51 Simple Vegan Recipes for Everyday Cooking

I’m excited to present 51 easy vegan recipes — a collection tested and loved by hundreds of thousands of readers and viewers. From satisfying dinners to soups, sides, lunches, and desserts, these approachable plant-based dishes use everyday ingredients and simple techniques so you can cook delicious meals for the whole family.

forkful Vegan Carbonara
Vegan Carbonara Pasta

Table of Contents

  • The 51 Easy Vegan Recipes
  • Vegan Dinner Recipes
  • Watch This Video: Lazy Vegan Recipes
  • Easy Vegan Pasta Dishes
  • Vegan Side Dishes
  • Vegan Salad Recipes
  • Easy Vegan Soups
  • Vegan Lunches
  • Easy Vegan Desserts
  • More Tasty Recipe Round-Up Posts

If you think vegan cooking requires expensive or complicated ingredients, this list will change your mind. The goal is to make plant-based eating simple, affordable, nutritious, and approachable for anyone cooking at home.

You’ll find easy dinners, quick pastas, hearty soups, flavorful sides, satisfying lunches, and indulgent desserts — all designed for busy weeknights and everyday life. Whether you’re new to vegan cooking or just want fresh, reliable meal ideas, these recipes help you enjoy more plants without stress.

The 51 Easy Vegan Recipes

Ready to cook? These recipes are beginner-friendly, made with common pantry items, and organized by category to help you find inspiration fast.

Vegan Dinner Recipes

Chickpea curry in pan.

Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry

A comforting, spiced coconut curry with sweet potatoes and chickpeas. Easy to make and full of flavor — perfect for a nourishing weeknight meal.

Colorful lentil tacos on a plate.

The Easiest Lentil Tacos

Simple, protein-rich lentil tacos ready in about 10 minutes — a go-to for Taco Tuesday or any night you want a fast, satisfying dinner.

An overhead shot of a white bowl of tuna chickpea salad on a dish towel.

Chickpea Tuna Salad

A creamy, briny plant-based take on tuna salad made with chickpeas — great for sandwiches, bowls, or as a dip with crackers.

A close-up shot of a large pot of Jamaican chickpea curry.

Jamaican Chickpea Curry

Bold island flavors with warming spices and chickpeas — an easy, hearty curry to serve with rice or flatbread.

Sofritas served in a bowl.

The Best Sofritas Recipe

Spicy, saucy shredded tofu cooked until crisp and simmered in a red pepper sauce — ideal for bowls, tacos, and burritos.

vegan meatloaf sliced on wooden tray

Vegan Lentil Meatloaf

A comforting, savory lentil and mushroom loaf glazed with balsamic-ketchup — great with mashed potatoes for a classic meal.

vegan burrito bowl

Vegan Burrito Bowl (Better-Than-Chipotle!)

A build-your-own bowl with seasoned lentil “meat,” grains, beans, and vibrant toppings for a fresh, wholesome meal.

lentil taco meat in pan

Lentil Taco Meat

A budget-friendly, protein-rich filling for tacos, nachos, burritos, and bowls — flavorful and easy to make.

Marinated Tempeh Tacos

Tempeh Tacos

Smoky-sweet marinated tempeh with slaw and guacamole for a colorful, crowd-pleasing taco night.

img 19477 11

Instant Pot Cauliflower Piccata

Tender whole cauliflower in a lemon-caper sauce — veggie-forward and elegant when served with pasta or potatoes.

mushroom carnitas tacos on a light pink plate

Mushroom Carnitas Tacos

Meaty, shredded mushrooms simmered with aromatics and citrus make a crave-worthy plant-based carnitas for tacos.

Lentil vegan meatballs covered in tomato sauce.

Vegan Meatballs

Hearty lentil meatballs that work with pasta, subs, or as appetizers — savory and satisfying without animal ingredients.

Vegan Fish Tacos

Vegan Fish Tacos

A plant-based take on fish tacos with creamy slaw and bright toppings — easy to prepare and great for guests.

tofu chili in pot

Hearty Tofu Chili

A robust chili featuring tofu and beans — comforting, protein-rich, and perfect for chilly nights.

closeup of vegan nuggets

Vegan Chicken Nuggets

Crispy, savory plant-based nuggets that are great for family dinners, dipping, or as a snack.

side view of quinoa zucchini burger with a pickle

Hearty Zucchini Burgers

Vegetable-packed burgers with zucchini, quinoa, and seeds — flavorful, filling, and great for meal prep.

