I was a vegetarian for years, but I never felt like I was getting the nutrients that my body needed. When I transitioned to veganism and started eating a more varied diet, however, it became much easier to get the vitamins and minerals that were lacking in my old diet.
I’ve learned how easy it is to make delicious plant-based meals without relying on meat or dairy products. Here are some of my favorite recipes for when you’re looking for something new to try:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Vegan meals can be delicious and nutritious. |
| Cooking with plant-based ingredients is easy with the right recipes. |
| It’s easy to get all the protein you need on a vegan diet. |
| A vegan diet can be affordable and healthy. |
| With proper planning, a vegan diet can meet all your nutritional needs. |
Green Goddess Bowl With Chickpeas
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed (or substitute brown rice, farro or whole-wheat couscous)
- 3 cups chopped kale leaves (about 2 bunches)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, torn into pieces if large
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon or lime, plus more as needed to brighten flavor
For the dressing: In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil with 1 tablespoon tahini paste or almond butter; add salt to taste. Whisk in juice from half a lemon or lime and water if needed to thin out the dressing to drizzling consistency.
Cooking with plant-based ingredients is easy with the right knowledge and recipes. Our Ultimate Guide to Cooking with Plant-based Ingredients covers everything you need to know to create amazing vegan meals at home!
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This is a great vegan meal that you can make in advance and store for later. It’s also a good choice if you’re trying to eat more plant-based foods, but want something that tastes like it came from a sandwich shop.
Ingredients:
1 cup chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for brushing the bread
1 teaspoon curry powder (more or less depending on your preference)
Vegan Mac And Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food that many people grew up with. Whether you’re vegan or not, it’s hard to find a meal more comforting than pasta mixed with creamy cheese sauce. But starting your day with this dish isn’t exactly a healthy choice.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make sure your mac and cheese sticks to the vegan lifestyle. It’s all about picking ingredients that fit into your plant-based diet plan!
To start, you’ll want to swap out the regular pasta for something like zucchini noodles (zoodles). These lower-calorie alternatives are packed with nutrients like vitamin C and potassium—and they’re easy on the digestive system too! You can also use spiralized carrots or beets for extra fiber content.
As for the cashews in place of milk? Just make sure they’re soaked beforehand so they become soft enough for blending into batter without having any crunchy pieces left over after cooking time passes by quickly thanks then add some nutritional yeast flakes just before serving so everyone gets their cheesy fix without having any extra calories instead
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Whole Wheat Macaroni | 1 pound |
| Nutritional Yeast | ½ cup |
| Raw Cashews | 1 cup |
| Vegetable Broth | 1 cup |
| Garlic Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Onion Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Dijon Mustard | 1 tablespoon |
| Lemon Juice | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Paprika | ¼ teaspoon |
Looking for a healthier vegan mac and cheese recipe that still provides the comfort food feel? Try this recipe for vegan mac and cheese with nutritional yeast, raw cashews, and Dijon mustard. It’s packed with plant-based protein and nutrients, and will still satisfy your pasta craving.
Vegan Buffalo Wings
Making vegan buffalo wings is a breeze! All you need are some vegan chicken substitutes, buttery sauce and hot sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup flour (all-purpose)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder mixed with 1/4 cup water (this helps to thicken up the sauce)
Sauce Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk (almond milk works best but you can use soy milk as well) 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1/4 -1 teaspoon salt (depending on how salty your miso paste is)
Who says vegan food can’t be delicious? These 10 Mouthwatering Vegan Recipes are sure to please even the most carnivorous eaters. Try them out and discover the amazing flavors of plant-based cuisine.
Vegan Ranch Chicken Salad
This ranch chicken salad recipe is another one of my favorites. It takes basic ingredients and combines them in a way that makes something totally new and delicious.
- 1 cup chickpeas, canned or cooked
- ½ cup carrots, chopped
- ½ cup celery, chopped
- ¼ cucumber (whose skin you removed), diced
- 1 tablespoon red onion, chopped finely (or more to taste)
Incorporate vegan ranch dressing as needed until you’re happy with the flavor and consistency of your salad. For me this means about 3-4 tablespoons per serving but if you want it to be less creamy then less may be better!
