A Very Merry Vegan Christmas
Something that can prove particularly difficult at Christmas time is catering for your meat-free guests, but veganism has come a long way over the last decade and each year we're discovering more and more ways to elevate our dishes without meat and animal products.
If you’re looking to introduce more vegan options into your diet or have a family member who has recently gone vegan, here are a few tips, recipes and foodie picks to make this Christmas feast the best one yet.
Nut Roast
Shuffle over turkey, there’s a new festive showstopper in town!
Make a vegan Christmas dinner equally spectacular with a nut roast or wellington. Gaz Oakley (Avant Garde Vegan) has a fab recipe for wellington and also a stunning centrepiece nut roast wreath, whilst Jamie Oliver’s alternative nut roast with a pastry base switches up tradition but still packs plenty of flavour.
If you’re looking for a time-saving recipe, Artisan Grains has a great pre-made nut roast mix that’s easy to adapt and add ingredients, or Clive’s nut roast comes ready-made and just needs heating.
Not mad on the nut roast idea? Higgidy Sweet Potato and Red Onion Parcels are a great alternative and lighter option for the main course – because we all need more room for roast potatoes.
Side Dishes
Sides are just as important as the main course and these trusty recipes by Jamie Oliver never disappoint. Side dishes are typically the same as your standard Christmas dinner, but here’s a few ideas and extras that are a great for vegans:
Roast potatoes, maple syrup glazed spiced parsnips and carrots, peas, leafy greens, sprouts, braised red cabbage and roasted onions.
Gravy & Chutneys
It’s not dinner without gravy and chutney and there are plenty of recipes and ready-made options on the market that all work well – this gravy recipe from Jamie Oliver is really flavourful, whilst Nigella Lawson’s chutney recipe is as extra and festive as you could imagine.
Alternatively, Mary Berry has a simpler yet equally yummy tomato and onion chutney that’s perfect for sandwiches a la Ross Geller’s Moist Maker.
If you’re looking to buy rather than prepare your gravy from scratch, then Bisto Original is vegan-friendly, whilst most supermarket-own chutney is dairy-free.
Sweets & Puddings
When it comes to dessert, you can either go all-out with tradition or keep it simple. Open the vegan Booja Booja Hazelnut Truffles or whip up a Yule log with custard to boot. There’s no such thing as holding back on the desserts at Christmas!
If Christmas pudding and mince pies are more your jam, Waitrose has some great vegan options that taste just as good as homemade (just don’t break that to your mum).
Snacks & Extras
And speaking of treats, vegan snacks have really upped their game over the past few years. From fancy alternatives to classics you didn’t know were vegan, here are a few recommendations of a few of our tried and tested faves:
Booja Booja truffles | Bourbon biscuits | Ginger biscuits | Cheese Garlic and Herb Spread | Livia’s bites | Waitrose Turkey and Stuffing Crisps | Pringles Original | Tyrells Crisps | Divine Chocolate | Mister Free’d Crisps | Violife Cheese | Twiglets
Gift Ideas
Finally, if you’re also looking for some gifts that are vegan-friendly, these would be great to find in any stocking come Christmas morning:
Herbivore Gift Set | Oskia Gift Set | Aurelia Gift Set | Booja Booja chocolate | Gift cards for People Tree and Thought Clothing who offer vegan-friendly clothing | Bath salts | Lush bath bombs
