This week it’s all about Holiday meals! We’re focusing on how enjoying your holiday without a ton of meat and dairy (more on that below).
Recipes
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes (WFPB) from A Plantiful Path
Enjoy cheesy-ness without the cheese with these potatoes. Cashews, nutritional yeast, and a few spices provide all the flavor you need.
Magical Vegan Turkey(Less) Gravy (WFPB) from Plant Power Couple
With just 5 basic ingredients, you can whip up this oil-free gravy in minutes. Pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, stuffing, or your roast.
(The Best) Vegan Stuffing (WFPB) from Shane & Simple
Grab some whole grain bread, a few veggies, herbs, and spices, and you’ve got yourself a delicious vegan stuffing.
Rosemary Stuffed Mushrooms (WFPB) from Wholly Plants
Stuffed mushrooms make a tasty appetizer for parties — or for a party of one. They come with a solid dose of spinach (shhhhh…no one has to know!)
Roasted Brussel Sprouts (WFPB) from Plant Based Foody
Roasted Brussel sprouts are super easy to make but always feel like a delicacy to me. This recipe includes balsamic and mustard plus a little maple syrup for sweetness.
Healthy Vegan Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies (WFPB) from Monkey and Me Kitchen Adventures
WFPB doesn’t mean you have to forgo all sweets. These sugar-free cinnamon cookies are sure to spice up your winter holiday.
Chocolate-Cherry Cobbler (WFPB) from Forks Over Knives
Behold, the natural sweetness of fruit. Add in some chocolatey goodness and top it with some vegan whipped cream, and you have yourself an incredible dessert.
Homemade Vegan Holiday Roast (Gluten-Free) from From My Bowl
If you don’t go for a store-bought roast, this may be your best bet. While the images make this recipe appear involved, there are only 15 minutes of prep time with 10 ingredients. Yum!
Vegan Pot Pie (with 2 Crust Options) from My Pure Plants
Pot pies are another way to dress up your dinner without a ton of effort. Choose either a sliced potato crust (super easy) or a flaky, gluten-free option.
Vegan Meatloaf Recipe from Bianca Zapatka
Another roast option, this meatloaf is topped with a two-ingredient chutney for a little extra zing.
Vegan Cornbread (Gluten-Free) from Nutriciously
Cornbread’s a fan favorite that’s easy to veganize and pairs with almost anything, including a roast or meatloaf.
Roasted Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Glaze from Shaw Simple Swaps
Squash screams “holiday favorite,” and this recipe jazzes it up with a pomegranate glaze.
Orange Cranberry Crisp from Minimalist Baker
Another dessert option, this one includes coconut sugar and maple syrup if you want a sweeter dessert without using refined sugar.
Holiday eating without meat and dairy
A few weeks ago on the Weekly, I talked about enjoying the holidays while eating less meat. That’s all well and good, but merely surviving the holidays can leave a feeling of lack. Today I’d like to focus on what to eat and how to have a fantastic plant-based holiday.
As you’ve probably realized, most traditional holiday dinners are focused on meat and roasts and things like that. I’d challenge you to question that and if it’s really necessary for you to feel satisfied.
We’re not alone in this way of thinking either. A recent poll of 2,000 Americans found that “a third of all households now plan for a family member eating more plant-based during the holidays.” More and more people are embracing this idea and creating new traditions.
I really like getting excited about everything I can have with my 100% plant-based diet rather than fixating on the things I can’t have. Have I craved meat before and felt left out? Of course. But these days I get very excited about the many things I love and enjoy on the holidays.
Here’s what I recommend for planning a plant-based holiday dinner:
Load up on sides
It’s easy to make 3-5 sides (or more). I’ve honestly never felt disappointed or hungry after eating mostly or only side dishes.
Make the sides exciting.
I’m certainly not advocating you only eat steamed vegetables. As you can see in the recipes above, there are many ways to get creative and fancy with veggies.
Veganize your favorites
For sides that feature vegetables, I challenge you to search Google for a vegan recipe and not find a suitable alternative to meat and dairy ingredients. They’re almost always out there.
Make your own plant-based roast.
I included a few recipes above, and there are tons more out there. Many use ingredients like tofu or seitan, and others are all vegetables.
Buy a meat-alternative roast.
My favorite is the Gardein Holiday Roast (which is really hard to find, unfortunately). Gardein does have a different version that’s similar and comes with gravy. There are also roasts available from Tofurky, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Field Roast, and more. These aren’t 100% whole-foods products, but I’m personally okay with that for this occasion.
