Want to go vegan or are you just looking to eat more plants and less of the other stuff? Either way, these recipes will start you on your journey with ease and a happy and full belly.
I went vegan because I read the book The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall. This book has helped me lose 30 pounds so far and I’m loving the freedom of eating this way! This way of eating is a high-carb low-fat diet. Basically, the fat you eat is the fat you wear. By eating healthy whole foods that are low in calorie density you will easily lose weight and feel amazing! Click here for a link to the book.
So…the environmental and animal rights came as a bonus when I went plant based. Whether you’re an ethical vegan or someone who found this diet for other reasons we are so happy you’re here and you’ll find some easy and amazing vegan recipes for beginners!
This post is all about vegan recipes for beginners.
Easy Ramen
Who doesn’t love Ramen? Well follow my recipes and you can eat it and still lose weight!
The basic notion is to take your favorite foods and bulk them up with veggies to lower the calorie density – click here for a link to an amazing video on what calorie density is and how to use it to lose weight.
There are better swaps you can make to lower calorie density as well as bulking it up with lots of veggies. For example, swap a cup of noodles for the millet and brown rice ramen. It’s also cheaper!
Easy Vegan Ramen
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 squares millet and brown rice ramen
- 1 to 2 cups broccoli or snow peas
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 1 TBS nut butter or Sunbutter optional
- 1 TBS soy sauce or tamari
- 1 TBS rice vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 TBS Srirachi or Gochujang (chili pepper paste)
- 1/2 TBS sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- combine ramen and veggies in a large bowl and fill with just enough water to cover them - cover with plastic wrap or a towel
- microwave for about 3 minutes and stir - if the noodles are still hard (they probably are) microwave another 3 minutes
- drain off most of the water and add the sauce ingredients - Sunbutter - soy sauce - sriracha - rice vinegar
- mix and enjoy!
Vegan Chili
This is amazing because it tastes delicious and it’s so versatile. It’s a great meal to prep or batch cook whatever you want to call it. Make it over the weekend and then use as a soup, over rice, in a salad, over potato fries, in a taco, in an enchilada, in a burrito bowl. The possibilities are endless! I swear you won’t regret it. Give it a try!
Vegan Weight Loss Chili
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced
- 2 TBS garlic minced
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper minced
- 1 can black beans rinsed
- 1 can kidney beans rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatos
- 1 cup red lentils rinsed
- 1 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1 TBS paprika
- 2 TBS chili powder
- 1 TBS tumeric
- 1 TBS cayenne pepper optional
- 1 TBS cumin
- 2 TBS Better than Boullion - Vegetable
- 2-3 cups water
Instructions
- water saute onion and garlic about 5 minutes until soft in enoygh water so that they don't burn
- add everything else (except the corn)! Add the spices first and stir with the onions and garlic then the beans and tomatoes then the water and lentils and stir
- once the lentils have cooked about 30 minutes and you can't see them anymore add the corn and cook 5 more minutes
- enjoy!
Burrito Bowl
This recipe doesn’t really have a recipe
Use the chili above, rice, corn, greens (spinach or romaine), picked jalapenos, avocado, salsa
Basically anything! Whatever you like in your bowl…add it!
Enjoy!
Sushi Bowl
Again, not really a recipe but use things around that you like.
Rice, carrots, cucumber, nori (seaweed), sushi ginger, wasabi, avocado, sweet potatoes, edamame, scallion, soy sauce or tamari.
This is thebest combination that I have had. You can use as much or as little of these ingredients as you like!
Enjoy!
This is the most simple vegan recipe for beginners
Oatmeal
1 banana, 1/3 cup oatmeal, 1/2 water
Mash the banana and add oatmeal and microwave until cooked – usually about 1 min and 30 seconds. You could also use boiling water if you’re a microwave crazy person like me!
Add some frozen or fresh fruit and cinnamon and plant milk! Be careful with chocolate chips and nuts – they’re high in fat so use sparingly if you’re trying to lose weight.
Banana Bread
Banana Bread - Plant Based
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup flour - any kind will do
- 1/3 cup apple sauce
- 1/3 cup sugar - any kid
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 TBS vanilla
- 1/4 cup plant milk
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips - Enjoy Life
Instructions
- preheat oven to 350 - mash bananas in a large bowl and add apple sauce and plant milk
- mix dry ingredients and add to the banana bowl
- pour into a non stick loaf pan
- sprinkle with chocolate chips
- bake for 50 - 60 minutes at 350 - until a toothpick inserted into the middles comes out clean
- enjoy!
Vegan Condiments
These are the best condiments to make transitioning to plant based or vegan easier and more delicious! They’re good. on their own and in different sauce and dressing combinations. With these condiments and spices, you will basically be able to make a huge number of amazing vegan meals and change the flavor profiles of some of your favorites like potato fries.
Soy Sauce or Tamari
Gochujang – Spicy
Nutbutter/Sunbutter
Vinegar – Red Wine, White, Rice, Balsamic, Balsamic Glaze
Spices- Any and all! They are a calorie-free (for the most part) way to make meals so much more delicious!
Garlic Salt/Powder, Onion Salt/Powder, Cumin, Tumeric, Dill, Chives, Curry, Garam Masala, Chili Powder, Paprika etc
Vegan Cheese Sauce
Tahini
Lemon and Lime Juice
Maple Syrup
Mustard
Ketchup
Vegan Worchestershire
Better than Boullion
I hope these recipes can get you started on your plant based journey with ease and confidence. Start out small and go from there. Find a few meals that you like and eat them all the time! There’s no reason to get fancy and feel overwhelmed. Leave the fancy stuff to the restaurants and eat what you love!
This post was all about vegan recipes for beginners.
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Whole Food Plant Based Lunches
Whole Food Plant Based Recipes for Picky Eaters