Christmas in Greece is filled with tradition. There are religious church services, nativity scenes, Christmas caroling, and in some areas, decorated boats covered in lights. But of course, like much of the world, in Greece, the holiday season is also all about food.
If you’re thinking about incorporating some different foods into your festive feast this year, or you just want to learn some new holiday recipe ideas, we’ve listed some of the best vegan Greek-inspired recipes that will bring a delicious taste of the Mediterranean to your holiday table.
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What do Greeks traditionally eat at Christmas?
In Greece, holiday food tends to vary from region to region, but most people across the country indulge in some form of roast meat, which is usually lamb or pork. There are also traditional pies, like spanakopita (spinach pie), side dishes like Greek salad and cabbage leaves, as well as plenty of sweet treats, including cookies soaked in honey and fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon.
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As with most of the world, Greek Christmas food tends to be pretty meaty. There is usually a joint of meat at the center of the table, and in some rural villages across the country, a whole pig is roasted over an open fire and shared.
But it is possible to enjoy all of these traditional foods and flavors without the animal ingredients.
Vegan Greek-inspired recipes for your holiday feast
If you’re hoping to bring a taste of Greece to your holiday table, learn how to make everything from pork to spanakopita to stew with plant-based ingredients using the recipes below. There’s even a rack of lamb recipe. Ready to dig in?
Planted 365
1 Vegan Pork Tenderloin Roast
In Greece, roast pork is often saved for special celebrations, like Easter and Christmas. It’s often placed at the center of the table, much like roast turkey or ham in the US or the UK, and served with roasted potatoes and a variety of sides. Luckily, it is possible to get the same texture and flavor of roast pork without the actual pork. This recipe from Planted 365, for example, will guide you through how to take simple plant-based ingredients, like tempeh, mushrooms, and rice, and transform them into a show-stopping roast vegan pork dish.
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Chef Ani
2 Easy Vegan Spicy Sausages
Another popular pork-based recipe in Greece is spiced sausages. This recipe from Chef Ani is a delicious, ultra-meaty, plant-based version of the dish, and it’s surprisingly easy to make with ingredients like vital wheat gluten, red pepper flakes, fennel, hickory smoke, nutritional yeast, and walnuts.
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Lazy Cat Kitchen
3 Vegan Spanakopita
This traditional Greek pie is already vegetarian, but with a few simple swaps, it can be made totally vegan, too. Simply swap out the feta for a dairy-free alternative, like almond-based cheese, tofu, or store-bought vegan feta. “This recipe is as easy as pie (coincidentally) so please do not think twice about trying it,” says Lazy Cat Kitchen recipe developer Ania Marcinowska.
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Vegan Richa
4 Vegan Baklava With Date Nut Filling
Baklava is an incredibly popular dessert in countries like Turkey, Iran, Syria, and you guessed it, Greece. If you’re looking for a holiday sweet treat, it ticks all of the boxes: it’s sweet, nutty, flaky, and addictive. Once you’ve made this vegan version from Vegan Richa, baklava is guaranteed to become a new staple on your holiday table. “This is a simple yet showstopping dessert guaranteed to impress,” says recipe developer Richa Hingle.
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The Vegan Atlas
5 Greek-Inspired White Bean Stew
Many Greek households will serve a hearty stew called kreatosoupa over the holidays. It’s a simple, warming dish, but because it’s made with beef, it’s not usually vegan. However, this delicious plant-based white bean stew is just as hearty, delicious, and comforting. Easy to make and nourishing, it’s the perfect Christmas meal starter.
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Real Greek Recipes
6 Greek Stuffed Vine Leaves
Stuffed vine leaves, known as dolmadakia or dolmades, are a popular, simple, nourishing Greek dish. The filling varies, and while it sometimes contains meat, this version from Real Greek Recipes, which contains rice, fresh herbs, and pine nuts, is totally vegan. “The only thing you may find a bit intimidating the first time you make dolmades is folding and wrapping them,” says recipe creator Fotini Gazi. “But it only takes a bit of practice until you get the hang of it. Then you will want to make them again and again.”
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Gourmandelle
7 Vegan Rack of Lamb
As well as pork, another meaty dish that’s frequently seen on Greek Christmas tables is leg of lamb or rack of lamb. If you thought you couldn’t make a delicious version of this dish with plant-based ingredients, think again, because Gourmandelle has done just that. This recipe combines ingredients like smoked tofu, corn pasta, spices, leeks, and herbs to create a mouthwatering lamb dish that could be mistaken for the real thing.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
