60 Easy Vegan Recipes
These easy vegan recipes for beginners make eating a whole food plant-based diet fun, healthy, and most importantly: delicious!
When I first started eating vegan food a decade ago, it seemed daunting. But I quickly realized: vegan recipes are some of the most creative and delicious out there! Today, my career is devoted to inspiring people to eat vegetables in delicious ways, and I’ve created hundreds of vegan recipes (on this website and in my vegetarian and vegan cookbook!).
I’ve discovered eating plant based meals actually opens up a new world of creative techniques and ingredients. Here are my top 50 favorite easy vegan recipes, whether you eat fully plant-based or just want more vegan dinner recipes in your weekly rotation!
60 Easy Vegan Recipes
These vegan cauliflower tacos have become one of my top reader favorite vegan recipes, and for good reason. The star is crispy breaded cauliflower that's baked until golden and crunchy, with a texture that reminds me of fish tacos. They're layered with cumin-spiced refried beans and a silky Yum Yum sauce that brings everything together!
This vegan chickpea curry hits all the checkboxes for a delicious plant based dinner. It’s full of plant based protein, so it will keep you full for hours. Packed with chickpeas, spinach, ginger, and curry powder, and it takes only 20 minutes to make. Serve with basmati rice or vegan naan for a complete meal!
Everyone loves this vegan dinner, even meat eaters! It’s a great way to make a healthy plant based meal where no one notices there’s no meat! Roast up lots of veggies on a sheet pan with spices, and serve with refried beans and “guac-ish,” a super fast version of guacamole.
This falafel bowl makes a satisfying meal, full of bright Mediterranean flavors! Featuring homemade baked falafel and crunchy veggies, it’s a delicious healthy lunch or dinner idea.
Veggie burgers can be seriously satisfying, and that doesn’t mean processed meat substitutes. These easy vegan chickpea burgers are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a hint of nuance from smoked paprika. They're painted with BBQ sauce and served with vegan bacon and spicy mayo!
This stir fry comes to the dinnertime rescue! Broccoli florets and tofu cubes are tossed in a tangy, savory sauce for a vegan dinner everyone will love. Even better, it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
This vegan Moroccan stew is cozy, hearty and full of flavor. It's warm spiced with cumin, coriander and cinnamon, and the chickpeas are simmered with tomatoes and chickpeas. Serve with side quinoa or couscous and a dollop of cashew cream.
This is one of the most popular recipes on my website and it just so happens to be vegan! It's super creamy by way of cashews and white beans, and filling from the hearty wild rice. I've made this so many times for friends and family who love it!
This vegan recipe is the ideal plant based dinner idea: chunks of perfectly-seasoned meaty, savory crispy tofu paired with fluffy rice and fresh veggies. Cover it with a spicy mayo and sprinkle everything with crunchy fried onions, and it's an explosion of textures and flavors.
Everyone loves chili, and it's the perfect way to make vegetables taste delicious. This one is full of savory flavor starring beans, quinoa, and a hint of adobo sauce for complexity. Top it with our vegan sour cream and some pickled jalapenos and serve with Vegan Cornbread.
Another fan favorite vegan recipe is this Chickpea Salad Sandwich! It's like a chicken salad sandwich using chickpeas, it's made of mashed chickpeas, celery, green onion, a little mayo, and a pop of lemon. I like to serve it with hummus spread on both sides of the bread.
No matter how you eat, this vegan lasagna will be a hit. It's smothered in a zesty marinara sauce, layered with spinach, mushrooms, and my secret ingredient: hummus. Top with a sprinkling of vegan Parmesan and it will please everyone at the table!
Welcome to the tofu sandwich of your dreams! This vegan sandwich stars crispy breaded tofu, tangy Russian dressing, and crunchy pickles that create a flavor explosion everyone will love.
These vegan enchiladas are a huge crowd pleaser! Tortillas are wrapped around a veggie filling of black beans and guacamole, and it’s all doused in a zesty homemade enchilada sauce.
This delicious red lentil curry is packed with flavor and plant based protein, topped with a sparkling cilantro chutney that makes it shine! Serve with rice as a hearty vegan dinner.
This genius recipe stars the magic of Walnut Taco Meat, a tasty way to make a plant-based version of ground beef. Turns out, walnuts, mushrooms and spices can simulate the savory goodness of meat crumbles. Top with a taco salad dressing and lots of veggies.
