Plant-based food has long outgrown the stereotype of bland meals and boring salads. January is an ideal time to explore vegan cuisine thanks to the global movement Veganuary. To inspire you, I teamed up with several fellow food bloggers to share 65 Plant-Based Recipes for Veganuary and Beyond. While we’re not affiliated with the Veganuary organization, we applaud their mission, which aligns with our goal of celebrating delicious vegan food and a kinder planet.
What is Veganuary?
Veganuary began in the UK in 2014 as a non-profit movement encouraging people to try a vegan lifestyle in January. It has grown rapidly, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants each year. January 2021 saw nearly one million pledges to try veganism, a sign of how much interest the movement generates.
Veganuary is more than a 30-day challenge — it’s an introduction to a plant-powered way of eating. The movement provides free resources, meal plans, and recipes to make the transition easier. Many participants find they enjoy the switch and continue with plant-based eating after January ends. These 65 recipes are a great place to start and to keep exploring beyond Veganuary.
My personal Veganuary Story
I started my vegan journey on January 1, 2019. For years I’d shifted between vegetarian, vegan, and omnivore, but I’d always favored vegetable-forward meals with minimal meat and cheese. After watching Forks Over Knives and What the Health, I committed to a year of vegan eating. That decision changed my life — it’s been transformative and I don’t expect to go back.
The best Veganuary recipe collection
From comforting mains to irresistible desserts, this curated collection will guide you through a month (and beyond) of plant-based eating. I asked favorite vegan food bloggers to share recipes they love. Try a few and you may find vegan meals becoming a regular part of your routine. Enjoy and happy New Year!
Starters and Appetizers Veganuary Recipes
Vegan Watermelon Nachos with Avocado Sauce
Triangular watermelon slices topped with a zesty avocado sauce and your favorite toppings make a surprising and refreshing starter. The avocado sauce replaces melted cheese with creamy, rich texture and bright flavor.
Loaded Lemon Greek Salad Hummus
This dish combines classic Greek salad flavors with lemony hummus for a vibrant, customizable appetizer that pleases a crowd.
Creamy Roasted Garlic Hummus
Roasted garlic and za’atar elevate this creamy hummus into a bold, savory dip perfect for bread, veggies, or crackers.
Blender Beet Juice
This vibrant juice blends beets, carrots, apples, and strawberries for antioxidant-rich flavor and an easy, energizing drink you can make in a blender.
Soups & Salads Veganuary Recipes
Easy Vegan Chicken Salad
This plant-based take on chicken salad uses vegan chicken, crisp celery, red onion, and a spiced vegan mayo for a satisfying, creamy sandwich or salad topping.
Rainbow Vegan Chopped Salad
Crunchy vegetables tossed with a light lemon-mustard-maple dressing create a colorful, fresh salad that works as a side or main when topped with grains or beans.
Simple Vegan Kale Caesar
A creamy cashew-based dressing clings to kale, crispy chickpeas, and homemade croutons for a hearty, protein-rich Caesar that satisfies like the original.
Best Vegan Pasta Salad
This pasta salad mixes kale, cherry tomatoes, roasted vegetables, and chickpeas with a roasted pepper-kalamata dressing for a filling, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for potlucks or meal prep.
Rainbow Mexican Black Bean Salad
Bell peppers, mango, purple cabbage, corn, and cilantro are tossed in a tangy lime-agave-ginger dressing. Swap ingredients to suit your taste and enjoy a quick, nutritious meal.
Grilled Artichoke Vegan Caesar Salad
Hearty grilled artichokes, crispy chickpeas, croutons, and a silken tofu–based Caesar dressing create a satisfying salad that holds up well for meal prep.
The Best Lentil Soup
Tender lentils and a medley of vegetables simmered with aromatic seasonings make a nourishing, budget-friendly soup that’s great for make-ahead meals.
Southwest Quinoa Bean Salad
Quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and creamy avocado tossed in a tahini-lime dressing create a hearty, nutrient-dense salad perfect as a side or main.
Roasted Butternut Squash Carrot Soup
Roasted butternut squash and carrots blend into a silky, gluten-free soup that’s perfect for chilly evenings. Garnishes like dairy-free yogurt, roasted almonds, and pumpkin seeds add texture and flavor.
One-Pot Creamy Vegetable Soup
A one-pot, veggie-packed soup that’s simple, comforting, and ideal for meal prep. Pair it with warm bread for a complete meal.
Tortellini in Brodo
Vegan tortellini in a fragrant vegetable broth with vegan parmesan and black pepper is simple, comforting, and ideal for colder nights.
