Vegan Friend Coming Over? Here’s What to Feed Them

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So, you’ve invited a vegan friend over for dinner and now you’re staring into your fridge like it personally betrayed you. Maybe you’re panicking a bit. “Do they eat potatoes? Is bread okay? Wait, is anything okay?” First things first: breathe. Feeding a vegan doesn’t mean becoming a Michelin chef or restocking your entire kitchen. It just means thinking a little differently—and maybe reading a label or two. You’ve got this.

Let’s start with the basics. What vegans don’t eat is simple: anything that comes from an animal. That includes meat, chicken, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatine, and anything else that once had a face or came from something that did. But what they do eat? A whole lot more than just salad. Think pasta, grains, beans, veggies, tofu, fruit, nuts, seeds, and a glorious list of accidentally vegan treats you probably already have. The trick is not to overcomplicate it. You’re not auditioning for MasterChef. You’re just making dinner.

Start by thinking about meals you already love that are either naturally vegan or can be tweaked easily. Pasta with tomato and basil? Just skip the cheese. Stir-fry with noodles and veggies? Use soy sauce and ditch the oyster sauce. Tacos? Fill them with spiced beans, avo, salsa, and roast veggies. Curry? Coconut milk is your new best friend. You don’t need to build a meal around a “meat substitute” if that feels overwhelming—just focus on flavour and balance. Most vegans aren’t expecting you to handcraft a seitan steak from scratch. They’re just hoping not to eat a dry lettuce leaf while everyone else tucks in.

If you’re heading to the shops, keep an eye on those sneaky animal ingredients hiding in plain sight. Things like Worcestershire sauce (usually contains anchovies), store-bought pesto (often has Parmesan), or baked goods made with butter and eggs. But also, don’t stress if you get something wrong. Most vegans are used to navigating a world that wasn’t built with them in mind. If you’ve made an effort, it shows—and it matters.

Snacks and starters? Easy. Hummus, guacamole, salsa, veggie chips, olives, nuts, roasted chickpeas, or fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. You could put together a snack platter in five minutes that feels fancier than it is. Add some fruit, a couple of pickles, and a cheeky bit of dark chocolate, and you’re already winning.

For dessert, there’s no need to panic-bake. Plenty of store-bought options are vegan by accident (just check the label), and loads of easy recipes use no eggs or dairy at all. Think banana nice cream, vegan brownies, baked apples, or even just fresh fruit with dark chocolate drizzle. And if baking’s not your thing, don’t worry—no one ever turned down Oreos with almond milk on the couch.

Drinks-wise, most soft drinks, juices, and spirits are vegan-friendly. Wine and beer can be trickier due to the weird animal-based fining agents some producers use (yep, fish bladders and egg whites sneak in there), but many brands are now proudly labelled vegan. If you’re unsure, Google the brand or just offer something simple and safe—like sparkling water with fresh lime or a solid bottle of plant-based vino.

Now, about the social bit. Don’t feel like you need to apologise for every non-vegan thing in your kitchen or give a 10-minute disclaimer before serving dinner. Just be relaxed. Ask your friend if there’s anything they don’t eat beyond the usual stuff (everyone has preferences), and go from there. If you’re unsure about a product or recipe, just ask. Most vegans would rather answer a few questions upfront than politely push food around their plate while trying not to be awkward.

The best compliment you can give a vegan guest? Treat them like you would anyone else. No need for special treatment, just thoughtful food. If you make something delicious that happens to be vegan, you’ll win dinner without trying too hard. You might even find yourself wanting to make it again, because—surprise—it actually tasted great.

And who knows? That one dinner might just be the moment you realise that cooking vegan food doesn’t mean giving anything up. It just means adding something new.