Whether it’s inviting your friends over to watch the Super Bowl or gathering for a binge of your favorite TV show, food usually plays a big role in throwing a party. However, party foods usually aren’t the healthiest options. They usually focus on fried foods, salty snacks, fattening cheese dips, and sugary sweets. It can be challenging to stay on a healthy, whole foods, plant-based diet. And, it seems daunting for vegans to find delicious recipes that also satisfying their omnivore friends.
However, you can still enjoy the party with these healthy, plant-based ideas. Here are 7 helpful tips on how to host a plant-based vegan party.
1) Build a Bar of Plant-Based Recipes
If you’re feeding a large crowd of hungry guests, it’s best to keep the food simple. Rather than prepare elaborate dishes from complicated recipes, create a table with small, easy-to-make dishes. Guests can help themselves by assembling their plates to their preferences. Besides making it easier on you, this also helps guests with special diets navigate the table.
One idea is to can create a Taco Bar. Keep corn and wheat tortillas warm in the oven while a couple of fillings hang out on the stove. Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges, Stewed Black Beans, Spiced Mexican Lentils, and Grilled Poblano Peppers all make delicious fillings. Then, offer a few choices of toppings. Red and green salsa, Guacamole, and Pico de Gallo would all be delicious.
Another fun plant-based Build-a-Bar would be a Chili Bowl. You can simmer a big pot of Sweet Potato Chipotle Chili on the stove. Then, have fun sides and toppings for your guests to choose. Homemade Southern Style Cornbread, grilled onions, diced tomatoes, baked tortilla strips, and avocado all work. Leave the bowls out and guests can help themselves throughout the game.
2) Create a Plant-Based Recipe Competition
Nothing brings energy to a party quite like a little fun competition! Bring some team spirit into the menu! Guests can get involved, voting for their favorite plant-based vegan dishes. This is a fun way to spark interaction, especially if guests don’t know each other. It also works great if there’s a long-standing rivalry already brewing.
One way to have some fun competition is a vegan Chili Throw-Down. Prepare two versions of chili: Traditional Red Lentil Chili and Poblano White Chili. Let guests vote for and choose their favorite. The winner gets out of doing the dishes…and gets bragging rights till the next party.
Sweet Potato Chipotle Plant-Based Chili – Healthy, Plant-based, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free Vegan Soup Stew Recipe from Plants-Rule 
White Lentil Vegan Poblano Chili – Healthy, Plant-Based, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Spicy, Comfort Food Soup Stew Recipe
Another fun competition would be a “Show Off Your Salsa” theme. The host makes a big batch of Oil-Free Roasted Potato Wedges, Baked Tostadas, and cooked brown rice. Guests bring their favorite salsa. Everyone gets to assemble their own bowl and vote on their favorite flavors.
You can make a similar game out of “Show Me Your Hummus”. Guests bring their favorite hummus variation while the hosts preps some whole wheat pita bread and a veggie tray. You can play with other foods with a “Finger Food Faceoff”, “Mocktail Match”, and a “Flatbread Fight”. Pick a simple theme that appeals to everyone. Then, let your guests help and have some fun!
3) Ask for Help
A simple tip for throwing a great party is to ask your guests to help. It takes a lot of work to get the food ready, not to mention cleaning and preparing your home! Part of the fun of coming to a party is sharing the experience with other people. Even if your guests aren’t the culinary types, they can still help. Ask them to bring some healthy pre-cut veggies and oil-free hummus from the store. Or, get some help the day before setting up tables and pulling out serving plates.
If you know clean-up isn’t your thing, ask a couple of friends to stay after the party’s over to help minimize this task. It’s a good idea to ask ahead of time, so that they can plan on spending the extra time and energy after the party winds down. Conversely, if you’re attending a party, ask the host if you can help with either set-up or clean-up. Rather than “Just bring something to drink”, this extra time can really go a long way in showing your appreciation for the party. A couple extra sets of hands can help make the day more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, this is a fun time to connect with others in a unique, more personal way.
4) Prep your Plant-Based Dishes Ahead of Time
With a big crowd coming over, it’s always nice to have much of the food prepared ahead of time. Soups, stews, chili, and casseroles are all great vegan recipes to make ahead of time. Plus, these hearty dishes are usually easy to stretch for a crowd. The days before your party, prepare most of the recipes you want to serve. That way, on the day of the party, you won’t have to spend a bunch of time in the kitchen. Rather, you can enjoy your guests and have fun connecting with them.
5) Use the Store to Cut Corners
Let’s face it, not all of us are classically trained chefs, able to whip up huge meals in a short amount of time. It’s okay to take some help from the store to save time in the kitchen. Grab a veggie tray and a couple varieties of hummus for an easy appetizer. Pick up some nut-based cheese and rice crackers for easy finger foods. Roasted nuts, dried fruits, baba ghanouj, and fresh grapes all make fun items for a party platter.
For some international fun, check out your grocery store’s olive bar. There is usually a fun assortment of olives, pickled vegetables, and roasted peppers to choose from. Grab a few varieties and seeded crackers. Just be sure to double-check the ingredients label. Try to avoid as much oil, sugar, and refined flour as possible.
6) Use your Slow-Cooker and Crock Pot
It’s time to pull out that Crock Pot because a party is the perfect opportunity to put it to use! Rather than dirtying up a bunch of pots and pans, use your slow cooker to cook your food. This also will help keep the food hot so that guests can serve themselves at any time. You can make a batch of crock pot chili or cook some slow-cooker curry stew. A smaller crock pot can be used to keep Cashew Nacho Geez! or Mexican Chocolate Sauce warm. Serve with an assortment of crudité, toasted bread, or baked tortilla chips. Let guests have fun playing with the plant-based fondue!
Use your Slow Cooker to keep food warm during a party. You spend less time in the kitchen, and guests can help themselves. 
Slow Cooker Cabbage Bean Soup – Healthy, Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan Protein Easy Recipe from Plants-Rule
7) Not Drinking? Make some a Fun Non-Alcoholic Drink
Alcohol can be a big component of many parties, making it challenging for those choosing not to drink. However, you can have fun by offering a healthy non-alcoholic drink. It’s quick and easy to make a batch of Refreshing Herbed Hibiscus Tea. Simply, steep hibiscus tea with a fresh herb like mint, basil, or lemon thyme. The serve with ice.
Or, make a quick batch of Citrus Soda Water. Slice up a few pieces of citrus fruit: limes, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, or blood oranges. Place in a large pitcher with a good amount of ice. Then, add your favorite club soda. For an extra-fancy presentation, decorate with pomegranate arils or edible flowers. You’ll have a beautiful drink that will appeal to all of your guests.
Stay Healthy and Have Fun!
Entertaining a crowd can be a fun way to bring your friends together. While it may seem daunting to stay healthywhen hosting a large group of people, using these simple tips can help make things easier. Try out a few of these healthy ideas. You’ll feel great throwing the ultimate party! Plus, you’ll feel great about staying true to your plant-based lifestyle.
Ready to Cook?
Here are some delicious plant-based recipes for your Ultimate Party:
- Ultimate Plant-Based Super Bowl Party Chili Recipes
- New Year’s Food Traditions and Recipes
- Ultimate Plant-Based Thanksgiving Recipes
- Healthy 4th of July Menu
- The Best Veggie Burger Recipes
Use any of these Plant-Based Tips? Let me know!
If you use any of these healthy, plant-based tips, please comment below.
Tag me on Instagram: @chefkatiesimmons
Tag on Facebook: @plantsrule
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