Here is the list of our favorite easy vegan recipes for beginners that make quick and easy plant-based meals, that the whole family will love. Regardless of skill set or experience level, you will be able to make all these tasty dishes in no time!
Find more easy recipes that are perfect for beginners vegans in our cheap vegan meals, vegan soup recipes, vegan wraps, vegan sandwiches and vegan meal prep roundups.
Easy Vegan Recipes for Beginners
1. Easy Vegan Garlic Teriyaki Tofu
Are you looking for family dinner ideas? This garlic teriyaki tofu will be in the run to be a family favorite. It’s packed with flavor from the soy sauce, teriyaki glaze, garlic, and sesame seeds, perfect for adding some extra zing to your dinner table!
2. Easy Vegan Smoky Lentil Soup
There’s nothing more enjoyable than a hearty meal on a chilly day. You can have a delightful meal filled with dry lentils, fresh veggies, and a dash of smoked paprika.
3. Easy Vegan Chickpea Noodle Soup
Craving a hot bowl of soup with noodles? I got you! By adding vegan chickpea noodles flavored with garlic, your dish will be elevated from an appetizer to a filling main course.
4. Basil Tomato Soup
A meal that will make you say, I do; who wouldn’t want that? Using simple ingredients such as pureed tomatoes, onions, spices, and herbs, you can whip up this gratifying creamy soup in no time! Plus, the fresh basil and thyme give it a delightful flavor, making this a perfect meal.
5. Tofu Pesto Sandwich
Imagine a bite of a sandwich that will make you sing. This shredded Tofu Pesto Sandwich is delicious and full of flavor. With just a few ingredients like olive oil and vegan pesto, you’ll have a slice of heaven on your plate.
6. Easy Vegan Spanish Chickpea and Spinach Stew
Dine like a king with a dish of Spanish chickpea and spinach stew that will truly tantalize your taste buds. Packed with flavors from garlic, cumin and cayenne pepper – all cooked together in a fragrant tomato sauce, it surely will leave you craving more.
8. Easy Vegan Mediterranean “Tuna” Salad
In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have your exquisite Mediterranean salad tucked in pita bread or on top of sandwich bread. The salad is packed with tasty ingredients like artichokes, chickpeas, and capers, giving it an incredibly flaxy texture.
9. Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
For that special, once-in-a-week family dinner, imagine serving tasty tacos featuring buffalo cauliflower bites coated in panko breadcrumbs and served on spinach tortillas with pesto cream sauce. I get hungry just thinking about it.
10. Israeli Couscous Salad
Who says you have to order out when you can enjoy a restaurant-quality salad in under 30 minutes? With nutritious fresh veggies like artichoke hearts and olives, your plate will be filled with delightful flavors that will melt in your mouth.
11. Easy Vegan Minestrone Soup
Want to clean out your fridge? Here is how you do it. Make this Italian-style dish with leftover vegetables and herbs like onions, garlic, bay leaf, and basil.
12. Spanish Beans with Tomatoes
Looking for a quick and easy fix? This flavorful bean stew will be sure to please the whole family. It’s easy to make with just a few pantry ingredients and fresh vegetables like lima beans and canned tomatoes. It’s also the perfect side dish for any meal, like rice.
13. Easy Vegan Pesto Vegetable Soup
A taste of summer, that is how I can describe this dish. It combines sautéed vegetables, pasta, and a flavorful homemade pesto for an easy meal that’s sure to please. This soup will quickly become one of your favorite go-to meals.
14. Easy Vegan Zucchini ‘Meatballs’
If creativity and fun can’t be used to describe this dish, I don’t know what will. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this dish combines zucchini, chickpeas, garlic cloves, oats, and herbs to make an incredibly palatable main course.
15. Easy Chickpea Stew
It’s said that a family that eats together stays together. This filling chickpea stew gives substance to that assertion. The harissa paste, smoked paprika, and ground coriander give it a flavorful boost. A dollop of cashew cream at the end adds an extra creamy finish.
16. Cream of Mushroom Soup
Your soup will be truly decadent with a combination of vegan butter, mushrooms, garlic, and spices. With just 20 minutes, you’ll be able to make this easy, creamy, velvety, full-flavored heaven from scratch.
17. Portobello Mushroom Steak
Hearty portobello slices are marinated in a delightful sauce variation and molasses, giving them an extra unique flavor. Grill them perfectly for the perfect steak texture, and enjoy a luscious dinner.
