Want to give plant-based eating a try? These 72 plant-based diet recipes are perfect for beginners and make following a WFPB diet easy and delicious. Vegan and wholesome with simple ingredients.
As more people embrace the idea of adopting a plant-based diet for its undeniable health benefits, thrifty nature, and incredible simplicity, the demand for delicious and easy-to-follow plant-based recipes has grown significantly.
Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of plant-based eating or just looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, this blog post is here to help. I’ve put together a selection of plant-based recipes that are perfect for beginners, offering not only great taste but also essential nutrients to keep you energized and satisfied.
Why Go Plant-Based?
Before diving into the recipes, let’s briefly explore the benefits of a plant-based diet:
- Improved Health: A plant-based diet is associated with lower risk factors for chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. It can also help with weight management and boost overall vitality.
- Environmental Impact: Reducing your consumption of animal products can significantly lower your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable planet.
- Ethical Considerations: Many people choose a plant-based diet to align their eating habits with their values, reducing harm to animals and supporting animal welfare.
Plant-Based Pantry Staples
Before getting started, it’s helpful to have some essential plant-based pantry items on hand. This is by no means an exhaustive list but will give you more than enough to get you going and won’t break the bank:
- Whole Grains: Quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and oats.
- Legumes: Chickpeas, black beans, lentils, and tofu.
- Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds.
- Nut and Seed Butter: peanut butter, almond butter, tahini, etc.
- Fresh and Frozen Produce: A variety of fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, and berries.
- Plant-Based Milk: Almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Spices and Herbs: Garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, and basil.
- Condiments: Balsamic vinegar, soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option), ketchup, and mustard.
Let’s explore some beginner-friendly healthy vegan recipes
Take your pick and have fun. And, don’t be afraid to get creative and make these recipes your own.
Best Chickpea Salad Sandwich (Quick and Easy)
This chickpea salad sandwich recipe is bright, full of flavor, and so easy to make. Creamy, healthy, delicious, and totally vegan.
5-Minute Spicy Asian Noodle Bowl
This Spicy Asian Noodle Bowl is so easy to make and uses very simple ingredients already in your pantry. It’s oil-free, delicious, and ready in as little as 5 MINUTES!
The Best Grilled Tofu Recipe
The best Grilled Tofu recipe. It's high in protein, low in fat, and requires just 5 ingredients and 30 minutes. A simple recipe that's sure to make you a tofu fan for life.
Easy Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie
This Easy Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is the best you will ever make! Protein-packed lentils cooked with healthy veggies in a delicious tangy gravy sauce, topped with mashed potatoes, and baked to golden brown perfection. A hearty and wholesome meal that’s the definition of comfort food.
The Easiest Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Looking for a quick and delicious plant-based burger you can throw together? These quick and easy vegan black bean burgers are simple, delicious, and healthy.
The Easiest And Most Delicious Vegan Pesto (Oil-free)
This vegan pesto recipe is made with fresh basil, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s healthy, bright, and full of flavor. Perfect for dipping bread, on pizza or pasta, and more!
Zucchini Noodles with Healthy Vegan Pesto (Zoodles)
Spiralized zucchini noodles covered in healthy vegan pesto and topped with juicy cherry tomatoes make for an easy and delicious low-carb meal. This tasty pasta alternative is easy, fast, oil-free, and gluten-free.
Easy Vegan Black Bean Meatballs
Easy Vegan Black Bean Meatballs are a delicious plant-based alternative to regular meatballs. These hearty and savory veggie meatballs are perfect over pasta with marinara sauce, a party appetizer, or making an incredible vegan meatball sub. Low-fat, oil-free, and filling!
Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake (Oil-Free)
This amazing vegan chocolate mug cake is rich, fudgy, and made in just minutes in the microwave. Rich, chocolatey, and absolutely decadent.
How To Make Vegan Whipped Cream
This vegan whipped cream recipe is made with canned coconut milk and so easy to make. Everything from taste to texture is perfect and it’s great for topping all your non-dairy and vegan desserts. 1 bowl with 3 ingredients and 5 minutes is all you need.
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
Healthy, hearty, and comforting Instant Pot Vegetable Soup made in 30 minutes. This electric pressure cooker soup recipe is delicious and perfect for those cold and rainy days. Packed with your favorite Fall veggies this soup is also vegan, gluten free, and oil free.
Weight-Loss Cabbage Soup (Healthy, Vegan)
This vegan Cabbage Soup is so easy to make, loaded with nutrients, and absolutely delicious! It’s low in calories, low in fat, and full of flavor.
