Planning a holiday meal on a whole-food, plant-exclusive lifestyle doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether this is your first WFPB holiday season or you’ve been doing this for years, it’s inspiring to see what others serve at their festive gatherings.
We’ve put together a Holiday Vegan Recipe Roundup featuring 20+ recipes that are all vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, low-sodium, and sugar-free—and most importantly, family-approved. These are the dishes we serve at our own celebrations, and they always receive high praise, even from guests who don’t follow a plant-based diet.
If you’re hosting mixed-diet company, you may consider adding a sprinkle of salt at the table, since people accustomed to salted foods may find low-sodium dishes a bit mild. Otherwise, these recipes are crowd-pleasers just as they are.
We have been eating this way since 2013 and I remember that first holiday season and the first few times we had friends over for dinner – I didn’t have a clue about what to make. Things have changed over the years and I now have my favorite go to recipes which is what I want to share with you today. I think everyone would agree that the side dishes from our Standard American Diet holiday meals were always the most exciting part of the meal! Now we can enjoy them even more, knowing they are delicious as well as good for us. Blog post updated 11/13/25
These recipes are great for any type of celebration from Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve to anniversaries, birthdays, Easter, Father’s and Mother’s Day and the list goes on. Feel free to mix and match the recipes to create a menu to your liking. The Hearty Lentil Sheperd’s Pie has been a huge hit with our family as well as many of our blog followers. It is a comfort food casserole that even the non vegan family members can enjoy. You can keep the menu simple since the pie itself has lentils, vegetables, gravy and potatoes all in one dish.
Smoked Hickory Balsamic Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Garlic Mashed Potatoes This is an elegant meal perfect for New Year’s Eve, anniversaries or any time you feel like having a special meal at home. Add some Mushroom Gravy to elevate those mashed potatoes even more.
Updated 11/13/25 These Vegan Ranch Twice Baked Potatoes are huge hit for your gatherings. They can be a main dish with a side salad or a side dish with your favorite lentil loaf, veggie burgers, soup or casserole.
Lentil Loaf with Date Glaze, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Not pictured Mushroom Gravy
Cranberry Chutney Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Butternut Squash with a Pomegranate Glaze
This combination of recipes makes for a fabulous holiday meal spread. The lentil loaf slices and serves beautifully – it has a wonderful texture and flavor that will surprise you. All of the side dishes compliment each other and make for a lovely holiday plate of food.
Curry Ginger Butternut Squash Soup. Simple and easy to make but elegant enough to be served at a holiday meal. It is one of my favorite soups and I eat it all year round. Serve in mugs to be sipped casually even if standing in the kitchen. Or make it a first course served in soup bowls.
BBQ Lentil Muffins are a family favorite. They are baked in a muffin tin for perfect individual servings. Serve with mashed potatoes, a salad and your favorite green vegetable.
Oil free Oven Roasted Vegetables with Chickpeas is a flavorful side dish or it can be a main dish. Great to take to a pot luck.
Braised Cabbage with Apples is a simple yet elegant side dish that will add a pop of color to your table.
This Caesar Salad with Garlic Chickpea Croutons is a crowd pleaser. My no oil Caesar Dressing is an incredible healthier version of an old favorite. It will amaze you. If you want a richer version try the nut based Ultimate Caesar Dressing.
If your family prefers a Ranch Dressing I have you covered. This dressing will be a huge hit. It tastes like the real deal. It’s made with fresh herbs and I highly recommend making it the day before and letting it chill in the fridge over night to enjoy the full flavor. It really appeals to the men in our lives and has won many of them over to a vegan no oil dressing! Yes – it really is that good!
This Chopped Salad with Crispy Japanese Sweet Potato Croutons is a fall and winter favorite for us. With chopped apples, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds and the scrumptious air fried croutons – it has everything going for it! It makes for a beautiful presentation on a holiday table. In the Spring and Summer substitute fresh berries and corn cut fresh off the cob for a beautiful bowl of salad. You can choose to use a flavored Balsamic vinegar or the ever popular Creamy Vegan Ranch or Vegan Caesar Dressing.
This whimsical Turkey Fruit Tray is a hit with all ages! Let the little ones help you arrange it and watch everyone devour it! You can use this same idea to create an Easter Egg, Christmas Tree, Heart – let your creativity guide you.
These are the easiest Garlic Mashed Potatoes you will ever make. If you use Yukon Gold Potatoes you don’t even have to peel them. Make a double batch because they always want seconds!
Try this delicious Vegan Mushroom Gravy that is sure to please over mashed potatoes.
