It helps to get ahead with your Christmas planning, especially when it comes to food. With this in mind, we’ve scoured the supermarkets for this year’s selection of vegan and veggie food options for you to tuck into.
In recent years, supermarket ranges for vegetarians and vegans have increased, particularly at Christmas. And this year, we’ve seen even more exciting meat-free dishes being created, whether that’s twists on traditions, such as faux turkey centrepieces, or exciting new ideas, such as slow-cured vegan ‘smoked salmon’.
We’ve also noticed a rise in festive items that are specifically vegan-friendly. In fact, Waitrose reports that searches for vegan products on waitrose.com are up 34% on last year and similarly, Aldi has expanded its plant-based festive range to accommodate the circa 1.5 million Brits who are thought to follow a purely plant-based diet.
Whether it’s meat-free starters, mains, desserts or all the trimmings you’re stocking up on, the most wonderful time of the year is about to get even more wonderful, as we reveal…
Morrisons
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To start:
The Best Vegan Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese
Don’t miss The Best Vegan Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese (£4 for two) which consists of BBQ-smoked carrot which has been marinated for four days in cider vinegar and paprika. It’s presented on a base of coconut cheese along with potatoes, spinach and caper berries.
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For the main course:
The Best Vegetable Wellington
The Best Vegetable Wellington (£5, serves 3) is one for the pastry fans. Filled with butternut squash and vegetables wrapped in a cranberry, apricot and chestnut duxelle, plus a wholegrain mustard melt, this delicious centrepiece is then encased in melt-in-the-mouth puff pastry.
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For the main course:
Vegan Roast Joint with Herb & Onion Stuffing
For a gluten-free option, you could serve the Vegan Roast Joint with Herb & Onion Stuffing (£5, serves 2) which is made of soya alongside caramelised onion, parsley, sage, thyme and stuffing.
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For dessert:
The Best Vegan Strawberry Trifle
The Best Vegan Strawberry Trifle is a centrepiece not to be missed (£5, serves 6). You’ll find layers of strawberry compote alongside sponge, Madagascan vanilla dairy-free and egg-free custard and, for that extra festive touch, a final flourish of gold sparkle. Ooh la la!
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Anything else?
Vegan Gravy
Made from vegetable stock, red wine and demerara sugar, this savoury-yet-sweet Vegan Gravy (£2, serves 4) is just the thing to serve generously alongside your choice of main.
M&S
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To start:
Baked Ricotta Stacks
Topped with mushrooms, leeks, kale and a creamy wine sauce, the Baked Ricotta Stacks (£7 for two) could easily be served as delicious starters or mains. On top of that, their beautiful presentation is sure to impress guests as well.
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For the main course:
The Plant Kitchen Vegan Beef Wellington
The Plant Kitchen Vegan Beef Wellington (£15, serves 4) is filled to the brim with a wheat-and-pea based vegan centre which is topped with a rich mushroom duxelle and wrapped in a crisp puff pastry.
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For dessert:
Melt in the Middle Chocolate Pudding
Plant-based and delicious, the Melt in the Middle Chocolate Pudding (£10, serves 6) features a soft, textured chocolate pudding with a hidden centre of smooth Belgian chocolate sauce... yum!
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Anything else?
The Plant Kitchen Vegan Selection Box
The Plant Kitchen Vegan Selection Box (£25, serves 4) is filled with all the trimmings including: triple-cooked roast potatoes, red cabbage, cauliflower and leek bake, vegan pigs in blankets, and apple and cranberry stuffing balls. It’s a fantastic selection of sides, but could also make a great main meal.
Waitrose
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To start:
Savoury Vegetable Pies
Kick things off in style with Waitrose’s selection of 12 Savoury Vegetable Pies (£5 for 12). These vegan-friendly canapés, made with vegan puff pastry, contain fillings of either rich mushroom or creamy leek and vegetable, and are a great way to whet appetites.
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For the main course:
Vegan Jewelled Roast
If you’re looking for a main with wow factor, Waitrose’s Vegan Jewelled Roast (£5.99, serves 4) is bursting with mushrooms, caramelised onions, chestnuts and a clove-spiced apricot centre. Topped with a crunchy and colourful garnish of apricots, cranberries, crushed chestnuts, sunflower seeds and pine nuts, this is guaranteed to make veggie and vegan hearts sing.
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For dessert:
Vegan Winter Pudding
Bursting with apples, blackberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and of course bread, this pink and purple-hued Vegan Winter Pudding (£5, serves 4) is sure to taste as good as it looks.
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Anything else?
Vegan No Lobster Marie Rose Roll
If you fancy tucking into a Christmas sandwich or two, look no further than Waitrose’s Vegan No Lobster Marie Rose Roll (£3 each). Comprising a vegan brioche-style roll packed with roasted king oyster mushroom and a vegan Marie Rose sauce, it’s decadent and delicious.
