As December approaches, it's time to seek inspiration and set the menu for this year's Christmas buffet. For those who want to create a truly delicious and well-thought-out vegan Christmas buffet – without spending hours searching for good recipes – we have gathered the dishes you simply must not miss making at Christmas.
Whether you want to make the entire Christmas buffet plant-based or just add some green favorites among the classics, you can find vegan Christmas food that we believe has a natural place on the Christmas table!
Modern vegan classics with traditional flavors
Making vegan Christmas food doesn't have to be complicated. On the contrary, there are plenty of simple and flavorful recipes that are also good for both you and the planet. For those worried that vegan alternatives wouldn't meet the same standard as “regular” Christmas food, we can promise you don't have to compromise on either taste or Christmas spirit. Even if some ingredients are new, we guarantee the familiar taste of a good Christmas!
3 cold favorites for the vegan Christmas buffet
1. Vegan herring on pickled carrot and eggplant
For those who miss herring on the Christmas table, there are plenty of fun alternatives to replace the original in a super tasty pickling. Experiment with everything from eggplant and mushrooms to tofu and zucchini and let your imagination set the limit for which brine you flavor with!
2. Kale salad with blood orange and nuts
A fresh kale salad with blood orange and nuts provides a perfect balance to the many heavier dishes on the Christmas table. The tangy blood orange lifts the kale and makes the salad both colorful and festive. Make a simple vinaigrette with Dijon mustard and top with roasted nuts for a lovely crunch and a mild sweetness that rounds off the flavors.
3. Vegan beetroot salad
For those who want to make their own vegan beetroot salad, it's of course possible, but if you ask us, there are equally good ready-made options to buy in the store. If there's a chance to make things easier for you and save time during the otherwise stressful Christmas season, we think a quick and simple solution can never be wrong!
Vegan main dishes: 3 must-haves on the Christmas table
1. Simple and creamy vegan Jansson's temptation
If you ask us, Jansson's temptation is a must on every Christmas table. It works perfectly to make a completely vegan version, and the result is at least as good as the original.
What is especially nice about this dish, which is actually divisive due to the anchovies in the original recipe, is that the vegan version is guaranteed to please everyone. By using a splash of umami-rich ingredients, like soy sauce or caper brine, you get the same deep, full-bodied flavor that usually comes from anchovies.
2. Vegan “Christmas ham” made from tofu
Recreating the taste of real Christmas ham may seem difficult, but the fact is it doesn't have to be complicated at all. With a soft texture that easily absorbs other flavors, tofu is a perfect alternative to Christmas ham, full of protein, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Like a regular ham, you glaze the tofu with mustard and then bake it in the oven. Today, smoked tofu is also available in most stores, super convenient!
Did you know Swedish grocery stores sell about 7000 tons of Christmas ham every year? If you swap Christmas ham for a tofu ham, the climate impact decreases significantly. Depending on the product, it's about 40–70 percent lower emissions per kilo compared to pork ham!
3. Vegan meatballs as an alternative to meatballs
Homemade vegan meatballs are another must on the Christmas table. With a moldable vegan mince, the right seasoning, and a little love, you get juicy balls that taste just like Christmas should. This is a dish that appeals to both committed vegans and those who are usually more skeptical of plant-based foods
Psst! Want to free up more time to watch Christmas movies? There is a wide selection of ready-made vegan meatballs available in the refrigerated and frozen sections.
Benefits of a vegan Christmas buffet
Besides being incredibly tasty and full of nutritious ingredients, there are quite a few other benefits to making vegan Christmas food, such as:
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Lower climate impact: Plant-based dishes generally emit significantly less carbon dioxide than meat-based Christmas classics.
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Healthy alternatives: Vegan foods often contain more fiber, less saturated fat, and are rich in vitamins and minerals.
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Suitable for more guests: Vegan is automatically lactose-free, egg-free, and often more allergy-friendly.
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Creative variety: Making vegan Christmas food opens up new flavors, colors, and modern interpretations of Christmas food.
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Reduced food waste: Many vegan dishes last longer and are easy to make in flexible quantities.
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Budget-friendly: Ingredients like potatoes, root vegetables, legumes, and cabbage are inexpensive even during the holidays.
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Easy preparation: Many plant-based dishes are quicker to make as they don't need to reach specific temperatures and require fewer steps in the kitchen.