This vegan fondue chinoise, featuring a rich vegetable broth, offers a lighter and healthier alternative to the oil-based method. With a variety of plant-based goodies, it makes for a fun and interactive dish, perfect for gatherings.
I may not be Swiss, but my love for fondue runs deep. When we went vegan, I knew I had to keep this fun, interactive way of eating alive—so I did!
This vegan chinoise fondue skips the heavy oil and beef stock while keeping all the flavor. I keep the broth simple and subtly seasoned to let the natural flavors of the dippers shine while complementing the bold, rich flavors of the sauces for a perfect balance in every bite.
With plant-based dipping options and essential vegan sauces, it’s easy to prep ahead, so you can relax and let guests customize their plates.
If you’re a Fondue fan, check out my Delicious Vegan Fondue Recipes or dive into the Vegan Fondue Guide for more ideas. And for dessert, treat yourself to Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue or the rich and indulgent Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Fondue.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love Recipe
- By using plant-based ingredients and opting for a vegetable broth, you're treating yourself to a meal that's not just delicious but also better for you.
- Like this Easy Vegan Cashew Queso, this vegan broth version is about the experience. It's a great way to bring friends and family together, cooking and chatting around the pot.
- You can have various ingredients to choose from – from different vegetables to your favorite vegan proteins like Meati steaks, tofu, or one of these 15 Delicious Vegan Sausage Recipes.
- A rich, flavorful veggie broth paired with delicious vegan dipping sauces makes this dish incredibly satisfying - you won’t miss the meat.
- It's super adaptable to different tastes and preferences. Don't like tofu? Swap it out. Love mushrooms? Use more.
What is Fondue Chinoise?
Fondue chinoise is a Swiss take on Chinese hot pot, traditionally enjoyed during the holidays.
Inspired by ancient Mongolian and Chinese hot pots, it features a simmering broth at the center of the table where diners cook bite-sized pieces of meat, seafood, and vegetables using fondue forks. The real highlight? A variety of dipping sauces that add bold flavors to every bite.
Transforming this dish into a vegan version is easy—just swap out the meat for tofu, tempeh, or seitan, which soak up the broth’s rich flavors.
The vegan broth is made with vegetable stock, herbs, and spices, and pairs perfectly with vegan-friendly sauces like soy, chili, or creamy dips. Many traditional sauces are already vegan or can be easily adapted—see below for more suggestions!
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make the broth, plus some notes below. See the recipe card for quantities.
I use this vegetable-based paste to make the broth extra strong and flavorful. You can also opt for vegan beef bouillon cubes.
Dipping Ingredient Suggestions
Note that some vegetables will need to be blanched or parboiled in order to reduce the cooking time when enjoying the fondue. I also like to brown the 'meat' for a nice visual appeal.
- mushrooms - Use button, cremini, or shitake
- firm tofu - I bake it slightly in my air fryer at 350°F for 12 minutes to dry it out.
- vegan meatballs - brown in a skillet first.
- pasta - vegan tortellini or ravioli are great choices because they don't require long cooking time, and the 'dipping dagger' can hold onto them well.
- seitan - Make your own, like this High Protein Lupini Bean Seitan, or buy your favorite. My favorite store-bought seitan brand is Field Roast.
- baby potatoes - parboiled
- baby corn
- cherry tomatoes
- bell peppers
- snap peas
- zucchini - parboiled or blanched
- artichoke hearts
- Meati steak
- Beyond Meat sausages
- asparagus spears
- broccoli florets - parboiled or blanched
- carrots - parboiled
- cauliflower - parboiled
Dipping Sauce Suggestions
Here are some suggestions for sauces. For more on how to make your own delicious vegan sauces, visit How to Make Homemade Vegan Sauces (Easy + Fast).
- Vegan Chipotle Aioli
- spicy mustard
- Homemade Cherry BBQ Sauce
- soy sauce
- Easy Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
- Cuban chimichurri
- tartar sauce
- cocktail sauce
- mustard sauce
- vegan Béarnaise Sauce
- curry sauce
- horseradish sauce
Variations
You can add and subtract from the broth. Add dried mushrooms, ginger, leeks, or lemongrass - make it with the flavors you like. It often ends up as a drinkable broth you can have the next day! Here are some ideas:
- Classic 'Beef' Broth: Vegan beef broth, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and water.
- Asian-Inspired Broth: Vegan chicken or vegetable stock, ginger, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, and a dash of sesame oil.
- Herb and Wine Broth: Vegetable broth, white wine, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
How To Make Vegan Chinoise Fondue
Here is where you'll find pictures of the process. See the recipe card for details.
Have your sauces ready to go. If you are making homemade sauces, they can be made in advance and remember to parboil the necessary ingredients.
Step 1: Mix vegetable broth, minced garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and peppercorns in a large pot. Simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: While the broth simmers, prepare bite-sized pieces of your dipping ingredients.
Step 3: Transfer the broth to a fondue pot over a flame, maintaining a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Skewer and cook the ingredients in the hot broth, typically taking just a few minutes per item. After cooking, dip the items in the various sauces you’ve prepared.
