CHEERS TO A WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS VEGAN HOLIDAY!!
THERE ARE SO MANY DELICIOUS VEGAN FRIENDLY MEALS THAT CAN BE MADE DURING THE HOLIDAYS, INCLUDING THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS!
Are you newly vegan or want to have a friendlier offering on your table during the holidays, but you don’t know where to start or are struggling to find something to make?
Let me help you with that! I’ll share below some ideas to make for mains, sides, and of course, sweet treats!
First off, I think it’s awesome that you want to make a compassionate choice on your plate this season! There are so many delicious recipes you can try around Thanksgiving or for any holiday season that will satisfy your taste buds, trust me!
A dinner full of comforting deliciousness is SO do-able as a vegan. It can feel like slim pickings during the holidays when you get together with family or friends and you’re the only one who isn’t consuming animals. So to keep you from only devouring the veggie plates, my recommendation is to make something that keeps you satisfied and full during those holiday festivities.
It can be as simple or as elaborate as you make it.
*If you’re on Pinterest, follow my Tofurkey Day Pinterest Board for easy ideas and inspiration this Thanksgiving.*
Some links provided may be affiliate links but at no cost to you, you can always read my site’s policy.
During the holidays I love to cook up roasted veggies, potatoes, (so many) sweet treats like pumpkin pie, muffins and cookies. I enjoy making a (lentil) vegan loaf, roasted butternut squash, rosemary mashed potatoes & cauliflower, you name it… and whatever I make, I dish into containers so I can easily transport it to each family stop!
No more empty stomachs (or last minute taco bell trips to fill up between travelling)! Now that COVID has hit us, the holidays feel and look different. With more time inside than ever before, there’s even more reason to cook something tasty this year!
I am going to share with you some of my favorite meals to make during the holiday cooking season and hopefully it gives you a little inspiration to make yourself something that’s delicious but also compassionate this year.
I’d like to note, that these recipe are not only for the holidays, I make many of these all year long!
Most of these recipes shared below are ones I’ve personally tried and my family enjoys. If you make any of them and wanna share with me, comment below or tag OHV on Instagram – I’d love to know what you plan on cookin up!
And if you find yourself totally freaking out because you need to start planning, like yesterday. Don’t worry. I created free 7-page PDF to help you grocery and meal plan your weeks. You can download it here by signing up for the newsletter! (no spam, ever.)
Also, don’t miss the section about my upcoming holiday cooking list at the end. I am gonna share with you the recipes I am thinking about trying and making this year!
A GORGEOUS CENTER OF ROASTED (& STUFFED) BUTTERNUT SQUASH
I know, this looks so gorgeous that you’re thinking it had to take forever to prepare, right? Well, it’s not complicated and likely easier than you think! You mostly sauté everything in a pan then stuff the squash. The prep work takes most of the time, then the oven does the rest, but boy is it beautiful. Such a great centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Christmas, heck, any holiday or special occasion meals.
It’s yummy, warm, and filled with so much nutritious goodness, you’ll wanna show it off and then devour it!
Pour on some gravy, add a side of rosemary mashed potatoes and corn, and you’ve got a FEAST that’s beast free!
GET YOUR MASH ON!
Making mashed potatoes is so fun, especially the mashing part. Take off the edge and get to mashin! No need for a boxed recipe when there are really easy and way more nutritious ways to make it!
I like to make a mixture of cauliflower and potatoes mashed together. Of course, you can do either one, or both! Go willllldddd, it’s the holidays!
For some mashed cauliflower, I like this recipe by Veggie Chick or this garlic one by Minimalist Baker.
For mashed taters, I like this recipe by Vegan Runner Eats, because it’s OH SO SIMPLE. Add in your favorite herbs and you’ve got a wholesome side!
>> QUICK GRAVY RECIPE TO GO ON TOP OF THOSE MASHED POTATOES (OR MASHED CAULIFLOWER – YUM)!
STAY WARM WITH A CHICKPEA POT PIE
This chicken-less biscuit topped pot pie serves well at any potluck, to indulge around the holiday table, and it keeps well to prepare for those busy weeks ahead. This recipe is simple, easy to make, and makes a hefty amount! And it’s (carnivore) hubby -approved!
CREAMY + SIMPLE HOLIDAY VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE
Need a slice of pie to go with that whipped cream!?
What I love about this recipe is that it’s simple and creamy! You just blend everything up and bake. How much better does it get!?
I used a store-bought pie crust in this photo, because I always seem to mess up my own. Do you have a pie crust recipe you love? Tell me in the comments!
My favorite whipped topping is the Coco Whip by So Delicious, if you’d like a whip cream on top! There’s no other way to eat pie than dumping some of it on top!
365 Whole Foods brand is also a good one! (Pictured below is one I made last year, but it didn’t turn out to well).
ENJOY A HEARTY LENTIL LOAF THIS VEGAN HOLIDAY
I have made a lentil loaf twice, but because I adapt my recipes, I did not follow a specific ONE, but took versions from a few.
I follow and adapt from both Detoxinista’s Vegan Meatloaf recipe and Yummy Mummy’s Lentil Loaf recipe.
Another simple recipe is the Lentil Loaf by Nora Cooks
There are a lot of recipe’s out there, but these three are great places to start.
I recommend whenever searching for what to make, is to find a recipe that you feel would be doable making and don’t put too much pressure on yourself!
APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
OK, so I purchased Sam Turnball’s Fuss Free Vegan cookbook this year, and these apple cinnamon muffins were inside and they looked like a sweet treat I needed to try right away!
The recipe was simple, and I had all the ingredients on hand, annnd, oh boy, these apple cinnamon-sugary muffins are SO DANG scrumptious, I made them twice in 3 days!
