Vegan Recipes Everyone Will Love
Choosing a plant-based lifestyle—especially at first—can seem daunting. But with so many fantastic and talented food bloggers online, vegan recipes can be just as delicious and flavorful as your most-loved dishes—including desserts and comfort foods!
For readers who are new to the plant-based journey, as well as for long-time vegans, we’ve put together a list with a few of our favorite meals. Most include gluten-free variations and other allergy modifications. So whether you’re craving sweet or salty, cheesy, or chocolatey—we’ve got you covered.
Prefer to cook with a recipe book on hand? Try one of these vegan or vegetarian cookbooks!
1-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake
Recipe by Minimalist Baker
Fluffy, moist, and generously coated with vegan “buttercream” frosting, the 1-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake recipe by Minimalist Baker is a dessert for the most special of celebrations—or just because! Enjoy with an ice cold glass of almond milk or with a scoop of your favorite dairy-free ice cream for the most delicious vegan treat.
Reviews | “I made this on Monday for my wife’s birthday and can honestly say after waiting decades (in her case) for a decent vegan chocolate cake, this is it—in spades.” – Russell H.
Make the One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake
Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Recipe by Sweet Potato Soul
If you’re in the mood for warm comfort food, look no further than this Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprouts Gratin from the aptly titled Sweet Potato Soul. Aside from using a bowl to mix the crunch breadcrumb topping, this is a one-pan meal, which makes your kitchen clean-up quick and easy. So pick your favorite alternative milk and get baking! (Plus, there’s a video if you’re more of a visual learner.)
Reviews | “I just made this…. took a bite and I was like okay. A minute later finished the bowl. Had another bowl. This stuff is addicting. I highly recommend. Definitely going to add this to my favorite easy meal prep meals.” – Amanda B.
Make Sweet Potato & Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Cheerful Vegan Nachos
Recipe by Oh She Glows
Your favorite weekend snack just became vegan. Cheesy, crunchy, and layered with roasted veggies, it’s hard to believe The Cheerful Vegan Nachos by Oh She Glows are actually plant-based. Perfect for game day, house parties, or movie night, you’re going to want to make these on more than one occasion.
Reviews | “Thanks for the recipe Angela! It can be difficult to come up with a way to make nachos a healthy option. Thanks for the little tidbit on saving time by pre-making the cheese sauce and the spicy black beans. A little time saving trick can make a big difference!” – Jordan M.
Make Cheerful Vegan Nachos
Vegan Avocado Toast
Recipe by Simple Vegan Blog
Change up your breakfast routine with savory Vegan Avocado Toast by Simple Vegan Blog. With a hint of citrus, a pinch of salt, and your favorite wholesome bread (Simple Vegan recommends homemade rye and spelt bread), this 7-ingredient open sandwich is comparable to, if not better than, the avocado toast at your favorite weekend brunch spot.
We Love | If you are bilingual or want to practice your Spanish skills, check out Danza de Fogones—a Spanish vegan food blog, also by Simple Vegan.
Make Vegan Avocado Toast
Cinnamon Raisin Banana Vegan Scones
Recipe by Orchids + Sweet Tea
It’s not impossible to bake without butter—and these glazed breakfast scones from Orchids + Sweet Tea prove it. They don’t need pastry flour either! The scones are hard crusted on the outside, soft on the inside, sprinkled with raisins, and drizzled with a vanilla glaze. A bit of cinnamon brings some spice to the sweetness, too.
Reviews | “These are so good and easy to make!!! I have been wanting to make scones but don’t have pastry flour, so I was excited to find this vegan scone recipe that didn’t need pastry flour. I didn’t have raisins either (clearly I am lacking in the ingredients and need to get groceries) so I made them without and they were still very delicious! I made these as part of my plant-based tea party and they were a hit.” – Andrea R.
Make Cinnamon Raisin Banana Vegan Scones
Vegan Dirty Rice & Black-Eyed Peas
Recipe by The Full Helping
Considered a “lucky” New Year’s food in the South, black-eyed peas are rich in vitamins, potassium, and protein. They also taste delicious alongside vegan dirty rice and steamed greens. For a warm, smoky, and plant-based Southern dish, whip up a batch of The Full Helping’s Vegan Dirty Rice & Black-Eyed Peas. It’s just as wonderful for lunch leftovers, so you may want to make a little extra!
Reviews | “Made this to celebrate the new year…It was so delicious and I would definitely make it again. I ate it with collard greens!” – Molly
Make Vegan Dirty Rice & Black-Eyed Peas
Berbere Spiced Jackfruit Tacos
Recipe by Vegan Richa
We’re always on the lookout for delicious and creative vegan taco variations—and this recipe does not disappoint. Using jackfruit, a homemade berbere spice blend (a mix of spices frequently used in Ethiopian cuisine), and a fusion of sauces, the Berbere Spiced Jackfruit Tacos by Vegan Richa have us hooked. Try with a generous drizzle of Richa’s easy vegan tzatziki for added tang.
Reviews | “Wow these look super easy and delicious! I rarely work with jackfruit, but these look so flavorful, great job Richa!” – Kathy P.
