Not sure what vegan recipes to make for Easter dinner? This list has everything you need! Delicious and unique vegan recipes, a complete vegan Easter dinner menu + a printable grocery shopping checklist to make your shopping trip quick and easy.
Easter is quickly approaching! Have you started planning your special holiday menu?
I tend to stick to my favorite plant based holiday recipes and make the same menu every year. Do you do the same thing? Food is a big part of holiday traditions and when you find recipes that everyone loves, you stick to them! Amiright?
Related Posts You'll Enjoy: Vegan Christmas Dinner Menu and Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
Having a dietary preference that's different from your friends or family can be extremely difficult to deal with during a holiday. Whether you're hosting or attending a gathering this year for Easter, I want to share recipes with you that are tried and true, approachable, and of course, delicious.
I compiled a list of the best vegan Easter recipes to help you plan your Easter meal and I hope that you love them as much as I do! I also included my personal vegan Easter menu at the end of this post with my prep notes and a complete grocery list to help you plan your grocery shopping trip.
What Do Vegans Eat on Easter?
There are so many options, but it definitely depends on how much you want to cook from scratch. You can serve a store-bought vegan roast (I recommend the Gardein Holiday Roast with my homemade vegan mushroom gravy) or you can make my personal favorite main course, vegan spanakopita!
For sides, I like to stick to the classics like roasted vegetables, creamy scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a big salad. Many of these dishes can be made ahead of time so you can spend more time with your family instead of being in the kitchen on the big day.
If you'd like to make these recipes too, you can find my notes below for how many days in advance you can prep these dishes before your vegan Easter meal.
If you're a new vegan or if you're not vegan, but you're looking for vegan dishes to make for your vegan friend, family member, or guest, and you're feeling overwhelmed-- I totally get it. I know it seems like a big change at first but, trust me, you can do this!
If you need more information about being vegan and helpful tips, read this Step by Step Guide to Going Vegan. I think it will help you a lot!
Also, if you don't think you're ready to attempt cooking vegan recipes for Easter, that's totally okay! I recommend that you pre-order dishes from local vegan restaurants or grocery stores like Whole Foods Market so you don't have to worry about it.
In the past, I've seen Whole Foods Market and my local health food grocery store offering a plant-based holiday menu that you can order from and pick up a complete ready-to-eat meal! I tried it last year and it was delicious, I would definitely do it again.
How Do Vegans Do Easter?
Besides not serving any roasts or dishes with animal products in them, the only other difference that I can think of is that vegans don't dye eggs.
- Vegans can still have easter egg hunts with plastic eggs filled with vegan candy.
- You can still take your kids to the mall to visit the Easter bunny (or rent a bunny costume like my parents did when I was a kid).
- Vegans can still make Easter baskets filled with vegan treats, candy, prizes, or money.
- Vegans can have their family over to celebrate the holiday together.
- Instead of dying eggs, vegans can bedazzle or decorate plastic eggs with stickers or they can paint craft eggs.
- You can make dark chocolate truffle vegan Easter eggs for dessert! I make this recipe every year, my family goes crazy for them!
Want to know the best brands of vegan candy that you should buy to fill your Easter basket with? Read this post!
Plant Based Easter Prep Tips
Prepping for a holiday, especially if you're hosting, can be extremely stressful! Follow these tips to make it so much easier for yourself.
- Pick tried & true recipes that you have made before. There is nothing more frustrating than making a recipe and it not turning out. There's never a good time for this to happen but you definitely don't want this to happen on a holiday when you have guests! If you want to try new recipes, make sure to test them a few weeks before the holiday meal to make sure that you love it.
- Cook as much as you can in advance! If you can make the dish a few weeks ahead of time and freeze it, do it! You'll be so happy that you're not running yourself ragged trying to cook multiple dishes on the big day.
- Avoid doing your full grocery shopping trip 1-2 days before Easter because the stores will be packed and picked over. I like to do my big grocery shopping trip 3-4 days prior to the holiday and then run in real quick during an off-time (around 2-3 PM) the day before to grab any fresh greens, garnishes, bakery orders, or last-minute items that I need. I've found this method to be effective.
- Ask for help and pickup store-bought dishes to reduce the workload. If this is your first big holiday and you're feeling overwhelmed with how much you need to do or if you're not a seasoned hostess, it's okay to ask your guests to bring a dish or to buy pre-made dishes (desserts, side dishes, or vegan roasts) from the grocery store.
- Let Go of Perfection. I know this is so much easier said than done, but you really have to let go of the perfect image in your head and just do the best you can. There have been so many instances where I imagined how something would turn out and it didn't pan out the way I thought and I let it get to me. Trust me, your guests won't even notice and they'll be so grateful that you're hosting them at all.
28 Vegan Easter Recipes
Check out the following easy vegan recipes and plan your plant based Easter menu! I chose a small selection of my favorite vegan appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, side dishes, and desserts for you to pick from.
All of these delicious vegan Easter dishes are guaranteed to please any crowd, vegans and meat-eaters alike! BTW, all of these recipes are perfect for your vegan Easter brunch, lunch, or dinner or whatever time that you decide to celebrate!
