Mix up your holiday routine with these unique Christmas recipes! From breakfast to dessert, there's something for everyone. And all these recipes are vegan and gluten-free.
While it's perfectly fine to make the same Vegan Holiday Recipes you enjoyed at Thanksgiving, sometimes I crave something a little different.
Don't get me wrong.
I love Lentil Meatloaf Muffins, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, and Easy Vegan Mushroom Gravy.
However, I also think it's fun to try some new dishes.
That's why I asked some of my friends to share what they like to eat at Christmastime, and I'm sharing my favorites with you.
Whether you add one or two dishes to your tried-and-true menu, or make a whole meal out of these recipes, I think you'll enjoy these unique Christmas recipes.
(Clockwise from top) Gingerbread Peanut Butter from A Virtual Vegan; Vegan Gingerbread Pancakes from Delightful Adventures; Healthy Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie by Veganosity; Tofu Scramble Tater Tot Casserole from Veggies Save The Day; Christmas Morning Cashew Coffee from Shane and Simple; Gingerbread Granola from Veggie Inspired
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, even on Christmas!
Start your day with a Christmas Morning Cashew Coffee from Shane and Simple.
Or if you're not a coffee drinker, how about a Healthy Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie from Veganosity?
But if you're worried you don't have time to make breakfast, you can make a batch of Veggie Inspired's Gingerbread Granola in advance.
Another simple festive option is to make A Virtual Vegan's Gingerbread Peanut Butter and spread it on your favorite toast.
In addition, you can prep my favorite Tofu Scramble Tater Tot Casserole the day before and bake it in the morning.
However, I'm sure you can make time for a batch of Vegan Gingerbread Pancakes from Delightful Adventures.
When it comes to breakfast, you can't go wrong with any of these creative holiday recipes!
(Clockwise from top) Spiced Orange Vegan Coquito from Rhubarbarians; Christmas Sangria from Cake 'n Knife; Sparkling Cocktail Orange Vodka Cocktail from Mamagourmand
Offer your guests a festive cocktail while you cook some unique Christmas recipes for dinner.
Instead of a store-bought non-dairy egg nog, try Rhubarbarian's Spiced Orange Vegan Coquito.
And since I love fruity beverages, I was immediately drawn to the Sparkling Cranberry Orange Vodka Cocktail from Mamagourmand.
In addition, no one will be able to resist a glass of Cake 'n Knife's Christmas Sangria.
(Clockwise from top left) Mexican Christmas Eve Salad from Veggies Save The Day; Delicious Fennel Salad from Gathering Dreams; Holiday Kale Salad from Glue & Glitter; Sparkling Oranges from Eat What You Sow
And speaking of fruit, check out these gorgeous creative holiday recipes for salads.
One of my all-time favorite recipes is a Mexican Christmas Eve Salad.
You can mix it up with your favorite ingredients, but I love including beets, pineapple, and pomegranate seeds.
And I absolutely love the Delicious Fennel Salad from Gathering Dreams.
Even the colors look like Christmas.
Another festive recipe is Glue and Glitter's Holiday Kale Salad.
Just look at that cranberry dressing!
And if you want to make a fruit salad, I recommend the Sparkling Oranges from Eat What You Sow.
I bet your kids will want to dig right in.
(Clockwise from top) Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri from Veggies Save The Day; Vegan Scalloped Potatoes from Nora Cooks; Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms from Vegan in the Freezer; Pesto Brussels Sprouts with Sun Dried Tomatoes from Veggies Save The Day; Crispy Maple Mustard Stuffed Potato Balls from Spabettie
Vegetables are anything but boring when you make these unique Christmas recipes.
These vegetable-based dishes are so flavorful, you may want to make a whole meal out of them.
I love making Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri the star of my plate.
Not only is cauliflower one of my favorite vegetables to roast, I could eat the piquant sauce with a spoon!
And potatoes are always welcome at the holidays.
Check out the Vegan Scalloped Potatoes from Nora Cooks.
You don't have to give up your favorite creamy dishes when you ditch the dairy.
And I love the creative Crispy Maple Mustard Stuffed Potato Balls from Spabettie.
Filled with jackfruit and cranberry sauce, these balls could be a complete meal.
But it's not Christmas for me without some of my other favorite veggies, like the Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Mushrooms from Vegan in the Freezer.
And don't forget the Brussels sprouts!
I personally can't get enough of my Pesto Brussels Sprouts with Sun Dried Tomatoes.
And the green and red is perfect as part of your spread of creative holiday recipes.
