Vegan Christmas Ideas
Choosing to go vegan doesn’t have to mean missing out on a great Christmas feast! We’re incredibly lucky in 2021 to have so many incredible plant-based options available to us, so we can enjoy our favourite nostalgic flavours from this time of the year.
If you’re new to vegan cooking and want to know what’s out there, or if you just need a bit of inspo, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favourite things to enjoy during the holidays:
Vegan Meat Loaf
Vegan meat loaf and Christmas roasts are often available at major grocery stores this time of year, and if you don’t find something you like, vegan specialty stores will have your back!
BBQ Veggies
We often think of (mock) meats as the star of the show at a BBQ, but BBQ veggies boast a variety of textures and flavours all on one skewer!
Some veggies that cook beautifully on a grill include mushrooms (we recommend fresh shiitake if you can find it), capsicum, corn, zucchini, eggplant and red onion.
Finish off your grilled veg by brushing them with a bit of zhug, chimichurri or something similar. Oh, and don’t forget to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes beforehand!
Roast Potatoes
Who doesn’t love a crispy, buttery roast potato?
While your potatoes are roasting in the oven, heat up some vegan butter in a small saucepan and cook up some minced garlic until aromatic. Take it off the heat and add in your herbs of choice (we like rosemary, sage or dill).
Once the potatoes are almost done cooking, take them out of the oven, lightly smash them with a potato masher or a fork to give them lots of texture. Then brush on your herby garlic butter and pop them in the oven for another few minutes.
Sprinkle on some salt and they’re ready to serve!
Christmas Pudding
Christmas puddings are a classic treat, and there are usually a few ‘accidentally vegan’ options available at most major grocery stores. Some vegan speciality stores and farmers markets might have a few more gourmet options, too!
Fruit Mince Pie
Fruit mince pie is another Christmas classic, and the gluten-free options at major grocery stores are usually ‘accidentally vegan’! And if you’re feeling a little crafty, why not try DIY-ing your own fruit mince and shortcrust pastry?
Summer Salad
A great summer salad starts off with some leafy greens of choice and some refreshing veg that’s got a high water content, like cucumbers and tomatoes. Keep things interesting by adding a bit of texture with some nuts, seeds, dried fruit or even vegan feta! If you’re feeling adventurous, fresh fruit can be great in salads, too.
For the dressing, you’ll want a combination of something fatty (to bind the flavours and carry the nutrients!), something tangy like vinegar or the juice of a citrus fruit, a bit of sweetener, and some flavourful herbs and spices.
And if you’re after more than just a side salad, add in some pasta, quinoa or legumes to make things a little more filling.
Seasonal Fruits
Spending Christmas during summer means that we get to enjoy lots of fruits that are in season and at their most delicious. Aussie berries, melons, grapes and stone fruit are all ripe and ready for picking this time of year! Keep things simple and put together an Insta-worthy fruit platter, or go all out with a menu of fizzy fruity cocktails.
Plant Baked Cakes and Treats
We couldn’t put this list together without mentioning our very own Plant Baked Treats! We’ve got a whole host of goodies from mud cakes, to brownies and even tarts that come in all sorts of flavours. There’s bound to be something for everyone!