Vegan Easter Appetizers & Finger Foods
Any of these delicious vegan appetizers will make a delicious snack for your guests to munch on before Easter dinner!
This is the best vegan spinach artichoke dip you’ll ever taste and it’s loved by vegans and non-vegans alike! It’s loaded with spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, and the creamiest sauce! This gluten-free and vegan artichoke dip is so easy to make and it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
Soft, sweet and just delicious, these Carrot Cake Balls made with all HEALTHY stuff are perfect for an Easter snack. These yummy bites are flavored with fresh ginger and totally addictive!
These vegan spinach balls are perfect for your next party or holiday. They’re dairy-free and can be made gluten-free as well, so everyone can enjoy them.
Vegan Easter Soups & Salads
Start your plant based Easter meal off right with one of these delicious, fresh, and vibrant spring-inspired soups or salads!
This tomato salad is loaded with juicy cherry tomatoes, spicy arugula, and creamy avocado tossed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This vibrant salad is the perfect starter to your Easter dinner!
This beautiful salad is the perfect side dish to serve with your holiday meal! Loaded with arugula, nutty wild rice, roasted pecans, juicy pomegranate arils, greens onions, tart dried cherries, and tangy garlic dijon dressing; this hearty salad is a major crowd pleaser!
Bright, delicate, and silky smooth, this Vegan Cream of Asparagus Soup is like springtime in a bowl and is a perfect way to start your Easter dinner. Filled with the fresh flavors of asparagus, peas, lemon, and dill, this simple soup is rendered luxuriously creamy thanks to the addition of a cashew cream sauce.
This shaved Brussels sprout salad recipe is festive, healthy, and loaded with superfoods kale, pomegranate, and apples. It’s the perfect combo of sweet and savory with TONS of texture in every bite! It’s vegan, gluten-free, and makes the perfect holiday salad…or everyday salad!
Vegan Easter Main Courses
Any of these vegan main courses would be a show stopping dish to serve at your Easter dinner! From traditional recipes like lentil meatloaf and mushroom wellington to unexpected chickpea curry or my favorite, vegan spanakopita, any of these recipes could serve as the star of your holiday feast!
Vegan spanakopita is just as delicious as the classic spanakopita that everyone knows and loves. Loaded with a super flavorful mixture of spinach, garlic, onions, and almond ricotta layered between multiple crispy layers of filo dough, this is the ultimate Easter dinner main course that you should serve to impress your guests!
This easy to make hearty vegan meatloaf is made from the perfect combination of lentils, quinoa, mushrooms, oats, and lots of seasonings that give it the best flavor! If you miss traditional meatloaf, this lentil mushroom meatloaf is really going to hit the spot! It looks like classic meatloaf, tastes better than animal-based meatloaf, and it’s slathered with the most delicious tangy tomato glaze! Gluten-Free and oil-free.
This is the creamiest, most satisfying vegan lasagna you’ll ever taste! The filling is an ultra-rich cashew-based spinach artichoke dip that’s loaded with veggies and tucked in between layers of noodles. It’s vegan comfort food that will please the whole family. Plus, it’s naturally vegan, soy-free, and has a gluten-free option!
For a winning breakfast or brunch, serve this Easy Vegan Quiche to a hungry crowd. The filling is packed with flavor from sautéed onions, garlic, and browned mushrooms. It calls for a pre-made pie crust to make it easier!
Whole roasted cauliflower is a showstopping healthy baked main or side dish. The garlic and smoked paprika give it a wonderful flavor, while the cauliflower gets soft inside and crispy on the outside. It’s really simple to make, and it’s perfect for Easter dinner!
Looking for something a little unique and different to serve as your main course this Easter? This super simple vegan curry is loaded with tons of flavor, vegetables, chickpeas and it’s ready in just 30-minutes!
Mushroom Wellington is a flavor-packed, easy and showstopping vegan main dish. You can make it ahead, and it’s perfect for the holidays.
Vegan Easter Side Dishes
Complete your plant based Easter feast with a few of these easy to make and delicious side dishes. From classic macaroni and cheese to scalloped potatoes with a healthy twist, you can't go wrong with any of them!
This simple vegan macaroni and cheese recipe is the real deal! It’s super creamy, extra cheesy, kid-friendly, non-vegan approved, and it’s ready in only 25 minutes! This is the only vegan mac and cheese recipe you’ll ever need because it’s that good!
This delicious vegan zucchini tomato bake is easy to make, quick to assemble, and it’s so IMPRESSIVE! This beautiful healthy side dish is perfect to make for the holidays or to go with your weeknight dinner.
Maple dijon roasted brussel sprouts with garlic recipe are going to be your new favorite! These brussel sprouts are super tender, they’re coated in the most flavorful tangy sauce, and they have perfectly crispy edges! Vegan and gluten-free.
Every bite of these cheesy vegan scalloped potatoes is ultra-rich, super creamy, and loaded with spinach! Complete your holiday meal and impress your family with this decadent vegan side dish! Gluten-free and oil-free.
