27 plant-based recipes (2024)

What is a plant-based diet?

A plant-based diet is built around foods derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes, nuts and seeds, with few or no animal products.

What's the difference between a vegan and plant-based diet?

While these two dietary approaches are very similar, a plant-based lifestyle allows for the occasional consumption of animal products, should an individual choose to eat these. On the other hand, veganism avoids consuming all animal-based products and by-products.

Best plant-based recipes

Chickpea curry with spinach and potatoes

This easy curry serves four and makes for a wholesome midweek meal packed with chickpeas, spinach and fragrant spices.

More like this

Vegan jackfruit massaman curry

A tin of jackfruit (which you can pick up at almost any supermarket) is the magic ingredient in this vegan massaman curry served with salted peanuts.

Slow-cooker cashew and potato curry

A creamy, aromatic Sri Lankan curry, made simply in a slow cooker. This recipe doesn't require any fancy ingredients and offers a great plant-based dish the whole family will love.

Vegan Thai green tofu curry

We've swapped chicken for smoked tofu and crunchy veg to transform this Thai green curry into a vegan option. It can be made in just 25 minutes and it's low in calories, too.

Aubergine dhansak

Cook aubergine pieces with fragrant spices and red lentils for a healthy midweek meal. Serve with naans for a hearty dinner.

Chickpea chana masala

Make chickpeas the star of the show with this vegan curry that can feed a hungry crowd. Scoop up with roti for a filling dinner.

Creamy vegan aubergine curry with peanut butter

This creamy coconut and peanut aubergine curry is a comforting dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes. It serves four, but any leftovers can be enjoyed for lunch the next day.

Hummus, kale and coriander noodles

Check out this easy vegan salad recipe with crunchy kale and fiery ginger, topped with a creamy hummus and peanut butter dressing – an easy midweek meal for two.

Whole roast cauliflower with warm harissa hummus

Make cauliflower the star of your Sunday roast with our vegan recipe. Served on a bed of warm harissa hummus, the gentle spices give this dish a fragrant flavour.

Vegan chilli non carne

A sweet 'n' smoky chilli non-carne recipe (see what we did there?) made with vegan mince, two types of beans and plenty of spices for added kick. For a truly vegan chilli, look for vegan mince here or use Quorn for a veggie chilli (Quorn mince contains egg white).

Vegan quinoa chilli with black beans

This quinoa and black bean chilli recipe is high in protein and happens to be vegan, but still tastes impossibly creamy.

Sweet potato chilli con carne

Our low-calorie veggie chilli contains under 500 calories and is packed with flavour from the sweet potato and quinoa – a perfect warming midweek meal. Try more easy vegan dinner recipes.

Vegan black bean chilli

Check out our easy slow-cooker chilli with fiery chipotle. This is a hearty take on the classic chilli con carne that the whole family will love. To make it vegan, serve without the soured cream addition.

Vegan coronation tofu salad

We’ve swapped chicken for tofu to give coronation salad a vegan twist. It’s easy to make and low in calories, too.

Gochujang roast sweet potato salad with mixed grains

Pack plenty of texture into this low-calorie salad with roast sweet potatoes, mixed grains, radishes and cucumber, and lift with a punchy Korean dressing.

Vegan Thai noodle salad with herbs and watermelon

Ready in 20 minutes, this vibrant vegan salad is packed with juicy watermelon and crunchy peanuts for a fresh dinner for two.

Roasted courgette, chickpea and lemon salad

Ready in just 20 minutes, this vegan salad makes an ideal side dish, packed with chickpeas, baby courgettes and punchy rose harissa.

Crunchy veg and smoked tofu salad with sesame dressing

Crunchy veg and smoked tofu add great textures to this vegan salad, with a nutty sesame dressing bringing the whole dish together.

Buddha bowl salad

This vibrant vegan bowl is easy to make – just throw grains and veg together, then drizzle with a spicy tahini dressing for a punchy kick.

Tray-roast squash, sweet potato and grain salad

Get ahead with your weekly meal prep by roasting a batch of squash for this grain salad. It’s easy to make and ready in just 30 minutes.

Wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon

This vegan recipe for wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon is quick and easy to make. Plus, it's pasta for under 500 calories – yes, please!

Tomato, lemongrass and rice soup

Use up tinned chopped tomatoes and infuse with punchy spices to create this nutritious vegan soup.

Tofu fried rice

Check out our vegan fried rice with smoked tofu. Make this quick and easy recipe for a low-calorie midweek meal for two.

Jackfruit tacos

Smoked paprika jackfruit tacos, served with homemade tomato salsa and plenty of chilli sauce. The perfect party food for your vegan friends!

Sweet potato linguine with vegan puy lentil ragu

Sweet potato linguine is more robust than courgetti, so can withstand a bit more cooking. Served with a warming vegan bolognese-style ragu, this gluten-free, low-calorie main is perfect for dinner.

Vegan moussaka bowls

Check out this easy alternative to oven-baked moussaka. Ready in just 15 minutes, these vegan moussaka bowls contain the flavours and textures of a slow-cooked dish without the wait.

Vegan tempeh and pineapple kebabs

Chunks of tempeh are marinated in soy, rice wine, garlic and Chinese five-spice before joining juicy pineapple on skewers and hitting the grill in this easy vegan BBQ recipe.