Tempeh Curry
Tempeh is a soy product that has a nutty and meaty texture. Like tofu, tempeh is high in protein and fiber, but unlike tofu it also contains healthy phytochemicals called isoflavones (soy’s version of estrogens).
Because it’s made from whole soybeans, tempeh has more vitamins and minerals than tofu does. Tempeh contains calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, all good things for your health!
But since tempeh isn’t as well-known as other soy products like tofu or edamame (baby soybeans), you don’t see it used as much in cooking which means there aren’t many recipes out there using this versatile ingredient.
One recipe we’ve discovered though is this simple curry recipe that uses tempeh instead of chicken or beef to make an easy weeknight meal.
It’s perfect for those following a vegan diet because it doesn’t contain any animal products at all–just plant-based goodness!
Worried about getting enough protein on a vegan diet? Check out our list of Vegan Power Foods to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy vegan lifestyle.
Thai Peanut Zucchini Noodles
To make this dish, you’ll need:
- a tub of peanut butter (preferably natural and unsweetened)
- fresh ginger, minced
- garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press
- cilantro leaves and stems chopped into small pieces
- zucchini noodles (you can buy them pre-made or use a spiralizer to make your own)
How to prepare:
Heat up some oil in a large frying pan over medium heat before adding the peanut butter, ginger, garlic and 1/4 cup water.
Stir until combined until smooth and creamy. Add cilantro if desired. Remove from heat when done. 2. Place noodles in a bowl then pour sauce overtop along with any veggies you’d like!
Garlic Butter Mushrooms With Parmesan Orzo
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo
- 8 ounces baby bella (or brown) mushrooms, cleaned and sliced into halves or quarters
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling on the finished dish
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Instructions:
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook the orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat up two tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until they are golden on both sides (about 7 minutes total). Add salt and pepper to taste at this point if you want!
Remove from heat once browned nicely with crispy edges but still juicy inside–you might have to do this in batches depending on how much you have going on at once! Set aside while you finish cooking everything else so they don’t get soggy 🙂
Spinach Artichoke Pizza On Cauliflower Crust
If you’re a pizza lover who’s committed to cutting out animal products, it can be hard to find vegan pizzas. We’ve got you covered with this recipe for spinach artichoke pizza on cauliflower crust.
It’s easy to make your own vegan cheese and meat, so if you want to make this recipe even healthier, replace the store-bought mozzarella cheese with homemade cashew ricotta or vegan cheese.
You can also try making your own “meat” by using lentils, beans or soy as the base for seitan (or tempeh). This will give your body some extra fiber while still giving you that satisfying crunchy texture of traditional pizza toppings!
You may need some time to get used to working with cauliflower crusts instead of regular dough but once you get into the swing of things it’s actually pretty simple!
Eating a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be complicated, even on a busy schedule. Our collection of Easy Vegan Recipes for Busy Weeknights will help you whip up delicious, nutritious meals in no time.
Black Bean Nachos With Avocado Crema And No-Bake Brownies For Dessert
For the nachos, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spread out about 1/4 cup of the beans in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast for 15 minutes or until they get slightly browned and crispy.
In the meantime, heat some oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onion until softened.
Add in the garlic and cook for another minute before adding in all of your remaining ingredients except for 1/2 cup of cilantro and stirring together until combined well (about 3 minutes). Remove from heat once done!
To make your avocado crema: simply blend up 1 avocado with 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt and if you like it spicy add more! After that just add water little by little until you get it to drizzle consistency.
Assemble your nachos by placing tortilla chips on individual plates then topping them with bean mixture followed by roasted black beans (you can do this beforehand) then cilantro greens the finishing touch is this fabulous avocado crema which will blow your mind!!!
