Topics » In The Kitchen » 19 Whole Food, Plant-Based Holiday Recipes Everyone Will Love
T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies

For most of us, the holiday season is full of traditions we associate with food. Whether it’s the cookies that grandma always bakes or the nostalgia of your family cooking dinner together, many of us have wonderful memories connected to this time of year.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite festive recipes to help you make the most of your celebrations this year. They’re perfect for multiple occasions. Whether you want a few smaller dishes to share or are cooking up an entire plant-based spread, we have you covered!

 

Whole Food, Plant-Based Holiday Recipes

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Bake up this delicious, creamy, low-fat vegan cauliflower au gratin for the perfect comfort dish the whole family will love.
Hearty Holiday Loaf

Hearty Holiday Loaf

Hearty and packed with robust ingredients, this aromatic loaf carries enough flavor to deserve a spot at the center of any spread. Leftovers make great sandwiches!
Sweet Potato Cornbread

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to chili and so many other comforting dishes. This version puts a new spin on an old favorite with the addition of sweet potato.
Vegetable Curried Shepherd’s Pie

Vegetable Curried Shepherd’s Pie

This mildly spiced version of the traditional dish from Ireland and the United Kingdom is as comforting as it is delicious. The warm curried vegetable filling is the perfect healthy accompaniment to the rich and creamy potatoes, especially on a chilly day.
Baked Turmeric Cauliflower With Fennel

Baked Turmeric Cauliflower With Fennel

This festive side dish is the perfect accompaniment to just about any meal. It’s fancy enough to hold its own at the holiday table, but it’s simple enough to prepare that it could be part of any healthy weeknight dinner.
Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes

Country Ranch Green Beans and Potatoes

If you’re craving comforting flavors, this dish of baby red-skinned potatoes, savory green beans, and hearty cannellini beans cooked to perfection in a delicious country ranch-flavored broth that is both hearty and satisfying is sure to do the trick.
Macaroni and No Cheese

Macaroni and No Cheese

This cheese-alternative sauce is butternut squash and cashew based, which gives it a slightly sweet flavor and makes it a kid-friendly recipe. Although the recipe calls for peas, you could add broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, or any veggies of your choice.
Smashed Rosemary Potatoes With Sour Cream & Stewed Apples

Smashed Rosemary Potatoes With Sour Cream & Stewed Apples

Regardless of whether you celebrate Hanukkah, potato pancakes are a December staple. These smashed potatoes are a fun, simplified twist on the potato pancake, complete with its classic toppings.
Portobello Pot Roast

Portobello Pot Roast

This hearty, delicious pot roast replaces beef with portobello mushrooms but requires no sacrifice of flavor. As rich as any traditional pot roast but twice as fast to cook, this one-pot meal will satisfy everyone at the holiday table.
Golden Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric

Golden Roasted Cauliflower With Turmeric

Golden-brown and aromatic, this tasty roast is unforgettable.
Cranberry Kale Pilaf

Cranberry Kale Pilaf

This dish makes a colorful addition to any holiday dinner table, whether as an entrée or a side. Kale and cranberries are a delightful culinary combo and equally well paired nutritionally.
Cauliflower Sweet Potato Mash

Cauliflower Sweet Potato Mash

The combination of sweet potatoes and cauliflower is a nutrition powerhouse. This quick and easy recipe is creamy and savory with a touch of sweet.
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts With Cranberries

Brussels sprouts grace many holiday dinners. This particular vegan recipe can adorn any table in a deliciously healthy and colorful way.
Potato Carrot Latkes

Potato Carrot Latkes

Classic potato latkes are fried. This oil-free vegan latkes recipe is a healthy take on a classic Jewish tradition. Shredded potatoes, carrots, and onions come together with flax seeds and oats that serve as a healthy binder. Serve these for Hanukkah or enjoy as a tasty appetizer at any party.
Sweet Potato and Kale Sauté

Sweet Potato and Kale Sauté

What I’ve learned about cooked kale is that you need to make the perfect sauce. A lemon-mustard sauce with a touch of sweetness from diced sweet potatoes complements cooked kale nicely!
Port Wine Mushroom Gravy

Port Wine Mushroom Gravy

Hearty mushrooms, shallots, and a subtle sweetness from Port wine come together in this satisfying vegan gravy.
Roasted Carrots, Potatoes and Onions

Roasted Carrots, Potatoes and Onions

Roasting root vegetables is a classic food preparation method, and usually involves oil. However, avoiding oil has significant advantages, so I just substitute water , but you can also use veggie broth, beer or wine.
Easy Vegan Shakshouka

Easy Vegan Shakshouka

I tried vegan Shakshouka during a recent visit to Tel Aviv and it was delicious. This simplified plant-based version of the original is a perfect side or breakfast dish.
Cranberry Cherry Sauce

Cranberry Cherry Sauce

Why use jellied cranberry sauce from a can when you can make your own? Skip the refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup! This all-natural sauce is tangy, sweet, and easier to make than you think!

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