10 Easy Vegan Recipes For Beginners

Are you curious about vegan cooking but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place!

These ten recipes are not only easy to make, but they’re also packed with flavor and nutrition.

Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast or a satisfying dinner, these recipes are perfect for beginners and can help you whip up healthy meals in no time.

Let’s dive into five tasty breakfast ideas followed by five hearty dinner recipes!

Breakfast Recipes

1. Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds and Berries

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 cups almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. In a mason jar or bowl, combine rolled oats, almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt.
2. Stir well to combine and ensure the oats and chia seeds are evenly distributed.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least for 4 hours).
4. In the morning, give the mixture a good stir and top with mixed berries. Enjoy cold or warm in the microwave!

Why You’ll Love It: This breakfast is super easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite fruits, nuts, or spices. It’s also filling and packed with fiber!

2. Avocado Toast with Tomato and Basil

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of whole-grain bread
• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 small tomato, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A drizzle of balsamic vinegar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toast the slices of bread to your liking.
2. In a bowl, mash the avocado with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Spread the mashed avocado evenly on each slice of toast.
4. Top with tomato slices and fresh basil leaves.
5. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar if desired.

Why You’ll Love It: This dish is not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. The creaminess of the avocado pairs beautifully with the freshness of the tomato and basil!

3. Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 banana (frozen is best)
• 1 cup spinach or kale
• 1 cup almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
• Toppings: granola, sliced fruits, seeds, and nuts

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the banana, spinach, almond milk, and peanut butter. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour the smoothie into a bowl.
3. Top with your favorite toppings like granola, sliced bananas, strawberries, chia seeds, or nuts.

Why You’ll Love It: Smoothie bowls are like dessert for breakfast! You can mix and match flavors and textures, making it a fun and nutritious start to your day.

4. Chickpea Scramble

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh spinach (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, sautéing until softened.
2. Add the chickpeas and turmeric to the pan. Use a fork to mash some of the chickpeas while leaving others whole.
3. Season with salt and pepper, and add spinach if using. Cook until heated through.
4. Serve warm with toast or in a wrap.

Why You’ll Love It: This chickpea scramble is a protein-packed alternative to traditional scrambled eggs and is full of flavor. Plus, it’s versatile—feel free to throw in any leftover veggies you have!

5. Vegan Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour (whole wheat or all-purpose)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
• Maple syrup for serving

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and sugar.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the almond milk and oil.
3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed (don’t overmix!).
4. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.
5. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown.
6. Serve with maple syrup and your favorite fruits.

Why You’ll Love It: These pancakes are fluffy and delicious, perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast. They’re also incredibly easy to make and can be topped with whatever you have on hand!

Dinner Recipes

6. Vegan Buddha Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa (or brown rice)
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes (cubed)
• 1 cup steamed broccoli
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Dressing: tahini, lemon juice, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, layer cooked quinoa, black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, and avocado.
2. In a small bowl, mix tahini, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the Buddha bowl and enjoy!

Why You’ll Love It: Buddha bowls are colorful, nutritious, and can be easily customized with your favorite veggies and grains. Plus, they’re great for meal prep!

7. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened.
2. Stir in garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute.
3. Add lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
4. Adjust seasoning if needed, and serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Why You’ll Love It: This lentil soup is hearty, warming, and perfect for chilly evenings. It’s also packed with protein and fiber, making it very satisfying.

8. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers (any color)
• 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup salsa (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Place them in a baking dish.
3. In a bowl, combine cooked rice, black beans, corn, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Stuff each bell pepper with the mixture and top with salsa if desired.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until the peppers are tender.

Why You’ll Love It: These stuffed peppers are not only beautiful but also packed with flavors and nutrients. They make for a filling dinner and are perfect for meal prep.

9. Creamy Vegan Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 oz pasta (any shape)
• 1 cup cashews (soaked in water for 2-4 hours)
• 1 cup almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 garlic clove
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh spinach (optional)
• Cherry tomatoes for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a blender, combine soaked cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
3. In a large pan, heat the sauce over medium heat. If using, add fresh spinach until wilted.
4. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until coated. Serve warm, garnished with cherry tomatoes.

Why You’ll Love It: This creamy vegan pasta is rich and indulgent without any dairy! It’s a great way to impress guests or treat yourself on a weeknight.

10. Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• Cooked rice or quinoa for serving
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pan or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
3. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, cooking for another minute.
4. Serve over cooked rice or quinoa, garnished with sesame seeds.

Why You’ll Love It: This vegetable stir-fry is quick, colorful, and packed with nutrients. It’s a great way to use up any veggies you have in your fridge and makes for a satisfying meal.

Conclusion

There you have it! Ten easy and healthy vegan recipes perfect for beginners. Whether you start your day with a vibrant smoothie bowl or end it with a comforting lentil soup, these dishes are sure to please your palate while keeping things nutritious.

Tips for Success:

• Prep Ahead: Many of these recipes can be prepped ahead of time. For example, you can make the overnight oats the night before or chop your veggies for the stir-fry in advance.
• Customize: Feel free to switch up ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Vegan cooking is all about creativity!
• Get Inspired: Don’t hesitate to explore other vegan recipes and experiment with different flavors and textures. The vegan world is vast and full of delicious surprises!

By incorporating these easy meals into your routine, you’ll discover that cooking vegan can be fun, fulfilling, and a fantastic way to boost your health. Enjoy your culinary adventures and happy cooking!