Switching to a plant-based diet comes with its own challenges, especially if you are used to having meat-based meals over the years. Going green has all sorts of added health benefits from weight management to reducing blood pressure and even some cancers but in general, eating more nutrient-dense meals will help improve all aspects of your overall health and wellbeing.
Making the switch may be a life choice or a recommendation from your doctor. Whatever the reason we wanted to give you a helping hand with some delicious nutrient-dense plant-based recipes that you can start making today to reap the rewards plants have to offer.
Eating a plant-based diet does not mean you have to be vegan. Being vegan is more than just what you eat, it is also about abstaining from all animal products and the treatment and wellbeing of animals. Some vegans go as far as not consuming honey or produce that exploits the use of bees such as avocados, kiwis, and butternut squats for example. You may be here just because you want to see how eating a plant-based diet “vegan diet” can benefit you.
What’s more, you may only want to enjoy plant-based meals on certain days of the week and that’s fine, in fact, it’s a great way to start incorporating plant-based recipes, you are not a vegan, you just eat plant-based meals now and again.
There are arguments, strong arguments that being 100% vegan (in terms of diet) is not great for long term health. There are some vitamins such as vitamin B-12, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium and vitamin D that if you are not careful you could develop a deficiency.
So, before we dive into the recipes here are a few reasons why switching to a plant-based diet could be good for you.
Improved health
Eating a plant-based diet undoubtedly will improve your overall health. Plants have an abundance of essential nutrients in them that you simply cannot get from meat alone.
Have you ever noticed that when you avoid fruit and veggies for a while you start to feel generally unwell? Over time this can lead to all sorts of problems such as vitamin deficiencies, digestive issues, cancer, metabolic disorders, and visual problems to name just a few.
Plants are so important for your overall health not to mention the positive effects it can have on your weight loss journey.
Switching to a plant-based diet can have it’s benefits to your weight also. All of these vegan recipes are great for weight loss.
Because all of these vegan recipes are pack full of healthy ingredients you will find it extremely hard to overeat, thus helping you to lose weight.
A diet high in fruit and vegetables can help reduce your chances of getting heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce your chances of getting visual and digestive problems while promoting healthy cell development and keep your immune system in top condition.
- Related – Vegan Foods List
A natural source of Antioxidants
The nutrients found in plant-based foods can also help to fight inflammation within the body as they are packed full of antioxidants. A long-term build-up of inflammation caused by “free radicals” can lead to arthritis and some cancers. Foods that are high in antioxidants are.
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Bilberries, dried
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Kale
- Goji berries
- Raspberries
- Pomegranate
- Red and green chilies
- Prunes
- Beetroot
- Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices are super high in antioxidants so go crazy. (Source)
Vegan Recipes For Weight Loss
Eating a mostly plant-based diet can help you lose weight. You can still eat badly on a plant-based diet however it is much harder but the main difference between eating a plant-based diet and mostly meat is that in general plants have a low-calorie density while having a high nutrient density (which is good for overall healthy). Why is this more favorable for losing weight?
We always recommend that you fill up on veggies and this is for a good reason. Because veggies are low in calories and you can eat a lot of them, guilt-free. Meaning you can eat more, and you will fill your stomach up. Add in the sheer volume you can eat whilst staying low in calories plant-based meals are extremely high in fiber which will also help you feel fuller for longer. Fibre also helps to stabilize your blood sugars, improves your gut health, and can help lower cholesterol, (source).
500 calories of just veggies is a lot in terms of actual food volume, compared to a 500-calorie slice of pizza or 4 tablespoons of olive oil, which would just be a drop in the ocean in comparison.
Healthy Plant-Based Recipes
To help you start eating more plant-based recipes and hopefully improve your overall health here are over 40 vegan/ plant-based recipes for dinner and lunch to help you get going. There should be something for most tastebuds to try.
Click here-Plant Based Treats to jump down to some tasty plant-based treats, snacks and breakfast recipes.
Healthy Vegan Recipes - Mains
Switching to a plant-based diet, even if it's just a few meals a week can significantly improve your overall health. here are some amazing vegan/ plant-based recipes to get you started.
This vegan steak is so delicious and makes the perfect entrée for holidays or special occasions!
Having breakfast prepped for the week is truly awesome. I can help you out with that goal by making this easy, sheet pan tofu scramble!
Who doesn’t love tofu nuggets? This recipe is quick and easy and it is baked not fried so it is on the healthier side!
Baked mac & cheese is creamy and nut free as well so that everybody can enjoy it
These Vegan Honey Mustard Chicken Wraps are perfect for lunch or dinner, or even as a snack. They’re customizable and easy to assemble so they’ll please the whole family, and they’re ready in less than 20 minutes!
Creamy, satisfying, and refreshing, this vegan avocado salad is divine but incredibly easy to make. Reminiscent of guacamole, this salad is an elevated yet approachable, family friendly, and comes together in only 15 minutes (or less!).
Zucchini doesn't have to be boring! Make this zucchini and mushroom dish and it will be everyone's favorite way to have zucchini
This Instant Pot Potato Curry is a bit on the spicy side plus it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Vazania, as they are called in the Cypriot dialect, is a simple vegan dish made with eggplants and potatoes, which are cooked, together in a tomato sauce.
