30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (2024)

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (1)

There are so many reasons to start eating more vegan meals, it's hard to count. Forgetting all the research that shows eating less meat is great for your health, good for the environment, and of course better for the animals, one of our favorite reasons: It's so tasty! Whether you're experimenting with dairy-free #MeatlessMondays, trying it for a month, or are hosting a vegan friend for dinner, chances are you're in the market for a few recipes that can show off the sheer variety of flavors in the vegetable kingdom while still keeping things relatively easy, and keeping you from feeling hungry minutes after a meal.

Well, fret not. These vegan recipes have it all. They're not only super quick and straightforward to make, but they're chock-full of flavor. And what's best is that most of them rely on ingredients you're likely to find at your local grocery store or farmers market. From a grain-filled chili, crunchy roast-carrot tacos, and a hearty, gluten-free noodle bowl to stuffed eggplants, savory veggie burgers, and, of course, stews and salads galore, these dishes are surefire ways to keep your family happy and well-fed.

Though, if you're all feeling a little peckish afterwards, you can always cap the meal off with one of these vegan dessert recipes. And if you're looking to cut meat out of other meals, here are some vegan breakfast recipes. We even have vegan camping meals to keep you going on the trail.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

1

Vegetarian Chili with Grains and Beans

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (3)

This slow-cooker chili is as filling as its meatier mainstay because of its hearty helping of high-protein wheat berries and kidney beans. Skip the cheese and sour cream—or use substitutes—to keep it vegan.

Get the recipe.

SHOP VEGAN CHEDDAR

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

2

Carrot and Black Bean Crispy Tacos

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (5)

Try as you might, you simply cannot do better than the crispy yellow corn shells straight from the box. Do not overthink this.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

3

Bulgur and Cashew Stuffed Eggplant

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (7)

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

Get the recipe.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (9)

A homemade vinaigrette with apple cider, whole-grain mustard, and red wine vinegar makes butternut squash even better.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SHEET PANS

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

5

Green Salad With Roasted Carrots

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (11)

Whole-roasted rainbow carrots make this delicious green salad both beautiful and filling. To keep it vegan, skip the dressing, or use dairy-free ingredient substitutions.

Get the recipe.

SHOP DAIRY FREE SOUR CREAM

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

6

Farro-and-Acorn Squash Salad

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (13)

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. Skip the blue cheese and add a little nutritional yeast instead.

Get the recipe.

SHOP NUTRITIONAL YEAST

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Vegan Gluten-Free Noodle Bowl

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (15)

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.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

8

Steamed Wild Rice with Toasted Hazelnut Butter

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (17)

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.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

9

Pearl Couscous With Leeks and Peas

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (19)

Delicious served warm or at room temperature, this colorful dish can be prepped up to four hours in advance.

Get the recipe.

SHOP COUSCOUS

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Chopped Salad

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

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

11

Wild Rice-and-Cider-Cranberry Pilaf

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (23)

Make this savory-sweet dish whenever you're feeling a yearning for the fall.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

12

Lentil Stew with Butternut Squash

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (25)

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

Get the recipe.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Savory Pumpkin Soup with Spice Shake

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (27)

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.

Get the recipe.

SHOP SHAKERS

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

14

Sweet Pea and Avocado Soup

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (29)

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

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

15

Bucatini with Winter Pesto and Sweet Potatoes

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (31)

Skip the red sauce and opt for hearty sweet potatoes, a bright pesto, and toasty pine nuts. To keep it vegan, skip the cheese in the pesto, and sub in nutritional yeast.

Get the recipe.

SHOP NUTRITIONAL YEAST

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Farro-and-Tomato Salad with Crispy Capers

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (33)

Crispy capers add an amazing amount of flavor, and are well worth learning. Top this tomato-filled salad with fresh flat-leaf parsley.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

17

Roasted Red Cabbage-and-Collard Green Slaw

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (35)

This bright and beautiful slaw is mixed with a mouthwatering sweet and spicy sauce.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

18

Charred Corn Salad

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (37)

Skip the queso fresco—or use a substitute, such as the homemade one from Curious Chickpea.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Vegetable Kebabs with Lemon-Scallion Vinaigrette

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (39)

Fresh mint takes grilled vegetables to the next level.

