Is it time to start thinking about what vegetarian main dish you will serve for the holidays? If so, then this Vegetarian roast is for you. It is one of the vegan holiday meals that vegans and non-vegans love equally!
We're talking about a vegan roast dinner made with nuts and mushrooms that can be served as a vegan holiday dinner's main dish. This vegan roast recipe is perfect for Christmas or Thanksgiving dinners and tastes delicious!
The vegetarian savory roast has a rich, savory flavor with just enough sweetness to satisfy even the pickiest of palates.
As a cherry on top, the nuts roast is 100% vegan and gluten-free. We also love topping it with a quick mushroom gravy as an extra treat.
Jump to:
🥇 Why you will love this vegan holiday roast
- This vegan holiday roast recipe is a great vegan holiday dinner main course. It makes a wonderful addition to any Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner and can even be made ahead of time for stress-free entertaining!
- It is vegan and gluten-free.
- The recipe includes helpful tips for preparing your vegetarian roast to have the best results possible when serving this dish as part of your festive meal.
- A plant-based nut roast can make an excellent vegan alternative to traditional meat roasts at Christmas time and Thanksgiving gatherings. They're easy to prepare, too: you just need to mix everything and bake it with no crusts or layers.
- Concerned about protein? This roast is a high-protein vegan meal!
- It is super easy to make, and no kitchen skills are needed.
We had this for Christmas this year, and our Italian neighbors who kept the leftovers told us two days later that now they understand why we are always so energetic. Hearty filling and healthy food.
They are still amazed how they ate so much on Christmas eve and the day after, and they felt fantastic!
🧾 Ingredients
These are the ingredients for the perfect roast dinner for vegetarians!
- Mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds)
- Dried porcini mushrooms
- Cremini mushrooms (or portobello)
- Chia seeds (or flax meal)
- Spring onions
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh herbs (rosemary and sage)
- Tamari sauce (or soy sauce)
- Nutritional yeast
Optional:
Tomato paste and dried cranberries.
Substitutions
- Mixed Nuts: Substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. This will result in a less rich flavor but maintain a crunchy texture.
- Chia Seeds: Flax meal can be used as a binding agent, though it may add a slightly nuttier flavor.
- Spring Onions: Regular onions or red onions can be used, which will give a more intense onion flavor.
- Garlic Cloves: In case of unavailability, garlic powder can be used. The flavor will be slightly different, less fresh but still garlicky.
- Fresh Herbs (Rosemary and Sage): Dried herbs can be used, but they are more potent, so use them sparingly. The flavor will be similar but less fresh.
- Tamari Sauce: Soy sauce is a good substitute, but it contains gluten, so it will alter the gluten-free nature of the dish.
- Nutritional Yeast: If unavailable, you can skip it, but you'll lose some cheesy, umami flavor.
- Almond Milk: Any other plant milk can be used, but the flavor might slightly change depending on the type (soy, oat, etc.).
- Vegetable Stock: Water can be used, but the dish might lose some depth of flavor.
- Mushrooms (Porcini and Cremini): You can replace both types of mushrooms with one of the following options, each bringing its unique qualities to the dish:
- Extra Firm Tofu: This will add a chewy texture and absorb flavors well. However, it won't provide the umami depth that mushrooms offer.
- Tempeh: It gives a nutty flavor and firm texture. Like tofu, it lacks the natural umami of mushrooms but adds a hearty element.
- Artichoke Hearts: These will contribute a slightly tangy and earthy flavor, somewhat mimicking the texture of mushrooms, but with a different taste profile.
- Stir-Fried Zucchini or Eggplants: Either of these will add a soft texture and mild flavor. Eggplants, in particular, can absorb flavors well, similar to mushrooms.
🔪 How to make nut roast
Step 1: Make the chia eggs. Add 3 tablespoons of warm almond milk for every tablespoon of chia seeds and let it sit for 10 minutes. This will add extra moisture and will hold our plant-based nut roast together.
Step 2: Chop the onions and garlic in small dice. Preheat the oven.
Step 3: Prepare the porcini mushroom. To make this vegan holiday roast plant-based, just substitute the chicken broth with vegan stock. Cut the dried porcini mushrooms into small pieces and soak them in hot water.
Step 4: Blend the nuts. In a food processor, add your choice of nuts and grind them. Continue adding the chia eggs.
Step 5: Stir fry. Add the chopped spring onions and garlic to the pan. Add the chopped herbs and cook until the onions are translucent and slightly golden brown.
Step 6: Then add roughly chopped mushrooms and finely chopped sage and rosemary. Sauté for a couple of minutes and turn the heat off. You can use a tablespoon of olive oil or simply add a tablespoon of water if the onions and garlic start sticking.
Step 7: Mix. Add the chopped nuts, chia eggs, tamari sauce, nutritional yeast, and dried porcini mushroom stock. Combine in a large mixing bowl until a dough is formed. Then, adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper.
Step 8: Line a loaf baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 9: Spoon evenly onto the parchment paper already in the baking dish. Slightly oil it if unsure about the quality of the parchment paper to ensure a smooth demolding.
Step 10: Bake the vegetarian roast for 30-40 minutes until the top looks golden brown.
Step 11: Let the vegan roast sit for at least one hour before demolding to allow it to come together fully. This will prevent it from falling apart when cutting it.
Optionally plate it with mushroom gravy and veggies.
💡 Expert Tips
Make this recipe the day before so that you have less to do on Christmas or Thanksgiving morning. - If desired, add mixed vegetables such as peas and corn to the plant-based nut roast mixture when assembling it in step two of this recipe’s directions.
Ensure that the nuts are soaked in water overnight before cooking them so they are easier to digest - this step is also known as activating the nuts! Then drain and rinse them well.