Top Tips
- Since the broth is the heart of the dish, make sure it's flavorful. A high-quality vegetable broth like Better Than Boullion, enhanced with herbs and garlic, can make a huge difference. You can even use vegan beef broth instead of vegetable broth for a more beefy taste.
- Offer variety. Different textures and flavors keep it interesting. Double up on any options that you think will be popular.
- Cut everything into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on platters. This will make it easy for your guests and look great on the table.
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer. If it's too hot, it might burn your ingredients or reduce too quickly. If it's too cool, it won’t cook them properly.
- Offer a variety of dips that will add layers of flavor to your options. Buy ready-made sauces or make your own. They are easy to make in advance, which is convenient.
- The remaining broth can be enjoyed as a soup or used as a base for making soup.
- For More Information: If you're curious about fondue etiquette and other tips, visit this Vegan Guide To Fondue.
- Chinoise fondue always features a selection of fresh vegetables. To ensure even cooking, some of these vegetables and meat substitutes, particularly those with longer cooking times, should be parboiled or precooked before adding to the fondue. Remember, it's really about the experience.
Serving Suggestions
- End your fondue meal sweetly with this Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Fondue or Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue. Continue dipping with various fruits, vegan marshmallows, and baked goods.
Equipment
Fondue chinoise pots are different from cheese fondue pots.
Fondue chinoise involves cooking meat, fish, and vegetables in a hot broth, so the pot is typically larger and deeper, designed to handle a large amount of liquid, and suitable for simmering. These pots are often made of stainless steel to manage the high heat required for the broth.
In contrast, cheese fondue pots are generally smaller and shallower, designed for melting and keeping cheese warm at a lower temperature, and are often made of ceramic or cast iron.
Each type of pot is specialized for its specific fondue style to ensure the best cooking experience, but don't worry if you don't have a 'special' chinoise pot. I use my regular small fondue pot with no problems. My current pot is old, and I have no link, but here is Amazon's current recommended fondue pot for you to look at.
Note: If you have a large pot, however, you may need to adjust the quantities of this recipe to fit your pot. You should have about ¾ of the pot full of broth for people to comfortably cook their food.
Recipe FAQS
This is a great question because I have used a variety. I find that the best results come when I use a vegetable-based paste and add water. This makes a super flavorful broth, and I can control the flavor intensity by adding more or less paste.
Yes, this one is. For the healthiest options, use a variety of plant-based dipping ingredients, like fresh vegetables.
You can prepare the broth, dipping ingredients, and sauces all beforehand.
More Great Recipes For Gatherings
Vegan Fondue Chinoise
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Fondue
- 4 - 6 cups vegetable broth use vegetable-base paste for better flavor
- 3 cloves garlic sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 3-4 sprigs thyme
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon salt optional
Dipping Option Suggestions
- mushrooms: shitake, white, or cremini; whole or halved
- firm tofu cut into cubes and baked (see notes)
- seitan cut into bite-sized pieces
- vegan ravioli or tortellini
- Beyond Meat sausages browned in a skillet
- Meati steak
- baby potatoes parboiled
- cherry tomatoes
- baby corn
- bell peppers cut into large pieces
- artichoke hearts
- vegan meatballs browned in a skillet first for a nice visual appeal
- asparagus spears
- snap peas
- broccoli florets parboiled or blanched
- cauliflower parboiled or blanched
- carrots blanched
For the Dipping Sauces
- vegan chipotle aioli
- vegan aioli
- spicy mustard
- barbecue sauce
- soy sauce
- cashew cheese sauce
- Cuban chimichurri
- vegan tartar sauce
- cocktail sauce
- mustard sauce
- vegan Béarnaise Sauce
- curry sauce
- horseradish sauce
Instructions
- Combine Broth Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the vegetable broth, garlic, bay leaves, fresh thyme, and peppercorns. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare Dippers: While the broth is simmering, prepare your dipping ingredients. Cut into manageable, bite-sized pieces.
- Transfer: Once the broth is ready, carefully transfer it to a fondue pot set over a flame. Keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Dip: Each guest can skewer their choice of dipping ingredients and cook them in the hot broth until done to their liking. It's usually a matter of a few minutes per item. After cooking, dip the items in the various sauces you’ve prepared.
Rene says
Oh wow, I stumbled upon this Chinoise fondue recipe and it's a total game-changer for my dinner plans! The preparation was straightforward and fuss-free, which I absolutely loved. It's one of those meals that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to whip up. Perfect for when I want to have a fun dinner with friends without spending hours in the kitchen.
You can dunk in pretty much anything that catches your fancy. I tried a mix of veggies and some bread, and let me tell you, each bite was a delightful surprise. The flavors are rich and comforting, exactly what you need for a cozy evening. It's definitely a keeper in my recipe book for those nights when I want something a little different!
Regi Pearce says
I'm thrilled to hear that the recipe hit the spot for your dinner plans! It's always a win when you find something that's both fancy-feeling and easy to make. You mentioning that this recipe is a keeper for those cozy evenings is the cherry on top. Thank you!