Our family loves this Mushroom Spinach Lasagna. From the littlest grandchildren to the oldest adults – it’s a home run for any holiday. Serve it with the Caesar Salad or a crisp green salad with the Vegan Ranch Dressing. Add a loaf of hot crusty bread and everyone is happy. We enjoy this meal for just about any reason we have for getting together. Break tradition like we do and have this for Christmas – why not? Pasta makes everyone happy and this recipe puts a smile on everyone’s face.
Broccoli Salad – creamy, crunchy and delicious! Always a pot luck winner.
Browse through 12 Amazing Savory and Sweet Recipes using pumpkin.
Yes you can have delicious desserts and treats on a whole food plant based lifestyle.
Great news – yes you can have amazing healthy vegan desserts for the holidays! This parfait pairs two of my favorite holiday recipes together. Cranberry Chutney layered with Fall Pudding.
Fall flavors meet creamy, nutrient-packed goodness in this Pumpkin Chia Pudding!
Apple Oat Crisp is often requested by our oldest granddaughter – she loves this dessert. I do too! We like to serve it a – la – mode with some banana mango soft serve we make in the blender or Champion Juicer. Pop it in the oven just before sitting down to eat and you will enjoy the lovely aroma while it bakes. You might also enjoy a Peach Crisp – for a fruity delight with a crunchy topping that includes almond flour.
This Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe is down right amazing! For the chocolate lovers I have several variations on this theme – each one is scrumptious! Enjoy. Updated 4/16/22
If chocolate is more your style you can’t go wrong with Chocolate Cherry Brownies. I love to bake them in a round pan so I can cut them in pie shapes. Of course they are even better if you make some Chocolate Nice Cream and hey it’s a holiday so serve double scoops!
You can take the same ingredients and turn them in to these incredible decadent Chocolate Brownie Parfaits.
Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies with Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream and a drizzle of Chocolate Sauce is one of my favorite desserts. Who knew a gluten free, no added sugar dessert could be incredibly delicious? Updated 4/16/22
Deluxe Chocolate Chip Cookies are a richer more calorie dense dessert for those who can eat nut butter and seeds. These really appeal to the adults but not so much to the younger children.
Chocolate Heaven Cookies are sure to please the chocolate lovers.
This Raw Berry Crisp from Whole Foods recipes is amazing! Serve it in individual ramekins by itself or use as a topping for Banana Nice Cream. So elegant but oh so easy. Updated 4/16/22
A steaming hot mug of vegan dairy free Hot Chocolate in front of the fireplace is a wonderful way to end the day. Or a wonderful treat to look forward to after playing in the snow.
We hope these menu ideas, recipes and tips help you enjoy your holiday gatherings. Remember the food isn’t the most important part of the gathering – it’s spending time with the people you love that fills the heart with joy and happiness.
From our hearts to your home – Happy Holidays!
Get Healthy 
Stay Healthy One Meal At A Time
Please note that we partner with affiliate platforms where commission may be earned based on clicks and or purchases – all at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help bloggers like me to fund the free content that we provide on our blogs.
Be sure to check out our Amazon Affiliate Page where we share many of our favorite small kitchen appliances.
Take a peek at our Amazon Store Front to see all of our favorite kitchen tools, small kitchen appliances, storage containers and more.
We’d love for you to explore our online courses, thoughtfully created to support your journey toward a vibrant, healthy, whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for fresh inspiration, our courses and recipe eBooks are designed to make healthy living both simple and delicious.
As a special thank you, use code nutmeg30 to save 30% on any of our offerings.
[Shop Courses and Recipe eBooks]
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. When you make a purchase through our link, we may earn a small commission—at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!
We’re excited to be Holland Bowl Mill Affiliates! The 15-inch Cherry fruit bowl has a permanent place in our kitchen—it’s both beautiful and functional. I also adore their heart-shaped bowl, which always brings me joy.
Every day, we use our 15-inch Beechwood and Cherry bowls to chop salads. Since 2013, this daily salad habit has helped us lose weight, maintain our health, and feel energized. Over time, our creations have become the Big Beautiful Chopped Salads we’re known for—satisfying, nourishing, and delicious.
Want to add chopped salads to your routine? Check out our Chopped Salad Blog Post for tips and inspiration.
When you use our Holland Bowl Affiliate Link to purchase a 15-inch (or larger) bowl, you’ll receive a free mezzaluna knife, free engraving, and free shipping. It’s the perfect time to elevate your salad game with these stunning, handcrafted bowls!
Thank you so much for these amazing ideas. I would never have the imagination to create anything like it.
Patricia
Sunshine Coast
Queensland Australia
I am so glad that this post if helpful! Enjoy!