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Home ยป Festival ยป Christmas

50+ Vegetarian Christmas Dinner recipes

Published: Dec 18, 2023 ยท Modified: Dec 17, 2024 by Sandhya Hariharan ยท Leave a Comment

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Ease into Christmas dinner with joy, not stress! Simplify your Christmas this year with 50+ easy vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes. Packed with tips and shortcuts, these easy Christmas recipes - some Indian inspired, British or American promise a delightful, stress-free morningโ€”without compromising on deliciousness!

vegetarian christmas dinner recipes

Who says vegetarian meals have to be dull during the holidays? From soups to meatless mains, sides, desserts and condiments, these recipes ensure a dinner bursting with delicious flavours! This collection is perfectly comforting and enjoyable for everyone, whether you're a vegetarian like me or just seeking tasty alternatives.

Forget the usual turkeyโ€”let's explore delicious meatless recipes that everyone will love! I'm often torn between Indian whole roasted cauliflower, the British classic cauliflower cheese, Roasted broccoli and cauliflower cheese, Shepherds pie, dauphinoise potatoes and air fryer Brussels sprouts gratin for the main course.

It's tough to choose from the 20+ side dishes, but I still love crispy potato slices, hasselback potatoes, roasted sprouts, and festive coleslaw. What's on your menu? Get inspired for a festive, vegetarian Christmas dinner!

Don't forget to tag #sandhyaskitchen on social media when you try it.

How to meal plan ahead for Christmas?

  1. Outline Your Menu:
    • Plan your Christmas dinner menu, including appetisers, mains, sides, and desserts. I have made it simpler with a list to choose from below.
    • Consider family favourites and accommodate any special dietary requirements.
  2. Create a Shopping List:
    • Print and list all the ingredients needed for your chosen dishes.
    • Purchase non-perishable items well in advance. Check in your pantry and buy only the ones needed at least two weeks in advance.
  3. Schedule Shopping Trips:
    • Plan a shopping trip for perishable items closer to the Christmas date.
  4. Prepare in Advance:
    • Enlist the help of family members including kids in prepping and cooking.
    • Example: Vegetables for roasting brussels sprouts or Christmas traybake can be chopped and stored in the fridge a day or two before. Prep the desserts in individual jars like no bake strawberry cheesecake jars or mango mousse jars and store in the fridge.
  5. Plan a Cooking Schedule:
    • Allocate specific tasks to specific days leading up to Christmas.
    • Create a timeline for cooking on the day of the celebration.

By involving your family and preparing certain dishes early, like chopping veggies in advance, you not only share the workload but also make the entire process more enjoyable and less stressful.

Soups recipes

A cozy bowl of soup, brimming with winter flavours, serves as the ideal appetiser. Don't miss adding these to your repertoire of vegetarian Christmas recipes.

Roasted Beetroot soup
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Roasted Beetroot Soup is a joy in a bowl. It's vibrant, hands-free blend of roasted veggies.Suitable for Vegans.
Air fryer beetroot soup recipe
Red lentil and Carrot soup
Packed with wholesome goodness,This red lentil carrot soup is a hearty blend of carrots and lentils, simmered to perfection. Nutrient-rich, flavourful, and satisfying!
Check out this recipe
two bowls of red lentil carrot soup
Curried Butternut Squash soup
Curried Butternut Squash Soup is an easy-to-make, creamy and velvety soup that can be made either in an Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Suitable for vegans.
Check out this recipe
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Carrot and Coriander soup
Ultimate comfort in a bowl - This carrot coriander soup is made with fresh ingredients and is ready in just 30 minutes or so. Makes a delicious meal in a hurry.
Check out this recipe
two bowls of carrot coriander soup served with toasted bread.
Cauliflower soup
Vegan Cauliflower Soup is creamy, rich, and comforting, made with real fresh ingredients. With a quick prep and easy ingredients, this soup takes under 30 minutes to cook. Easy to make in Instant Pot too!
Check out this recipe
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Red Lentil Tortilla soup
This Tex Mex 5 Star Red Lentil Tortilla Soup is loaded with plenty of deliciousness. Add toppings of your favourite choice and enjoy this loaded lentil soup for dinner.Make them in Instant Pot or Stove Top - instructions included for both.
Check out this recipe
Red Lentil Tortilla Soup
Vegetarian Sausage and Tortellini Soup
Try this Vegetarian Sausage Tortellini Soup for a quick, easy, healthy and comforting meal this holiday season. ( Instant Pot instructions also included)
Sausage and Tortellini Soup recipe
Vegetarian Sausages Tortellini Soup

Vegetarian Christmas mains

Take your pick from whole roasted cauliflower, dauphinoise potatoes, cauliflower cheese, cauliflower mac and cheese, or stuffed peppersโ€”you are going to love these vegetarian Christmas recipes.

