Hello, fellow foodies! With December rolling in, the rush to plan holiday menus for Christmas and New Year’s is officially on. Since going vegan in 2012, I’ve been on a mission to find recipes that are not just delicious and plant-based, but genuinely easy. Because let’s face it: as a busy person, I know how vital simple (yet healthy) recipes are—they give us back precious time to spend with our loved ones. If you’re considering the switch or looking for more foundational health information, be sure to check out our detailed guide to going vegan.
After years of browsing and bookmarking countless pages, I can confidently say the nine Canadian-based websites you are about to see are my most used and reliable resources. A fantastic bonus of choosing these vegan recipe sites is that they cater to everyone at your table, whether they’re dealing with lactose intolerance, are vegetarian, or are full-time vegan, and many even offer gluten-free and raw recipe options!
To help you enjoy the simplest, most delicious holiday cooking yet, I present my personal Top 9 Favourite Simple Canadian Vegan Recipe Blogs That Make Your Christmas & New Year’s Cooking Easy. And as a special treat, I’ve even included one resource that focuses on animal-friendly vegan cooking for pets, because our furry friends deserve a special holiday meal too! For those who would rather skip the kitchen, we’ve even gathered wonderful, easy holiday dining alternatives for you!
Simple Vegan Christmas Recipes: The Go-To Sites for Easy Mains and Sides
1. Una Rose Vegan: A Blog for Wholesome and Compassionate Cooking
Una Rose Vegan is more than just a recipe blog; it is a true labor of love guided by the principle of compassion. Founder Una Rose, based in Toronto, Canada, is a long-time, genuine animal rights activist whose dedication to animals shines through every post. Her recipes focus on wholesome, straightforward meals that make a kinder, plant-based lifestyle accessible to all. This blog appeals to those who want their food choices to reflect a deep ethical commitment, offering reliable recipes from a truly good heart. Please visit her blog to support her continued advocacy and creative efforts.
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Her tart, sweet, and fresh Cranberry and Orange Sauce is the perfect complement to any festive vegan feast.
2. The Antique Appetite: Reimagining Nostalgic Family Comfort Food
If you’re looking to recreate the comforting flavors of your childhood without the animal products, look no further than The Antique Appetite. Founder Jessica Ford, based in Southern Ontario, Canada, specializes in veganizing classic, “stick-to-your-ribs” North American suburban comfort foods inspired by the women in her life. Her unique approach connects food with nostalgia, showing that going vegan means letting go of cruelty, not your favorite taste memories. Support Jessica’s mission to keep family classics alive and compassionate!
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Indulge in her rich and spiced Overweight Carrot Cake, a dessert worthy of any celebratory feast.
3. Eat With Afia: Celebrating West African Food, Culture, and History
Afia, a researcher (PhD in Epidemiology) and creator based in Canada, has built a unique and deeply important platform with Eat With Afia. Her blog is special because it showcases Ghanaian and West African food through a cultural, traditional, and historical lens, often providing incredible context and background for each dish. She offers plant-based friendly recipes that are rich in flavour and tradition, filling a crucial gap in representation in the vegan food space. Support her work to explore a delicious and necessary piece of global cuisine!
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Her recipe for The Tastiest Vegan Jollof Rice makes an incredible and celebratory centerpiece for any festive table.
4. Vegan Montreal: Accessible and Tasty Recipes from Quebec
Vegan Montreal is helmed by Angèle, a passionate foodie based in Montreal, Canada, who shares her personal vegan journey and recipes. Angèle’s mission is to show that vegan food is “Easy. Healthy. Tasty.” She is a vital resource for those in the Montreal area and beyond, making the plant-based lifestyle feel approachable and vibrant. Her focus on simple, enjoyable food encourages a stress-free transition for anyone looking to incorporate more plants into their diet.
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Start your New Year’s Day right with her recipe for Classic French Toast, which she specifically recommends for the holidays!
5. Small Kitchen Big Plates: Delicious & Visually Stunning Canadian Cuisine
Small Kitchen Big Plates, run by Miriam & Zoey in Canada, focuses on delivering balanced, highly-photogenic, and easy-to-follow recipes. Their goal is to prove that cooking delicious vegan food doesn’t require a commercial kitchen—you can create stunning, mouth-watering meals right in your own “small kitchen.” The photography is top-notch, making it perfect for those who eat with their eyes first and are seeking beautiful, reliable recipes from Canadian soil.
