15 Plant-based Recipes You Definitely Need to Try (2024)

BySummer SebastianPosted onUpdated on

Looking for some new plant-based recipes to try? Here is a list of our favorites that we make over and over again. You might find a new favorite in here too!

15 Plant-based Recipes You Definitely Need to Try (1)

This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.

Since transitioning to a mostly whole food, plant-based diet in 2016, Josh and I have been trying all kinds of new plant-based recipes. Some of them have been better than others, so today I want to share with you a list of our top favorites.

It took a while for me to find resources and websites that have the kind of recipes that fit our tastes, but I finally stumbled upon The Garden Grazer. You’ll see several of her recipes on this list! You’ll also find one of my own recipes, as well as others I’ve found searching through Pinterest.

Related: How to Start a Plant-based Diet: The Ultimate Transition Guide for Beginners


15 Plant-based Recipes You Need to Try

Here are fifteen of our all-time favorite plant-based recipes. Enjoy!

1. Creamy Mushroom Risotto

One of my ultimate favorites! It was also a big hit with my family at Thanksgiving. You can find Arborio rice at just about any grocery store, including Walmart.

2. Vegan Breakfast Skillet

Josh likes a hearty breakfast every now and then, so this recipe is one of his favorites.

3. Double Decker Chickpea Tacos

I loved these tacos!! I’ll take meatless tacos any day of the week.

4. Herbed Red Potato Salad

This is a relatively new recipe for us. I wish I had found it sooner because it’s just that good!

5. Minestrone Soup

I made my minestrone soup with asparagus instead of green beans (since that was what I had in the fridge at the time) and it was phenomenal! Definitely one of my favorites.

6. Orzo Salad with Spinach & Tomato

Josh and I were both hooked the first time I made this tangy salad! I actually ate about a fourth of it while I finished cooking the rest of our meal. Oops!

7. Bistro Not-Tuna Salad

This is an excellent travel-friendly food. We pack it in a cooler with some chips and pickles and voila! Easy picnic food.

8. Open-faced Tomato and Avocado Sandwich

This is my own recipe. It’s a blend of two recipes I found from The Garden Grazer and Hallelujah Diet using our favorite spices.

9. Asian Spaghetti

We both enjoy this recipe, but Josh especially loves it! He loves just about any Asian food.

10. Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli

Josh LOVES that aioli!! And it’s so easy to make!

11. Avocado Quesadillas

This is the first recipe I ever made from The Garden Grazer. I think Josh asked me to include it in our meal plan at least twice a week for a month or two after we discovered it!

Related: Meal Planning Made Simple (plus a free printable!)

12. French Bread Pizza

This is a party favorite. The sauce is so tasty, but it does take a little bit of time to prepare. I only make half the recipe and freeze it in smaller quantities so I can thaw however much I need.

13. Quinoa Avocado Kale Power Salad

If you’re looking for a tasty combination of superfoods, this is it!

14. Kidney Bean Spinach & Orzo Soup

I actually made this soup with cooked brown rice instead of orzo (since I ran out of orzo), and it was perfect!

15. Sweet Annie Kale Salad

Scroll down the page since the Sweet Annie Kale Salad recipe is number 4 on the list.

This is one of the first plant-based recipes I ever tried. I learned it when I took Hallelujah Diet’s Free 60 Days to Reclaim Your Health video series. It’s a favorite around here!

Wrapping it Up

So there you have it! Those are fifteen of our favorite plant-based recipes. None of them are particularly difficult to make, especially when you have the proper kitchen tools. For a list of my favorite tools that make cooking easier, see this post:

22 Essential Kitchen Tools and Gadgets For Every Healthy Kitchen

Even if these recipes call for ingredients that you don’t normally use, give them a try anyway! You might discover some new flavors you like. I certainly did!

Other Posts You May Enjoy

  • 15 Must-Have Kitchen Items Every Plant-Based Kitchen Needs
  • How to Afford a Healthy Lifestyle on a Budget
  • Smoothie Prepping for Busy Mornings
  • 3 Supplements You Need When You Follow a Plant-based Diet
  • How to Make Almond Milk the Easy Way (Vitamix Recipe!)

What are some of your favorite plant-based recipes? Let me know in the comments! I’m always in the market for some new recipes to try. 🙂

15 Plant-based Recipes You Definitely Need to Try (2)

Also, if you found this post helpful, feel free to share it or pin it for later!

15 Plant-based Recipes You Definitely Need to Try (3)
15 Plant-based Recipes You Definitely Need to Try (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

Is peanut butter plant-based? ›

As with many food items, in its simplest form, peanut butter should always be vegan. The vast majority of peanut butters you find in grocery stores will therefore be fully plant-based. Traditional peanut butter is made from peanuts and often a small amount of salt or oil.

What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

And what are plant-based foods? Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts are the stars of all plant-based diets.

What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

While a well-balanced plant-based diet can provide a wide range of nutrients, certain essential nutrients are more abundant in animal-derived foods. Plant-based diets can sometimes lead to nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Can you eat pasta on a plant-based diet? ›

Is Pasta Vegan? Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.

Can you eat bananas on a plant-based diet? ›

Foods like olive oil, bleached flour, refined sugar and white rice, even though they are plant-based, are all processed foods and are not included in a WFPB diet. Plant-based means that the food you eat comes from plants, including: Fruits – apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, bananas, mango.

What foods should you avoid on a plant-based diet? ›

You'll restrict grains and foods made with them, such as bread and pasta. You also limit starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn, as well as beans and legumes. And you'll cut high-sugar tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and bananas, as well as fruit juices and sweets.

Can I eat cheese on a plant-based diet? ›

Following a plant-based diet means saying goodbye to all animal products — including lean meat and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream.

Are potatoes on a plant-based diet? ›

The definition of a plant-based diet can depend on who you ask. Generally, it is an eating style that emphasizes real, whole foods that come from plants, including: Vegetables: kale, spinach, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, etc. Whole grains: brown rice, oats, quinoa, barley, etc.

Is Tuna part of a plant-based diet? ›

People who follow a vegan diet avoid eating animal products, including conventional canned tuna, which is the key ingredient for popular dishes such as tuna melts and tuna salad sandwiches. Here's why cruelty-free and sustainable vegan tuna is a better choice. Traditional canned tuna is, of course, made from fish.

Can I eat honey on a plant-based diet? ›

Because honey is made by living bees, it is technically not vegan, so most vegans exclude it from their diet. You can try plant-based alternatives like agave, maple syrup, and date syrup. Veganism is a way of living that aims to minimize animal exploitation and cruelty.

What foods can you eat on a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy.

Can I eat bread on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegans can eat bread that does not contain animal products or byproducts. This includes breads that only use some variation on flour, water, yeast, and salt including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, sourdough, pita, and ezekiel breads.

Can you eat chicken on a plant-based diet? ›

There are a lot of great plant-based protein sources, including tofu, lentils, beans, nuts and nut butters, seeds, and quinoa. Don't forget: Dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, and fish are allowed on the plant-based diet, they just shouldn't be the center of the meal.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6078

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.