Once you try this easy to make lemon garlic oven roasted asparagus you’ll never want to eat asparagus any other way! The lemon, fresh garlic, & vegan parmesan gives it so much flavor and it turns out perfectly cooked every time! Vegan & gluten-free.
This Instant Pot Vegan Mushroom Risotto is full of flavor and creamy - without the dairy! Makes a delicious side dish for your Easter meal.
It doesn’t get much easier than this recipe for Roasted Carrots. Simply peel and chop carrots, toss them with oil and seasoning and then roast them until they’re tender and caramelized. That’s it! Today I’ve also added in (optional) sweet onion to amp up the savory flavors! Serve them as a vegan side dish for Easter!
For a quick and easy side dish for your Easter meal, try this vegan potato salad with mustard and herb dressing. Plus, it's perfect for making in advance so you an have it easier on the day!
Vegan Easter Dessert Recipes
Don't forget dessert! Any of these delicious vegan Easter dessert recipes will be sure to please and impress your guests. From decadent dark chocolate truffle vegan Easter eggs to classic carrot cake to a spring-inspired vegan Easter cake recipe, all of these unique desserts deserve a spot on your holiday table.
Decadent plant-based dark chocolate Easter eggs filled with a truffle-like carob peanut butter dessert hummus. Kids and adults (vegan or not!) will love this treat! Vegan, gluten-free.
This delicious spice cake is dense, sweet, and super moist, just like a good carrot cake should be. Topped with a dreamy cashew cream cheese frosting, this sneaky veggie dessert is perfect for your Easter menu.
Made with fresh fruit juices and the plant-based gelatin agar agar, these colorful egg jellies are a wonderfully healthy and vegan Easter treat!
These vegan lemon bars with a super creamy, cashew-based and no-bake topping are also paleo! Zingy, bright and perfect for Easter dessert.
Peanut butter and chocolate together is like taste perfection. When put in a Reese’s Peanut Butter Easter Egg – it’s a special treat. This recipe copies the style of a traditional Reese’s Peanut Butter Easter Egg, but it’s peanut free, dairy free, vegan, gluten-free, and made with minimal sugar.
This beautiful vegan tropical celebration cake is filled with vegan mango curd, passion fruit flavoured frosting and topped with a spectacular mango ‘rose’. Perfect for sharing with family this Easter.
Complete Vegan Easter Dinner Menu
If you like what you see and would like to make the same dinner menu that I will be serving for Easter, please find my vegan Easter dinner menu below!
You can print the free grocery shopping checklist, here.
Vegan Easter Dinner Menu
Ingredients
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Wild Rice Arugula Salad
Vegan Spanakopita
Roasted Lemon Garlic Asparagus
Vegan Macaroni and Cheese
Vegan Scalloped Potatoes Florentine
Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Vegan Dark Chocolate Truffle Eggs
Instructions
- Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip - You can make this dip weeks in advance and freeze it. Put it in the fridge to defrost for 24 hours and then you can reheat it in an oven-safe dish at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Wild Rice Arugula Salad - Cook the rice 1-2 days before and store it in the fridge. You can prep all of the other salad ingredients but don't dress the salad until you're ready to serve it.
- Vegan Spanakopita - You can make the filling and assemble the spanakopita the day before but don't bake it yet. Wait to bake it until right before you want to serve it so it stays flaky and crispy.
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Asparagus - You can make this dish the day before and then reheat it the next day for dinner but be careful not to overcook the asparagus when you reheat it. I prefer to make it fresh the day of but if you have a lot of other dishes being assembled at the same time then it might be easier for you to prep it the day before.
- Vegan Macaroni and Cheese - I like to make the cheese sauce a week in advance and freeze it. Put it in the fridge to defrost for 24 hours prior to Easter. Cook the noodles fresh right before dinner, reheat the cheese sauce, and pour the hot cheese sauce over the noodles.
- Vegan Scalloped Potatoes Florentine - You can prep and assemble this dish the day before but don't bake it yet. Cover it tightly and put it in the fridge. Bake the potato casserole right before dinner so it's hot and fresh for your guests.
- Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts - I don't like reheated brussels sprouts. The color changes and they just don't look as appealing. I recommend that you make this dish right before you want to serve it. However, you can make the sauce the day before and have that ready to go.
- Vegan Dark Chocolate Truffle Eggs - You can make these eggs 1-2 days in advance and store them in the fridge until you're ready to serve them.
Notes
- Pick tried & true recipes that you have made before.
- Cook/prep as much as you can in advance!
- Avoid doing your full grocery shopping trip 1-2 days before Easter because the stores will be packed and picked over.
- Ask for help and pickup store-bought dishes to reduce the workload.
- Let Go of Perfection.
I hope that you found this recipe list of my favorite vegan recipes, dinner menu, and grocery shopping checklist to be helpful! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. I'm here for you!
Happy Easter, friends!
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What an amazing collection. Wow, everything looks so delicious. I got my eye on that meatloaf.. yum! Never tried the lentil vegan version before. Now I can't wait to cook this for Easter. Thanks!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it, Happy Easter!