Vegan Dessert and Baking Blogs for Easy Festive Sweets
6. Delightful Adventures: Masterful Vegan Dessert and Baking Conversion
Delightful Adventures is the go-to blog for anyone who loves sweets but wants them completely vegan. Founder Gwen Leron, based in Ontario, Canada, is a self-taught baker and writer who has dedicated her platform fully to baking and dessert recipes. Her specialty is taking old favorites and perfecting them into reliable, simple vegan versions, often with gluten-free and nut-free variations, so everyone can enjoy a treat.
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Her classic and aromatic Vegan Gingerbread Cake is a must-have for Christmas.
Run by LingLing, a passionate food photographer based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, this blog focuses on making plant-based food easy and beautiful, with a strong focus on accommodating the gluten-free diet. Food by Ling Ling blends her love of cooking with her skill in photography, offering visually stunning recipes that prove a plant-based, gluten-free life is anything but restrictive. Support her creativity in the kitchen and behind the camera!
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Her Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bark is a perfect, simple, and festive treat for holiday gift boxes or a post-dinner snack.
The Best Vegan Gluten-Free Recipe Sites for Allergy-Friendly Holiday Menus
8. The Little Blonde Vegan: A Fully Vegan and Gluten-Free Lifestyle Resource
Kat, the face behind The Little Blonde Vegan, is based in a small town north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. What makes Kat and her blog stand out is that all of her recipes are both 100% vegan and gluten-free (GF). She seamlessly blends her recipes with vegan beauty and lifestyle content, providing a holistic and fully cruelty-free guide for her community. Her journey from makeup artist to dedicated GF/vegan vlogger showcases a genuine commitment to the lifestyle.
9. Vecado (Vegedog Recipes): The Ultimate Guide for Plant-Based Pet Nutrition
Vecado, a Canadian company with a head office in Toronto (North York), is a valuable resource for compassionate pet owners. They are special because they provide the VegeDog supplement and highly detailed recipes for making nutritionally complete, home-cooked, plant-based food for dogs. This is a crucial service for animal lovers who want to extend their ethical choices to their pets’ bowls in a healthy, responsible way. Support their efforts to provide quality vegan options for our furry friends!
Holiday Recipe Recommendation: Bake a batch of Festive Vegan Dog Treats for Christmas—a perfect way to include your pup in the holiday cheer!
Take a Break! Hire a Vegan Chef or Caterer
If your holiday schedule is simply too packed for cooking, take the stress out of your celebration by hiring a professional. Here are two fantastic, ethically-focused Toronto-based options to ensure your holiday feast is both delicious and effortless.
Private Chef: Melanated Vegan
For an intimate, custom, and unforgettable dining experience, consider hiring Chef Charlene Forde of Melanated Vegan. Chef Charlene, based in Toronto, brings over 20 years of experience, specializing in gourmet, plant-based dishes infused with rich Caribbean flavors. Hiring a private chef is ideal for small gatherings, romantic dinners, or for those new to veganism who want to learn how easy and flavourful it can be.
Holiday Recommendation: Request a menu featuring her signature Mushroom “Hoaxtail” served with Trinidad Pelau, which offers a vibrant, savory, and memorable holiday centerpiece that honors Caribbean tradition.
Holiday Catering: Animal Liberation Kitchen (ALK)
If you’re catering for a larger event or simply crave gourmet quality delivered to your door, Animal Liberation Kitchen (ALK) in Toronto is the definitive choice for sophisticated vegan cuisine. They pride themselves on zero-waste practices and environmentally responsible operations, ensuring that your gourmet meal reduces environmental impact while delivering incredible quality. ALK provides everything from full-service catering to convenient drop-off for holidays, corporate events, and private gatherings.
Holiday Recommendation: Start your festive morning stress-free by ordering their Brunch Packages. The savory Just Egg Croissant is a popular item that is perfect for elegant holiday breakfast spreads or high tea.
Start Your Easy Vegan Holiday Cooking Journey
We hope this resource guide inspires you to explore new corners of the kitchen and celebrate the incredible work being done by these compassionate Canadian creators. Whether you’re searching for a quick weeknight meal, a show-stopping holiday dessert, or simply seeking encouragement on your plant-based journey, the talent found here is truly invaluable.
The effort put forth by individuals like Una Rose, Jessica, Afia, and others ensures that compassionate food remains delicious, accessible, and rooted in community. We encourage you to click through, follow their pages, and support their ongoing efforts to make veganism a joyful experience for all. For even more resources, including gift ideas, download my free ebook, “Thriving, Helpful, and Wild Dandelions,” which includes vegan recipes, a foraging guide, and seasonal crafts. Happy cooking, and may your holidays be filled with joy and kindness!
Know of a fantastic Canadian vegan creator who should be on this list? Recommend them to us!
“How good it is to be well-fed, healthy, and kind all at the same time.”