Closeup on inner flaky texture of vegan crab cakes

Vegan Crab Cakes

Flaky, tender cakes made from hearts of palm and chickpeas, served with a zesty vegan aioli.

Closeup of vegan fried chicken on pastel purple plate

Vegan Fried Chicken

A double-battered, crispy vegan alternative inspired by Southern fried chicken — crunchy on the outside and tender inside.

Vegan Black Bean Burgers

Black Bean Hemp Burgers

Nutritious black bean and hemp burgers packed with seeds and nuts — great for texture and heartiness.

A close-up shot of vegan nachos.

Vegan Nachos

Layered nachos with lentil taco meat, vegan sour cream, beans, and fresh toppings for a fun, shareable dinner.

Watch This Video: Lazy Vegan Recipes

Watch quick, balanced vegan dinners that can be made in under 10 minutes.

Easy Vegan Pasta Dishes

img 19477 22

Creamy Pasta with Seared Mushroom Scallops

Bucatini tossed in a creamy garlic sauce topped with seared mushrooms for an elevated yet easy pasta dinner.

An overhead shot of a white bowl of arrabbiata sauce on penne pasta.

Arrabbiata Sauce

A spicy tomato-garlic sauce that livens up any pasta with minimal effort.

close up of vegan mushroom alfredo in pan

Mushroom Alfredo Pasta

A plant-based Alfredo with seared oyster mushrooms for a classic comfort pasta without dairy.

plated Vegan Pasta Carbonara

Creamy Vegan Carbonara

A rich, smoky carbonara-style pasta made without eggs — creamy soy-based sauce and smoky tofu bits recreate the classic taste.

An overhead shot of a white bowl of Instant Pot Vegan Sausage Pasta with bread crumbs and a sprig of basil.

Instant Pot Vegan Sausage Pasta

A speedy one-pot pasta with vegan sausage and vegetables — great for busy nights and potlucks.

Vegan pasta puttanesca | @sweetpotatosoul

Vegan Pasta Puttanesca

A salty, briny pasta made with olives and sea-flavored ingredients for bold Mediterranean notes.

Vegan Side Dishes

Roasted veggies on a baking sheet.

Golden Hour Roasted Vegetables

Perfectly seasoned roasted vegetables that can be adapted to whatever you have on hand — an easy, reliable side.

close up braised cabbage

Jamaican Braised Cabbage

Caribbean-spiced braised cabbage that’s tender, flavorful, and quick to prepare.

An overhead shot of an air fryer sweet potato, cut open and topped with butter, salt, and pepper.

Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato

Baked-style sweet potatoes cooked quickly in the air fryer — tender inside and ready for savory or sweet toppings.

close up of sweet potato wedges on a pink plate

Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges

Crispy, lightly seasoned sweet potato wedges made in the air fryer — a healthier alternative to fries.

A plate of air fried zucchini on the coutner.

Air Fryer Zucchini

An easy air fryer side with tender, caramelized zucchini — customizable with simple seasonings.

Overhead of air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Crispy, golden sweet potato fries made with a straightforward, no-fail method.

overhead corn ribs on plate

Corn Ribs

Smoky, charred “corn ribs” prepared by several methods — broiling, baking, air frying, or grilling for summer gatherings.

grilled eggplant on plate

Grilled Eggplant

Tender, well-seasoned eggplant grilled to avoid sogginess — a favorite for summer barbecues and sides.

Sweet Potato Hummus

The Best Sweet Potato Hummus

Creamy, slightly sweet hummus made with roasted sweet potatoes for extra depth and smoothness.

overhead of vegan mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy

Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy, buttery vegan mashed potatoes that pair beautifully with gravies and mains.

Roasted sweet potatoes.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Caramelized, seasoned roasted sweet potatoes — versatile and delicious with many mains.

overhead of plated air fryer green beans over muhammara sauce

Air Fryer Green Beans

Tender, slightly charred green beans from the air fryer — a quick vegetable side that picky eaters often enjoy.

Air fryer broccolini on a plate.

Air Fryer Broccolini

Quick, peppery broccolini cooked in the air fryer with simple seasonings — tender and flavorful.

close up of roasted cabbage

Za’atar Roasted Cabbage

Roasted cabbage seasoned with za’atar for a simple Middle Eastern-inspired side dish.

A bowl of Instant Pot white beans with lemon and rosemary garnish.

Instant Pot White Beans

Tender, flavorful white beans cooked quickly in the pressure cooker — a pantry staple for many recipes.

air fryer carrots close up

Air Fryer Carrots

Sweet, roasted-style carrots made in the air fryer with minimal seasoning and excellent results.

