Christmas
Christmas is a time of love, generosity, and selflessness—a season that encourages us to think of others and give the best of ourselves. So why not extend that spirit of empathy and care beyond our loved ones to include animals and people who are less fortunate than ourselves?
A vegan Christmas is a celebration of compassion, allowing us to enjoy all the festive treats we love without contributing to the suffering caused by animal agriculture. From indulgent fruity puddings to buttery mince pies, from hearty mains to creamy cheeses, there’s a plant-based alternative for every festive favourite—and they’re so good, most won’t even notice the difference.
Beyond the dinner table, embracing a kinder Christmas means standing against the global impact of animal agriculture. It’s a chance to help protect communities abroad who are disproportionately affected by deforestation, water scarcity and pollution, and climate change linked to intensive farming. By choosing plant-based options, we can make a difference not only for animals but also for people facing the consequences of these systems.
We know that changing traditions can feel daunting, especially when family dynamics come into play. But trust us—a vegan Christmas doesn’t mean giving anything up. It just means swapping to delicious, cruelty-free dishes that reflect the true meaning of the season: peace, compassion, and joy for all beings.
Starters
Christmas dinner begins with starters that set the tone for the festive meal ahead. Thankfully, creating indulgent, elegant, and completely plant-based starters is easier than ever. Whether you’re after a warm, hearty beginning or something light and refreshing, here are some ideas to inspire your vegan Christmas feast.
Soup
A classic starter, soup is a warming and comforting way to begin your Christmas meal. Options like roasted parsnip and apple, spiced butternut squash, or creamy mushroom are always a hit. Use vegetable or oxo stock cubes and plant-based cream, such as Elmlea Plant Double Cream, for a luxurious texture. Serve with crusty artisan bread slathered in vegan butter—because nothing beats dunking!
Vegan Prawn Cocktail
Bring a retro classic to your vegan Christmas with a plant-based twist on prawn cocktail. Swap prawns for marinated king oyster mushrooms, hearts of palm, or ready-made vegan prawns from brands like Happiee. Toss them in a zesty vegan Marie Rose sauce made with dairy-free mayo, ketchup, a dash of vegan Henderson’s Relish, and a squeeze of lemon. Serve in a bed of crisp lettuce with a sprinkle of paprika and a wedge of lemon for that nostalgic touch.
Pâté and Crackers
Rich and flavourful, a vegan pâté is an easy, elegant choice. Try VBites mushroom pâté. Pair it with crisp crackers or toasted sourdough and a dollop of chutney for a festive flair.
Vegan Canapés
Canapés add a touch of luxury to your meal. Think mini bruschettas topped with roasted cherry tomatoes and balsamic glaze, stuffed mushrooms with garlic and herb breadcrumbs, or blinis with dairy-free cream cheese and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Stuffed Veggies
Stuffed vegetables bring colour and creativity to the table. Bell peppers, baby squash, or tomatoes filled with a herby quinoa or nut-based stuffing make for a showstopping starter. Top with a sprinkle of vegan cheese and bake until golden.
Salads with a Festive Twist
For a lighter option, try a salad with a festive spin. A pear, walnut, and rocket salad with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or a beetroot and orange salad with a citrus vinaigrette can be refreshing and vibrant. Add toasted seeds or pomegranate arils for an extra pop of texture and colour.
Pastry Delights
Vegan pastry options are everywhere, making it easy to whip up delicious starters. Mini vegan sausage rolls are rich, flaky, and sure to impress. Look out for all the ready-made vegan pastry in your local supermarket, particularly in Aldi or Lidl.
Why Not a Sharing Platter?
A sharing platter can be a fun and informal way to start your meal. Include hummus, olives, vegan cheeses, stuffed vine leaves, and crackers, and let everyone dig in. Add festive touches like cranberry chutney or spiced nuts for a seasonal flair.
Buffet Food
Most supermarkets now offer an impressive range of vegan party food. Aldi stands out with its extensive selection, including their "Let's Party Vegan Bites" range, featuring no-duck spring rolls, cauliflower popcorn bites with buffalo dip, and sweet potato bites with katsu sauce.
Other supermarkets also deliver fantastic options for vegan party spreads. Tesco offers a festive vegan selection, including plant-based party platters, meat-free sausage rolls, and sweet treats. Sainsbury’s showcases its Plant Pioneers range with creative bites like vegan bao buns and meatless sliders, while Morrisons provides a variety of appetizers, including no-chicken tempura and vegan savoury pastries. Even luxury options are covered, with Marks & Spencer offering their Plant Kitchen range, including vegan "prawn" tempura and no-duck spring rolls.
With such a wide variety available, hosting a vegan-friendly festive gathering has never been easier, and you’ll find something delicious in nearly every supermarket to suit all tastes and budgets.
