Vegan Holiday Shortcuts: Store-Bought Items That Make Entertaining Easier

The holidays are filled with gatherings, cozy meals, and plenty of baking, but preparing everything from scratch can sometimes be overwhelming. Whether you’re hosting a full vegan holiday dinner or just bringing a dish to a party, a few store-bought staples can help you save time without sacrificing flavor or quality.

These are some of my favorite vegan store-bought holiday foods and time-saving shortcuts that help me out every year.

Vegan Store-Bought Pie Crusts

A good pie crust takes time to make, and store-bought options can make dessert prep fast and reliable, especially when you’re juggling multiple dishes. Although there aren’t a ton of options out there, there are some widely available.

• Wholly Wholesome frozen pie shells (at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and regional retailers).
• Sweet Loren’s gluten free refrigerated pie crust (available at many grocery stores).
• Aldi Belmont frozen deep dish pie crusts (seasonally available).
• Marie Callender’s frozen pie crusts (available at Walmart and many regional supermarkets).

Perfect for pumpkin pie, pot pies, galettes, and quick weeknight baking.

Dinner Rolls & Breads

Fresh warm bread can elevate any meal with barely any effort. Just bake, brush with vegan butter, and add garlic or fresh herbs. Check for added dairy, eggs or hidden ingredients like l-cysteine (usually sourced from animal feathers). I’ve found most companies use vegetable derived mono-diglycerides these days but reach out or avoid if concerned.

Prepared Holiday Roasts & Mains

If you want to simplify your main course, pre-made holiday roasts or heat-and-serve mains take the stress off cooking the centerpiece of the meal. These options are perfect for smaller gatherings, Friendsgiving, or when you want to focus your energy on side dishes instead of the main event.

Popular vegan holiday mains:

• Field Roast Celebration Roasts.
• Gardein Holiday Roasts and Turk’y cutlets.
• Tofurky Roasts.
• Whole Foods & Sprouts Farmer’s Market Vegan Holiday Meal options (seasonal and usually need to be ordered ahead).

Pre-Chopped Produce & Prepared Vegetables

Pre-diced onions, celery, herbs, and mirepoix mixes can drastically cut down on recipe prep time, especially if you’re cooking multiple dishes at once. Keep these on hand for stuffing, soups, casseroles, and gravy.

Other shortcuts:

• Bagged salads and pre-washed and chopped veggies for quick sides.
• Frozen veggies for soups and casseroles.
• Pre-washed herbs for garnish.

Many stores have grab and go fully prepared sides, and frozen vegetable dishes just check for dairy products as those will have the milk allergen listed.

Sauces, Gravies & Condiments

Cranberry sauces, relishes, and vegan friendly gravies are often items that are time consuming to make from scratch. They’re what makes a holiday plate complete for some and many stores have excellent options so store-bought is fine.

Festive Drinks

Festive drinks make gatherings feel special with zero stress. Stock up on seasonal flavors while they’re available.

Options to look for:

• Oat, coconut or almond-milk nogs.
• Holiday coffee blends.
• Non-dairy creamers (peppermint mocha, sugar cookie, maple).
• Sparkling drinks, ciders & cocktail mixers.

Pro tip: Create a DIY vegan friendly hot cocoa or coffee bar for easy entertaining.

Store-Bought Vegan Desserts

Even the most seasoned holiday baker needs backup desserts, especially for last-minute invites or potlucks.

Some great seasonal picks:

• Daiya cheesecakes (pumpkins and other varieties).
• Pie options from frozen to fresh at some stores.
• Baked goods from local supermarkets or vegan bakeries (a great choice if you have one nearby and it’s in your budget).

Serve with whipped toppings or dairy-free ice cream.

Why These Vegan Shortcuts Work

Choosing store-bought items doesn’t make your holiday meal less special it makes it more manageable. These time-savers help you:

• Reduce prep time and stress.
• Spend more time with guests.
• Still serve incredible food with minimal effort.
• Keep holiday hosting budget-friendly.

The goal isn’t perfection, it’s enjoying the season.

Whether you cook everything from scratch or rely on a mix of homemade and store-bought staples, there’s no wrong way to celebrate. Stocking up on a few reliable vegan products ensures you’re always ready for gatherings, potlucks, and cozy nights at home without spending hours in the kitchen.

If you want some great made from scratch recipes, check out my Thanksgiving recipe round up here!