These veggie nuggets are so delicious and made with a simple combination of vegetables, oats, and flavorful spices. Everyone loves them (both kids and adults!), and they’re vegan and easily gluten-free. Dip into a fun sauce and enjoy as a meal or snack!
This sweet potato lentil soup is a creamy, budget-friendly vegan dinner made with wholesome ingredients and aromatic spices. It's great for meal prep and packed with plant-based protein and fiber.
If you have a bit of prep time, this vegan shepherd's pie recipe is a total crowd pleaser! Imagine: a creamy gravy filled with tender vegetables, lentils and scented with fennel and sage. Then a fluffy layer of Yukon gold potatoes, topped with fresh rosemary. It’s layered together in a baking dish and then baked until golden.
This impossibly creamy sauce is a healthy spin on the traditionally rich pasta. It’s made with nutrient-dense cauliflower and protein-packed cashews instead of dairy. Said one reader: “YUM! I love it! It’s super easy to make. I made it again 2 days later!”
If you need dinner in under 5 minutes, this is your answer. Dollop creamy hummus into a bowl and surround it with whatever crunchy vegetables you have on hand: cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and more. I like to rice or quinoa to make it filling. It's my go-to lunch or dinner when I need something that requires zero cooking but still feels like a real meal.
Kidney beans and navy beans float in a savory, smoky broth of fire roasted tomatoes that has just the right glossy texture. It uses canned beans, but it tastes like it’s been simmering all day. Each silky, smoky spoonful is deliciously filling.
Craving comfort food without the dairy? Try this vegan mac and cheese! My spin explodes with creamy decadence using only whole food ingredients like cashews, sweet potato, and canned artichokes to make a cheesy sauce that is just as satisfying as the real thing!
This breaded tofu is a game-changer for fast and easy weeknight meals! It comes out crispy on the outside and seasoned on the inside, and it comes together in a flash. This one is a huge hit in my house as a vegan dinner, or as a plant based protein to top salads and bowl meals.
Eggplant Parmesan is one of the world’s best meatless comfort foods: so why not try a dairy-free rendition? Tender eggplant slices are dipped and breaded, then baked until crispy and smothered in a tangy marinara sauce. Top with dairy-free cheese to make a stunning vegan dinner everyone will love!
Here’s one of my favorite vegan dinner ideas: vegan crab cakes! Essentially a plant-based patty that tastes like a crab cake, these crispy, crave-worthy bites will wow eaters of any diet. The first time I made these for my family they couldn’t stop raving (really!). Packed with hearts of palm, artichokes, and chickpeas, serve them up with tartar sauce for a filling vegan dinner recipe.
If there’s a vegan recipe that always satisfies, it’s a great lentil soup. Lentils are one of nature’s wonders: they’re full of protein, shelf stable for years, inexpensive, and make for some of the most satisfying filling meals. This one is deliciously hearty, featuring aromatic vegetables, lemon and a hint of smoked paprika.
Here tender sweet potatoes and bell peppers swim in a luscious broth of coconut milk and Thai curry paste, topped with fresh cilantro and crunchy peanuts. There’s so much flavor going on! Serve it with rice for a filling meal.
In this satisfying plant based dinner, the punchy, savory filling is infused with hoisin, soy sauce and rice vinegar, mixing savory tofu with cashews and green onions. Throw it into tender leaf of crunchy green lettuce with a few more colorful veggies!
Need dinnertime inspiration? Cozy up to a bowl of these creamy, zingy peanut noodles! This is one of my favorite fresh, easy dinner recipes and it comes together in less than 30 minutes. The peanut butter sauce is bursting with flavor from soy sauce, fresh lime juice and maple syrup.
Loaded sweet potatoes is one of my favorite easy vegan recipes: and you won’t believe the flavor here! They’re the perfect blend of sweet and savory. The spicy pico de gallo is the perfect complement to the light sweetness of the potato. Topped with creamy cilantro sauce made out of a secret vegan ingredient.
Here’s an irresistibly delicious vegan dinner recipe: Falafel Salad! Make a batch of this easy baked falafel, then layer them with crunchy veggies and top with a creamy, zingy tahini dressing. Or, use purchased frozen falafel or even repurpose take-out leftovers!
Here’s a go-to when you need a vegan recipe that’s protein-packed: Vegan Meatballs! This recipe takes under 30 minutes to make, and it’s packed with protein! Serve with pasta and your favorite marinara sauce.