Get the recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

20

Coriander-Maple Glazed Carrots

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (41)

This stunning dish gets a burst of citrusy flavor from lime zest.

Get the recipe.

30+ Vegan Dinner Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Meal (2024)

FAQs

What to make when you have no time to cook? ›

13 Emergency Dinners for When You Don't Have Time to Cook
  1. 01 of 14. Broiled Tilapia Parmesan. ...
  2. 02 of 14. Asian Beef with Snow Peas. ...
  3. 03 of 14. Vegetarian Chickpea Tacos. ...
  4. 04 of 14. Sicilian Spaghetti. ...
  5. 05 of 14. Waffle Pizzas. ...
  6. 06 of 14. Shrimp and Peanut Butter Noodles. ...
  7. 07 of 14. Mexi-Chicken Avocado Cups. ...
  8. 08 of 14.
Jul 26, 2021

What is the most eaten vegan food? ›

Most vegan diets include beans in at least one meal per day, including lentils, chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans and many more. Many vegans consume soy-based proteins such as tofu and tempeh; their mild flavor makes them a great substitute for meat in stir-fries, soups and stews.

What vegan meal can I eat everyday? ›

For a healthy vegan diet: eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible)

What to cook for dinner when nothing sounds good? ›

What to eat when nothing sounds good: 25 balanced meal ideas
  • Ham or turkey & cheese sandwich with a side of fruit.
  • Rotisserie chicken with frozen microwaveable rice and veggies.
  • “Adult Lunchable”: cheese, crackers, deli meat, raw fruits or veggies with dip.
  • Frozen chicken tenders or nuggets on top of a salad.
Jan 11, 2023

What can I cook in less than 30 minutes? ›

Our Best 30-Minute Recipes
  1. Chili and Cheese Pockets.
  2. Easy Beef Stew in Biscuit Cups.
  3. 2-Ingredient Chicken and Dumplings.
  4. Biscuit Hamburgers.
  5. Garlic Cheddar Biscuit Turkey Club.
  6. Cheesy Chicken-Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls for Two.
  7. Cheesy Southwest Chicken Crescent Rolls for Two.
  8. Crispy Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Crescent Rolls.

What can I cook in 5 minutes? ›

25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less
  • Pea and broad bean couscous.
  • Fast home-made baked beans.
  • Porridge.
  • Pasta with cherry tomatoes and rocket.
  • Home-made hummus.
  • Smashed avocado and wilted spinach.
  • Cucumber (or potato) raitha.
  • Quick pitta pizzas.

Can vegans eat pasta? ›

Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, penne, and more—is vegan. It's worth checking the label to be sure, as some pasta contains eggs, but most of the pasta you see on the supermarket shelves is 100% vegan!

What dishes are naturally vegan? ›

If you're looking for more meat-free ideas, check out our healthy vegan recipe collection.
  • Ponzu tofu poke bowl. ...
  • Veggie yaki udon. ...
  • Sesame & spring onion stir-fried udon with crispy tofu. ...
  • Sesame & ginger sushi bowls. ...
  • Vegan ramen. ...
  • Seitan & black bean stir-fry. ...
  • Vegan paella. ...
  • Padron peppers.
Aug 16, 2023

What do picky vegans eat? ›

  • Carrot Dogs. One of our most popular recipes, these smoky carrot dogs taste remarkably like hot dogs. ...
  • Zucchini Fritters. ...
  • Homemade Vegan Pesto. ...
  • Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. ...
  • Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
  • Mixed Berry Jam with Chia Seeds. ...
  • 5-Minute Ketchup. ...
  • Spinach Lasagna.
Aug 18, 2023

What do vegans eat besides meat? ›

Some good vegetarian sources of protein include:
  • legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils)
  • nuts and seeds.
  • soy products (including soy beverages, tempeh and tofu)
  • whole (cereal) grains (such as oats and barley)
  • pseudo-cereals (such as quinoa and amaranth)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 5722

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.