Home
Healthy Lifestyle Diets
Healthy Vegan Recipes
You Just Started a Vegan Diet—Here Are the Recipes to Make First

You Just Started a Vegan Diet—Here Are the Recipes to Make First

Whether you've decided to go vegan for ethical, health, environmental or other reasons, eating a strictly plant-based diet can be a pretty big change. Thankfully you can still enjoy all your favorite foods from before—tacos and mac & cheese included—with a little creativity.
We have dozens of delicious vegan recipes to try on our site, but we compiled 15 of our favorites that taste comforting and familiar, while still being free of animal products. These recipes are so tasty, your meat-eating friends and family are sure to love them too!

Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Curried Sweet Potato & Peanut Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this flavorful soup recipe, sweet potatoes simmer in a quick coconut curry, resulting in a creamy, thick broth punctuated by notes of garlic and ginger. We love peanuts for their inexpensive price and versatile flavor. They're also a great source of protein--1 ounce has 7 grams.

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 15

Beefless Vegan Tacos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Take taco night in a new direction with these healthy vegan tacos. We've swapped crumbled tofu for the ground beef, without sacrificing any of the savory seasonings you expect in a taco. You can also use the filling in burritos, bowls, taco salads and to top nachos.

3 of 15

Mushroom-Quinoa Veggie Burgers with Special Sauce

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These hearty mushroom, black bean and quinoa veggie burgers are a healthy and satisfying homemade alternative to store-bought veggie burgers. And they take just 25 minutes of active time to prep, so while they're special enough for entertaining, they're quick enough for weeknight dinners.

Advertisement

4 of 15

Vegan Mac & Cheese

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mac and cheese no longer has to be off the menu if you don't do dairy. A blend of hearty cauliflower, butternut squash, cashews and nutritional yeast gives this vegan macaroni and cheese the gooey, cheesy texture and flavor of traditional mac, without a bit of dairy!

5 of 15

Falafel Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Deep-fried falafel can be a total grease bomb. But these pan-seared falafel still get crispy in just a few tablespoons of oil with equally satisfying results. Be sure to use dried, instead of canned, chickpeas in this healthy recipe--canned chickpeas add too much moisture.

6 of 15

Vegan Freezer Breakfast Burritos

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Having a stash of flavorful bean burritos in your freezer means you'll always have a satisfying plant-based meal ready for a grab-and-go breakfast on a busy morning or to take to the campsite for an easy campfire meal. Our vegan breakfast filling--made with tofu and prepared to mimic scrambled eggs--is tossed with beans, veggies and salsa for a delicious and ultra-satisfying meal.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 15

Vegetarian Lo Mein with Shiitakes, Carrots & Bean Sprouts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A hit of Sriracha gives a sweet and spicy edge to this healthy vegetarian recipe. Traditional lo mein is made with fresh lo mein noodles, which can be found in Asian markets. You can also use fresh or dried linguine noodles--fresh linguine is in the refrigerated section of some grocery stores. This easy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes, so it's perfect for weeknights.

8 of 15

Vegetarian Sushi Grain Bowl

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

9 of 15

Vegan Lasagna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Silken tofu seasoned with cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast makes a flavorful vegan substitute for ricotta and Parmesan. Whole-wheat noodles and lots of veggies make this version healthier than a typical lasagna.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 15

Vegan Pancakes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make classic light and fluffy pancakes vegan with this easy recipe. Try them topped with your favorite nut butter, maple syrup and fresh berries for a satisfying breakfast.

11 of 15

Falafel Burgers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pureed chickpeas, seasoned with the characteristic flavors of falafel, make excellent veggie burgers. We use a two-stage method for cooking the patties, first browning them in a skillet and then finishing them in the oven. Garnish the burgers with tzatziki or tahini sauce (see associated recipes), pickled red onions, lettuce and tomatoes.

12 of 15

Four-Bean & Pumpkin Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy vegetarian chili has a fragrant touch of cinnamon for added flavor. Let diners top it with whatever suits their taste.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 15

Vegan Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Swapping tofu for the bread in these meal-prep Caesar salad bowls bumps up the satiety factor with 18 grams of protein. These crispy tofu croutons originally appeared in Lauren Grant's recipe for Diabetic Living magazine (see Associated Recipes). Lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale or Tuscan kale, has flat, dark green-blue leaves--and its tenderness makes it perfect for eating raw, like in this salad.

14 of 15

Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets.

15 of 15

Vegan Minestrone Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Is minestrone soup vegan? It can be, with the right ingredients! This vegan minestrone soup is heavy on the green vegetables (it has peas, zucchini and kale, to name a few!), setting this quick healthy soup recipe apart from the rest. If you miss the tomatoes, feel free to add them to the mix. Last but not least, enjoy the crispy garlic croutons that float on top and soak up the flavorful broth.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Up Next

Advertisement