These vegan Sloppy Joes have a zingy lentil filling that tastes just as good as the meaty version. Put it on a toasted bun with some bread and butter pickles, you're going to love it. Serve easy vinegar coleslaw.
This vegan broccoli soup is seriously creamy, whole food plant based (WFPB), and tastes like the coziest bowl of comfort. This one tastes like an elevated version of broccoli cheese soup, and makes for a filling vegan meal.
This plant based burrito is packed with flavor from Spanish rice (aka Mexican rice), seasoned black beans, peppers and onions, and mashed avocado. It's a deliciously filling vegan dinner or lunch idea.
Tender white beans float in the cozy broth with soft potatoes and leafy kale. Lemon zest lends brightness and tarragon brings an herby nuance. It’s made of 100% vegetables and tastes bright and satisfying.
It can be hard to find a dinner idea that works for everyone, but here's one that always is a hit: Loaded Baked Potato! Mix and match any variety of baked potato toppings and you’ve got a delicious dinner that works for almost any diet. For vegan, top with black beans, pico de gallo and Vegan Nacho Cheese for a tasty meal.
Tofu is a healthy vegan protein that's great for incorporating into your meal prep repertoire. Want to fall in love with it? Come taste this tofu stir fry. It’s got the most flavor-packed stir fry sauce that works with any veggie, and the tofu is crisped on the outside and perfectly seasoned.
Here’s a fun trick for making a plant-based substitute for ground beef: try this Vegan Ground Beef! This recipe is a great homemade option and you won't believe the flavor. It’s perfect for making crumbles to stuff into a zucchini or pepper, for a taco filling or on a salad.
Here’s a must-make vegan recipe: this irresistible BBQ Tofu! Each bite has just the right chewy texture, bathed in a silky, sweet, savory sauce. Serve with rice, or Southern-style sides like coleslaw and vegan cornbread.
This easy sheet pan dinner is full of colorful vegetables and loaded with flavor! It's a plant-based dinner that roasts up everything on a sheet pan at once: lots of good-for-you veggies and chickpeas for plant based protein. Throw it all in the oven while you cook rice or quinoa. Top with a dollop of hummus, vegan sour cream, or another vegan sauce.
Try this crispy Baked Tofu! You won’t be able to resist sneaking bites off the pan with this one. It’s savory and seasoned to perfection, with a satisfying crunch to each bite. Serve with rice and Simple Sauteed Broccoli for a complete meal.
These tasty tacos are stuffed with avocado fries, breaded and baked in a hot oven until crispy, then topped with spiced black beans, pico de gallo, and crunchy romaine lettuce. Drizzle on a creamy lime and cilantro sauce, and it’s heaven on a plate. It tastes like restaurant tacos, but it’s easy to whip up in your kitchen.
Minestrone soup is a vegan Italian recipe designed for using up any veggies you had on hand. This classic soup is full of chunky vegetables, white beans, and pasta in a tomato-y broth. Serve it with basil pesto (or vegan pesto) and it’s called Minestrone alla genovese.
Here’s a vegan dinner recipe that takes just 30 minutes and results in big flavor. The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness. The Thai-style flavors are the perfect way to introduce tofu to those wary of it.
Here’s a way to make vegan eating delicious: Vegan Tacos! There are lots of ways to make a vegan taco, but this one is my favorite. It’s filled with hearty, spiced walnut taco meat that tastes remarkably similar to the real thing. Add refried beans, your favorite classic toppings, and dollop with a creamy, spicy sauce.
This Mediterranean Bowl is bursting with colorful veggies! It’s a simple “meal in a bowl” that stars spiced roasted vegetables, seasoned with an irresistible mix of cumin, coriander, garlic and a hint of cinnamon. Add to that quinoa or couscous, fresh cucumber and tomato, and top it all off with a creamy lemon tahini sauce.
This spin on the traditional Mediterranean chickpea dip might sound fun: and it tastes even better than it sounds! Black beans, lime, tahini and a bit of smoked paprika make creamy dip magic.
These vegan recipes include breakfast inspiration, too! This Homemade Acai Bowl is a tangy purple smoothie made of acai berries and tropical fruit, topped with vibrant toppings of all kinds. Acai pulp can be found in the frozen section in most groceries or online.
Here’s a make ahead vegan breakfast that fits in the palm of your hand: these Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies! Yes, it’s magic: oats, nut butter, applesauce, and maple syrup transform into cookies that you can eat for breakfast. There’s none of those traditional cookie ingredients: no flour, no butter, no oil, and no refined sugar.