18. BBQ Chickpea Lettuce Wraps
If you enjoy dining outside, picture yourself with a platter of vegan ranch dressing over a BBQ chickpea lettuce wrap filled with a sweet and smokey taste. Adding pineapple pieces, onions, and peppers can make this an enchanting summer meal.
19. 15-minute Peanut Noodles
And the winner is! Peanut Noodles. They are the optimal fusion of slurpy noodles, peanut sauce, and fresh, crunchy vegetables. They take barely any time to prepare and involve minimal cooking, making it the perfect midweek dinner.
20. Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Use leftover rice to make this delicious and vibrant pineapple fried rice. It’s not only healthy and effortless to make, you will be teleported to Thailand as you eat it.
21. Easy Vegan One Pot Hummus Pasta
Craving something easy and delicious? Look no further than this one-pot 5-ingredient hummus pasta. In 15 minutes, you’ll be able to whip up this meal without breaking out multiple pots and pans. Don’t forget to top it off with your favorite vegan parmesan for that extra flavor boost!
22. Chickpea Artichoke Bliss Bowl
Bliss in a dish, delight in your mouth, creates an unforgettable moment. All you have to do is chop up some veggies and mix them with potatoes; then it’s off to the oven for a nice and cozy bake: the final result is a nirvanic, healthy dish.
23. Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Sauce
Get ready for a tasty treat that will leave you wanting more! All you need is 15 minutes of cooking to chow down these delightful black bean tacos with a creamy avocado sauce. Next level of yumminess!
24. Southwestern Pasta Salad
Want an addition to your BBQ or potluck? This pasta salad is for you. It’s packed with nutritious ingredients like black beans, avocado, and cherry tomatoes, but also the zesty lime dressing also brings the flavors together for an unforgettable meal.
25. Easy Vegan Red Lentil Fritters
It’s said that food is the key to the heart, but this dish is the master key. Nothing beats vegetable potato fritters with red lentils served with a green salad alongside spicy sriracha mayonnaise for an irresistible entrée.
26. Easy Vegan Vodka Sauce Pasta
I can now brag about how I cooked a dish with vodka and made it fancy. This vodka sauce pasta has all the tangy, rich flavor of the classic dish but with an extra kick of heat from the red pepper flakes and a hint of boozy goodness.
27. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This delicious dish is a must-try! With just four simple ingredients: sweet potatoes, hummus, crispy chickpeas, and tahini sauce, this meal will be your family’s forever favorite.
28. Thai Drunken Noodles
Full of Umami! That’s what noodles should be. With pressed tofu, some rice noodles, and sautéd vegetables, you’ve got an exhilarating meal. Don’t forget to top it off with fresh basil and lime wedges for that edgy kick.
29. Grilled Veggie Wraps
This is a tasty spin on a common classic food. With vibrant favor from the air-fried veggies and extra species, this healthy ecstatic treat will leave you licking your fingers.
30. Easy Vegan Sun-dried Tomato Pasta
31. Veggie Fajitas
Making fajitas is a great way to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal in no time. With just a few simple ingredients like mushrooms, onions, and olive oil, you can whip up a flavorful, satisfying meal that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
32. Instant Pot Paella
Talk about the perfect marriage of mushroom, sweet, and heat. The balance is spot-on. The addition of saffron enhances the dish with a floral depth. It is so full of flavor that I gobbled it up.
33. Mushroom Ragu
Want the perfect meal for meal prep? Look no further. Try this mushroom ragu pasta sauce. It takes over an hour to make, but the result is well worth it! Plus, you can freeze any leftovers, so you have something tasty on hand whenever you need it.
34. Sloppy Joes
Elevate your dinner needs by making a Sloppy Joe. This delicious option is packed with unique, mouthwatering flavors and spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
35. Curry Ramen Noodles
Combining sesame oil, curry paste, vegetables, coconut milk, and ramen noodles will entice your taste buds. Plus, you can add a bit of fresh lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeno slices to make this dish pop!
36. Mac and Cheese
Looking for a tasty vegan meal that’s packed with good-for-you veggies? Look no further than this vegan mac & cheese! Not only is it easy to make and filled with nutrients, but it’s also deliciously creamy and satisfying.
37. Greek Mac and Cheese
Get ready for this delectable vegan Greek macaroni and cheese to tempt your palate! It’s full of creamy, cheesy sauce, sautéed red onion, and garlic. Top it off with crumbled Violife feta or other favorite toppings and turn it into your newest obsession.