My mother in law was waiting for me to make another batch and my husband was devouring them right away.
Definitely had to throw this recipe in this blog post because of the feedback from family. They’re the perfect holiday treat!
But you’ll have to invest into the Fuss Free Vegan cookbook for it, as it’s not on her website, but like I mentioned, it’s SO worth it! The cookbook is under $20 – not bad!
I had this book on my Amazon list for two years before I purchased it. Don’t be like me, it’s absolutely worth the purchase! Especially if you’re newly vegan or just love not having to find a recipe on the internet (and there are a lot of recipes online). Having too many options is a thing – sometimes a physical book feels way easier to navigate.
Her cookbook has been by far my favorite cookbook to date, it’s cute, fun, and has pictures to go with EVERY single recipe. It makes sense because I trust her blog and her recipes and would definitely recommend her website to anyone! So why wouldn’t I love her cookbook?!
OK, I’ll stop fangirling now. Just look at the pictures of these app-solutely delicious muffins I made using the recipe found inside! 🙂
MmmmMmMM. Be right back, gotta go pre-heat the oven!
START THE MORNING OFF WITH A LEMON POPPY SEED LOAF (CUP)CAKE!
If you don’t wanna try the Apple Muffins above, Sam has a great recipe for a lemon poppy seed loaf cake that I made into cupcake/muffin sized yumminess.
I love the lemony glaze on top! So delish!
* Bookmark or pin this blog post for later so you can refer to it when it’s time to get cooking this holiday season! *
SUPER EASY TOMATO SOUP
There are so many soup fans, and this is a recipe that you can make & then reheat in the crockpot for a potluck style get-together! I wrote about how simple this recipe is here. Had to add it because it’s a great addition to any holiday season! The recipe is by A Virtual Vegan.
BETTER THAN YORK PEPPERMINT PATTIES
I love making these during the holidays. They are quick to make and filled with chocolate minty goodness. I even wrote about them here! These patties make great holiday gift ideas too! Make some up and put them in a treat bag to gift to a neighbor, friend or family this holiday season!
That is, if you can stop eating them all! Trust me, they are SO DANG good!
And, no one will ever know they’re vegan!
ITS ALL IN THE COOKIES
Now, I like simplicity (for the most part) and these cookies fit that code of mine!
Here are two recipes that I rely on to keep me, and my family, happy during the holidays!
This snickerdoodle cookie by Viet Vegan is a hit amongst my family and it’s my husband’s FAVORITE cookie I bake at home. (I usually cut the sugar by 1/4 -1/2 cup.)
These super duper easy peanut butter cookies by Chocolate Covered Kate are ones I like to whip up in a cinch for gifts, and they are oh so delicious!
PHEW, YOU MADE IT (ALMOST) TO THE END!
Do you have a favorite vegan recipe that’s perfect for the holidays? I wanna hear about it in the comments! Feel welcome to tag me on Instagram @OHHELLOVEGAN so I can see what you create in the kitchen!
VEGAN MEAL IDEAS THAT ARE ON MY LIST TO MAKE OR TRY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
As promised, here’s my holiday running list of what I wanna make and the recipes I’m inspired to try. I’ll link to any recipes in case they sound yummy to you, too!
The recipe’s crossed out are one’s I have already made this holiday (2020) season:
- I WANNA MAKE EVERYTHING IN THIS BLOG POST, duh!
APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS, check! (yummy)- BAKE A PIE, OR TWO
- PUMPKIN PIE BY IT DOESN’T TASTE LIKE CHICKEN
- APPLE PIE BY BIANCA ZAPATKA
- TRY MAKING SOME FUDGE
- 2 INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE FUDGE, BY MY PLANTS STRONG FAMILY
- 10 VEGAN FUDGE RECIPE, BLOG POST BY ONE GREEN PLANET
- NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE (with chickpeas? Interesting!) BY, ONE GREEN PLANET
- ROASTED VEGGIES + BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Using garlic, seasonings, dried and fresh herbs – baked in the oven - HUSBAND REQUESTED: ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP
THIS RECIPE BY VEGAN SOCIETY, check! (yummy)- THIS RECIPE BY YUMMY MUMMY KITCHEN LOOKS GOOD TOO
- SCALLOPED POTATOES
- TRYING THIS RECIPE BY VEGGIE SOCIETY
- OR THIS RECIPE BY NORA COOKS
Both look deliciously easy!
- PANCAKES
- DINNER ROLLS (TO DIP INTO MASHED TATERS AND GRAVY) BY MINIMALIST BAKER
I thought it’d be funny to mention my husband’s list for Thanksgiving – as I was totally not expecting it!
My husband is not vegan.
His request: macaroni and cheese, pizza, and pulled pork (jackfruit). That was it. Seriously! Guess he isn’t hard to please!
My mission: to make a recipe to fulfill his pulled pork request. Obviously, vegan, of course! I’m probably going to use this BBQ pulled jackfruit recipe by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken, because, why not, her recipes are the best!
I sure appreciate you reading this hefty blog post about what vegan meals to make during the holidays and I hope you enjoyed it and leave here feeling inspired to start cooking up some delicious food for you, your friends, and family!
I’d love to hear about what you’re making, and would welcome a comment below or tag me in your posts on Instagram (@OHHELLOVEGAN) so I can see you eating with compassion and intention.
Also, many of these recipe developers have social media accounts, so give them a follow one day so your feed is full of drool-worthy content!
Truly, having a vegan thanksgiving is not a tough feat, but it can feel that way when you’re not sure how to navigate it. I’m here if you need a friend and I hope this post has you buzzing with ideas!
Your Veg-Friend,
Ash