Ancient Grains Salad
A mix of savory grains, veggies, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes finished with a tangy vinaigrette — great as a side, salad, or wrap filling. Store dressing separately for meal prep longevity.
Butternut Squash Apple Soup
This gluten-free soup blends the natural sweetness of apples and squash with coconut milk and herbs for a comforting, easy-to-make bowl ready in about 30 minutes.
Vegan Apple & Feta Salad
Arugula and kale form a hearty base for avocado, seasoned chickpeas, and vegan feta, all tied together with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and crunchy almonds.
Ginger Tofu Noodle Soup
Protein-rich tofu, noodles, mushrooms, and bright ginger and lemon come together in a cozy, quick soup finished with creamy coconut milk.
Orzo Asparagus Salad
Orzo with asparagus, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, cannellini beans, and fresh herbs tossed in a tangy dressing — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
Vegan Egg Salad
Tofu-based “egg” salad with crisp celery and creamy vegan mayo — great on sandwiches, crackers, or as a protein-rich snack.
Roasted Sweet Potato and Beet Farro Salad (Vegan, Refined Sugar Free)
Chewy farro paired with roasted sweet potato, beets, arugula, and a homemade dressing makes a satisfying, refined-sugar-free salad that stores well for lunches.
Veganuary Side Recipes
Tahini Harissa Cauliflower
Roasted cauliflower and broccoli tossed in a smoky tahini-harissa sauce and topped with dates, dill, and pumpkin seeds bring sweet, spicy, and nutty notes to the table.
Vegan Summer Rolls
Fresh vegetables, rice noodles, and optional mango wrapped in rice paper, served with a peanut dipping sauce. Easily adaptable and great for parties or meal prep.
Maple Gochujang Roasted Delicata Squash (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Delicata squash tossed with a simple maple-gochujang sauce and roasted until caramelized — bold, sweet, and slightly spicy with minimal prep.
Easy Vegan Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Flaky vegan biscuits flavored with plant-based cheddar, parsley, and garlic — great with soups or as a comforting snack.
Vegan Main Dishes for Veganuary
Easy Vegan Tofu Parm *gluten free too
Crispy, seasoned tofu baked and topped with vegan cheese makes a speedy, protein-rich weeknight entrée that pairs well with pasta, salads, or in sandwiches.
Mediterranean Grain Bowl
Quinoa, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a balsamic dressing create a balanced 30-minute bowl. Add tofu or tempeh for extra protein and use it for meal prep.
Creamy Harissa Beans
Aubergine, cherry tomatoes, and white beans in a spicy harissa-coconut yogurt sauce — rich, high in protein, and ready in around 30 minutes.
Roasted Pumpkin Bean Chilli
Smoky roasted pumpkin and beans simmered with spices make a hearty, freezer-friendly chili that’s simple to prepare and budget-friendly.
Vegan Butter Chicken with Jackfruit
Jackfruit, chickpeas, and potatoes simmer in a creamy coconut tomato curry spiced with garam masala and curry powder for an indulgent, plant-based take on butter chicken.
Easy Power Bowl
A one-skillet bowl with quinoa, roasted vegetables, kale, and chickpeas ready in 20 minutes — ideal for busy days and post-workout fuel.
Easy Peanut Butter Ramen
A creamy peanut broth with crispy tofu, spinach, and corn transforms ramen into a simple, comforting meal ready in about 30 minutes.
Loaded Vegan Caesar
Creamy cashew dressing, crispy chickpeas, brown rice, and Cajun tofu create a filling, high-protein Caesar that even non-vegans will enjoy.
Sticky Vegan Honey Butter Garlic Tofu
Crispy tofu glazed in a sticky, sweet-savory sauce for a quick weeknight favorite. Frying gives extra crunch but can be skipped if preferred.
Crispy Vegan Bean Tacos
Seasoned, baked black beans topped with avocado-cilantro sauce make quick, gluten-free tacos that taste like a restaurant takeaway at home.
Rice and Pasta Recipes for Veganuary
6 Ingredients Vegan Pasta
A 15-minute pasta made with roasted garlic, tomato paste, coconut milk, spinach, and hemp seeds — creamy and nutritious with minimal ingredients.
Kimchi Fried Rice (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Spicy, tangy kimchi and gochujang paired with day-old rice create a quick, flavorful fried rice with authentic Korean notes.
Buttery Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Pasta
Roasted butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and vegan parmesan combine for a rich, seasonal pasta that’s gluten-free and ready in about 30 minutes.
