Hooray for the holidays! Tis the season of eating and drinking. Who else has a few holiday potlucks on the calendar this month? If you need help figuring out what to bring, you’re in the right place! I’ve got a round up of delicious plant-based dishes that everyone will love (omnivores included!).
First things, first: If this is your first season of holiday potlucks as a plant-powered eater, you may have some questions about how to navigate attending a potluck when you’re the only vegan. I’ve been there (and am still there!). These are a few tips that I follow any time I’m going to a potluck:
Eat something before the party.
Give yourself a small bite to tide you over through the party so that if there isn’t much to eat, you won’t be starving until you get home.
Bring a dish you love that you know will satiate you.
This is your fail safe: you know that if there’s nothing else to eat at the party, you’ll have this one dish! You might even bring two items instead of one. I like to bring an appetizer (something I can graze on throughout the party – like vegetable sticks and a great dip) and a hearty salad.
Stick to “safe” entrees
Instead of searching down the host or whoever brought each item to check the ingredient list, focus on dishes that are easy to identify (although more power to you if you want to track down and drill the host and guests!).
Holiday potlucks are a great opportunity to share the deliciousness of plant-based food. This is the time to bring your favorite vegan dish and share your love of it with everyone else. Go for it but keep the following guidelines in mind.
The best potluck dishes are ones that:
Taste great at room temperature
Don’t require reheating or keeping hot
Are easy to eat while talking and walking around (while holding a drink in another hand!)
Don’t use obscure ingredients
Are familiar (Stick to whole plant-based foods and avoid the faux meats and cheeses.)
Travels well (and requires minimal assembly when you arrive at your holiday potluck)
Are visually appealing (Show stoppers are always a win and great conversation starters…”Why yes, I did bring that. Thank you so much…!!”)
Recipes
The following round up of holiday potluck recipes are just a few ideas to inspire you. These are some of my go-to’s.
Salads
This is a healthy but flavorful choice, and depending on the recipe, can be very filling. It’s a great pick because people are eating so much junk this time of year and appreciate something healthy that is delicious. Let the colors of the season inspire the ingredients you use. Some of my top picks are:
Herbed Chickpea and Quinoa Salad by Cookie & Kate
Brussels & Pomegranate Salad by Blissful Basil
Pasta Salad by Well and Full
Crowd-Pleasing Caesar Salad by Oh She Glows
Sweets and Treats
If you’re a sweet person, chances are that the desserts will NOT be vegan so bringing your own is a great choice for you contribution to the holiday potluck. You can’t go wrong with any of these:
Cookies: This chocolate chip cookie gets rave reviews all the time.
Donuts by Healthy Happy Life
Holiday Bark by Sweet Simple Vegan
Dips
An amazing dip, spread or hummus is a great conversation starter. Serve with tasty dippers for an easy win win. These spreads will get everyone talking:
Mushroom Pate with Crackers by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
Chickpea Shawarma Dip by Minimalist Baker
Artichoke Dip by Healthy Happy Life
Handhelds
These are great options for that little something you can hold and walk around with as you mingle at your holiday potluck (with cocktail in hand):
Sun-dried Tomato & Basil Pinwheels by Minimalist Baker
Garlic Stuffed Olives by The Baking Fairy
Want more plant-based meal planning tips? Check out my new Ultimate Guide to Plant-based Meal Planning.
