Hosting a vegan roast dinner doesn’t have to be complicated or bland. With the right mix of flavours and details, you can put together a meal everyone loves, from long-time vegans to meat-eaters at the table.
Vegan Wellington (Crumbs & Caramel) is a roasted butternut squash with cranberry wild rice, balsamic-cooked mushrooms, onions, herbs and garlic in flaky pastry.
Keep nuts away from children and people with swallowing difficulties. Keep recipes away from pets due to onion, garlic, faux meats, fresh dough. Read more on food safety for people & pets.
Start With a Flavourful Main
Choose a main star like a nut roast, lentil loaf or well-seasoned seitan roast. These options offer a hearty texture and soak up herbs and spices well. Look for recipes with mushrooms, chestnuts, lentils or beans for extra richness.
Make Gravy a Priority
A good vegan gravy brings all the elements together. Use ingredients like miso paste (not for pregnancy/nursing due to being unpasteurised), tamari or soy sauce, mushrooms, onions and vegetable broth.
Let it simmer so it thickens and reaches full flavor before serving.
Roast Your Veggies Right
Use a mix of root vegetables like roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes. Toss them in olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh herbs before roasting until crispy and browned.
Spread out the veggies on the pan so they roast evenly instead of steaming.
Don’t Forget the Stuffing
Vegan stuffing doesn’t need meat or dairy to stand out. Try bread cubes with sautéed onions, garlic, celery, dried cranberries and walnuts mixed with fresh sage and thyme. For richer flavour, use vegetable stock instead of water.
Add a Bold Sauce
Cranberry sauce, vegan horseradish or homemade apple sauce add a fresh note and cut through the richness. Prepare these ahead of time to let flavours build, then bring them to room temperature before serving.
Serve Seasonal Greens
A tray of bright Brussels sprouts, broccolini or green beans tossed with olive oil, garlic and lemon zest looks great and adds fresh taste. Blanch greens to keep colour, then sauté just before serving for best texture.
Where to Buy Good Vegan Roasts
Planty offers a vegan roast dinner delivered to your door, made with sage and walnut stuffed ‘chicken roast’ served with glazed carrots and parsnips, white cabbage and port wine gravy.
Thank Goodness Luxury Nut Roast is made with nuts, veggies, lentils, quinoa and herbs.
Recycle packaging at supermarket bag bins, if kerbside does not recycle.
Morrisons Offers Vegan Roast Dinners
Alongside many pubs that serve vegan roast dinners, supermarket chain Morrisons now offers affordable roast dinners in its restaurants. The pumpkin, mushroom & cranberry roast is served with vegan gravy, seasonal veggies, stuffing and roast potatoes.