Easy Vegan Chick’n Parm Pasta
Vegan chick’n and heart-of-palm or other pasta, smothered in tomato sauce and vegan cheeses for a comforting, quick dinner option.
Easy Thai Red Curry Pasta
Red curry paste, aromatics, and plant milk create a flavorful, slightly spicy pasta sauce paired with vegetables and optional tofu for added protein.
Spicy Tomato & Broccoli Pasta
Calabrian chili, cherry tomatoes, and broccoli tossed with linguine for a spicy, fresh pasta that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
One-Pot Mushroom and White Bean Pasta
A one-pot pasta with mushrooms, white beans, and Italian seasoning that’s convenient, comforting, and great for leftovers.
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Alfredo
Cashews, miso, and nutritional yeast create a velvety Alfredo sauce that pairs beautifully with wild mushrooms for a decadent plant-based pasta.
Vegan Brown Butter Walnut and Tarragon Farfalle
Vegan brown butter, walnuts, tarragon, chanterelles, and spinach combine for a refined, nutty pasta that’s surprisingly quick to prepare.
Meaty Vegan Mac and Cheese
Butternut squash-based cheese sauce paired with a walnut-tofu “meat” mix gives this mac and cheese a creamy, satisfying, and hearty texture.
The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
Cauliflower, cashews, nutritional yeast, and miso create a creamy, cheesy sauce for a quick mac and cheese you can make in under 30 minutes.
Tofu Curry Ramen Noodles
Sesame-coated tofu and vegetables swim in a rich curry sauce over ramen, topped with coconut yogurt and herbs for a creamy, spicy bowl.
Vegan Mushroom Carbonara
Mushroom “bacon” and a velvety cashew cream sauce coat farfalle for an indulgent carbonara that showcases plant-based comfort cooking.
Veganuary Breakfast Recipes
Chocolate Coconut Oats
Thick, blended oats flavored with chocolate and coconut make a quick, nutrient-dense breakfast featuring banana, seeds, and dairy-free yogurt.
White Choc Berry Baked Oats
Cakey baked oats studded with dairy-free white chocolate and fresh berries for a filling breakfast you can enjoy warm or cold.
Chia Seed Overnight Oats
Oats, chia, plant-based yogurt, and milk combine overnight for a nutrient-packed, grab-and-go breakfast that keeps up to five days in the fridge.
Snickers Baked Oats (Vegan, Gluten-Free, No Sugar Added)
Banana- and date-sweetened baked oats with nut butter make a gluten-free, refined-sugar-free treat that’s portable and satisfying.
Vegan Blueberry Sheet Pan Pancakes
Make fluffy pancakes for a crowd by baking them on a sheet pan. Blueberries, vegan buttermilk, and simple pantry ingredients make this process easy and reliable.
Dessert Recipes for Veganuary
Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Almond flour, peanut butter, and dark chocolate combine into low-carb, gluten-free cookie dough bites that are easy to make and hard to resist.
Crispy Quinoa Cacao Cookies
No-bake cookies combining cacao, coconut butter, and puffed quinoa for a crunchy, allergy-friendly treat you can freeze for later.
Chocolate PB Muffins
Bakery-style chocolate muffins swirled with peanut butter and made in one bowl — fudgy, simple, and perfect for breakfasts or snacks.
Banana Nut Chocolate Flapjack
Baked flapjack bars made with bananas, peanut butter, oats, and nuts topped with dark chocolate — naturally sweet and energizing.
Chocolate Berry FroYo Cups
Coconut yogurt layered with chocolate and berries, topped with pistachios and cacao nibs for a protein-packed frozen treat.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
A five-ingredient, creamy pudding made from avocado, cocoa, plant milk, and maple — quick, rich, and nutrient-dense.
Samoas Date Bark
Medjool dates, cashew butter, toasted coconut, and a chocolate drizzle create a no-bake vegan bark that satisfies sweet cravings without the fuss.
Brownie Batter Truffles
No-bake truffles with rich chocolate flavor, gluten-free and naturally sweetened — an elegant, easy dessert for gatherings.
Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies
Almond flour and peanut butter form tender, shaped cookies that are easy to make and store well for a week in an airtight container.
1-Bowl Blueberry Banana Cake
A simple, single-bowl cake featuring ripe bananas and juicy blueberries for a moist, tender dessert or breakfast treat.
Healthy Cashew Butter Cookie Dough Bites (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Oil-Free)
Six-ingredient, no-bake cashew butter bites that are oil-free and gluten-free — a simple, wholesome sweet snack to keep on hand.