Tesco
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To start:
Wicked Kitchen Mini Mac Party Pots
If you’re looking for canapés to kick-off festive proceedings, the Wicked Kitchen Mini Mac Party Pots (£4 for 12) are a great option. Oozing with vegan macaroni cheese, plant-based chorizo and topped with crispy fried onions, you’ll definitely be going back for seconds!
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To start:
Wicked Kitchen Smoked Mature Cheddar Alternative & White Wine Bakes
If a sit-down starter is more your thing, the Wicked Kitchen Smoked Mature Cheddar Alternative & White Wine Bakes (£3, serves 3) are a great way to start. This velvety-delicious vegan smoked cheese fondue is presented in little ceramic pots for extra wow factor.
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For the main course:
Plant Chef Portobello Mushroom Wellington
For an extremely affordable centrepiece, check out Tesco’s Plant Chef Portobello Mushroom Wellington (£6, serves 2). Containing a large portobello mushroom alongside beetroot and cranberry stuffing, this looks just like Christmas.
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For dessert:
Wicked Kitchen Chocolate & Salted Caramel Cake
The Wicked Kitchen Chocolate & Salted Caramel Cake (£7, serves 8) is a centrepiece designed for chocolate fans – and it’s vegan. This chocolate caramel cake actually contains beetroot, alongside an indulgent mix of Belgian chocolate and salted caramel sauce.
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Anything else?
Tesco Finest Vegan Christmas Dinner Box for Two
If you don’t feel like cooking this year or you’re looking to gift someone a Christmas dinner, let Tesco do the hard work for you. The Tesco Finest Vegan Christmas Dinner Box for Two (£35, serves 2) is filled with everything you need for a delicious vegan feast including a plant-based Wellington, stuffing and sausages, plus vegetables and roasties.
Aldi
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To start:
Vegan Dim Sum
For an eye-catching and flavoursome starter, look no further than Aldi’s selection of handmade vegan Dim Sum (£2.99) which features Char Sui Mushroom and Jackfruit Bao Buns, Five Spice Jackfruit Dumplings and Purple Spicy Shumai – a blend of jackfruit, king oyster and shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots and red chilli.
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For the main course:
Plant Menu No Turkey Crown with Vegan Bacon/Vegan Festive Wreath
This Christmas, Aldi has launched a Plant Menu No Turkey Crown with Vegan Bacon (£4.99, 560g). Featuring a turkey-style soya joint filled with a jewelled cranberry and chestnut stuffing centre, it’s also hand-wrapped in vegan bacon. There’s also a Vegan Festive Wreath, packed with butternut squash and chestnuts available.
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For dessert:
Vegan Speculoos Cheezecake
You can’t go wrong with a festive cheesecake for dessert, and Aldi’s Vegan Speculoos Cheezecake (£2.49, 450g) is certainly a treat worth celebrating. It comprises a crunchy digestive biscuit base topped with a delicious dairy-free speculoos filling, decorated with an indulgent speculoos sauce and biscuit crumb. Yum!
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Anything else?
Moser Roth Vegan Truffles
Aldi’s Moser Roth Vegan Truffles (£3.99, 144g) are sure to add a touch of luxury to any occasion; look out for salted caramel and chocolate orange versions.
Sainsbury’s
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To start:
Party Food
Sainsbury’s has a great selection of party food for veggies, from No Chicken Kievs (£3 for 6 bites) to Mini Baking Camemberts (£3.50, serves 2), and even Mexican-inspired Mini Black Bean Tacos (£3).
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For the main course:
Plant Pioneers No Salmon En Croute
Don’t miss the Plant Pioneers No Salmon En Croûte (£5.50, serves 2) which comprises golden vegan puff pastry wrapped around jackfruit, soya and oyster mushrooms along with a garlic and dill sauce.
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For the main course:
Taste the Difference Festive Miso-Stuffed Butternut Squash
For a no-pastry alternative, the Taste the Difference Festive Miso-Stuffed Butternut Squash (£4) is filled with miso-marinated mushrooms, kale, chestnuts and cranberries.
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For dessert:
Taste the Difference Salted Caramel & Chocolate Star
For a festive veggie-friendly centrepiece, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Salted Caramel & Chocolate Star (£12, serves 8) is filled with Belgian chocolate mousse alongside a rich, salted caramel centre, nestled on a bed of crumbly shortbread pieces. With a gold shimmery finish, this will add some festive magic to any dinner table.
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Anything else?
Plant Pioneers Cheese Selection
The Plant Pioneers Cheese Selection (£4.50, serves approx. 9) is a great idea. This entirely
vegan cheese board contains plant-based versions of Cheddar, Wensleydale and blue cheese.