Chickpea Noodle Soup
Chickpea Noodle Soup is nourishing, comforting, vegan, and delicious! It’s the perfect soup for cold weather or when you are under the weather. Made in 1-pot and ready in 30 minutes.
Easy Vegan Cream Cheese Recipe
This Easy Vegan Cream Cheese recipe is so simple to make and requires just 5 whole food ingredients. It’s savory, tangy, creamy, and insanely delicious!
Oven Roasted Butternut Squash (Oil-Free)
Oven Roasted Butternut Squash is easy to prepare and makes a great holiday side dish. It’s perfect for tossing into salads, bowls, or making Butternut Squash Soup. 30 minutes and 3 ingredients are all you need.
The Best Vegan Stuffing Recipe
Making the best Vegan Stuffing is so easy and it’s an absolute must-have for your Thanksgiving and Christmas table! Made with 7 simple ingredients, this healthy version of a classic is so satisfying and absolutely delicious.
The Easiest And Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes (1-Pot + 4 Ingredients)
Quick, creamy, and deliciously fluffy vegan mashed potatoes without any dairy! Perfect for holidays or the perfect side for any dinner. Healthy, gluten-free, and low-fat.
Easy Black Beans
This Easy Black Beans Recipe is fast, delicious, and so easy to make. Made in one pot and with only 6 ingredients, this recipe is sure to be a go-to for family dinners.
Easy Baked Cinnamon Apples
Baked Cinnamon Apples are the ultimate Fall recipe and so easy to make. Made in one bowl with only 6 ingredients, this recipe makes for a perfectly healthy apple dessert, topping, or side dish you and your family will love all season long.
Creamy Smooth Oil-Free Homemade Hummus
Smooth and creamy hummus that’s better and healthier than what you buy in the store. And, you don’t need oil! Creamy smooth oil-free homemade hummus with all the flavor and none of the guilt.
Five Minute Fat-Free Microwave Potato Chips
Delicious, fat-free potato chips made in the microwave. A super easy, delicious, and crunchy snack that satisfies those junk food cravings without the guilt.
Easy Homemade Larabars (4 Ingredients, Gluten-Free)
Easy Homemade Larabars made with just four simple wholesome ingredients. Delicious, portable, and convenient. Here’s how to make your own!
Vegan Tofu Mayonnaise Recipe (Oil-Free)
Easy Vegan Tofu Mayonnaise is easy to make, gluten-free, and much healthier than regular mayo. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, and wraps! Just 2 minutes and 5 ingredients are required.
Oil Free Salad Dressing
This balsamic Oil free Salad Dressing is so easy to make and ready in less than 2 minutes! It’s tangy with a hint of sweetness and absolutely delicious. Whole foods plant-based, nut-free, oil-free, and gluten-free.
Vegan Thousand Island Salad Dressing (Oil-Free)
This Vegan Thousand Island Dressing recipe is so easy to make, tangy, sweet, and full of flavor like the original classic. One bowl and 5 minutes are all you need to make this healthy vegan dressing. Oil-free, gluten-free, and nut-free!
Healthy Oil-Free Granola
The best Healthy Oil-Free Granola recipe! It’s simple to make, sweetened with maple syrup, crunchy, and super delicious. Serve in a bowl with your favorite plant milk for a delicious breakfast or enjoy all by itself as a snack.Â
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Granola (Oil-Free)
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Granola is so easy to make and delicious. Made with 8 simple ingredients and oil-free, this healthy dark chocolate granola is the perfect morning treat or plant-based snack.
Vegan Pumpkin Granola (Oil-Free + Gluten-Free)
Vegan Pumpkin Granola is easy, healthy, and full of delicious fall flavor! Warming spices and wholesome ingredients come together to make the best crunchy oil-free homemade granola.
Crunchy Baked Taco Shells
Crunchy baked taco shells that are easy to make, healthy, low-fat and delicious! These things crisp up like a dream with NOÂ OIL and NO DEEP FRYING!
Healthy Homemade Tortilla Chips (Baked, Oil-free)
Healthy homemade tortilla chips baked to crunchy perfection and completely oil-free! Just 1 ingredient and 15 minutes are all you need.
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Cake Pops
Dairy and refined sugar are a thing of the past with these vegan chocolate cake pops. The only thing left is pure guilt-free deliciousness. Gluten-free, plant-based, and easy to make.
Crispy Homemade Baked French Fries (Oil-free)
Learn how to make perfectly baked french fries every time that are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and completely oil-free. Simple, delicious, and healthy! Can we just all go ahead and agree that french fries are the best? Honestly, I could care less who agrees with me. I think they’re awesome and
Easy Date Protein Balls (Vegan, Healthy)
Sweet and chewy easy, no-bake, date protein energy balls are a delicious snack you can enjoy any time of day or use as a pre-workout energy boost.