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Tracey Raye is the health editor for olive and BBC Good Food. Tracey, MSc, is a registered nutritionist, holding a master’s degree in Personalised Nutrition. She is passionate about harnessing the power of all things health and well-being – in a way that enhances, rather than limits our lives. She covers our nourishing recipes and collections, oversees our health strategy and stays adrift of the latest health and lifestyle trends in order to bring you the tools and inspiration you need to find what health means for you.

FAQs

What are some examples of plant-based meals? ›

41 Easy Plant-Based Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

Green Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto. ...
Thai Rice Salad Bowls. ...
Tex-Mex Pita Pizzas. ...
Chickpea Flour Pizza Crust (Gluten-Free), Plus Topping Ideas. ...
Sneaky Chickpea Burgers. ...
Lentil Vegetable Soup. ...
Kale Arrabbiata-Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. ...
Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili.

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Oct 31, 2022

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What 5 foods do you eat that are plant-based? ›

Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts are the stars of all plant-based diets. More and more people seem to be making the switch to plant-based diet foods.

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Can you eat eggs on a plant-based diet? ›

Eggs can and should be part of a plant-based diet, and these five suggestions showcase how easy it is to incorporate the incredible egg into your plant-forward dishes.

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What are the 4 types of people who eat mostly plant-based foods? ›

Below is a summary of the more popular types of plant-based diets: semi-vegetarian or flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, vegan, and whole-food, plant-based. Semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diets are primarily vegetarian but include a small amount of meat, poultry, fish, and seafood.

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What are the 30 plant-based foods? ›

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, plums, melons, eggplant, lemons, lettuce, green beans, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, corn, Swiss chard, celery, beets, onions, cauliflower, cherries, bananas, mushrooms, parsnips, turnips, ...

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Can you eat potatoes on a plant-based diet? ›

Potatoes are loaded with Vitamin C, most B vitamins, potassium, fiber, and more. Potatoes absolutely can be part of a healthy plant-based diet! We love to enjoy potatoes in plenty of plant-based recipes from pizza to lasagna to soups, and more!

Can I eat bread on a plant-based diet? ›

At its core, a bread recipe contains four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast — a type of microscopic fungus used to help bread rise. Therefore, the simplest form of bread is vegan. However, some types include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats — both of which can be of animal origin.

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What meat can I eat every day? ›

Recommendations For Eating Meat

In addition to portion size, Manaker recommends limiting ultra-processed products and looking for lean cuts of meat. This includes white meat chicken for poultry, flank steak for red meat, and pork sirloin or tenderloin. And what you eat with your meat is just as important.

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Can I eat tuna on a plant-based diet? ›

People who follow a vegan diet avoid eating animal products, including conventional canned tuna, which is the key ingredient for popular dishes such as tuna melts and tuna salad sandwiches. Here's why cruelty-free and sustainable vegan tuna is a better choice. Traditional canned tuna is, of course, made from fish.

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What is the downside of a plant-based diet? ›

Some studies have shown that those on a plant-based diet are found to have lower plasma vitamin B12 levels and higher levels of vitamin B12 deficiency than those who consume animal products. Vitamin B12 is an important cofactor in DNA synthesis, and deficiency can lead to anemia and severe neurological dysfunction.

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Can you eat bananas on a plant-based diet? ›

The Five Food Groups

Fruits: Any type of fruit including apple, bananas, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits, etc. Vegetables: Plenty of veggies including peppers, corn, lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, collards, etc. Tubers: Starchy root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, and cassava (aka yuca).

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What foods should I avoid on a plant-based diet? ›

Conversely, you will eat less meat, processed meats, eggs, and dairy on a plant-based diet. Removing or reducing intake of these foods means that your intake of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium will likely decrease as these foods are more concentrated in these nutrients than plant-based foods.

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What do you call someone who eats plant-based? ›

Lacto-vegetarian – people who do not eat meat, seafood and eggs, but include dairy foods and plant foods. Ovo-vegetarian – people who do not eat meat, seafood and dairy foods, but include eggs and plant foods. Vegan – people who avoid all animal foods and only eat plant foods.

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What are 2 plant-based foods? ›

Plant-based foods that are rich in iron include kidney beans, black beans, soybeans, spinach, raisins, cashews, oatmeal, cabbage, and tomato juice.

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What are the two most common plant-based diets? ›

Plans that cut out meat but still include fish are known as pescatarian diets. Those who don't eat meat or fish but still include dairy and eggs are vegetarian, while those who cut out all animal-derived products, including dairy, eggs, honey and gelatine, are referred to as vegan.

What are the most common plant-based foods? ›

List of Whole-Food, Plant-Based Foods

Nuts and seeds.
Starchy vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, and peas.
Fruits such as berries, apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, figs, bananas, and kiwi.
Whole grains such as oatmeal, buckwheat, quinoa, and rice.
Legumes such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils.

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Is peanut butter plant-based? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

What is 1 meal a day plant-based? ›

The Bounty of Plant-Based Eating.

Through small shifts big change can happen. One Meal a Day, or OMD, believes that every meal is an opportunity to nourish your body, your community and our wild living planet one delicious plant-based meal at a time.

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