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 might not be Swiss, but my love for fondue runs deep and goes way back. I made fondue when my kids were little, and those moments were always filled with laughter and fun. When we went vegan, I still wanted to enjoy this fun and eventful way of eating, so I have veganized the experience through the years.
This version of fondue chinoise maintains the deliciousness of the original, which is sometimes made with beef stock. It also avoids the heaviness often associated with oil-based fondues. It’s a delicious way to enjoy fondue without sacrificing flavor or your waistline.
I like to keep the broth for fondue chinoise simple and subtly flavored, allowing the natural tastes of the dippers to shine while complementing the rich flavors of the dipping sauces. The goal is to create a perfect balance of textures and subtle broth with the bold contrast of the sauces in each bite.
This fondue also features a range of plant-based dipping options and essential vegan sauces that really make this meal shine.
And don't just keep this to family fun. Since it requires little preparation, it is great when hosting small gatherings. Everything can be made in advance, and you can relax during your event while everyone tailors their plate to what they like.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Recipe
- What is Fondue Chinoise
- What is Vegan Fondue Chinoise
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes
- Dipping Ingredient Suggestions
- Dipping Sauce Suggestions
- How To Make Vegan Chinoise Fondue
- Top Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Delicious Vegan Recipes
- Recipe
- Craving More Nuts & Twigs?
- Comments
Why You'll Love Recipe
- Healthier Choice: 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. It's a win-win for taste and health!
- Fun and Interactive: Like this vegan queso fondue, 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. It turns mealtime into a fun, interactive event.
- Variety Galore: You can have various ingredients to choose from– from different vegetables to your favorite vegan proteins like Meati steaks, vegan sausages, tofu, and seitan so everyone gets something they love.
- Flavorful and Satisfying: With the right combination of broth and dipping sauces, you won’t miss the meat. The satisfaction of warm, cooked-to-perfection bites cooked in a flavorful veggie broth, then dipped into a delicious vegan dip, is incredibly fulfilling.
- Customizable: It's super adaptable to different tastes and preferences. Don't like tofu? Swap it out. Love mushrooms? Use more. It's your fondue, your way. You can also add and subtract from the broth. You can add dried mushrooms, ginger, leeks, lemongrass - you get the picture - make it with the flavors you like. It often ends up as a drinkable broth you can have the next day!
What is Fondue Chinoise
Fondue chinoise is a fun and interactive culinary experience that marries the Swiss fondue tradition with the essence of a Chinese hot pot. The Swiss usually enjoy this dish during the holidays, and it reflects the ancient hot pot traditions originating from Mongolia and China. Read more about its origins in Fondue Chinoise: Switzerland's Asian-inspired hot pot.
In this dish, a fondue pot filled with a savory and aromatic broth is placed at the center of the dining table and heated to a gentle simmer. Bite-sized items like thin slices of meat—commonly beef, chicken, or seafood—and an array of vegetables are provided and cooked in the hot broth. Using fondue forks (or what we call dipping daggers), each person cooks their chosen ingredients in the broth.
The beauty of fondue chinoise lies not only in the subtle infusion of flavors as the ingredients meld with the broth but also in the variety of dipping sauces offered on the side, ranging from tangy to spicy, that adds an extra layer of flavor to the cooked morsels. For me, it really is all about the sauces;)
What is Vegan Fondue Chinoise
Transforming fondue chinoise into a vegan dish is not difficult.
The key is to replace traditional meat with a variety of vegan proteins like tofu, tempeh, and seitan, all of which excellently absorb the flavors of the broth. The vegan broth uses rich vegetable stock as the base, infused with herbs and spices.
For the dipping sauces, you can opt for vegan favorites like soy sauce or chili sauce. Some other traditional dipping sauces for Fondue Chinoise range from creamy to tangy and are already vegan or can easily be made vegan. 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.
Ingredient Notes
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
- barbecue sauce
- soy sauce
- cashew cheese sauce
- Cuban chimichurri
- tartar sauce
- cocktail sauce
- mustard sauce
- vegan Béarnaise Sauce
- curry sauce
- horseradish sauce
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
- Quality Broth is Key: Since the broth is the heart of the dish, make sure it's flavorful. A rich vegetable broth, 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.