(Clockwise from top left) Vegan Spinach Mushroom Lasagna from Vegan Huggs; Vegan Lasagna Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms from Yummy Mummy Kitchen; Vegan Tempeh Cacciatore from Dianne's Vegan Kitchen; Mini Polenta Pizza from Veggies Save The Day
And speaking of red and green dishes, I love these Italian-inspired creative holiday recipes.
In addition, almost everyone enjoys Italian food.
Starting with Vegan Spinach Mushroom Lasagna from Vegan Huggs, it's easy to make with gluten-free noodles so everyone can enjoy it.
Or skip the noodles and serve Yummy Mummy Kitchen's Vegan Lasagna Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms.
They're fancy yet so easy to make.
And I absolutely love the flavors in Vegan Tempeh Cacciatore from Dianne's Vegan Kitchen.
Make sure you have some crusty bread to mop up that delicious sauce.
I also love making Mini Polenta Pizza.
The kids can get involved by adding their favorite toppings.
(Clockwise from top left) Vegan Mexican Bacalao from Thyme & Love; Vegan Mushroom Bourguinon with Potato Cauliflower Mash from Vegan Richa; Smoky Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos with Cranberry Orange Salsa from Cadry's Kitchen; Greek Vegan Moussaka from Veggies Don't Bite
But Italian dishes aren't the only unique Christmas recipes. Mix things up with other international-inspired favorites.
It's no secret that I love Mexican food, so I was immediately drawn to Thyme & Love's Vegan Mexican Bacalao.
Instead of the dry salted cod, this vegan version uses jackfruit.
And Vegan Richa has made over a traditional French classic and turned it into Vegan Mushroom Bourguinon with Potato Cauliflower Mash.
Talk about comfort food!
Or you can never go wrong with tacos, especially when they are topped with a festive salsa.
Smoky Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos with Cranberry Orange Salsa from Cadry's Kitchen are sure to be a family favorite.
And finally, if these main dish creative holiday recipes aren't calling your name, try the Greek Vegan Moussaka from Veggies Don't Bite.
It's creamy and delicious.
(Clockwise from top) Persimmon Crème Brûlée with Sugared Cranberries from Vegan Yack Attack; Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls from Beautiful Ingredient; Chocolate Peppermint Vegan Rice Crispy Treats from Fried Dandelions; Gingerbread Hot Chocolate from VNutrition; Epic Dessert Charcuterie Platter from Fork & Beans; Jamaican Christmas Cake from Healthier Steps
This collection of unique Christmas recipes wouldn't be complete without an array of amazing desserts!
Before I became vegan, I used to love crème brûlée, so I was very excited when I saw Vegan Yack Attack's Persimmon Crème Brûlée with Sugared Cranberries.
It's so pretty with the colors from the seasonal fruit.
And if you love the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, you're going to love the Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls from Beautiful Ingredient.
Once I start eating them, it's hard to stop!
Another fun dessert that got a vegan makeover is Fried Dandelion's Chocolate Peppermint Vegan Rice Crispy Treats.
If you have kids, get them in the kitchen to help you make these.
In addition, children and adults alike always love a good cup of hot chocolate.
I love the festive Gingerbread Hot Chocolate from VNutrition.
And if you really want to impress your guests, make the Epic Dessert Charcuterie Platter from Fork & Beans.
Need I say more?
Or try the beautiful Jamaican Christmas Cake from Healthier Steps.
It's the perfect way to end your meal of unique Christmas recipes.
I hope you enjoy this collection of creative holiday recipes!
If you make any of these unique Christmas recipes, or any of the other recipes on the website, I would love to see your creations!
Use the hashtag #veggiessavetheday on Instagram and tag Veggies Save The Day so I don’t miss seeing what’s cooking in your kitchen. In addition, you can post your photos on the Facebook page Veggies Save The Day or in the Facebook group.
Happy Holidays!
Linda from Veganosity
Thank you for including our Gingerbread Smoothie! This is such a great roundup, there are so many recipes that we want to try.
Sarah De la Cruz
Awesome collection of recipes! I want them all!!! Thanks for including my chocolate peppermint rice crispy treats!
Dianne
So many yummy recipes to choose from! Thanks so much for including my cacciatore!
Cadry
What a fun round-up! Looking at all these enticing dishes is really putting me in the Christmas spirit. Thanks for including my tacos!
Jeni Hernandez
All of these recipes look amazing! I love the idea of serving unique holiday dishes this year. Thank you for including my Vegan Mexican Bacalao recipe!
Becky Striepe
These all look so amazing, Amy! Thank you for including my Holiday Kale Salad.