These recipes are for beginner vegans who need some help getting started. Make meals easy and stress free with these amazing options!
Eating vegan food does not have to be boring or tasteless. These 10 recipes are healthy homemade options that will leave you satisfied and happy!
This post was originally published on January 2, 2017.
Whether you are new to transitioning to a plant-based diet, trying out this whole Veganuary thing, have a New Years resolution to add more plants into your diet, or simply need life to be easy, these are for you!
While these 10 recipes are great for beginner vegans, they can be used by anyone needing to make things easy and simple.
If you are new here and looking for some support, have a ton of helpful information for starting a vegan diet, meal prepping veggies and so many amazing simple meals you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner!
Easy Vegan Recipes
This is a list of my favorite vegan recipes that are perfect for beginners because they are fairly simple yet are loaded with flavor! They also represent mainstream meals that show how plant-based foods are not boring!
Vegan Soup Recipes
Soups are probably the easiest recipes to make, and can be served as a complete meal, or along with other yummy dishes for a full dinner spread. Plus, you can make extra to store in the freezer for future easy dinners! All of these vegan soup recipes are sure to keep you warm, cozy, and full!
Vegan Mexican Recipes
Living in Southern California we eat a LOT of Mexican food. It's just so delicious and there's so much variety you can eat it every day without getting bored. Another great bonus is that it's so easy to make vegan Mexican food! Check out these recipes for the best vegan tacos, burritos, and more!
Vegan Burgers and Sandwiches
There is so much more in this world to sandwich between two pieces of bread than meat! Vegan sandwiches are excellent to take along for lunch, or to enjoy for a family friendly meal. And, vegan burger patties can be prepped ahead of time to keep on hand for quick and easy meals.
Vegan Recipes in Bowls
Some of the easiest recipes to make are ones where you throw a bunch of food in a bowl and call it a meal. OK, maybe that's over-simplified but you get the idea! All of the vegan bowl recipes can be prepped in advance if not completely, at least partially to keep dinner time super easy!
Vegan Pasta Recipes
Who doesn't love a heaping serving of pasta? It's comforting, delicious, family friendly, and makes great leftovers! If you're a beginner vegan, these pasta recipes are definitely a good place to start.
Basics for Vegan Dinners
When you're creating a plant-based dinner you want to make sure you're covering all your bases. Try to include a mix of the following:
- Greens
- Protein
- Carbohydrates
- Healthy Fats
Staples to have on hand
Keeping these ingredients in your kitchen as often as possible makes it easy to throw together last minute meals. Many of these foods are used commonly in plant-based recipes:
Pasta, beans, grains:
- Dried pasta of choice, gluten-free if needed
- Black beans
- Pinto Beans
- Chickpeas
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa
- Oats
Nuts and seeds:
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Flax seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
(Non) Dairy:
- Non-dairy milk- Silk Cashew Milk, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.
- Plain dairy-free yogurt
- Coconut cream
Spices and baking essentials:
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Basil
- Oregano
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Salt & pepper
- Vanilla extract
- Vegetable broth
- Brown rice flour
- Almond Flour
- Oat Flour
- Maple strup
Produce:
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Greens
- Garlic
- Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Bananas
- Apples
- Berries
Common Questions
Start off by incorporating more plant-based recipes to your menu. They key is not not jump in too fast and overwhelm yourself. Ease into it as you feel more comfortable. Find vegan options you enjoy and work them into recipes. Make small, achievable habits, and overtime it will get easier and easier!
There are so many amazing options out there! From tacos, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, and more, you'll find that eating plant-based doesn't limit flavor. Create a meal that includes greens, protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
It certainly can be, but there are plenty of unhealthy vegan foods as well. Making your own homemade whole food plant based recipes is generally very healthy, especially when you make sure to work in all of the necessary nutrients. Some store-bought vegan options can be loaded with not-so-healthy ingredients so make sure to read the label.
More Vegan Guides
Looking for more help on starting your vegan lifestyle? Check out these helpful articles:
- Vegan Cheese Alternatives
- The Best Tasting Milk Alternatives
- Surprising Non Vegan Foods
- How to Meal Prep Vegetables
- Weekly Vegan Dinner Menu with Grocery List
- Easy Vegan Weekly Meal Plan
Sarah
Already tried the burrito bowl (YUM) can't wait to try more!
Alisa Fleming
Ooh, so many healthy meals! Those Korean chickpeas are calling my name.
veggiesdontbite
Oh you heard them too. Phew, I thought I was the only weird one hearing food 😉