If you’re looking to incorporate more nutrient-dense, wholesome foods into your household’s diet, exploring the endless possibilities of plant-based cooking is a fantastic place to start. Contrary to popular belief, vegan recipes can be incredibly delicious, satisfying, and loaded with flavors that will have even the pickiest eaters going back for seconds!
From hearty comfort food favorites to light, fresh, and healthy meals, there’s a whole world of plant-based culinary delights waiting to be discovered. And with ingredients like fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds providing a powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals, and beneficial nutrients, you’ll be fueling your bodies with the good stuff while feeling amazing.
Ready to experience just how scrumptious eating your plants can be? Keep reading for 20 of my go-to crowd-pleasing vegan recipes that will make healthy eating feel like a treat, not a sacrifice. Your taste buds and your body will be thanking you!
Energizing Breakfasts
Kick off your day with one of these vibrant, nutrition-packed plant-based morning meals:
• Loaded Veggie Tofu Scramble
• Creamy Avocado Toast topped with Hemp Seeds
• Wholesome Banana Oatmeal Bake
• Fluffy Sweet Potato Chickpea Pancakes
• Fresh Mango Chia Pudding Parfaits
Satisfying Salad Mains
Salad stops being a boring side dish with these hearty, flavor-packed vegan entree options:
• Rainbow Sweet Potato Nourish Bowl with Crispy Chickpeas
• Kale Caesar Salad with Smoky Tempeh Strips
• Creamy Cashew-Dill Sauce over Lentil Quinoa Salad
• Hoisin-Glazed Portobello Mushroom Salad
• Pomegranate, Avocado and Arugula Salad with Pan-Seared Ginger Tofu
Handheld Handhelds
Satisfy those cravings for comforting handhelds and wraps with these plant-based sandwiches and burgers:
• BBQ Jackfruit Pulled “Pork” Sandwiches
• Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos or Wraps
• Mediterranean Stuffed Pitas with Falafel
• Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers
• Banh Mi Lentil Veggie Rolls with Sriracha Mayo
Read more: Healthy Meal Prep Tips for Busy Weekdays
Veggie-Packed Entrées
Dig into these fiber and vitamin-rich plant-based main dishes that’ll satisfy any appetite:
• One-Pan Teriyaki Vegetable Stir-Fry
• Hearty Vegetable Paella with Smoked Paprika
• Coconut Vegetable Thai Curry
• Roasted Veggie Lasagna with Basil Cashew Cheeze
• Loaded Vegetarian Nachos with Walnut Chorizo Crumbles
Sweets & Treats
Eating plants has never tasted so indulgent as with these decadent-tasting vegan desserts:
• Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream
• Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Truffles
• Vibrant Beet Velvet Cupcakes with Cashew Frosting
• No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Jars
• Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookies
Some Tips for Plant-Based Cooking Success
While vegan cooking might seem intimidating at first, there are so many tips and tricks that make it a breeze! Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun in the kitchen.
When starting out, focus on recipes that allow you to use substitutes for things like eggs, milk, and butter that you’re familiar with—like applesauce, nut milks and butters, or aquafaba (chickpea brine). Slowly work your way up to using more unique plant-based ingredient swaps.
Be prepared for baking by having an arsenal of go-to egg replacers like ground flax or chia “eggs,” fruit/veggie purees, dairy-free yogurt, and commercial vegan egg products.
When cooking savory recipes, be generous with layering umami flavors from ingredients like mushrooms, tomato paste, smoked paprika, soy or tamari sauce, roasted veggies, tahini, or plant-based broths. Together these elements create robust, deep, mouthwatering flavors.
Build a functional vegan pantry by keeping a wide range of canned and dry goods like beans, lentils, plant-based broths, tomatoes, pasta, quinoa, oats, nuts, and nut butters. Having a stockpile of wholesome staple ingredients makes whipping up plant-based meals easy and convenient.
Don’t shy away from using full-fat vegan ingredients within moderation, as they add luxurious textures, mouthfeel, and dimension to plant-based dishes. We’re talking things like coconut milk, creamy nut butters, ripe avocado, and hearty nuts and seeds.
Also remember to accessorize your recipe! Garnishes like chopped nuts or seeds, fresh herbs, spice blends, pickled veggies, citrus zest and juices can add tantalizing crunchy, creamy, zesty or herbaceous elements that really make plant-based dishes shine.
Thankfully, there are now so many widely available commercial vegan swaps for things like cheese, sour cream, creamers, yogurt, and even meats made from soy, nuts, vegetables and grains. Don’t hesitate to work these convenient products into your routine when needed! The options are always expanding.
Most importantly, keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to experiment outside of recipes. The most incredible flavor combinations are born by happy accidents in the kitchen! Intuitive seasoning, sauce blending, and playful stack of mix-ins may just become your greatest culinary strengths. Plus, it’s much harder to mess up a vegan recipe.
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A Whole New World of Flavors Awaits
From the tips above, you can probably gather that plant-based cooking is both simple and versatile! By embracing a wide variety of fresh produce, legumes, and wholesome pantry staples, you open up an entirely new realm of naturally vibrant flavors to explore.
With a little practice, you’ll quickly get the hang of concocting incredibly tasty vegan dishes that provide excellent nutrition and make you feel genuinely great from the inside out. No boring, bland, or boring plates in sight! In fact, your new plant-based lifestyle might just inspire friends and family to join in too.
The possibilities for plant-based culinary creativity and nourishment are truly limitless and wildly delicious. Using our Earth’s bounties to craft mouthwatering meals that are also incredibly healthy? That’s something we can all feel amazing about!