The Easiest Ever Vegan Pancake Recipe
Forget complicated recipes – this vegan pancake recipe is easy and totally foolproof! Enjoy a delicious stack of vegan pancakes cooked just the way you like them. Just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes are all that’s required.
Spinach Berry Smoothie
Start your day with this delicious Spinach Berry Smoothie! Packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, this smoothie recipe is easy, creamy, smooth, and you’ll never taste the spinach. Vegan and dairy-free!
Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie With Flax
This healthy chocolate banana smoothie recipe with flax is a delicious breakfast or pre-workout snack. Vegan, plant-based, and so easy to make.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Vegan No-Bake Cookies
Delicious Vegan No-Bake Cookies with chocolate and peanut butter! Easy to make and perfect for a quick and healthy snack. Made with just 7 simple ingredients.
3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies are so easy to make and require just 3 simple ingredients. Vegan and easily made gluten-free, these cookies are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
These 3 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies are soft, crumbly, chewy, and so easy to make! Made in 1 bowl and with only 3 ingredients, this recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Vegan, Oil-Free)
Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies are a healthy snack you can make in minutes. All you need are 4 wholesome ingredients and 1 bowl to make these deliciously simple treats. Vegan and oil-free.
Apple Banana Oat Muffins (Vegan, Oil-Free)
These vegan apple banana oat muffins without oil are healthy and delicious. They are perfectly moist and so easy to make using only simple wholesome ingredients. Great as a quick grab snack or breakfast! Gluten-free and refined sugar-free.
Raw Oat Blueberry Banana Nut Power Bowl
A delicious and amazingly healthy breakfast dish made with raw oats, blueberries, banana, and walnuts.
Easy Vegan Avocado Toast
This Easy Vegan Avocado Toast is the perfect plant-based breakfast. Creamy avocado on crunchy toast topped with vegan parmesan and red onion. Healthy, hearty, and absolutely delicious!
Spicy Vegan Breakfast Sausage Patties
A delicious, plant-based breakfast sausage made with oats that is low in fat and high in fiber. It’s smoky, savory, hearty, and gluten-free! The perfect addition to any breakfast.
The Best Tofu Scramble
The BEST Tofu Scramble recipe! An excellent plant-based alternative to scrambled eggs, it's high in protein and so easy to make. Serve with sliced avocado, hot sauce, and oil-free roasted vegan breakfast potatoes for a truly amazing meal.
Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Pancakes
Easy vegan sheet pan pancakes are a quick and easy way to make breakfast for a crowd without the hassle of standing over a stove flipping individual pancakes. Soft, fluffy, and oil-free, you’ll never want pancakes any other way.
Easy 1-Pot Vegan Lentil Soup
This Vegan Lentil Soup recipe is THE BEST, ever! It’s an easy 1-pot recipe stuffed with potatoes, carrots, celery, and fresh greens. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, this lentil soup recipe is thick, hearty, filling, and so delicious. It’s the perfect meal prep idea or weekday meal.
Brown Rice and Lentils (One Pot)
Brown rice and lentils are a delicious meal or easy side dish requiring only 5 ingredients and one pot. Healthy whole grains and legumes packed with protein and fiber and perfect for feeding a crowd.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan)
This healthy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup is so easy to make and absolutely delicious! It’s amazingly creamy, naturally sweetened, and full of flavor. A hint of warming autumn spices makes this soup the ultimate Fall comfort food!
Butternut Squash Black Bean Enchiladas (Vegan, Oil-Free)
This hearty butternut squash black bean enchilada recipe is so easy to make, vegan, and oil-free. Topped with homemade enchilada sauce, fresh cilantro, and sliced avocado. It’s the perfect plant-based comfort food for Fall or any other time of the year.
BEST Vegan Mozzarella Cheese (Melts and Stretches)
The BEST Vegan Mozzarella Cheese recipe is chewy, stretchy, and melts just like the real thing. Best of all, it's completely healthy, plant-based, and so easy to make. Perfect for pizza, grilled cheese, or your favorite pasta bake.
Easy Vegan Pizza Toast
Vegan pizza toast is easy to make and a great way to enjoy vegan pizza. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or a healthy after-school snack. Use any of your favorite pizza toppings!
Vegan Taco Meat
You don’t need ground beef to make the BEST Vegan Taco Meat. It’s made with cauliflower, mushrooms, walnuts, and spices. It’s so easy to make and ready in only 20 minutes. The perfect vegan ‘meat’ substitute.
Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans
Easy Vegan Barbecue Baked Beans. Cooked in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce that’s rich, tangy, sweet, smoky and delicious.
Quinoa Chipotle Bowl With Southwest Tahini Sauce
This Quinoa Chipotle Bowl is a hearty and savory dish that is super easy to make and delicious. Topped with a southwest tahini sauce, this dish will satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike.
Vegan Egg Roll In A Bowl (Easy, Healthy, & Delicious)
A vegan egg roll in a bowl is like an egg roll turned inside out. An easy, healthy, and delicious one-skillet meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes, you and your whole family will love this veggie-packed twist on classic egg rolls. It’s oil-free, low-carb, and can easily be made gluten-free.
Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry (Low Fat, Healthy)
This easy vegan chickpea curry is filled with aromatic spices and covered in a rich sauce. Low fat, healthy, and oil-free but you’d never know it. Ready in as little as 10 minutes!
Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers
Delicious Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers filled with smoky chipotle-flavored rice and black bean filling. Hearty, healthy, filling, and easy to make.
Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers (Vegan)
Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers are flavorful, healthy, and so easy to make! Great on a bun or eaten alone with avocado slices. Oil-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
Creamy, comforting, and so easy to make, this slow cooker sweet potato soup is loaded with flavor and perfect when you want something warm and filling to eat. Plus, it’s a great way to get your daily dose of vitamin A and fiber.
Easy Vegan Kale Slaw
Tangy vegan kale slaw recipe made with carrots, red onion, and a creamy oil-free dressing. Healthy and full of flavor, it’s a great alternative to coleslaw. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free!
Buffalo Chickpea Cauliflower Casserole
Buffalo Chickpea Cauliflower Casserole is so easy to make and requires just 10 simple ingredients. Vegan and gluten-free, this is a spicy hearty dinner that’s full of protein and fiber and absolutely delicious!
Healthy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad (Vegan)
Healthy broccoli cauliflower salad that’s creamy and crunchy! Filled with red onion, apples, and carrots, and covered in a tangy-sweet cashew mayo dressing. Vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free!
Tomato Cucumber Salad (No Oil)
This simple Tomato Cucumber Salad recipe is bright, light, fresh, and delicious. It’s an easy summer salad made with English cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy red onion, and covered in a sweet and tangy oil-free dressing.
Easy Sautéed Kale Recipe (Oil-Free)
The BEST and easiest Sauteed Kale recipe! Seasoned with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and a little lemon juice. It’s oil-free and ready to eat in as little as 10 minutes. The perfect side dish!
Avocado Tomato and Basil Sandwich
This avocado tomato and basil sandwich is healthy, delicious, and easy to make. Simple, yet filling, it’s the perfect lunch on a hot summer day.Â
Easy Fire Roasted Tomato Soup
This easy Fire-Roasted Tomato Soup is delicious and easy to make. A beloved classic gets a kick using fire-roasted tomatoes, sriracha, and savory smoked paprika.
Easy Lemon Cucumber Water: A Healthy Treat
Lemon Cucumber Water is delicious, refreshing, loaded with health benefits, and so easy to make. You only need 1 cucumber, 2 lemons, and 5 minutes. It’s also great for weight loss and detox.
Easy Vegan Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing
Easy vegan Thai noodle salad with homemade peanut dressing. A healthy and tasty main dish or a great side for cookouts and potlucks. Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
Healthy Sheet Pan Veggie Fajitas (Vegan)
Healthy sheet pan veggie fajitas made with colorful roasted vegetables and homemade fajita seasoning. Serve them with refried beans for an easy weeknight dinner.
Oil-Free Oven Roasted Potatoes
Delicious Oil-Free Oven Roasted Potatoes that bake to a crispy golden brown. Lightly seasoned with only a little salt & pepper and super easy to prepare. These potatoes are the perfect plant-based side dish!
The Best Vegan Mac And Cheese
This is the BEST Vegan Mac And Cheese recipe! A creamy delicious vegan cheese sauce made with raw cashews and poured over tender pasta. It’s SO easy to make and ready to eat in no time. Yeah, I know. Every food blogger at some point says one of their recipes is “the best.” But, in
If you try any of these recipes, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and be sure to tag a photo @shaneandsimplecooking on Instagram.
Transitioning to a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be daunting. These beginner-friendly recipes are not only nutritious but also bursting with flavor. Experiment with these dishes, and don’t be afraid to get creative and adapt them to your taste.
As you explore the world of plant-based eating, you’ll discover a wide range of exciting flavors and ingredients that will make your journey toward a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle both enjoyable and satisfying. Bon appétit!
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