Many people who have just started on a plant-based diet often find it challenging to establish a regular menu they can whip up at home. The key is to find a few tried and tested recipes you can pull out from any time of the week for a clean, guiltless meal. So we decided to give you the best vegan recipes that you could make!
If you’re still getting the hang of preparing plant-based dishes for yourself, here are ten vegan recipes for new vegans that are not only scrumptious but are also fairly easy to make. Yup, being vegan doesn’t mean forcing yourself to eat a salad for every meal!
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ToggleCrispy Vegan Quinoa Cakes With Tomato-Chickpea Relish
If you’re looking for a hearty, warm dinner recipe, check out this Crispy Vegan Quinoa Cakes With Tomato-Chickpea Relish from Feasting at Home. It might look like a fancy meal you’ll get from a fancy restaurant, but it doesn’t take a chef to whip this up.
It basically involves breaking down the grains of cooked quinoa, shaping the mush into flattened balls, and pan-searing them. The result? Delicious savory cakes that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. The fresh tomato chickpea relish adds a load of colors and textures to this dish.
Creamy Pasta Pomodoro
Who says you can’t enjoy a creamy dish when you’re a vegan? This Creamy Pasta Pomodoro from Love & Lemons owes its creamy texture to raw cashews. You create a yummy marinara sauce and blitz it with the cashews and tomato paste until smooth.
The lusciously creamy pasta sauce is tangy and flavorful, perfect for coating rigatoni, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and greens. This is surely one of the best vegan recipes for new vegans who are missing their cheese.
Vegan Chipotle Portobello Tacos
Craving for Mexican? Make yourself a batch of these delicious Vegan Chipotle Portobello Tacos from Feasting at Home. The “meat” is made from portobello mushrooms made flavorful with a marinade made of chipotle in adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, and coriander.
The taco, filled with the marinated mushrooms and red bell peppers, is delicious in itself. Now topping it with Vegan Cilantro Crema (recipe also available on Feasting at Home) takes the flavors to a whole new level!
Crispy Baked Falafel
If you’re craving middle eastern flavors, this Crispy Baked Falafel from Love & Lemons won’t disappoint you! Making a falafel may seem intimidating to a newbie, but it’s really as easy as pulsing the ingredients in a food processor, forming patties, and popping it in the oven until they’re crispy and golden brown.
The key is to go for dried chickpeas instead of canned ones. This makes all the difference in making patties that are cakey and crumbly. This is also a great recipe to make in a huge batch and keep in the freezer for an easy weeknight meal.
Vegan Ramen With Miso Shiitake Broth
This Vegan Ramen With Miso Shiitake Broth recipe from Feasting at Home is gold for those who often find themselves hungry for a steaming bowl of hearty soup!
The flavorful ramen broth owes its umami flavor to shiitake mushrooms, kombu seaweed, mirin, white miso paste, and vegetable stock. Ramen noodles go very well with cubed crispy tofu. And you have the freedom to add your favorite vegetables and root crops – from cauliflower and sweet potato to bok choy and fresh herbs.
Tip: roast your veggies for an added depth of flavor!
Best Vegan Meatballs
Next on our list of vegan recipes for new vegans is this Best Vegan Meatballs recipe from Love & Lemons. The “meatball” is made from mushrooms, black beans, walnuts, and brown rice. Everything is mixed together with spices and aromatics, then formed into balls and baked to perfection.
This is a great number to whip up for meatball subs, pasta, or even salads. Just remember not to let the meatballs soak in the sauce for too long because they could fall apart.
Spicy Miso Portobello Mushroom Burger
This Vegan Spicy Miso Portobello Mushroom Burger recipe from Feasting at Home makes for a yummy Asian dish you won’t forget anytime soon. The patties are portobello mushrooms flavored with miso, toasted sesame oil, and sriracha.
The mushroom’s umami flavors are complemented by the cucumber ribbon salad, carrot slaw, and Asian guacamole. All the burger components just bring out the best in one another!
Easy Coconut Chickpea Curry
This Easy Coconut Chickpea Curry from Yup… It’s Vegan will warm you right up on a cold night. The dish is bursting with colorful flavors from garam masala, turmeric, and tomatoes. The full-fat coconut milk gives it its creamy texture. Don’t forget the lime and chopped fresh cilantro to wake up the flavors in this rich curry.
You can create this dish on the slow cooker to have dinner waiting for you when you come in at night. Cooking it on the stovetop isn’t that laborious either, as it only takes mixing and around ten minutes of simmering.
Serve this creamy curry over hot rice, and you’re in for a wonderful treat!
Marinated Baked Tempeh
If you haven’t familiarized yourself with tempeh yet, it’s high time that you do! Tempeh is somewhat akin to tofu but has a meatier texture and yummy nutty flavor. This Marinated Baked Tempeh recipe from Love & Lemons infuses the soybean protein with tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sriracha before baking it.
The result is a versatile dish you can use to add flavor and texture to your salads or grain bowls. Definitely worth a try!
Easy Peanut Noodles
Last but not least on our vegan recipes for new vegans is this Easy Peanut Noodles from Love & Lemons. Sink your teeth into a flavourful noodle dish with chunks of shiitake mushrooms, eggplant, and red peppers.
The peanut sauce gives this dish a nice sweet-savory hint, while the scallions and sesame seeds add pops of flavors here and there. Don’t forget the crushed peanuts for that added crunch and texture. Have some leftovers? Place them in lettuce cups for a quick and healthy packed lunch.