This smashed chickpea salad is the perfect plant based sandwhich filling.
This Sweet Potato Kale Hash recipe is an easy way to add veggies to your breakfast. Full of flavor and nutrients, this gluten free and vegan breakfast hash will be a morning favorite!
Put those dried lentils to delicious use with an easy, one-pot lentil mushroom pasta! This recipe is savory, satiating, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
These vegan stuffed sweet potatoes with black beans make a great quick and easy dinner that's super versatile based on what you have on hand!
Sheet Pan Chickpea Fajitas - Gluten Free, Vegan - Just What We Eat
hese gluten free and vegan sheet pan chickpea fajitas are so easy to make and are packed with flavor! They are made with simple healthy ingredients making them a great dinner option for any night of the week!
Flavor packed and beautifully colored, our vegan beetroot kidney bean burger patties are the star at every BBQ, picnic or dinner table! Seriously hearty and secretly healthy, they are crispy, protein-rich, gluten-free and so easy to make.
This Southwest Sweet Potato, Kale and Black Bean Skillet is a delicious addition to your breakfast plate. Perfect for meal prep!
This delicious vegan farro salad is loaded with crunchy raw zucchini, radishes and cucumber, sweet tomato, buttery pecans, tangy lemon and Italian kale that’s had a peanut butter massage!
Our creamy plant-based mac and cheese is made with a delicious homemade cashew sauce and crunchy broccoli florets! It’s the perfect comfort food for veg-curious people, picky eaters or those with food intolerances. Using simple ingredients like potatoes, carrots and nutritional yeast, it’s low in fat, healthy and really approachable.
This raw vegan chickpea salad is a simple no cook side dish or snack. A protein packed salad with a sweet turmeric dressing that keeps in the fridge for the whole week
This yummy vegan potato salad is fresh, fast, and delicious! Made with olive oil, dill, and scallions, it's a flavorful side dish for any occasion.
Cauliflower steaks are fully vegan and easy to make! This recipe features a super flavorful lemon parsley tahini dressing
Snack Recipe: Makhana Bhel, an Indian snack that is sure to tantalize your taste buds! This low-calorie snack is light on tummy and tastes delicious to your palate.
One pot meal: These Vegan Japchae Korean Glass Noodles, makes a hearty meal option when combined with vegetables and tofu. Whipping them in Instant pot is quick and easy. These Japchae noodles are loaded with tons of flavors. Every bite of these luscious, and chewy texture noodles make you want to have more.
Crammed full of nutrients, this Sweet Potato Curry with Mushrooms and Spinach is hard to resist. The secret ingredient? Peanut butter!
This grilled peach and tomato salad recipe is total summer salad brilliance. It’s juicy and delightful.
This vegan lentil soup with potatoes and spinach is hearty, healthy, and easy to make! It takes a little time to simmer, but it makes a large pot of delicious soup.
This delightfully messy vegan meatball sandwich is great for dinner, parties, and game-day food. It’s such a versatile meatless marinara sandwich, even kids love it!
Craving Asian food? This vegan teriyaki substitutes cauliflower for chicken and tastes just as amazing!
This Mexican style Quinoa Salad is a must-try vegan and gluten-free summer salad. A medley of textures and flavors, it can be served as a side dish, enjoyed as a lunch, stuffed in the wraps, or added to vegan
This simple cauliflower tikka masala features cauliflower in a creamy coconut-milk based gravy for an easy vegan main dish. With chickpeas to help round things out and plenty of spice.
No carbs, no gluten, this classic ratatouille recipe has lots of flavour.
Ratatouille is a classic French recipe that will be the prettiest on your table. Using local, seasonal vegetables, it's quick to make and bursting with flavour.
Our Morocco inspired vegetable tagine is a fully vegan authentic tagine, full of deep flavours like cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger, paprika and more. Easy, healthy, delicious.
This Healthy Harvest Vegetable Soup recipe is full of hearty vegetables like carrots and kale. This vegan soup will warm you up on those cool fall evenings!
This vegan burrito bowl is packed with spices and flavour, but super simple to make and ready in under 20 minutes. We truly believe that Mexican food doesn't have to be covered in cheese and filled with meat to be delicious and it can also be healthy too - this vegan burrito bowl certainly proves that.
Delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this homemade Japanese Miso Soup recipe is ready to warm you up. Filled with dashi, tofu, onion and pumpkin, it’s bursting with goodness and ready in 10 minutes.
These vegan rice noodles are a healthy and flavorful stir fry with mushrooms, red peppers, snow peas, and a sweet and spicy sauce. Quick and easy!
Not only is this Carrot and Lentil soup cheap, easy to make and healthy, but it is protein packed and really hearty and comforting. This is one of the cheapest soups you can make, and full of flavour.
Fire roasted tomatoes, cilantro, lime and smoked paprika give this slow cooker quinoa chili a unique and robust flavor. This thick and hearty plant-based chili is easy to make and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Enjoy right away or make ahead for easy prep. Freezes well too!