The Dinner
Vegan Roasts
The highlight of any Christmas feast is, of course, the roast centerpiece—and whether you're going for a classic 'turkey,' a hearty 'ham,' or even a succulent 'steak,' there are incredible vegan options for every taste and budget.
Our personal favourite is the THIS! Isn't Chicken Plant-Based Roast, a mid-range choice that's as satisfying as it is versatile. Juicy, tender, and packed with flavour, it’s a surefire hit that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
If you're looking for even more affordable options, there are plenty of budget-friendly roasts that don’t compromise on taste. All major supermarkets, from Aldi to M&S, offer fantastic vegan roasts that are perfect for the festive table. Options like Plant Chef No Turkey Crown or Plant Menu Vegan Roast with Stuffing provide a traditional flavour at a fraction of the cost.
For those seeking luxury, Juicy Marbles is a fantastic option, and The Faux Butcher offer a range of luxurious roasts. They also provide indulgent hampers packed with everything you need for a showstopping Christmas dinner, from plant-based mains to festive sides and desserts—all cruelty-free and utterly delicious.
For pre-exsiting veggies who don’t necessarily like the taste or texture of meat, never fear! There’s lots of vegan mushroom or vegetable wellingtons and nut roasts out there to choose from, too!
And remember - as always - these are just a tiny selection of what’s out there!
Mum’s “Chicken” Gravy
Veganize Your Sides
Christmas dinner wouldn’t be complete without the sides, and the good news is that all of them can be veganized! Take pigs in blankets, for example—every supermarket now offers plant-based versions, making it easy to recreate this classic. Paxo stuffing is a trusty go-to (and yes, it’s already vegan!), while budget-friendly vegan butters or luxury options like Naturli Vegan Butter make perfect companions for your sprouts.
For those who love crispy, smoky bites, there’s endless vegan bacon to choose from, with our favourite being THIS Isn't Streaky Bacon—perfect for wrapping around plant-based sausages or adding crunch to Brussels sprouts.
And Vegan Honea can be used to glaze your parsnips, adding that sticky caramelised finish. (Curious about why bee honey isn’t vegan? Check out our Honey Page for more information.)
Mashed potatoes? A splash of Elmlea Plant Double Cream will make them extra creamy and indulgent, paired with your favourite plant-based butter. And let’s not forget Yorkshire puddings! You can buy ready-made vegan Yorkshires from brands like Plantside, or try making your own—don’t forget to check out the recipes we’ve collected below for inspiration.
Even traditionally non-vegan dishes like bread sauce and cheesy cauliflower can be easily made plant-based with swaps like Alpro No Sugar Soy Milk, cream, and cheese—all widely available and delicious. With so many options, your sides can be just as indulgent and exciting as the main course!
Ingredients:
2 medium carrots
2 medium onions
2 sticks of celery
3 cloves of garlic
½ packet of THIS! Isn’t Chicken Pieces
5 Meat-Free Chicken Oxo Cubes
Dried sage, thyme, parsley, and black pepper
Rapeseed oil
4 tablespoons of plain flour
1800mls boiling water
Instructions:
Prepare the Vegetables and Stock
Chop the carrots, onions and celery into roughly ½-inch pieces. Mince the cloves of garlic. Place them all in a roasting pan and drizzle generously with rapeseed oil. Sprinkle with dried sage, thyme, parsley, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
At this time, boil the kettle and crush the 5 meat free Oxo cubes into a large jug and add roughly 1800mls of boiling water.
Roast
Roast the vegetables in a preheated oven at 200°C for 20 minutes. Remove the pan, stir the vegetables thoroughly, and add the THIS! Isn’t Chicken Pieces. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes.
Mash & Simmer
Once cooked, transfer the roasted vegetables and chicken pieces to a large pan on the hob. Use a masher to break everything down slightly. Gradually sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly over low heat until the flour has cooked out.
Add Stock
Slowly add your vegan chicken stock to the pan, stirring as you go. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir occasionally and let it cook for approximately 50 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the gravy to thicken.
Blend or Strain
For a smooth gravy, blend the mixture using a hand blender. Alternatively, strain it through a sieve, reserving the mashed vegetables and chicken pieces for use in a pie or another dish later.
Beef Gravy Variation
If you prefer a "beef" gravy, swap the THIS! Isn’t Chicken Pieces for Vivera Steak Pieces and use meat-free beef stock instead of chicken stock.
Enjoy this rich, flavorful gravy as the perfect accompaniment to your festive dinner or Sunday Roast.
Instant Gravies
Did you know that most own-brand supermarket instant gravies are actually vegan? Well, you do now! A lot of the Free-From ones are, too.
