How to Host an Incredible Vegan Christmas Dinner

By: Byron Gunnar

Hosting Christmas dinner is a fantastic way to get your loved ones around one table, enjoying each other’s company and reflecting on the year that’s passed. However, it can be a little stressful for the chef, with multiple dishes needing to all arrive on the plate at the same time. Additionally, dietary requirements can sometimes mean that you’re stuck trying to navigate two or more variations of each course, only adding to the amount that needs to be done. However, there’s no need to cause yourself extra stress. Everyone can enjoy a vegan Christmas dinner, whether they usually follow this diet or not. In this post, we explain how.

Don’t try and fake the meat

If you or your guests aren’t used to eating vegan, it’s often tempting to recreate the meat they may be expecting. Whilst there are plenty of good meat substitutes out there, they inevitably draw comparison to the ‘real thing’, whereas if you shine the spotlight on other ingredients, you’re avoiding any risk of disappointment. You can enhance recipes with little pieces of fake bacon, for example, but don’t make it the hero ingredient. Your guests can appreciate the dishes you choose for what they are, rather than constantly comparing them to the Christmas classics.

Focus on seasonal flavors

Cooking seasonally is not only more sustainable but also enhances the flavor of your meals. By working with the ingredients that are at their best at Christmas time, you’re almost guaranteed to enjoy a flavourful, fresh meal (any cooking disasters aside). Beetroot, brussel sprouts, cabbage, mushrooms, kale, parsnips and leeks are all staples of a winter diet. Use these delicious ingredients to create vegan showstoppers such as vegan wellington, beetroot tarte tatin and salt-baked celeriac.

Take inspiration from other cultures

Sometimes moving away from the dishes you might expect to see on your Christmas table can help you find recipes that work as a vegan. Indian, Mediterranean and Japanese cultures all embrace the use of vegetables and alternative protein sources, so read up on some dishes that these countries use to celebrate the big day, or take inspiration from your own travels. If you’re worried it might not feel festive enough, remember to decorate your table in a traditional way – the nostalgia and coziness of candles, miniature Christmas trees and seasonal foliage will soon have you in the Christmas spirit.

Prepare ahead of time

Part of the stress of cooking Christmas dinner is that you’ve usually got so many dishes that all need to fit in the oven. Assuming you don’t have multiple ovens to lean on, this typically means a carefully calculated schedule that leaves little room for relaxing and enjoying a drink with your guests.
The key here is to prepare ahead of time as much as possible. Use slow cookers or steamers, opt for a cold starter and dessert, and chop all your vegetables before anyone arrives. The joy of vegan food is that many dishes will stand reheating perfectly well, since they’re not like meat that dries out when cooked for too long.

Enjoy the day

If you’re not a vegan yourself, you might feel daunted at the idea of cooking an entirely plant-based dinner. Remember to relax and enjoy the day, and your culinary success – preparation is key to trying something new in the kitchen.