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The best vegetarian and vegan Christmas dinner mains to buy
Ensure no one misses out this festive season, with our top-rated meat-free mains
Tested by Georgia TurnellGHI Food & Drink Tester
Whether catering for a solo vegan family member, or feeding a whole table of vegetarians, there’s no need to limit them to a plate of roast potatoes (as delicious as that may be).
This year’s meat-free mains have surpassed themselves, with vibrant, flavoursome creations free from meat, and in some cases, dairy too.
From wellingtons to veg-packed quiche, the Good Housekeeping Institute tried a range of vegetarian and vegan mains, so you can serve the best shop-bought solutions on the big day.
Best meat-free Christmas mains to buy
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Runner-up vegetarian main
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Mushroom, Cavolo Nero and Chestnut Filo Pie 500g
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How we test vegetarian and vegan Christmas mains
Our panel tested 18 vegetarian and vegan main dishes to find their top picks for 2024. Each was cooked as per the instructions, and presented to our panel “blind”, to avoid brand bias. They were then judged on their appearance, aroma, flavour, texture.
These are the centrepieces that deserve a spot on your Christmas dinner table.
Score: 83/100
COOK’s no-fuss centrepiece is a real showstopper – think gorgeous golden pastry with neat, crimped edges and a generous filling of sweet red pepper and tangy goat’s cheese. Vegetarian or not, this is a tasty alternative to turkey and would also make a great choice for your Boxing Day spread.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Mushroom, Cavolo Nero and Chestnut Filo Pie 500g
Score: 82/100
Decadent and oh-so creamy, this filo pie will pair perfectly with all the traditional Christmas trimmings (and lashings of gravy!). Testers loved the “fresher note” of sage, garlic, and spinach in the filling, and the crunchy filo topping.
Score: 78/100
Quorn’s tasty high-protein roast was described as a “great alternative to turkey” thanks to its convincing juicy texture and meat-mimicking flavour. Although not suitable for vegans, vegetarians will find it pairs well with all the seasonal sides.
This Isn't Roast Plant Based Chicken & Stuffing 325g
Score: 78/100
Known for its plant-based meat substitutes, this isn’t chicken, but it is a pretty great alternative. Testers praised the liberal use of herbs and seasoning, with a special mention for the crispy “skin”. The joint is also pre-stuffed, leaving you with one less job on your to-do list.
Score: 77/100
Despite being completely vegan, this star-shaped centrepiece filled the test kitchen with a buttery aroma. Flavourwise, it’s pure Christmas, with sage, cranberry, and chestnuts all jostling for attention on a butternut squash base, all wrapped up in flaky pastry.
Available: 9th December 2024
Score: 77/100
Filled with earthy mushrooms, an indulgent creamy sauce and flavoured with a hint of truffle-infused olive oil, Co-op's sharing-style vegan wellington is a top choice for fungi fans. Serve with all the traditional trimmings for a top-notch feast for two.
Score: 77/100
As moist and juicy as any expertly cooked turkey, with the flavour of sage-infused sausage meat, our testers enjoyed Aldi’s meat replacement. It’s also a great size for one or two people, with leftovers for Boxing Day sandwiches.
Available: 19th December 2024
Score: 76/100
Quorn uses the same protein-rich fermented fungus base as in its chicken roast (above) but has switched up the seasoning to create a sweet and salty faux beef joint with a hint of horseradish. The texture is slightly softer and drier than the real thing, so add some crunchy veg for contrast.
Score: 75/100
Waitrose has successfully elevated this year’s plant-based roast, with a flavoursome sage stuffing and rich red wine gravy. Any “fake meat” flavour has been pleasantly improved with notes of garlic, clove and thyme, and the texture was firm and juicy.
Available: 11th December 2024
Score: 75/100
Our judging panel was particularly impressed by the festive aroma emanating from Riverford’s miso-enriched, herby roast. The abundance of crunchy walnuts and hazelnuts evoke the spirit of Christmas, while the generous mixture of organic veg — most noticeably butternut squash — adds balance and moisture.
These also passed...
- Lidl Deluxe Wreath Vegan Sausage & Cranberry, £4.99 for 550g, Score: 73/100
- Aldi Specially Selected No Beef Fillet with Onion Gravy, £4.99 for 428g, Score: 71/100
- Aldi Specially Selected Vegetable Rainbow Parcel, £4.99 for 450g, Score: 71/100
- Meatless Farms Plant-Based Chickenless Roast, £4.50 for 380g, Score: 70/100
- Tesco Finest, Roasted Butternut Squash Wellington, £7 for 485g, Score: 70/100
- Asda Hasselback Halloumi Roast with Honey Glaze, £6 for 292g, Score: 70/100
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Georgia has been part of the hospitality industry for the last nine years. Her starting point was the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school where she gained a Diplôme de Pâtisserie. She has worked at a number of well-known restaurants and bakeries including The Club at the Ivy and Ottolenghi, Notting Hill where she was the head pastry chef. Most recently, Georgia worked at The Clink Bakery inside HMP Brixton, which aims to reduce reoffending through teaching. She is an expert in all things baked goods and holds a WSET level 2 in wine.
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