PETA’s vegan Christmas food guide

16th December 2020 | Eativity editors

Christmas is all about joy, kindness and food, right? So it’s no surprise that more and more households will be combining all of these good things this year by serving up vegan festive meals. A cruelty-free feast embodies the goodwill of Christmas – after all, peace begins on your plate – but if you’re still new to plant-based cuisine, you might be wondering what to serve. Never fear! The veteran vegans at PETA are sharing their favourite festive foods that vegans and non-vegans alike will absolutely love.

Vegan roasts like this one from Suzy Spoon will make a spectacular main for your Christmas table.

Vegan roasts

You don’t need to roast a bird for an impressive Christmas centrepiece. If you’re not quite ready to try your hand at this plant-based turkey or this vegan ham recipe, simply head to the shops. Woolworths offers a festive roast with cranberry glaze, Coles’ plant-based roast comes with fruit chutney, the Vegie Delights roast is super-affordable, and PlantAsia’s vegan pork is a pig-friendly ham alternative. For a gluten-free option, try AVS’s meatless roast or Suzy Spoon’s festive roast.

Spruce up your sprouts with some tasty “facon”.

Vegan sides

Many traditional Christmas sides are vegetable-based, so the good news is that you can keep serving up the same salads and sprouts that everybody loves. For sides with a creamy or cheesy element, a simple tweak – like using vegan cream, bacon and shredded cheese in potato bake and vegan mayonnaise in coleslaw – won’t change the taste but will spare a thought for cows, pigs and chickens.

Oh, bring us some figgy pudding. Vegan style.

Vegan puddings and pies

In addition to the plethora of recipes online – like these – to help you deliver a delicious dessert, there are loads of puddings and pies now in supermarkets. Coles’ gluten-free fruit mince pies are vegan, as are its 18-month matured and gluten-free puddings. Woolworths’ Essentials plum pudding is vegan, too, and so is. Whatever you choose, smother it in heavenly Nakula brandy custard.

You can still satisfy your sweet tooth without dairy or eggs.

Vegan sweet treats

Part of the magic of Christmas is indulging in foods that would make your dentist cringe. Stock up on Leda’s rum balls, Coles’ egg-free meringue kisses, The Natural Confectionery Co’s vegan lollies, and Sweet William’s chocolate Santas.

If baking’s your bag, whipping up these sugar cookies or gingerbread people is a perfect activity to do with your kids. You can even make glossy royal icing that sets hard which uses aquafaba (chickpea water) instead of eggs.

There’s now a huge range of vegan cheeses that can help build the perfect platter.

Vegan party platters

If your ideal festive season involves a cheese board, you’ll be happy to know that you can still indulge while eating vegan. Plant-based cheeses have come a long way, and there’s now a huge variety of soft, hard and gourmet options available. Check out Leftfield Provisions, now available at Coles, or artisan brands Hello Friend Foods and Dilectio. Or for the perfect party pâté, try this faux gras recipe from Michelin-starred French chef Alexis Gauthier.

Farmed animals and their families are no different from the animals with whom we share our homes, so expanding your compassion to all with a cruelty-free Christmas is the perfect way to celebrate love and togetherness. And if you want to stay in the spirit of the season, take PETA’s 30-day vegan pledge.