Finally top everything off with fresh tomatoes (if you want), red onions slices & more cilantro leaves before devouring immediately! To make these even louder pair them with our No-Bake Brownies recipe below!
| Dish | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Black Bean Nachos | Black beans, tortilla chips, diced tomatoes, avocado, jalapeño, vegan cheese |
| Avocado Crema | Avocado, lime juice, garlic, salt |
| No-Bake Brownies | Medjool dates, walnuts, cocoa powder, coconut oil, vanilla extract |
Enjoy a delicious plant-based game night dinner menu featuring black bean nachos with avocado crema and decadent, no-bake brownies for dessert.
Lentil Tacos And Mango Salsa
Lentils are a great source of plant-based protein. They’re also low in fat and full of fiber, iron and other nutrients that help keep you feeling full longer.
If you want to add more lentils to your diet but aren’t sure what to make with them, try these easy tacos!
In a large mixing bowl, mash the avocado well with a fork until smooth. Add lime juice, salt and pepper and mix until combined.
Do not over-mix avocado or it will lose its texture when cooked in tacos later on (this is especially true if you’re using an electric blender).
When ready to serve: Pour salsa into small bowls for dipping; set aside any leftover salsa for serving alongside tacos later on (it’s best if leftovers can be stored separately from other foods). Place tortillas in microwave for 30 seconds so they stay warm while eating; this gives each person time between tacos without getting cold hands or fingers while waiting around too long before eating next taco!
If desired (and recommended), lightly toast each tortilla before filling it – just enough heat so it doesn’t break apart when handled by hand (but don’t toast too long since then we won’t be able to fold the tortilla anymore!).
Using two forks held together like tongs place about 2 tablespoons lentil mixture along center line of tortilla then fold over both sides towards middle enclosing filling inside like folding paper airplane origami style; repeat process until all four sides have been folded into shape then place seam side down onto plate/bowl filled with warm/hot sauce mixture – enjoy!!
It’s a common myth that vegans don’t get enough protein, but in reality, it’s easy to get all the protein you need on a plant-based diet. Check out our list of 15 Easy Ways to Get Enough Protein on a Vegan Diet for some great tips on meeting your protein needs without animal products.
Conclusion
These recipes are designed to help you create delicious vegan meals for a healthier lifestyle. We hope that you find them useful in your journey towards a better diet and more sustainable lifestyle!
Further Reading
Here are a few related articles you may find helpful:
Feasting at Home’s Vegan Dinner Recipes – This collection of vegan dinner recipes features a variety of cuisines and flavor profiles, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
BBC Good Food’s Healthy Vegan Recipes – For those looking for healthy vegan recipes, this collection curated by BBC Good Food is a great place to start.
Good Housekeeping’s Vegan Recipes – From breakfast to dessert, this collection of vegan recipes from Good Housekeeping has a wide variety of options that are sure to please.
FAQs
What are some common sources of protein in a vegan diet?
Many plant-based foods are excellent sources of protein, including beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, nuts, seeds, and quinoa.
Should I take supplements on a vegan diet?
It’s important to make sure that you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs on a vegan diet, particularly vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal products. Most vegans either take a B12 supplement or eat foods that are fortified with B12, such as plant-based milks or breakfast cereals.
Is it more expensive to follow a vegan diet?
While some vegan specialty products can be expensive, a vegan diet can also be quite affordable. Grains, legumes, and vegetables, the foundation of many vegan meals, are generally very affordable.
Can a vegan diet provide all the nutrients I need?
Yes, with proper planning, a vegan diet can provide all the nutrients your body needs to be healthy. It’s important to make sure you’re eating a variety of foods and getting all the essential nutrients, such as protein, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
How can I make sure I’m getting enough protein on a vegan diet?
As mentioned earlier, many plant-based foods are excellent sources of protein. To ensure that you’re getting enough, aim to include a protein source with each meal and snack. For example, you could have tofu or tempeh in a stir-fry, lentils in a soup, or nuts and seeds in a salad.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a vegan lifestyle enthusiast. I’ve been living the vegan lifestyle for over 10 years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The food is amazing, the community is incredible, and there’s no way I could go back after experiencing all this firsthand.