Mum’s Yorkshire Puddings
Ingredients:
100g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp egg replacer powder
350ml Alpro No Sugars Soy Milk
1 tsp Kala Namak (black salt)
A pinch of black pepper, mixed herbs, and garlic salt
Vegetable oil (for greasing)
Instructions:
Prepare the Batter:
In a mixing jug, combine all the dry ingredients: plain flour, baking powder, egg replacer powder, Kala Namak, black pepper, mixed herbs, and garlic salt. Gradually pour in the soy milk while whisking until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Cover the jug and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 240°C (even for fan). Once it reaches the temperature, pour enough vegetable oil to cover the base of each section in a muffin tray. Place the tray in the oven to heat for 15 minutes.
Rewhisk and Pour:
Just before the oil is ready, remove the batter from the fridge and give it a quick whisk. Carefully remove the hot muffin tray from the oven and quickly fill each section with the batter. The batter should sizzle slightly as it hits the hot oil.
Bake:
Place the tray back in the oven and bake at 240°C for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 200°C and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the puddings are golden and crisp.
Tip for Toad in the Hole:
This batter works brilliantly for toad in the hole, as well! Use a wider tin and ensure the batter isn’t too deep for even cooking. Add your slightly browned vegan sausages (we like Richmond’s Meat Free ones best) to the hot oil in the tray before pouring in the batter. Simply increase the overall cooking time by about 15 minutes, ensuring the batter cooks through. Enjoy these fluffy, golden Yorkshire puddings as a perfect accompaniment to any roast dinner, or as a base for a hearty toad in the hole!
Supermarket Desserts
Advent Calendars & Selection Boxes
For many kids (and big-kids!) the countdown to Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without an advent calendar—and the good news is, Supermarkets like Aldi, Tesco, and Asda now stock affordable vegan chocolate advent calendars, ususally in the Free-From Section. For something a little more luxurious, brands like Moo Free, NOMO (No Missing Out), and Hotel Chocolat’s Vegan Advent Calendar offer rich, dairy-free chocolates and festive flavours that feel extra special. You can even find calendars featuring truffles, caramels, and nutty treats for a touch of indulgence.
Selection boxes are a nostalgic treat for Christmas Day, and vegan versions are readily available. Again, check out the Free-From Sections and brands like NOMO, Moo Free, and Buttermylk all offer boxes filled with an assortment of bars, buttons, and festive-shaped chocolates.
No Christmas feast is complete without a spread of decadent desserts, and supermarkets are brimming with incredible vegan options to satisfy every sweet tooth. From traditional treats to modern indulgences, there’s something for everyone—and no one will guess they’re vegan!
Mince Pies
A Christmas classic, mince pies are a must-have during the festive season. Luckily, many supermarket own-brand mince pies are accidentally vegan, so you can enjoy them without any hassle. Look out for options from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, or Aldi—just check the label for a plant-based tick! Another tip: milk and eggs, as they’re common allergens, are always highlighted in bold, so it only takes a quick glance to check for them!
Christmas Pudding and Fruit Cake
Traditionalists will be pleased to know that vegan-friendly Christmas puddings and fruit cakes are widely available. Iceland and Co-op both offer rich and fruity puddings that are perfect with a drizzle of warm plant-based custard or cream. For a lighter option, check out Lidl’s Deluxe Vegan Christmas Cake—a moist and flavourful delight.
Vegan Brandy Cream
Nothing pairs with Christmas pudding quite like brandy cream. The Elmlea Plant Double Cream is a fantastic base—you can simply whisk it with a sprinkle of icing sugar to make your own plant-based version. It’s rich, creamy, and deliciously festive.
Yule Logs and Chocolate Desserts
For chocoholics, vegan cookies and treats are popping up in supermarkets everywhere. Waitrose’s Yule Log and [] are luxurious crowd-pleasers that everyone will love.
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
Vegan ice cream is an easy addition to your dessert spread, with plenty of options from brands like Swedish Glace and Ben and Jerry’s. Flavours like vanilla, chocolate, or salted caramel are perfect alongside a slice of pie or pudding.
Pastries and Tarts
Looking for something different? Supermarkets like Tesco and Waitrose stock vegan fruit tarts and pastries that are ideal for those who prefer a lighter dessert. Pair them with fresh fruit and a dollop of plant-based cream for a refreshing end to your meal.
With such a wide variety of vegan desserts available, there’s no need to compromise on indulgence this Christmas. From mince pies to brandy cream, supermarkets have you covered for every festive craving—so you don’t even have to go out of your way to enjoy a sweet celebration that’s kind to all.