- Diverse Dipping Options: Offer a variety of vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and vegan meat substitutes. Different textures and flavors keep it interesting. Pre-cook anything that won't cook well in the broth, and don't forget to double up on any options that you think will be popular.
- Prep Your Ingredients: 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.
- Mind the Temperature: 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.
- Sauce it Up: Dipping sauces can turn a good fondue into a great one. Offer a variety 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.
- No Waste: The remaining broth can be enjoyed as a soup or used as a base for making soup.
- Enjoy the Process!: Fondue is as much about the experience as the food. Enjoy the cooking, the dipping, and, of course, the company.
- 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
- When having Fondue Chinoise, vary the side dishes. Traditional salads and potato chips are great, but I like to add warmth with white rice or French fries. You can also include delicious garlic bread.
- End your fondue meal sweetly with this Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Fondue or Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue. Continue dipping with a variety of fruits, vegan marshmallows, and baked goods.
Variations
- Instead of broth, cook the food with a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as peanut, canola, grapeseed, sunflower, or safflower. For added flavor, consider infusing it with herbs or garlic. Technically, it's no longer fondue chinoise but instead it's called fondue bourguignonne.
- Offer a range of sauces from different cuisines, like Vegan Tzatziki, chimichurri, or a Simple Thai peanut Sauce.
- Fondue Chinoise is a versatile dish with many broth variations. Here are additional broth ideas to explore. Some of these are great for making soups after the dipping is over!
- 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.
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 quanitites 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 ahead of time.
More Delicious Vegan Recipes
What did you think?
Got a minute? Dive into the comments and rate this Vegan Chinoise Fondue Recipe to let me know how it turned out for you. Was it a hit? Any twists you added? I want to know if my directions were any good. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
PrintRecipe
Vegan Fondue Chinoise
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Vegan Fondue Chinoise is delicious and an excellent way to enjoy a social and interactive meal with friends and family. The variety of textures and flavors from the dipping ingredients and sauces ensures there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Ingredients
For the Fondue
- 4 - 6 cups vegetable broth (use vegetable-base paste for better flavor)
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 3-4 sprigs thyme
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
Dipping Option Suggestions
Note: The longer-to-cook vegetables should be parboiled or blanched to reduce cooking time when enjoying the fondue. I like to brown some of the vegan 'meat' for a nice visual appeal.
- mushrooms: such as button, shitake, or cremini, whole or halved
- firm tofu: cut into cubes - baked, see notes
- seitan: cut into bite-sized pieces
- vegan ravioli or tortellini
- Beyond Meat sausages - browned in a skillet
- Meati steak
- baby potatoes: halved and 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.
Equipment
Notes
I use a small cheese fondue pot for this recipe. If you have a larger pot, you may need to increase the amount of broth. Generally, aim for about ⅔ or ¾ of the pot full of broth. Adjust the remaining ingredients as needed.
Monitor the broth level and temperature throughout your meal. Add more veggie broth or adjust the heat as necessary. Have extra broth available in case your pot gets low.
I use this vegetable-based paste to make the broth extra strong and flavorful. You can also opt for vegan beef bouillon cubes. Add several cubes for extra flavor.
If you are using the Meati steak or chicken, I like to cook them first, as recommended on the packaging, then I slice them up into bite-sized cubes.
Feel free to use any herb of your choice in addition to, or as a replacement for, thyme. Fresh rosemary, for instance, is an excellent alternative.
See the post for variations of the broth and more tips.
If serving this to adults, you can add a splash of white wine or a shot of cognac to the broth right before serving.
When everyone is done cooking, the broth can be enjoyed as a soup or used as a base for making soup. For example, add some noodles to it for a delicious noodle soup.
I bake the cubed tofu in the air fryer for 12 minutes at 350°F to dry it and get slightly golden.
The nutritional information is only an estimate and only includes the broth since the dipping options and sauces vary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Swiss-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 cups
- Calories: 10
- Sugar: 1.2 g
- Sodium: 330.2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.4 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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!