Also, ensure that there aren't any un-hulled almonds or other pieces of shell in your mix (yes, it happens!). This vegetarian roast recipe calls for chia seeds mixed into almond milk, which helps bind everything together.
You can find dried porcini mushrooms at your local grocery store or online, but you should check out an Asian market for a better price.
🥢 How to serve
This holiday roast recipe makes a great main dish and pairs nicely with side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffed onions, vegan honey-roasted vegetables, or green beans with almond flakes.
🥡 Storing and freezing
Store the roast in an airtight container.
Just thaw overnight and pop it into the oven before heading out for family celebrations on Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving morning.
I like to place a piece of parchment paper on the roast's top and bottom for easy handling when thawing.
Then re-heat in a preheated oven at 300 ºF (150 ºC) for 15 minutes, as it has already been cooked; you just need to warm it evenly.
You could serve this vegan nut roast recipe as part of a vegan holiday with vegan gravy and vegan mashed potatoes, along with some other veggies like maple glazed carrots, honey roasted vegetables, or Brussels sprouts for a complete Christmas vegan recipesmeal.
📖 Variations
Dried cranberries. Although it is unnecessary, we like adding dried cranberries to add some extra acidity and festive flavors.
Fresh herbs. We love the combination of rosemary and sage on this vegetarian roast, but you can also use parsley and thyme or any combination of these four. Just keep the total amount of herbs proposed in the recipe so all other ingredients can also shine.
You can also experiment, making a vegan lentil meatloaf, another popular dish for your vegan holidays!
Want more veggies in your roast? You can certainly add more veggies to your Vegan holiday roasts. We suggest opting to stir in a small carrot and/or celery stick to the mix. Just chop them finely and cook them with the onion and garlic until soft.
You can also add a diced boiled sweet potato to the mix. If you decide to add more veggies, ensure you also adjust the seasonings so your finished product doesn't taste bland.
👨🏻🍳 What to serve with vegan roast
Some great additions to this meal are roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, or other veggies such as grilled asparagus. Our 15 minutes of mushroom brown gravy is also great with this veggie nut roast.
We also love serving it with our delicious spiced cranberry sauce, easily made with dried cranberries.
Add a kale salad with maple balsamic vinegar dressing topped with brown sugar candied walnuts.
❓ FAQ
The roast ingredients that will make up for the meat texture and flavor are:
Porcini mushrooms - provide meaty and umami flavors. Also, they have a meaty texture and, when chopped, resemble ground meat.
Nuts are fatty and packed with protein; once soaked and ground, they complement the porcini mushrooms' texture.
Chia seeds - once soaked in almond milk, they also add texture and help to bind everything together, as ground meat would naturally do.
🎄 More vegan holiday recipes
Check our Vegan Christmas Holiday Christmas vegan recipes, including a delicious sun-dried rosé saucé fettuccine pasta.
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
🎥 Video
📋 Recipe
Perfect Holiday Vegetarian Roast | Gluten-Free
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 oz porcini mushrooms dried, in 3.5 oz water or vegetable stock
- 10 oz mixed nuts walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds
- 9 oz cremini mushrooms or portobello
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 4 spring onions or onion/red onion finely chopped
- 5 clove garlic finely chopped
- 2 sorigs rosemary
- 3 leaves sage
- 2 tablespoons tamari sauce or soy sauce (if don't mind ot not to be gluten-free)
- 3 teaspoons nutritional yeast
- 6 tablespoons almond milk or water
- Salt and pepper
- ⅓ cup vegetable stock
Optional:
- ¼ cup cranberries dried
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Directions
- Make the chia eggs. Add 3 tablespoons of warm almond milk for every tablespoon of chia seed and let it soak for 10 minutes.
- Soak the nuts in water.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
- Chop the onions and garlic. In small dices. Also, celery if you decide to use it.
- Prepare the porcini mushrooms. Cut the dried porcini mushrooms into small pieces and soak them in hot water or vegetable stock.
- Blend the nuts. Strain the nuts and blend them in a food processor. Continue adding the chia eggs - Preheat the oven to 400 ºF (200ºC).
- Stir fry. Add the chopped spring onions and garlic to the pan (add chopped herbs, celery, and tomato paste (if using). Stir-fry until translucent and add roughly chopped mushrooms and finely chopped sage and rosemary. Sauté for a couple of minutes and turn the heat off.
- Mix. Add the ground nuts, chia eggs, tamari sauce, nutritional yeast, dried porcini mushrooms stock and mix, and combine until a dough is formed and adjust it with salt and black pepper. Add dried cranberries if using.
- Bake. Line a parchment paper or baking sheet into a baking dish (9” (23 cm) loaf pan). Spoon evenly onto parchment already in the baking dish. Slightly oil it if unsure about the quality of the parchment paper to ensure a smooth demolding. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the top looks golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
Jacqui
Such a delicious recipe; I was surprised by how easy this nut roast was! I remembered I used a mix of nuts and porcini mushrooms last year and made the suggested mushroom gravy. We are making it again tomorrow; it was such as success on our holiday table. Merry Christmas guys!
Gus
Hi Jacqui, we are glad you guys enjoyed the nut roast last year and plan to make it again this year! That's such an honor! Happy Christmas!
Gina
There's definitely no lack of flavor in this roast! Love all the hearty ingredients, this would convert any meat lover!
Tara
Oh yum! Definitely the perfect vegetarian roast for the holidays. I love the use of all those mushrooms.
Colleen
This is going to be a perfect and delicious addition to our holiday dinner. Thanks for sharing!
Gus
I am sure it will! Thank you Colleen!
Jamie
This has so much flavor! I love the earthy flavor the mushrooms add to this. Perfect!
Emily
I love this vegan roast recipe with mushrooms! It's so delicious and savory! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Gus
You are welcome! I am very glad you liked it!