Whole roasted cauliflower
This Air Fryerย Whole Roasted Cauliflowerย is the ultimate centre piece thatโ€™s super delicious, healthy, and simple to make. A flavourfulย Indian-inspired vegetarian main, thats crispy and impressive!
Easy Indian roasted whole cauliflower recipe
air fryer whole cauliflower roasted with Indian flavours.
Christmas Vegetable Gratin
Elevate your holiday table with ease using our Christmas Vegetable Gratin! Whether air-fried or oven-baked, this easy-to-make dish features a medley of seasonal vegetables, bringing festive flavors to every bite.
Christmas Vegetable Gratin recipe ( Air fryer/ Oven)
Air fryer Christmas vegetable gratin
Brussels sprouts gratin
Ditch boring sprouts! Caramelised Brussels gratin steals the show with crispy breadcrumbs and cheesy sauce. Air fryer and oven instructions included.
Check out this recipe
brussels sprouts gratin
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower cheese
This roastedย broccoli and cauliflower cheeseย is ultimately delicious, serving as the perfect mains on yourย Christmas holiday tableย 
Easy broccoli and cauliflower cheese recipe
roasted broccoli and cauliflower cheese in a casserole dish
Dauphinoise potatoes
This cheesy gratin potatoes dish is simply comforting, delicious, and perfect addition for Christmas dinner
Easy Dauphinoise potatoes recipe
Dauphinoise potatoes made in the air fryer
Cauliflower mac and cheese
Itโ€™s theย ultimate cheesy cauliflower casserole ready in 30 minutes or so, perfect for special occasions.
Check out this recipe
Cauliflower mac and cheese made in air fryer
Stuffed peppers with couscous
Tender bell peppers are stuffed with a delicious blend of couscous, onions, tomatoes and cheese.
Stuffed Bell Peppers with couscous recipe
Stuffed peppers with couscous close up
Lentil Shepherds pie
Tuck into this Vegetable Shepherds Pie for a comforting cozy lunch or dinner option. Loaded with Vegetables and lentils filling, this pie dish will soon turn into your family favourite. Instant Pot & Stove Top Instructions included.ย 
Vegetarian Shepherds pie recipe
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Easy Vegetarian Shepherds pie
Made with Quorn Nuggetsย and topped with a rich white sauce and creamyย mashed potatoes.
Easy Vegetarian Shepherds pie recipe
Shepherd's pie

Vegetarian Christmas Side dishes recipes

With over 20 options of sides to choose from, whether it's roast potatoes or an upgrade to smashed potatoes, or tray bakes, along with roast veggies and delicious coleslaws, there is something for everyone. Many of these vegetarian Christmas recipes are either made in the oven or air fryer for convenience.