Here’s a vegan banana muffins recipe that will make everyone say, “Wow!” They’re fluffy and just sweet enough, with the perfect banana flavor. Even better, a streusel topping gives every bite a little crunch and extra touch of sweet. You’d really never know these are a vegan baked good.
Try these Vegan Banana Pancakes! They're quick, easy and so delicious: and leftovers make for great snacks, slathered in nut butter with a hint of maple syrup. This plant-based pancake recipe is so easy to make using simple ingredients: no need for any egg substitutes!
Want to liven up your breakfast game? Try Breakfast Quinoa! This alternative to oatmeal is just as satisfying. Critics of quinoa find it bitter or bland, but this way to prepare it is anything but! Cook it with milk, maple syrup and cinnamon, then load it up with toppings like fresh berries, coconut and nut butter.
Here's a fantastic vegan breakfast recipe: a tofu scramble! You'll be surprised how much it has the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs! It's a healthy, savory vegan breakfast that takes only 10 minutes to whip up. If you'd like, serve it with a veggie saute on the side: red onion, peppers and greens cooked until tender.
Toast the oats in coconut oil to bring out their flavor, then add water and cinnamon and wait for a few minutes. It’s a genius life hack that makes for simple mornings. Top with almond butter, peanut butter or cashew butter for a filling breakfast (and add vegan strawberry jam if you like).
This breakfast sandwich is a fun savory option with a unique filling. It takes just 5 minutes to whip up a savory chickpea pancake that surprisingly has a similar flavor and texture to scrambled eggs. Pile it high on a toasted sourdough muffin with tomato and avocado and it’s so satisfying: and totally plant-based!
Here’s the ideal healthy vegan breakfast recipe, easy and full of irresistible flavor. This recipe is wholesome and filling, and it’s made with good-for-you ingredients: mostly oats and bananas. Serve it for guests or even better, make up a big pan and eat off of it all week! You can cut it into “bars” for quick snacks, too.
Here’s a vegan smoothie for when you’ve got a chocolate craving: the Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie! Because what’s more fun than chocolate covered strawberries, in drinkable form? This tasty recipe features strawberries, banana, almond butter and cocoa powder, blended up into a lusciously creamy puree.
Outrageously good is the only way to describe these vegan chocolate chip cookies! They’re chewy with crispy edges, sweet with just the right nutty intrigue in the flavor, and studded with dark chocolate chips and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. They are easy to make with simple ingredients: no vegan substitutes! Plus, there’s no dough refrigeration or wait time (required for cookies, to us).
Easy vegan recipes have got to include treats, right? If a no bake cookie and a peanut butter cup had a baby, it would be these bliss bites! This one is a vegan recipe we recommend to everyone: not just beginners. It’s our most popular recipe to date! One trick: make the “mini” version using a mini muffin tin to keep the portion size smaller: then you can eat more of them!
Why Plant-Based Protein Matters in Vegan Recipes
One important part to eating vegan recipes is this: make sure you get enough plant based protein to stay satiated and full! Protein from legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy is important for balancing a diet that has no meat or dairy. And it will keep you full for hours! All of the recipes above focus on making sure there is a good amount of vegan protein. Here are the best sources of vegan protein in your diet:
- Legumes: Lentils, Beans, Chickpeas, and Peas
- Whole Grains: Rice, Quinoa, Barley, Farro, Bulgur Wheat, and Millet (see How to Cook Whole Grains)
- Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, Pistachios, Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds), Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds
- Soy: Tofu, Tempeh. (Stick to 2 to 4 servings per week)
- Veggies: Some vegetables have protein, but in much lower amounts than the foods above. Some higher protein veggies are Corn, Broccoli, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, and Artichokes.
Snacking on a Vegan Diet
And between meals to make sure you’re staying full: focus on vegan snack recipes! We have lots of ideas for vegan snacking:
- Best Plant Based & Vegan Snacks Here’s a collection of all of our favorite vegan snack recipes, from bars to dips.
- Vegan Snack Bars This homemade energy bar recipe is the perfect wholesome snack! It’s naturally vegan, featuring oats, chia seeds, and pecans.
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas Like a healthy potato chip! The chickpeas are mixed with cumin, garlic powder, and black pepper and roasted until crispy.
from A Couple Cooks
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Sonja Overhiser
December 31, 2025 at 11:00AM
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