Recipes
Traditional Gifts
Perfume / Cologne
Perfume makes for a timeless Christmas gift. Vegans choose to avoid animal-tested perfumes because the process involves unnecessary suffering for animals, including exposure to harmful chemicals. If you'd like to learn more, feel free to visit our Animal Testing page. The good news is, there are plenty of fantastic, cruelty-free options out there! Brands like Eden Perfumes offer affordable, plant-based alternatives to designer fragrances. The Fragrance World also provides a wide range of vegan scents, making it easier than ever to find beautiful, animal-friendly fragrances you’ll love.
Lingerie
When it comes to lingerie, vegans choose to avoid materials like leather, feathers, and silk due to the ethical concerns surrounding animal exploitation and cruelty in their production. You can read more about this here. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or luxury! Opting for beautiful alternatives like satin or PVC means you get the same look and feel without the suffering. Whether you’re looking for something elegant, sexy, daring, or comfortable, there are plenty of gorgeous vegan-friendly lingerie options that will make you feel confident while staying true to your values.
Festive Spa Days
Treat your loved one (and yourself!) to a relaxing and ethical spa experience this Christmas by opting for a vegan spa package. Many spas now offer treatments using cruelty-free and plant-based products, allowing you to unwind without the weight on your conscience. Websites like Spaseekers allow you to filter for vegan spa options. Whether it’s a massage, facial, or full spa day, pamper your partner with a luxurious, animal-friendly experience that shows love for both them and the planet.
Teddies
Why not take your gift-giving one step further this Christmas and help the animals by choosing a teddy that makes a difference? Instead of buying from big retailers, consider purchasing from animal charities like Viva! or small volunteer-run animal sanctuaries that use proceeds to support their rescue efforts. You could also consider sanctuary or convervation adoption packs as a gift. It’s a wonderful way to show your love while contributing to a good cause, helping animals in need at the same time. Not only will your gift bring joy to your significant other, but it will also have a positive impact on the lives of animals—making your gesture even more meaningful.
Alcohol
If you're planning to treat your loved one to a bottle of wine or beer this Christmas, make sure it’s vegan-friendly! Many alcoholic drinks are processed using undesirable ingredients like isinglass (fish bladders), gelatin, or egg whites. Thankfully, it’s easy to avoid these with the Barnivore website or app, which lets you quickly check whether your favourite wines, beers, and spirits are vegan. So, whether you're sharing a glass of wine or enjoying a craft beer, you can raise a toast knowing your choice is free from animal-derived ingredients and cruelty.
Candles
Candles are a wonderful way to set a cosy, festive mood, but many conventional candles are made using animal fats like beeswax or tallow. For a more ethical option, choose soy candles, which are vegan-friendly and made from plant-based ingredients. Our favourite is The Yorkshire Candle Company, offering a wide range of beautiful, long-lasting scents that are perfect for any occasion! With soy candles, you can enjoy the warm glow and delightful aromas without compromising your values or the planet.
Skincare & Cosmetics
Christmas is the perfect opportunity to pamper your loved ones with vegan and cruelty-free skincare and cosmetics. Vegan-friendly brands like The Body Shop, Lush, and Superdrug offer luxurious gift sets filled with skincare, bath, and hygiene products free from animal testing and animal-derived ingredients. For men, Bulldog is a top choice, offering vegan-friendly grooming products like moisturizers, beard care, and shower gels. These brands prove that it’s easy to find luxurious, ethical products for your Christmas celebrations.
Christmas Cards
When buying Christmas cards, consider choosing ones that support sanctuaries or vegan charities rather than organizations like the British Heart Foundation or Cancer Research UK, which fund animal experimentation and Vivisection. While many of us have lost loved ones to these devastating diseases and understand the desire to support vital research, the fact is that animal testing is not only unethical but also just bad, outdated science. You can read more on our Animal Experimentation here. But, essentially, it fails to predict human responses due to vast biological differences, wasting time, money, and lives—both human and animal alike. So, instead, please consider supporting charities that help sufferers directly, such as those providing wigs, prosthetics, emotional support, care, lifestyle changes or financial assistance. And by supporting charities that fund advanced, animal-free methods such as cell-based studies or AI-driven research, you can still make a difference without contributing to unnecessary suffering.
Christspiracy
If you’re a Christian celebrating Christmas - or even if you’re not - Christspiracy is a FREE thought-provoking documentary that deserves a place on your watchlist this season. The film explores the often-overlooked intersection between Christian values and modern dietary choices, urging believers to reflect on how their faith aligns with compassion, stewardship, and the ethical treatment of ALL living beings.
Through scripture-based insights and compelling evidence, the documentary also explores the idea that Jesus and his followers were vegans themselves, living lives rooted in compassion and nonviolence. By re-examining familiar passages and historical context, Christspiracy offers a fresh perspective on how a plant-based lifestyle aligns with Christ's teachings and the values of His time.
For more resources and information on how veganism aligns with Christian beliefs, check out our Veganism for Christians page.
Eating Out