Crispy potato slices recipe
Crispy perfection in every bite! Try these easy and delicious Air Fryer Potato Slices for a healthier snack or side dish
Check out this recipe
bowl of crispy potato slices
Hasselback potatoes
Sliced into thin fan-like shape, these mini potatoes are air fried to a perfect crispy texture on the edges, while being tender on the inside.
Easy Hasselback potatoes recipe
mini hasselback potatoes
Baked Bubble and Squeak Cakes recipe
Use leftover mashed potatoes, cabbages and carrots to make these delicious bubble and squeak cakes.
Baked Bubble and Squeak cakes recipe
oven baked bubble and squeak cakes
Holiday tray bake recipe
This recipe is as simple as Chop, Throw and Forget. Made with seasonal veggies, its a tasty and delicious festive tray bake recipe.
Holiday Vegetable traybake recipe
Easy peasy Vegetable tray bake recipe
Smashed potatoes
Just like roast potatoes, but with Indian flavours and better texture.
Smashed potatoes recipe
easy curried smashed potatoes
Parmentier Potatoes
Made with only 7 ingredients, cubes of potatoes are baked to perfection with garlic and herbs.
Parmentier Potatoes recipe
easy parmentier potatoes made in oven
Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe recipe
Iโ€™ve got you covered with two recipes โ€” classic crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts with garlic seasoning and a sweet balsamic-honey glaze version that tastes just like the restaurant favorite! Both are ready in under 20 minutes, are easy to make, and perfect as a quick side dish for any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.
Check out this recipe
air fryer roasted brussels sprouts served with pomegranate
Instant Pot mashed potatoes
Our Seven Ingredients garlic mashed potatoes has got one of my secret ingredient that makes it a delicious HOLIDAY SIDE DISH!
Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes recipe
instant pot garlic mashed potatoes served in a bowl
Air fryer Indian potatoes
Crispy and flavourful Indian potatoes made effortlessly in the air fryer. Perfectly spiced and ready in minutes! Oven instructions included below
Indian potatoes recipe
Indian potatoes made in air fryer
Sausage and potato tray bake
Simply throw everything in one tray, marinate, and cook for just 45 minutes. Simple and a delicious side for Thanksgiving.
Sausage and Potato traybake recipe
Sausage Potato baked in a white casserole dish.
Root vegetables tray bake
Winter root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips are tossed in garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh herbs and baked to perfection.
Winter Root vegetables tray bake
roasted root veggies
Aloo Gobi tray bake
Try this simple and easy Aloo Gobi traybake for holiday dinner this year. With only 10 minutes of hands-on time, this tasty side dish is delicious with naan bread and cucumber raita for a meal.
Indian spiced potato and cauliflower traybake recipe
indian cauliflower traybake with potatoes served with naan bread.
Garam masala and Honey glazed carrots
Make these really delicious Honey Glazed Carrots as a holiday side dish for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. So quick and easy, can be made on hob, roasted in the oven or in the Instant Pot.
Honey glazed carrots recipe
honey glazed carrots
Air fryer roasted carrots
Here's a recipe for a super easy, quick and simple roasted carrots in the air fryer. They are a perfect side dish to your weekly dinners as well as for Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving.
Easy air fryer roasted carrots recipe
roasted carrots in an oval plate.
Roasted parsnips
Roasted parsnips with maple syrup & thyme make a delicious side on the holiday table.
Maple syrup Roast parsnips recipe
vegan maple roasted parsnips
Air fryer roast turnips
These air-fried turnips are a quick, simple, and straightforward vegan side dish. Ready in 15 minutes.
Air fryer turnips recipe
air fryer turnips served in a bowl
Bombay potatoes
Made with simple ingredients and my quick and easy version, this dish will make holiday dinners a breeze.
Bombay potatoes recipe
easy bombay potatoes recipe
Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
These Easy Instant Pot Glazed Carrots are my go-to holiday side dish. Made with just 8 ingredients in under 25 minutes, theyโ€™re sweet, buttery, and always a crowd-pleaser. Youโ€™ll definitely be reaching for seconds!
Glazed carrots made in Instant Pot recipe
a white bowl full of instant pot glazed carrots.
Air fryer cauliflower steaks
Crispy Cauliflower steaksย are made by marinating with simple seasonings and air frying to perfection! ( Vegan, GF )
Air fryer cauliflower steaks
crispy cauliflower steak served with chutney
Cajun roasted cauliflower steaks
Thick sliced Cauliflower Steaks are marinated with cajun seasoning and roasted in the oven or air fryer.
Cajun roasted cauliflower steaks recipe
Cajun roasted cauliflower steaks recipe
Crispy roasted brussels sprouts
Iโ€™ve got you covered with two recipes โ€” classic crispy air fryer Brussels sprouts with garlic seasoning and a sweet balsamic-honey glaze version that tastes just like the restaurant favorite! Both are ready in under 20 minutes, are easy to make, and perfect as a quick side dish for any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.
Air fryer roasted brussels sprouts recipe
air fryer roasted brussels sprouts served with pomegranate
Festive coleslaw
A vibrant and refreshing no mayo salad that complements your festive mains.
Festive Coleslaw recipe
Christmas slaw
Cabbage and Carrot slaw
Quick and Easy 4-Ingredient Red Cabbage & Carrot Slaw plus dressing: Ready in 10 mins! Perfect as a Versatile Side Dish or Topping for Tacos, Burgers, and Beyond.
Red cabbage and carrot slaw recipe
Shredded Brussels Sprouts salad
This Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad is a tasty and unique addition to your Christmas dinner spread, and itโ€™s ready in just 10 minutes!
Shredded Brussels Sprouts salad with lemon vinaigrette recipe
shredded raw sprouts salad
10 minutes Homemade Nando's Macho peas
Make easy homemade Nandos macho peas at home in under 10 minutes. They are quick, easy & taste as delicious as the ones from the restaurant.
Nando's Macho peas recipe
nandos macho peas recipe
Sage and onion stuffings balls
Try this really quick and easy Sage and Onion Stuffing balls recipe at home - so good with Sunday roast or with Christmas dinner. Make it Air fryer or in the Oven!!
Sage and onion stuffings balls recipe
sage and onion stuffing balls

Easy Vegetarian Christmas recipes - Appetisers

Holiday Appetisers or Starters must be quick and easy. Most importantly scaleable. Some of the popular appetisers to try this holiday season are puff pastry sausage rolls, stuffed mini peppers, pakoras and kabab.

