With the rise of health-conscious couples, the popularity of incorporating vegan dishes into the wedding meal is stronger than ever. More and more guests opt for food choices with minimal environmental impact.
If you want to bring this meat-free approach to your wedding, then you’ve come to the right place for menu inspiration.
Cocktail Hour
Looking for a delicious appetizer for your cocktail hour? Consider sweet potato avocado bites. Sweet potato slices are tossed in olive oil, cumin, and paprika and roasted to tender perfection. A creamy mixture of avocado and lime juice is dolloped on top, and the little stacks are then garnished with a slice of tomato and radish sprouts. These bites are vibrant, zesty, and addictive.
Another appetizer for your cocktail hour would be a vegan crostini with nectarines and white bean spread. The crispy sourdough, slices of juicy nectarines or peaches, white bean spread and a drizzle of balsamic glaze is a perfect compliment to your summer wedding.
Main Dishes
Many long-time vegans are aware of seitan and how delicious it can be. Seitan (pronounced “say-tan”) is a vegan meat substitute made entirely out of hydrated gluten, the main protein found in wheat.
How about you bring that meat-substitute goodness to your wedding with build-your-own seitan tacos? Your caterer would just sauté sliced seitan, season generously, and let your guests choose from various taco additions like slaw, diced tomatoes and onions, cilantro, spicy vegan aioli, and fried garlic to add a satisfying crunchy element. These tacos should win over even the most committed carnivore.
Another seitan option is vegan Panang curry. A classic Thai curry, the traditional recipe often uses fish sauce and chicken. Thankfully, these are easy to substitute or outright exclude. Just make sure you’ve got fresh basil, or it won’t live up to its full potential. Serve with steamed rice, and people will be amazed at the delicious flavor.
Finally, grilled butternut squash is another favorite. A great way to serve it is sliced in half and seasoned generously with garlic, salt, pepper, and a touch of brown sugar. These would be a perfect vegan option for an outdoor wedding where your caterer could toss them on the grill or sauté them at an action station. Talk about a crowd-pleaser!
Desserts
A simple, healthy, and delicious dessert is an exotic fruit medley. Ask your caterer to source fresh dragon fruit, jackfruit, mango, and kiwi. You can choose whatever fruit you want, of course, but these would be especially beautiful and tasty.
For something a little more involved, there’s always the classic baked crumble. Make it with whatever fruit you wish, but blackberries and figs tend to be some of the best options. Serve with dairy-free ice cream, and your guests will fall in love.