Vegan Salad Recipes

Vegan caesar salad in a white bowl.

Vegan Caesar Salad

A classic Caesar reimagined with a sunflower seed–based dressing and crispy chickpeas for crunch.

overhead of baby kale salad on white platter

Baby Kale Salad

Massaged baby kale with a maple-mustard vinaigrette and mix-ins for a hearty, make-ahead salad.

An overhead shot of a bowl of black bean and corn salad with lime, cilantro, and jalapenos.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Zesty, crunchy, and ideal as a side or topping for bowls and tacos.

img 19477 47

Watermelon & Peach Salad

A bright, cooling salad tossed with lime vinaigrette — ideal for summer gatherings.

An overhead shot of a bowl of edamame salad garnished with chopped almonds.

Edamame Salad

Protein-packed edamame with crunchy toppings — a nourishing side or main when topped with tofu.

mango avocado salad in white bowl

Mango Avocado Salad

Massaged kale tossed with mango guacamole, cabbage, and black beans for a vibrant, filling salad.

img 19477 50

Black Eyed Pea Salad

A protein-rich bean salad that develops more flavor over time — ideal for make-ahead meals and gatherings.

Easy Vegan Soups

Sweet potato soup in a bowl.

Sweet Potato Soup

A creamy sweet potato bisque brightened with lemon and topped with crispy roasted beans for texture.

bowl of lentil soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup

A hearty lentil soup made quickly in the Instant Pot with savory herbs and vegetables.

closeup chickpea soup

Spiced Chickpea Soup

A warming soup with chickpeas and butternut squash seasoned with comforting spices — great for meal prep.

red lentil carrot soup in bowl

Red Lentil Carrot Soup

A nourishing, quick red lentil and carrot soup flavored with tomatoes and spices, ready in about 30 minutes.

Collard Miso Soup

Collard Miso Soup

A simple miso soup with collard greens, tofu, and chili flakes for an easy, nutritious bowl.

Vegan lentil soup

Vegan Lentil Soup

A comforting green lentil soup that’s dependable during cold and flu season and simple to make.

Vegan Lunches

Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich | sweetpotatosoul.com

BBQ Tempeh Sandwich

Sweet, tangy BBQ tempeh layered with avocado and fresh veggies for a satisfying lunch sandwich.

vegan pasta salad in white bowl

Vegan Pasta Salad

Roasted vegetables and creamy avocado dressing make this pasta salad a filling lunch or potluck dish.

An overhead shot of a white bowl of tuna chickpea salad on a dish towel.

Chickpea Tuna Salad

A creamy chickpea-based salad that’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or scooping with crackers for lunch.

Easy Vegan Desserts

pear sorbet being scooped

Easy No-Churn Pear Sorbet

A silky, no-churn sorbet made with ripe pears and a few simple ingredients — no ice cream maker needed.

overhead of mango sorbet scoops in a bowl

Mango Sorbet

A bright, tropical sorbet using just a few whole-food ingredients — naturally vegan and refreshingly sweet.

An up-close side shot of a small dish of the vegan chocolate pudding topped with carob chips and raspberries.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Rich, creamy chocolate mousse made with avocados, dates, and cacao — indulgent and nutritious.

vegan chocolate chip cookie stack on white parchment paper

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Buttery, chewy cookies that happen to be vegan — a classic treat everyone will enjoy.

An up-close shot of a scoop of strawberry sorbet.

Strawberry Sorbet

A refreshing sorbet made with frozen strawberries, sweetener, and lemon for a simple frozen dessert.

Fluffy moist vegan poundcake

Nana’s Vegan Pound Cake

A tender, buttery-style vegan pound cake — delicious with berries and whipped coconut cream.

An angled side shot of avocado pineapple popsicles stacked on a blue tray of frozen pineapple.

Avocado Pineapple Popsicles

Creamy, naturally sweet popsicles made with avocado and pineapple for a cooling summer snack.

closeup of Vegan Rice Krispy Treats with sprinkles

Vegan Rice Crispy Treats

Chewy, sweet, and simple rice crispy treats made without animal ingredients — perfect for lunchboxes and parties.

More Tasty Recipe Round-Up Posts

Sofritas in a burrito bowl.

Recipe Round Up

31 Easy Tofu Recipes

everyday vegan bean recipes

Recipe Round Up

42 Best Vegan Bean Recipes

Black bean soup topped with colorful garnish.

Recipe Round Up

21 Vegan Instant Pot Recipes

close up sweet potato noodles

Recipe Round Up

Best Sweet Potato Recipes