38. Pesto Pinwheels
Making these pesto pinwheels is a breeze! All you need is white beans, pesto, spinach, mushroom, and cherry tomatoes. Rolling them up tightly is like making mini sushi rolls; the result is a tasty and nutritious lunch or dinner.
39. Easy Vegan Egg Salad
Making this recipe is an enjoyable, easy, and rewarding experience! The blend of sweet, tart and salty flavors makes for a delicious dish. Plus, who doesn’t love a meal that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare?
40. Saucy Ramen Noodles
I love to cook up a storm in the kitchen, especially with this delicious vegan saucy ramen noodles recipe! Through a few simple steps, I can create a flavorful and satisfying dish that leaves me feeling full.
41. Veggie Spring Rolls
Making veggie spring rolls is a great way to spice up your meal. They’re ready in 20 minutes and taste amazing with the spicy peanut dipping sauce! Plus, you can make a big batch and store them in the fridge.
42. Easy Vegan Quick Fried Rice
Sweet and savory, that is the best kind of dish. This quick and easy fried rice is a great way to use whatever veggies you have in the fridge! Whether it’s fresh or frozen, this dish will be delicious.
43. Roasted Tomato Sandwiches
If ‘effortless’ was a dish, it would be a roasted tomato sandwich. Loaded with avocado, arugula, and juicy tomato slices, you are set to enjoy some guilt-free indulgence.
44. Cheesy Black Bean Tacos
A taste of home is the best description for this recipe. Black beans give a simple, rich flavor that combines perfectly with salsa and vegan cheese. Twenty minutes is all you need for this dinner to be ready.
45. Stuffed Peppers
The combination of veggies, herbs, tempeh, and rice makes this a great meal for any time of day. Just sauté the ingredients and pop them in the oven for a golden-brown finish. Add some baby spinach or beans for variation.
46. Easy Vegan Cheese Pasta Salad
Who needs to travel when you can experience culture on your plate? With less than 30 minutes, you can have an ambrosial Italian-inspired pasta salad ready. Made with fresh cherry tomatoes, onion, basil, and red wine vinegar, you can serve it at a party or enjoy it right in your home.
What are your favorite easy vegan recipes for beginners?
Leave a comment below!
45+ EASY Vegan Recipes For Beginners (Simple & Delicious)
A list of our favorite easy vegan recipes for beginners that make quick and easy plant-based meals, that the whole family will love.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 450kcal
Author: Mira M.
Ingredients
Garlic Teriyaki Tofu Recipe
- 1 block tofu (12 oz)
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp teriyaki glaze
- 4 tbsp oil
- 2 clove garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
Cut up the tofu into small cubes. Season them with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes and start frying them on all sides. Your tofu cubes are ready when all sides are golden colored (as shown below).
When your tofu cubes are fried, add the soy sauce and fry everything evenly for 1/2-1 minute. This step is very important to make the tofu crispy.
Turn off the heat, then add the teriyaki glaze and minced garlic. Stir everything together in the pan for 1 minute.
Finally, add the sesame seeds, the optional garnish and serve over hot rice.
Video
Notes
*Teriyaki glaze is a thicker and stickier version of teriyaki sauce. If you use regular sauce, your end result will not be the same.
Alternatively, you can use a thick ("restaurant-style") teriyaki sauce as well.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
FAQ
What are basic vegan foods?
Some basic vegan foods that are readily available, inexpensive, and healthy are grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and tofu. There is a large variety of dishes that can be made with these basic ingredients using different herbs, spices, and cooking methods.
Is the vegan diet healthy?
Yes, the vegan diet is generally healthy since vegan ingredients are cholesterol free, rich in vitamins, and contain healthy fats. However, it totally depends on what you eat because there are vegan foods that are very processed, high in sugar and fat, and nutritionally void.
What do vegans eat instead of eggs/dairy and meat?
Instead of eggs, vegans can eat tofu scramble or a commercially-available vegan egg product like JUST Egg. For dairy, there are hundreds of plant-based alternatives to milk, yogurt, ice cream, and just about every dairy product available. Meat alternatives like tofu, tempeh, seitan, vegan burgers, chicken patties, sausages, and vegan fish are available for every craving.
What can vegans eat for breakfast?
Many common breakfast items are usually vegan like oatmeal, toast, cereal, and smoothies. Savory breakfast dishes like eggs, bacon, and sausage can be replaced with tofu or JUST Egg, vegan bacon, and vegan breakfast sausage. For sweet treats and pastries, look out for vegan options at bakeries.
