, you want to offer something a little more special or unexpected, right? It ticks the “unexpected” & “special” boxes and is easy, tasty, and pretty. It’s a great way to put a non-vegan host at ease. Click Here for the Recipe 

3. Soft Dairy-Free Herb Cheese

This spreadable, soft Dairy-free Herb Cheese delivers all the flavor and texture of Boursin cheese and is perfect for sandwiches and vegan charcuterie boards. This is a great choice if you are stuck for a vegan hors d’oeuvre to bring to a gathering! Click Here for the Recipe 

Mmmm, doesn’t this look delicious?

Our Five Favorite Vegan Holiday Sides

The right side dishes can truly transform any meal. So, it’s an important decision for holiday meals and celebrations. Over the years, these 5 dishes have received many raves, and there is usually very little left (if any) at the end of the meal!

1. Cranberry and Pear Chutney

This Vegan Cranberry Pear Chutney takes the traditional holiday side dish of cranberry sauce to a new place of status on the table. It’s been on our holiday table for about two decades, and it is always a huge hit! Click Here for the Recipe 

Time to take cranberry sauce to the next level!

2. Garlicky Mashed Potatoes

This wonderful Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe is versatile enough to pair with many other dishes and special enough to put on your holiday table. These delicious roasted garlic mashed potatoes can hold their own on any plate. Click Here for the Recipe 

Not your average mashed potatoes! They even stand up to the Cranberry Chutney! 🙂

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple and Mustard Glaze

These Roasted Brussels Sprouts are so good there will be fights over the leftovers (if there are any)! Sweet and tangy, these are a special addition to the holiday table. Click Here for the Recipe 

4. Cornbread and Pecan Stuffing

You certainly don’t need a bird for stuffing, and this Cornbread and Pecan Stuffing is absolutely amazing! It’s become a holiday staple in our home, and we hope it becomes that for you too! Click Here for the Recipe 

Not only does it look delicious, but your kitchen will smell SO good!

5. Broccoli, Lentil, and Red Onion Salad

This oil-free, Vegan Broccoli, Lentil, and Red Onion Salad, seasoned with maple syrup and mustard, is as delicious as it is healthy. It is an excellent, satisfying, and substantial side dish. A perfect offering for a buffet or a holiday gathering. Click Here for the Recipe 

Four Delicious Pies and Cookies for Holiday Desserts

 

1. Apple Pear and Cranberry Crisp

This special dessert brings together traditional (in our part of the world) Fall flavors and textures and is sure to delight family and guests. Our Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp with Oatmeal and Pecan topping is easy to put together and makes for a wonderfully warm and rustic dessert. Click Here for the Recipe 

Sweet, tart, creamy, and crunchy – all at the same time! A must-try dessert!

2. Classic Apple Pie – Full of Beans Style

Our Vegan Apple Pie is a true classic and offers all the sweetness, and spice, that you crave when you want apple pie. This is one of our standard contributions to holiday gatherings, and it is always a hit! Plus, don’t miss our Foolproof Pie Crust recipe! Click Here for the Recipe 

You just can’t miss with this Apple Pie!

3. No-compromises Vegan Pumpkin Pie

We like our pies with a lot of flavor and spice – this Vegan Pumpkin Pie is no different. It has all the taste and texture of traditional pumpkin pie, too, but 100% cruelty-free. Click Here for the Recipe 

Pumpkin Pie time is the BEST time!

4. Molasses Cookies

Molasses cookies, rich with spice and chewy on the inside yet crunchy on the outside, are a childhood favorite. These cookies are almost irresistible – when we have a batch in the house, we almost can’t stay out of them! No animal products and no compromises 🙂 Click Here for the Recipe 

Fresh from the oven! Go ahead, have a couple!

Holidays are a special time, and food can be a central part of the celebrations. But it doesn’t have to be stressful if you are gathering with non-vegans or if you are trying to figure out how to enjoy familiar dishes without animal products. We hope these recipes will help you have lovely, flavorful, and cruelty-free holiday celebrations. Enjoy them, and please leave us a comment below. We love to hear from our readers!

Husband and wife, father and mother, working adults – Greg and Georgia formed Full of Beans to share encouragement, inspiration, and tips to get you started on, and maintain, a plant-based vegan diet (even if you think you don't have the time/money/skills/energy). See the About page for more.

This Post Has 0 Comments

Comments! We love them - tell us what's on your mind!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back To Top