MakeBerbere Spiced Jackfruit Tacos
Mushroom Tom Kha Soup
Recipe by Chocolate for Basil
Using a simple sauté & simmer technique, you can make this classic Thai dish in no time. A rich blend of flavors, it combines creamy coconut milk, earthy mushrooms, spicy red chilies, and tangy lemongrass to get your tastebuds salivating and satisfied.
We Love | Jerelle Guy’s first cookbook, “Black Girl Baking,” was nominated for 2019 James Beard Award in the Baking Category. Now, in addition to contributing recipes to The New York Times, she owns and operates her own food photography studio in downtown Dallas.
Make Mushroom Tom Kha Soup
Vegan Roasted Butternut Squash Fettuccine Alfredo
Recipe by Blissful Basil
A warm, rich, and nourishing plant-based recipe, Blissful Basil’s Vegan Roasted Butternut Squash Fettuccine Alfredo is every pasta lover’s dream. The cauliflower and cashew-based alfredo sauce is oh-so-creamy and cheesy, and the addition of roasted veggies helps to form a healthy week-night dinner. Reviewers have also said this recipe tastes delicious with sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or roasted beets, so use up whatever veggies you have on hand.
Reviews | “I made this for dinner last night, and my meat-eating boyfriend and best friend loved it! The sauce was super simple to make but delicious and oh so satisfying!” – Taylor F.
MakeVegan Roasted Butternut Squash Fettuccine Alfredo
Plantain Mole Enchiladas
Recipe by Dora’s Table
Making mole from scratch can take several hours but, using a beloved paste suggested by Dora’s Table, you can have these enchiladas in 40 minutes. As always, you’ll need both chiles and chocolate, and the rich spiciness of the classic sauce blends perfectly with the sweetness of the garlic-plantain mash.
Review | “I wasn’t sure how plantain could replace chicken in an enchilada, but these are the most delicious Mole Enchiladas I’ve ever had. I loved them. Thank you Dora for this great recipe!!” – Tanya Z.
Make Plantain Mole Enchiladas
Vegan Macarons
Recipe by Olives For Dinner
If you’ve ever attempted to bake homemade macarons, you know it’s no small feat. And so does Erin from Olives For Dinner—that’s what makes this recipe for Vegan Macarons so great. She writes about her previous attempts and mistakes, and shares the tips and tricks she’s learned to perfecting macarons. If you’re up for the challenge, we recommend this 4-ingredient recipe for a delightful and impressive dessert.
We Love | Erin at Olives For Dinner is a self-described ethical vegan, writing “Ethical veganism (for me) is motivated by compassion and empathy, which is based on feelings and emotions—a gut reaction…Veganism for me is about adding things to your diet, and enjoying flavors and cooking—without the use of animal products.”
Make Vegan Macarons
Green Bean Casserole
Recipe by Isa Chandra
A Thanksgiving and fall staple for many of us, we could not be more in love with this vegan Green Bean Casserole by Isa Chandra. Cashews, cremini mushrooms, veggie broth, and fresh green beans create a healthy casserole full of flavor—so much so that we’re making this recipe year-round! Just don’t forget to top with vegan fried onions.
Reviews | “Since going vegan more than four years ago I’ve longed for green bean casserole and now an angel appeared in the form of Isa Chandra!!!! This will so be on our Thanksgiving table…” – Sarah
Make Green Bean Casserole
Thai Peanut Tofu & Sweet Potato Bowl
Recipe by Keepin’ It Kind
It’s hard to adequately explain the brilliance behind the Thai Peanut Tofu & Sweet Potato Bowl by Keepin’ It Kind. With so many fresh vegetables, seasonings, and garnishes, this recipe is an incredible explosion of plant-based flavor. It’s also extremely filling and stores well in the fridge for leftovers.
Reviews | “This Thai bowl probably nails all of my cravings in one. You include the creamy factor with the peanut sauce and the sweet potato, the crunch from the tofu, broccoli and peanuts, and the health factors, of course! LOVE this!” – Cassie T.
Make the Thai Peanut Tofu & Sweet Potato Bowl
Vegan Peanut Butter & Jelly Banana Bread
Recipe by Rachel Ama
You’ve likely had peanut butter and jelly between two pieces of bread, but have you ever had it as an entire loaf? If not, you’re in luck. This recipe from Rachel Ama combines the classic sandwich with beloved banana bread. It’s gluten-free, too! Topped with a jam made from chia seeds & mixed berries, this snack might even make you look back fondly on cafeteria lunches. Crazy, right?
Review | “The best banana bread recipe I’ve ever made. So good!!” – Paula
Make Vegan Peanut Butter & Jelly Banana Bread
Pizza With Red Pepper Flax Crust, Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce, Pine Nut Cheese & Veggies
Recipe by This Rawsome Vegan Life
No list of vegan recipes would be complete without a plant-based pizza, and we love this variation by This Rawsome Life. Using pine nuts for cheese and a blend of red pepper and seeds for the crust, this pizza is light, healthy, and incredibly delicious.
We Love | Em, the author of This Rawsome Life, is transparent and upfront about the effect of privilege on the vegan diet and how it influences what we can cook and eat. She is passionate about intersectionality and inclusivity, and we love her commitment to awareness and progressive conversation.
