It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (2024)

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (1)

There are so many reasons to go for a more plant-based diet. Not only is it better for your health (and great for your waistline) but it's also smart for the planet, good for our animal friends, and it can be easier on your wallet, to boot.

But first: What exactly is a plant-based diet? Though it's similar to vegan and vegetarian diets (we've got lots of vegan dinner recipes and vegetarian recipes for you too!), there are a few key differences. A plant-based diet changes the focus from what you're not eating to what you are, which is mostly plants! That means that while meat and dairy aren't necessarily entirely off limits, they're generally eaten only very rarely, and mostly only as a garnish, if at all. Also, plant-based eaters tend to focus on whole, fresh foods, eschewing a lot of the highly processed fake meats and/or cheeses that many vegetarians and vegans enjoy. Ultimately this means eating a lot of fresh, colorful foods, and having dishes that are packed with interesting flavors, as opposed to packaged foods with long lists of ingredients.

Whether you're doing a plant-based trial period or have adopted this lifestyle full time, it's likely that you're in the market for some fresh recipes for simple meals. Luckily, we've got you covered! Here are a few dozen of our favorite plant-based meals. All are meatless, and most are dairy-free, or the dairy can be easily left out. But what they do have is a ton of flavor, and a wide variety of fresh ingredients. And the best part is that most of them are easy enough to whip up on a weeknight without too much trouble.

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1

Shaved Asparagus Salad with Raisins

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (3)

Looking for a side salad base that's a little heartier than lettuce? This shaved asparagus needs no cooking, tastes incredibly fresh, and is very filling!

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SHOP VEGETABLE SHAVERS

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2

Carrot and Black Bean Crispy Tacos

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (5)

Spiced, roasted carrots form the backbone of this surprisingly robust taco.

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3

Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (7)

This cold-night staple serves up ample creamy gooeyness, while a stealthy vegetable (puréed cauliflower!) boosts vitamins and fiber.

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4

Vegetarian Chili with Grains and Beans

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (9)

This recipe is ideal for those just starting to go plant-based. It's so hearty, you may not even notice the lack of meat.

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SHOP SLOW COOKERS

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5

Bulgur and Cashew Stuffed Eggplant

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (11)

There's no meat or dairy, but plenty of sweet and spicy flavors in this heart-healthy meal.

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6

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (13)

Apples, hazelnuts, and Pecorino cheese elevate this salad to a whole new level. Or, skip the cheese and make it fully vegan.

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7

Farro-and-Acorn Squash Salad

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (15)

This hearty grain and winter squash dish is delicious warm, but tastes arguably even better after it's had a day for the flavors to marinate. If you're dairy-free skip the blue cheese and add a little nutritional yeast instead.

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8

White Bean and Peppadew Salad

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Get a zesty kick from the pickled Peppadew peppers in this delicious white bean salad.

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9

Vegan Gluten-Free Noodle Bowl

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (19)

This combo of rapini and soba noodles from Sarah Yates of A House in the Hills has it all: It's simple, spicy, packed with flavor, and hearty enough to keep you going.

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10

Steamed Wild Rice with Toasted Hazelnut Butter

This protein-rich combo of nuts and wild grains makes a good side dish or a hearty main all on its own. Pair with a salad for a full meal. One note: Vegan substitutes won't "brown" the way butter does, so you can skip that step, but the toasted hazelnuts will impart plenty of rich, nutty flavor.

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11

Grilled Summer Squash With Lemon-Scallion Dressing

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The jalapeño gives just the right amount of spice to this refreshing grilled squash side dish.

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12

Chopped Salad

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Packed with crunchy greens and hearty chickpeas, this salad can be a meal all on its own

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13

Roasted Butternut Squash With Cider Vinaigrette

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (27)

Whole grain mustard and red onion give this dish some serious flavor, while apple cider sweetens it up just enough. It's a must-have in any healthy recipe arsenal.

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14

Wild Rice-and-Cider-Cranberry Pilaf

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (29)

Cranberries, apple cider, and cinnamon, oh my! This just-sweet-enough dish tastes like autumn in a bowl, and it'll keep you full too.

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SHOP SERVING SPOONS

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15

Marinated Mushroom-and-Charred Broccolini Salad

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (31)

Got a family of meat-lovers? A mushroom-based dish is the best way to convert them to vegetable-centric meals.