Puff pastry sausage roll
Try this really easy Vegetarian sausage rolls are made with only 4 ingredients. They make a wonderful appetizer for Christmas or any other holidays too.
Puff Pastry and Sausage roll recipe
vegetarian puff pastry mini sausage rolls
Stuffed mini peppers with cream cheese
Theseย air fryer stuffedย mini peppersย are filled with a creamy, cheesy mixture of pasta sauce, cream cheese, and melty mozzarella. Just slice, fill, and air fry!
Air fryer stuffed mini peppers recipe
stuffed mini peppers cooked in air fryer.
Mixed Vegetable Pakoras
Make quick and easy crispy mixed Vegetable Pakoras at the comfort of your home just like the ones from your favourite Indian takeaway. Packed with flavours, they make a delicious party food or a side.
Veg Pakora recipe
easy cauliflower pakoras
Make quick & easy vegan cauliflower pakoras in just 30 minutes! These crispy fritters are the ideal side dish / appetiser bursting with flavour.
Cauliflower Pakora recipe
cauliflower pakoras
Hara Bhara Kabab
Hara Bhara Kabab is a popular Indian appetiser made with Spinach, green peas, green pepper, potatoes and spices. How about dunking some kebab in chutney/ tomato ketchup or serve it as a filler inside your slider buns.
Hara Bhara Kabab recipe
Hara Bhara Kebab

Vegetarian Christmas Dessert recipes

Nutella Star bread
With just 8 ingredients, these BEST CHRISTMAS STAR BREAD are a delicious festive breakfast.
Nutella Star bread recipe
Christmas Star Bread dusted with icing sugar
Gajar Halwa Cheesecake
Try these easy Individual No bake Gajar Halwa Cheesecake Jars. They are delicious, festive to be on the Diwali menu.
Gajar Halwa Cheesecake recipe
carrot halwa cheesecake jar
Chocolate mousse parafait jars
This decadent dessert is made with layers of biscuit filling, light airy chocolate mousse, and topped with whipped cream, edible gold dust & Guylian Sea Shells for a finishing touch.
Chocolate mousse parafait jars recipe
easy chocolate mousse dessert in jars
Quick and Easy Tiramisu jars
Try this easy 10-minute tiramisu in jars recipe โ€“ the perfect delicious dessert for after meals, parties, or festive occasions. Itโ€™s eggless and alcohol-free too!
10 minutes Tiramisu jars recipe
easy eggless tiramisu in jars
Mango Mousse jars
Make this Quick Mango Mousse Cups made with only 4 ingredients. No Eggs, No Gelatin - just creamy mango mousse!
Easy Mango Mousse jars recipe
Eggless Mango Mousse on a white background.
Gulab Jamun Shrikhand jars
This easy Gulab Jamun Shrikhand Jars has really got everything you wish for in the Diwali Fusion dessert right from biscuit crust, shrikhand and gulab jamuns.
Gulab Jamun Shrikhand jars recipe
two gulab jamun shrikhand jars

Condiments

Elevate your Christmas table with a variety of condiments that complement the diverse flavours of the holiday dishes, enhancing the dining experience for everyone. Take a pick from English mint sauce, Indian mint sauce, Poppadom dips, Sour cream and Chives dip, classic Cranberry sauce, Sweet Chilli sauce and more.

English mint sauce
Try making your own Real British mint sauce! It's easy to make with just a few pantry staples. So much better than store bought ones.
English mint sauce recipe
homemade english mint sauce served in a bowl
Three Poppadom Dips
Make the classic Indian poppadom dips at home with these easy recipes โ€“ sweet mango chutney, Indian onion chutney, and fresh mint yogurt dip. Perfect served with poppadoms or as simple Indian appetiser dips.
Poppadom dips recipe
Trip of popular homemade dips for Poppadoms served at restaurants in the UK
Cranberry sauce
Make this five ingredients, easy Instant Pot Cranberry sauce recipe to pair with all your festive mains.
Cranberry sauce recipe
Instant Pot cranberry sauce
Pineapple Sweet Chili Sauce
Try this homemade Sweet chili pineapple sauce! It's an excellent upgrade for Thai sweet chili sauce, free from additives or preservatives, cheaper and so much better than store-bought sauce! Needs only 9 Ingredients and less than 20 minutes.
Pineapple Sweet Chilli Sauce recipe
3 containers of homemade pineapple sweet chilli sauce.
Yogurt Garlic sauce
This homemade garlic yogurt dip is infused with garlic, zesty lemon, and a hint of mint. A versatile, no-fuss dip to elevate your dishes.
Quick Yogurt Garlic Sauce recipe
kebab shop yogurt garlic sauce
5 minutes Sour Cream and Chive Dip
Our homemade Sour Cream and Chives Dip beats store-bought options with its fresh, tangy and creamy herb flavour. It's the easiest You'll Ever Make โ€“ Ready in just 2 Minutes!
Sour Cream and Chive Dip recipe
homemade sour cream and chive dip

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Hey, I'm Sandhya

Itโ€™s wonderful to meet you! As a self-taught photographer with a background in IT, Iโ€™m excited to share easy vegetarian recipes developed right in my Surrey kitchen. Come learn more and say hi!

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