If you and your partner are vegetarian, or you simply want to have some vegetarian friendly options at your wedding, here’s some delicious meals that are sure to please all your guests. There’s plenty of great reasons to have a vegetarian wedding. First of all, proteins like peas and beans are a lot healthier than most meats. Second, vegetarian menus are typically a lot more environmentally friendly. Finally, vegan forms of protein are also quite a bit cheaper than meat. So, without further ado, let’s talk about some tasty vegetarian food ideas for your wedding.
Vegetarian Wedding Appetizers
Spring Rolls
Whether you plan to serve them fresh or fried, spring rolls are a fantastic appetizer. They’re super easy to make from scratch, but frozen spring rolls can also be quite tasty if you want to go with a store-bought option.
Bruschetta
If you’re not familiar with this crunchy appetizer, it’s be a pretty popular option – so make sure there’s enough! If you’re planning on making it from scratch all you’ll need is a good bread – sourdough is a highly recommended choice. Then, all you need are some thinly sliced tomatoes and cheese. Crisp up these little toasts in the oven with some olive oil and just like that you’ve got yourself a fantastic vegetarian snack. Make sure to prepare a few with either no cheese or vegan cheese to accommodate your lactose intolerant guests.
Vegetarian Sushi
It’s pretty easy to get pre-prepared sushi from your local grocery store. Unfortunately a lot of store-bought options will include salmon, or some type of fish, but it should also be possible to find vegetarian sushi options. Substitutes for fish sushi could include ingredients like avocado, cucumbers or carrots.
Veggie Platter
This is a great one because it’s also quite affordable. Grab some peppers, cucumbers, carrots and snow peas. Prepare a nice platter and add a few olives or nuts as you see fit. Many grocery stores will also offer pre-prepared veggie plates if you want something ready-to-go.
Vegetarian Wedding Starters
Salads
From your classic green salad to beet and potato salad, this is an opportunity to let your creativity get the best of you. Some ingredients for your green salad might include avocados, fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, celery green and/or black olives, walnuts and raisins. There’s no question that your guest will be getting enough fiber with this delicious mix of greens and goodies. If you want a beet salad, you can add things like onions and some chives, celery, or parsley. Prepare a dressing out of vinegar and oil, and sprinkle some sunflower seeds on top. A nice creamy potato salad is also a great choice.
Soups
From cream of mushroom to tomatoe or mixed vegetable soup, soup can be especially great for winter-time wedding receptions. You’ll keep everyone feeling cozy and satisfied with a warm cup of soup to warm them up for some dancing. If you’re a fan of Thai food, Pho is a perfect choice! Although it’s typically prepared with beef, tofu serves as an excellent substitute.
Vegetarian Wedding Main Courses
Pizza
Why not start with a classic tried and true option, that’s as much of a crowd pleaser as it is an easy menu to serve and prepare. Whether you’re planning on making your own pies, or ordering them in, you’ll have a wide range of options that don’t have to include pepperoni or spicy barbecue chicken. Everything from olives and mushrooms to pineapple and spinach make delicious vegetarian trimmings for your pizza. These days, some pizza joints even offer plant based chicken or beef toppings, so the meat lovers at your party can at least give it a try.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a great, hearty option that can be served as a main course at your wedding reception. Potatoes go well with many vegetarian dishes like salads and soups, and are a healthy source of carbohydrates. As far as vegetarian food ideas are considered, mashed potatoes are a crowd pleaser. They’re not only delicious but perfect for all ages from small babies to older folks.
Tacos
Tacos don’t necessarily have to be with beef or chicken. Alternatively, you can serve bean or tofu filling as bases. Then, you’re already on the right track. Once again, you can get wild with whatever toppings you’d like to add to the menu.
Veggie Burgers
As plant-based substances get better and better, veggie burgers are a great choice. The meat lovers in the crowd might even be happily surprised to find out that the substitute is actually quite delicious. Who knows, you might not only be celebrating your wedding, you may be bringing more people into the vegetarian community.
Veggie Stir Fry
Mix up your favorite vegetables in a pan and add some spices and some chopped up tofu and voila! You’ve got yourself a delicious veggie stir fry. This meal will go great with your mashed potatoes, a side of rice, or heaped over a steaming plate of noodles.
Vegetarian Wedding Desserts
Most desserts out there will come under the umbrella qualification of “vegetarian” However if you want to keep it dairy free, and maybe even avoid too much processed sugar here’s a couple delicious (and possibly healthier) dessert ideas.
Fruit
Fruit is another fantastic vegetarian wedding food (it’s also fruitarian – if that’s your jam as well). You can’t go wrong with offering platters complete with all fruits imaginable. Especially for a summertime wedding, fruit is a refreshing and light option to follow the main course.
Vegan Ice Cream
These days a lot of grocery stores and even some venues are dietary sensitive and provide options for ice cream that are dairy free. Even if you aren’t vegan yourselves, providing options for those that are lactose intolerant is good for making sure everyone can enjoy a sweet treat after the ceremony.
Smoothies
If ice cream isn’t enough, consider offering some tasty sweet smoothies for dessert. Add some chia seeds and peanut butter for extra protein and flavor!
Final Remarks
Well, that’s all the ideas we’ve got for now. Rather than trying to serve a lot of these recipes at once, focus on doing a couple of these really well. Professionals in the field advise that guests will be a lot more pleased with a couple options that are really good as opposed to five or six that are meh.
So, that’s all the vegetarian wedding food ideas for now. Guten Appetit!
– Bernard Paul