In a 2019 article for the magazine, Bon Appétit, writer and vegetarian Sarah Jampel lamented the lack of entree variety she was encountering at weddings.
The most common vegan wedding meal option, she wrote, was a pile of roasted vegetables she called a “veggie stack." She even served it on her own wedding day, because it was the only vegetarian choice she and her family could agree upon.
It's not that veggie stacks aren't tasty, Jampel explained, but after eating them at multiple events, Jampel found herself longing for something different—and a bit more filling.
If you’ve been hoping to offer satisfying vegetarian or vegan options at your wedding, don’t worry. Jampel went on to say that accomplishing this is indeed possible. It just takes some research and strategic planning.
We agree: Offering crowd-pleasing veggie wedding food is very doable. And we have a collection of vegan and vegetarian wedding menu ideas that will help you pull it off.
Vegan Vs. Vegetarian: Understanding the Difference
If you are thinking about a plant-based menu for yourselves or a close friend or family member, you already understand the differences between vegans and vegetarians. But, maybe you're considering these options because of the likelihood that some of your guests would prefer them. That is, by the way, a logical conclusion. There are approximately 375 million vegetarians around the world and about 1.5 million vegans.
To accommodate guests, you'll need to know what they mean if they inform you they're vegan or vegetarian.
Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, shellfish, or poultry. And while it’s easy to see how that means you’ll need an alternative to pork chops or a filet mignon for some guests, you’ll also have to be on the lookout for “hidden” forbidden ingredients.
For vegetarian wedding catering, that means no French onion soup, which is made with beef broth.
No fish sauce-laden Pad Thai.
Even Caesar dressing has anchovies in it, putting it on the no-go list.
Vegans go a step further: They avoid animal products altogether. That means they don’t eat dairy (no butter or cheese), honey, or eggs.
Consult the Experts
We suggest talking with your venue or wedding caterer about the plant-based options they offer and if they can work with you to create a wide variety of options for your guests. Ask what gets rave reviews.
As you review their menus, look for ingredients that could make a dish off-limits for a vegan guest. A side dish topped with cream sauce or mozzarella cheese, for example, might be a great choice for a vegetarian, but the dairy content would not work for people who avoid all animal products.
Once you have options in mind, schedule a tasting to make sure the dishes you're considering are what you have in mind.
Appetizer Ideas
At first glance, it may look like the only safe plant-based appetizers you'll be able to offer during your cocktail hour are trays loaded with fruit or fresh vegetables. And while those options will be appreciated, you don't have to stop there.
Vegetarian foods that work well for hors d’oeuvres include spring rolls (ask about ingredients); spinach mushroom quesadillas; skewers of basil, fresh mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes; mini quiches; and mini pizzas.
For vegans, consider offering vegetables that have been prepared in a creative way. For example, you can offer vegetable tava featuring seasoned, marinated grilled vegetables served on a steel tava (pan), stews with vegetables and legumes in a vegetable broth, whole-roasted cauliflower with Middle Eastern spices, hummus with olive oil and pita bread, or mushrooms stuffed with pesto, mixed vegetables, and possibly, tofu.
Satisfying Soups
Hot soups are tremendously satisfying and ideal for fall and winter weddings.
Serve your vegetarian friends tomato soup with grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort food. Vegans can enjoy butternut squash soup (again, ask about ingredients) with hot bread.
Planning a summer wedding? Offer gazpacho in shot glasses or chilled avocado soup. You can even serve these chilled soups in carved ice bowls to give your guests an even more refreshing experience.
Additional options that work for vegans and vegetarians include bean, wild mushroom, or curry lentil soups. As always, you’ll need to talk to the team preparing your food about ingredients.
Salads That Go a Step Above
People who avoid meat and animal products eat their fair share of salads. That's not to say you shouldn't offer salads at your wedding, but your wedding guests might appreciate it if you take your salad game up a few notches.
Incorporate ingredients that will add flavors, colors, and textures to the salads.
Guests who avoid meat might enjoy an apple and walnut salad with green apples, arugula, goat cheese, cucumber, and asparagus served with smoked tomato walnut dressing.
For vegans, offer a mix of broccoli crowns, red onions, cranberries, and almonds tossed with olive oil, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic clove, and smoked paprika.
Yummy Sides
Looking for creative sides to include in your vegetarian wedding menu?
For a delightful array of vegetarian sides, consider adding vibrant options like roasted vegetable medleys drizzled with balsamic glaze, quinoa salad with fresh herbs and lemon vinaigrette, or stuffed mushrooms filled with savory herb-infused breadcrumbs and vegan cheese. These dishes offer a burst of flavor and color to complement your main course.
For those seeking vegan alternatives, tantalize taste buds with savory options such as creamy coconut milk mashed potatoes, grilled vegetable skewers marinated in a zesty citrus dressing, or a refreshing kale and avocado salad tossed with tangy tahini dressing. These plant-based sides provide a satisfying and nutritious addition to your wedding feast.
Vegetarian Entrees
One of the main goals, when you are planning a vegetarian wedding menu (or a vegan one), is to offer satisfying entree options.
For those avoiding meats, consider eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, Asian vegetables stir-fried with tofu; or marinated grilled vegetables and mushrooms topped with mozzarella and marinara sauce.
Or, you can offer comfort foods like pizza, tacos, and macaroni and cheese.
Another crowd-pleasing option would be to offer decadent breakfast dishes like pancakes, crepes, or waffles.
Vegan Entree Possibilities
Again, even if you're offering roasted vegetables at your event, you can add creative touches to make them more appealing. One example is roasted vegetables with rice pilaf topped with Thai coconut curry.
The most satisfying dishes will contain protein. You can achieve this by offering beans, chickpeas, or peas with grains like rice or quinoa.
Additional options include mushroom lasagna with tofu instead of cheese and dumplings made with sweet potato and vegetables with a savory nut gravy.
Try Indian Entrees
Indian wedding menus offer a wealth of delectable vegetarian meals. For example, paneer (Indian cheese) with bell peppers in a creamy tomato sauce would be satisfying and a chance for your vegetarian guests to get a break from the routine.
You can find choices for vegans, too. Offer Mushroom Manchurian—mushrooms tossed with onion, bell pepper, and garlic—or Tala Dal/Dal Makhana, black lentils or yellow split peas slow-cooked in aromatic herbs and spices.
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901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 868-2355