4 Simple Vegan Dinner Recipes You'll Love
It’s no secret that veganism is becoming mainstream as more vegans find themselves in the spotlight. All of this talk about plant-based diets has more people asking, “What would my life look like if I went vegan, too?”
Going vegan isn’t as hard as you might think. Becoming a better cook and embracing a wider variety of plant-based foods will quickly make you realize that there’s nothing bland or boring about a vegan diet.
We’ve already got your energy-boosting snacks and pre-workout drinks with products like vegan protein powders. Now, let’s talk about vegan dinner recipes.
Read on as we walk you through four simple yet delicious vegan dinner recipes that will become part of your weekly routine in no time.
Vegan Taco Salad
This vegan salad will make you say goodbye, meat, and hello quinoa! Quinoa is the nutritious and beneficial star of the show, here, and we’re going to show you how to turn it into a delicious taco meat substitute.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 cup of quinoa (any variety)
- 1 cup vegetable broth and 3/4 cup water (or 1 3/4 cup water combined with a small dollop of vegan bouillon)
- your favorite salsa
- your favorite taco seasoning (or a combination of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper)
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, 1-2 cups of canned or frozen corn, and 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes or pico de gallo
- additional toppers of your choosing: we recommend black beans, avocado slices, diced green or red onion, and sliced jalapeno peppers
- 1 bag of tortilla chips of your choosing
To start, prepare your quinoa taco meat:
- Cook the quinoa in your diluted broth according to package instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375 degrees
- Mix taco seasoning and a few tablespoons of salsa into your cooked quinoa and spread in a thin layer on your baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until quinoa is crispy
While your quinoa is baking, add a layer of loosely crushed tortilla chips to your bowl. Then, add in your chopped lettuce, corn, tomatoes, and additional toppers. Add a heaping scoop of quinoa taco meat to the top and drizzle with more salsa.
Vegan Quick Curry
Vegan curry is perfect on a chilly day and provides a big dose of curry powder, an east Asian spice that will boost your spirits and your health. Traditional curries can take hours, if not days, to make. This recipe for vegan quick curry shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- White or brown rice to serve with your curry
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 bell peppers of your choosing
- 2 garlic cloves
- Grated ginger to taste
- Olive oil to coat the pan
- 1 bag of baby spinach
- 1 can of fire-roasted or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon of curry powder
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 can of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans)
- 3/4 cup of coconut milk (preferably full-fat)
Cook the rice according to package instructions. While the rice is cooking, follow these steps:
- Dice and saute your onions and peppers for 5 minutes. Then, add minced garlic cloves, ginger, and spinach for about two minutes
- Pour in tomatoes and juices, followed by curry powder, cumin, salt, chickpeas, and coconut milk. Allow the mixture to simmer for about five minutes
Once the mixture is nice and hot, create a bed of rice in your bowl and spoon the curry mixture over or beside it.
VEGAN BBQ TOFU SANDWICHES
This recipe is a great option when you don’t want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen but still want to eat a hearty meal. If you don’t have a tofu press and don’t want to burn through a bunch of paper towels, use this method to press your tofu.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- burger or sourdough sandwich buns
- 1 package of extra firm tofu
- your favorite BBQ sauce
- store bought or quick vegan coleslaw (to make your own, combine shredded cabbage with vegan mayo, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of dijon mustard, a teaspoon of maple syrup, and salt and pepper to taste)
To make your BBQ tofu, follow these instructions:
- Cut pressed tofu into thin slabs, choosing a good size for your buns
- Place slabs in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, turning with tongs or chopsticks to cook the other side for 5-6 minutes
- Remove the pan from the heat before drizzling tofu slabs with your favorite BBQ sauce, then cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, flipping to coat each slab evenly
Once the tofu is cooked and coated, open your buns and place a layer of tofu slabs over the bottom half. Then, top your tofu with coleslaw, close up your sandwich, and enjoy.
VEGAN HUMMUS BOWL
The vegan hummus bowl is a staple in any vegan household. (Note that you can swap out hummus for other bean spreads or use a thick dressing of your choosing.)
Why is this a staple? The vegan hummus bowl presents an easy and delicious way to use up any of those leftover veggies you bought for other snacks and recipes throughout the week.
Grab a bowl and start with a large dollop of your hummus or thick dressing. Dice or chop any vegetables you enjoy raw and toss them in. We recommend using things like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, avocados, and greens.
This is also a great way to use up any leftover grains you’ve made throughout the week, like rice or quinoa. Top with nuts, seeds, and a drizzle of olive oil, and enjoy.
GIVE THESE VEGAN DINNER RECIPES A SHOT
Going vegan is en vogue and it’s not hard to imagine why. The vegan diet can be great for your health and for the planet. Plus, with vegan dinner recipes like these ones, it can be mighty tasty, too.
There are tons of vegan benefits when you know how to balance your diet well. Don’t have time for a meal? We offer protein and superfood powders that are a balanced part of any active lifestyle. Try one of our vegan protein powders to keep you going.