This quick and easy Vegan Pasta Salad takes less than 20 minutes to make start to finish. It’s made with very simple ingredients that are healthy, colorful, and tasty. And my favorite part is the dressing, the creaminess of the dressing is the reason why we absolutely LOVE this pasta salad.
Rapini with Raisins and Hazelnuts is one of those special recipes that everyone loves! Pleasantly bitter rapini (broccoli rabe), sweet, plump golden raisins, crunchy hazelnuts cooked in good olive oil and plenty of garlic! Plant based and vegan!
Instant pot Spanish Rice is an easy and family-friendly recipe to make in the instant pot. With just 5 ingredients this vegan Spanish rice goes very well with Mexican meal planning. It is ready in just 30 minutes in an instant pot.
There is no better way to eat cauliflower. This cauliflower and orzo salad is a hearty and healthy vegan recipe that anyone can make.
A breakfast classic goes vegan with this oil-free, 5-ingredient tofu scramble made with nutritional yeast to add some "cheesy" flavor!
Plant-Based Breakfasts, Treats, Snacks and Sweets
Being vegan means you still get to enjoy a lot of tasty treats. Here are some treats, snacks, and sweet recipes.
Plant Based Sweet Breakfasts, Snacks, Sweets and Treats
Indulge yourself with these tasty sweet treats from homemade granola to vegan plant-based cake.
Since Oreos are accidentally vegan why not make a delicious and decadent Oreo cake with vegan butter cream?!
This Instant Pot Tapioca Pudding recipe is a complete game changer. It’s naturally sweetened with no refined sugar. It does not require continuous stirring
Not only is this no bake vegan protein ball recipe amazingly delicious, it will help keep you from feeling hungry while providing a healthy snack and a source of energy.
Green Broccoli Smoothie with Carrot & Pineapple [Vegan & Gluten free]
A green broccoli smoothie is a great choice whether you’re on a detox or just trying to add a bit of greens to your diet! Vegan, dairy free, gluten free and loaded with vitamins this delicious smoothie is easy to make with fresh or frozen broccoli – your choice!
This easy gluten free and vegan chocolate brittle is the perfect treat to bring to a party or offer as a gift. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and completely addictive.
Lightly sweetened, these small-batch vegan bran muffins are made extra flavourful with the addition of orange juice. Whole wheat flour, fibre-rich bran, and flax make them a filling grab-and-go breakfast.
These no bake key lime pie bites are delicious.
Sweet Potato Vegan Edible Cookie Dough is the perfect appetizer for your sweet tooth. This vegan cookie dough recipe is made with natural ingredients and goes perfectly with fruit, chocolate and graham crackers, making it one of the best healthy vegan desserts
The perfect on-the-go snack – these Vegan Granola Bars are hearty, healthy and completely satisfying. They are easy to make, require simple ingredients, and you don’t even have to bake them!
Chocolate Avocado Pudding - Gluten Free, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free
This Chocolate Avocado Pudding is SO delicious! It tastes and has the same texture as any normal chocolate pudding would but is so much healthier! It’s also gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free, and takes 5 minutes to make!
Easy vegan cinnamon rolls with just 8 ingredients and an optional overnight method. Made with a base of spelt flour and with a coconut sugar and coconut oil filling, but with plenty of substitution options!
An easy Keto Matcha Chia Pudding made with only 4 ingredients and 3 grams net carbs! Low carb & keto, vegan, and paleo
Snack Recipe: Makhana Bhel, an Indian snack that is sure to tantalize your taste buds! This low-calorie snack is light on tummy and tastes delicious to your palate.
Easy agar-agar jelly dessert using coconut milk, coconut water, and agar powder. Serve with delicious coconut palm sugar syrup infused with pandan leaves.
These Vegan Strawberry Scones are whole grain, delicious, and super easy to make.
Chia Pudding is a make-ahead, meal-prep dream! It’s a seriously nutritious, deliciously satisfying breakfast you can make the night before, or even several days ahead!
You’ll never buy store-bought again after you try this homemade Vegan Granola Recipe. It’s lightly sweetened and the crunchy clusters are loaded with oats, nuts, dried fruit, and warm cinnamon. Plus, it’s so easy to make – just combine the 8 ingredients together and bake it into golden perfection!
Try these delightful mini caramel crumbles, the perfect sweet treat or on the go snack.
So there you have it, over 60 plant-based recipes that any vegan would approve of. Hopefully, you can find a few recipes here that you can enjoy and start living a healthier life. Who knows, you may love it so much you go all the way and completely switch to a plant-based diet.
Hey there, I’m Luke, and I’ve been immersed in the fitness world since 2007. From gym floors to running my own personal training business, I’ve seen it all. My journey led me to study Sports Science at university, where I deepened my understanding of the science behind exercise.
One thing that truly lights my fire? High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). It’s not just a workout; it’s a game-changer. I’ve used HIIT to help countless men and women shed weight and transform their lives for the better.
Through my personal training business, I’ve witnessed the incredible impact of HIIT on both physical and mental well-being. It’s not just about getting fitter; it’s about feeling stronger, more confident, and more resilient.
Join me on this journey to a healthier, happier you. Let’s crush those goals together!