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SHOP CHARCOAL GRILLS

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16

Pearl Couscous With Leeks and Peas

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (33)

The genius of this dish is that it can be served warm or at room temperature.

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17

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Barley and Arugula

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (35)

Dress a simple arugula salad with fresh and tasty ingredients like barley, sweet potatoes, and feta for a light weeknight dinner.

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18

Lentil Stew with Butternut Squash

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (37)

Rich in vitamins A and C, butternut squash adds a subtle sweetness to this hearty, slow-cooker lentil stew.

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SHOP SLOW COOKERS

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19

Savory Pumpkin Soup with Spice Shake

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (39)

This puréed soup is quite delicious as-is, but don't sleep on the spice shake! It's good enough you may find yourself putting it on other things.

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SHOP SHAKERS

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20

Sweet Pea and Avocado Soup

It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (41)

This chilled soup is made extra easy by relying on a bag of frozen peas.

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It's Easy to Eat Your Veggies With These Plant-Based Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is it called when you only eat plant-based food? ›

Vegan: This is a diet that consists of plant-based foods only and excludes meat, dairy, eggs, and often honey.

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

Cons of a Plant-Based Diet

Potential Nutrient Deficiencies: Vegetarian and vegan diets need to pay extra attention to ensure they're getting enough protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin B12 in their diets.

What foods do 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.

What vegetables are easy to eat? ›

15 Vegetables for Kids and Picky Eaters
  • Sweet Bell Peppers.
  • Sweet Potatoes & Squash.
  • Grape Tomatoes.
  • Sweet Corn.
  • Spinach.
  • Peas.
  • Jicama.
  • Carrots.
Apr 17, 2018

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 a plant-based diet healthier than meat? ›

Vegetarians and vegans typically have lower body mass index, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure than comparable regular meat-eaters, as well as lower bone mineral density.

What is an unhealthy plant-based diet? ›

For example, white rice and white bread are plant-based foods, so you would think they're good to eat. But they are highly processed, and so are depleted of many heart-healthy nutrients and have a high glycemic index, which means they can make blood sugar levels spike and increase hunger, leading to overeating.

Can I eat cheese 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.

Is oatmeal plant-based? ›

Oats are a cereal grain derived from a plant, meaning anyone who follows a vegan diet should be safe to eat them as in their natural form as they're plant-based. However, when it comes to getting creative with the flavours, you'll need to start keeping an eye out for the added ingredients that might trip you up!

What is the #1 healthiest vegetable? ›

1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. That's because 1 cup (30 grams (g)) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories.

What is the healthiest fruit? ›

Blueberries take the title of healthiest fruit. Blueberries' stunning hue comes from their anthocyanins — an antioxidant believed to be responsible for their numerous health benefits. Long-term studies suggest that including blueberries in your regular lineup may lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

What is the least unhealthy vegetable? ›

In this article, we look at 15 of the most healthful vegetables and suggest ways to enjoy them as part of a balanced diet.
  1. Spinach. Share on Pinterest Andersen Ross/Getty Images. ...
  2. Kale. Kale is a very popular leafy green vegetable with several health benefits. ...
  3. Broccoli. ...
  4. Peas. ...
  5. Sweet potatoes. ...
  6. Beets. ...
  7. Carrots. ...
  8. Fermented vegetables.

What is someone who only eats plant foods called? ›

Dietary vegans, also known as "strict vegetarians", refrain from consuming meat, eggs, dairy products, and any other animal-derived substances.

What is the term for individuals who eat only plant foods? ›

A vegan diet is another form of vegetarianism where only plant foods are eaten and all foods from animal sources are avoided (meat, seafood, dairy, eggs and sometimes honey and gelatine).

What do you call someone that only eats plants? ›

A vegetarian is someone who follows a vegetarian diet—they don't eat meat of any kind (beef, chicken, fish—no animal flesh at all). The word vegan typically refers to someone who doesn't eat or use any products from animals—vegans don't eat meat or dairy, and they often don't eat other animal-derived foods like honey.

What is a flexitarian? ›

Added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2014, flexitarian is a portmanteau of “flexible” and “vegetarian,” referring to an individual who follows a primarily but not strictly vegetarian diet, occasionally eating meat or fish (1).

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