One of the best parts about the festive season is sitting down with family and friends for a delicious meal. After an incredibly busy year it's the time for everyone to gather around a beautifully festive table filled with wonderful food.

This can sometimes get tricky when you have dietary requirements, but it need not be! You don't always have to have a turkey or a ham for it to feel like the holidays. There are plenty of deliciously satisfying vegan dishes that will go down a treat and give you a heartwarming, festive feeling.

Whether you're having friends over during the holiday season, or you're hosting Christmas lunch this year, these recipes are sure to impress even the fussiest of eaters. They are delicious, easy to make, and will inspire you to try some plant-based alternatives this year.

7 Vegan Recipe Ideas That Are Perfect for the Holidays

Starters/sides

1. Pan Con Tomate

This delightfully easy yet tasty Spanish dish celebrates the humble tomato and is considered a staple of Catalan cuisine and identity.

The name simply translates to 'bread with tomato', and it makes for a lovely standalone snack or the perfect accompaniment to other Mediterranean-style dishes. 

2. Baked Eggplant with Chickpea Puree

This show-stopping dish is a celebration of fresh produce. In addition to the eggplant, there’s juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, zesty lemon and crunchy walnuts, so each mouthful provides a burst of different flavours and textures.  

You only need 15 minutes to prep this dish, and then the eggplant needs just 30 minutes in the oven so it's a great option for a busy Christmas day.

3. Italian Pepperonata

Typically served with bread and other marinated delights, or as a delicious pasta topping, this summertime snack is the perfect addition to any alfresco Christmas spread.

Making this comfort side dish is incredibly simple and sees charred and peeled capsicums marinated in an oil, vinegar, parsley, and garlic concoction. The result? Tender capsicums that add a wonderful pop of flavour to pretty much anything and everything.

4. Tofu Larb in Lettuce Cups

This vegan version uses tofu and mushrooms in replace of the meat, which beautifully soaks up the zesty, fragrant sauce. Served in a refreshing lettuce cup (Ananda uses iceberg but she notes butter lettuce would work just as well), and you've got yourself a refreshing dish that can be served as an entree, finger food or light meal. Simply replace the fish sauce with more soy sauce or a vegan alternative.

 

Mains

5. White Bean and Kale Soup

Few things in life are as comforting as a warm and hearty soup, and this brothy white bean and kale recipe is no exception. Tomatoes, leafy greens, spices, herbs, and legumes culminate to create a meal that's heartwarming, delicious, and perfect for Christmas eve or Christmas day dinner.

6. Spicy Mushroom Tacos

Who doesn't love a tasty taco? These juicy morsels are versatile, quick to make, communal, and look incredibly tasty. They are filled with a spicy mushroom mix topped with shredded purple cabbage, lime, and chipotle cream for freshness. Simply swap out the sour cream with a dairy-free option to make this vegan friendly.

 

Dessert

7. Lemon and Blueberry Drizzle Loaf

It wouldn't be a proper feast without dessert and Katherine Sabbath's lemon and blueberry loaf will satisfy even the fussiest guest.

Bursting with blueberries and lemon, this luscious loaf is full of fresh, sweet, and vibrant flavours. The zest from the lemon is perfectly offset by the sweet pops of juicy blueberries, both of which unite to deliver a wonderfully fresh flavour. Topped off with a simple yet impactful lemon drizzle, it truly is a cake to win over hearts. 

Enjoyed this? These Fresh and Festive Table Setting Ideas Will Upgrade Your Christmas Lunch