23 Vegan Holiday Side Dishes For 2016 To Treat Yourself & Impress Non-Veg Guests

By MARLENA AHEARN 

​I just celebrated my first vegan holiday and let me tell you, it was the most delicious meal I’ve had in a long time. When you’re starting out vegan, there's a lot of pressure around your first holiday. How will you explain your ethical meal to relatives? What will you eat? I get questions all the time about what it’s like to be vegan (Oh, you can’t eat that? No, I just won’t) and how it’s even possible to celebrate a holiday sans meat, cheese, or dairy. The truth is it’s not hard at all, and really, you get so much more flavorful (and healthier!) dishes when you’re cooking vegan because you’re not relying on tons of heavy and processed cheeses and meats. Instead, you are using incredible flavorful plant-based ingredients, spices (and probably a good helping of vegan butter, too).

When it comes to the holidays, it’s all about the sides anyway. Yes, there are absolutely vegan roast/meat substitute options out there that are actually really good, but I managed to get away with making a ton of sides for Thanksgiving and even my uncle went back for seconds (thirds). Celebrating a holiday with a vegan menu is a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit. Compassion and love for all things on this earth are two main pillars for ethical vegans — so why not save a life this holiday and go meatless? To inspire your vegan holiday and make your mouth water, here are 23 totally vegan-friendly side dishes for you and your guests.

​1. Vegan Spinach Mac And Cheese

Oh, my. This recipe from Love and Lemons is 100 percent showing up at my Christmas dinner. If the only thing stopping you from going vegan is FOMO on cheese, try this perfectly cheesy side. You won’t miss cheese at all, I promise. An added bonus from vegan cheese sauces? No bloating or digestion problems that are associated with the dairy versions. Get the recipe here.

2. Tomato Barley Risotto

Nothing gets me more excited than a good recipe with tomatoes, miso, or nooch. This one has all three, and I’m living for it. This recipe from Oh She Glows is has it all — creaminess, acidity, and a healthy dose of fiber. Get the recipe here.

​3. Creamy Polenta and Mushrooms

​OK I lied. Mushrooms get me pretty excited too. Using vegan butter and nixing the top layer of asiago, this Love and Lemons mushroom and polenta dish is to die for. Use mini ramekins to make portions side-appropriate, but honestly you know you’re going to go back for more of this. Get the recipe here.
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4. Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

​Not sure what the meaning behind this tradition is, but the majority of the people I know always have lasagna on their holiday table. Instead of a meat and cheese filled option, try Averie Cooks’ version with zucchini, carrots, and a layer of vegan cheese. Get the recipe here.
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5. Broiled Green Beans with Roasted Lemon Gremolata

Part of a great meal is having a variety of colors and textures. For a vibrant green addition to your table, try A Better Happier St. Sebastian’s blistered green beans with a lemon-parsley finish. You can also add dried cranberries or apricots for sweetness and added color. Get the recipe here.

​6. Vegan Mushroom Gravy

​Gravy is one of those things that can be hard to replicate without the drippings from whatever meat you make — which kind of gross if you think about it. This mushroom-based gravy from Fo Reals Life is vegan, gluten-free, and just as flavorful as traditional gravy. Using herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage with the meaty-texture of mushrooms makes this a must-make dish. Get the recipe here.

7. Cauliflower-Stuffed Portobello Caps

​Swap out the parm for some nooch in this Big Girls Small Kitchen recipe for a perfectly portioned vegetable addition to your meal. You could easily make this the main event by using larger mushrooms, but depending on the size available at your grocery these make perfect side dishes. Get the recipe here

8. Green Bean and Mushroom Tart

Did you know that most store-bought puff pastry sheets are vegan? It’s cheaper for companies to use vegetable shortening than butter, so you can make vegan flakey treats as much as you want. Skip brushing the crust with an egg wash, and let the puff pastry do it’s thing. Top with ground cashew-nutritional yeast “parm” instead of bleu cheese and enjoy A Spicy Perspective’s savory green bean and mushroom tart. Get the recipe here.

9. Kale and Shiitake Mushroom Stuffing

Stuffing is the most wonderful, carby comfort food ever — and it’s easy to make vegan. Love and Lemons adds colorful kale, dried cranberries, and meaty mushrooms to the classic dish. Get the recipe here.

10. Cranberry, Apricot, And Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf

If you’re looking for a lighter option to stuffing, try Oh She Glows’ fruit and nut pilaf recipe. Instead of heavy bread options, a rice pilaf is full of fiber and perfectly balanced tartness from the cranberries. This can easily be made gluten-free too. Get the recipe here.

11. Vegetable Couscous and Cheeze Sauce

Oh She Glows makes it easy to incorporate any vegetables into this cheesy couscous. Even if you’re just trying to use up what’s in the back of your freezer, this creamy couscous is a perfect addition to any holiday table. Get the recipe here.

12. Grilled Green Onions With Walnut Romesco

I’m dying to try this from My Name Is Yeh. It’s so simple, but so pretty and sounds so satisfying. If you’re not feeling the green onion route, swap with asparagus. Get the recipe here.

ReadMore::https://www.bustle.com/articles/198923-23-vegan-holiday-side-dishes-for-2016-to-treat-yourself-impress-non-veg-guests