27 plant-based recipes (2024)

Table of Contents

What is a plant-based diet? What's the difference between a vegan and plant-based diet? Best plant-based recipes Chickpea curry with spinach and potatoes Vegan jackfruit massaman curry Slow-cooker cashew and potato curry Vegan Thai green tofu curry Aubergine dhansak Chickpea chana masala Creamy vegan aubergine curry with peanut butter Hummus, kale and coriander noodles Whole roast cauliflower with warm harissa hummus Vegan chilli non carne Vegan quinoa chilli with black beans Sweet potato chilli con carne Vegan black bean chilli Vegan coronation tofu salad Gochujang roast sweet potato salad with mixed grains Vegan Thai noodle salad with herbs and watermelon Roasted courgette, chickpea and lemon salad Crunchy veg and smoked tofu salad with sesame dressing Buddha bowl salad Tray-roast squash, sweet potato and grain salad Wholewheat spaghetti with long-stemmed broccoli, chilli and lemon Tomato, lemongrass and rice soup Tofu fried rice Jackfruit tacos Sweet potato linguine with vegan puy lentil ragu Vegan moussaka bowls Vegan tempeh and pineapple kebabs FAQs

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

Why can't you have olive oil on a plant-based diet? ›

So the reason why oil isn't included in the WFPB diet is because all oil, even olive oil and coconut oil, are considered highly processed foods.

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Can I 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 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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Is avocado oil ok on a plant-based diet? ›

Plant-based cooking oils that remain liquid at room temperatures, like olive oil or avocado oil, are unsaturated. These cooking oils are better for our bodies than plant-based ones that are solid at room temperature, like coconut oil or palm oil.

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

Incorporate whole grains, such as oatmeal, quinoa, farro, brown rice, or whole wheat bread. Healthy fats—avocado, nuts, olives, seeds—are a great way to keep you satisfied. To start: Each meal or snack should be made up of 2/3 plants and no more than 1/3 animal product (egg, yogurt, fish, or poultry).

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

While a well-balanced plant-based diet can provide a wide range of nutrients, certain essential nutrients are more abundant in animal-derived foods. Plant-based diets can sometimes lead to nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

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

Foods like olive oil, bleached flour, refined sugar and white rice, even though they are plant-based, are all processed foods and are not included in a WFPB diet. Plant-based means that the food you eat comes from plants, including: Fruits – apples, strawberries, grapes, pineapple, bananas, mango.

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Is peanut butter good for a plant-based diet? ›

Most peanut butter is vegan

Most types of peanut butter are made using just a few simple ingredients, including peanuts, oil, and salt. Some types may also contain other additives and ingredients like molasses, sugar, or agave syrup — all of which are considered vegan.

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Is pasta OK on a plant-based diet? ›

Pasta dishes make an excellent option for those adhering to a plant-based diet for several reasons. To start, pasta is a natural plant-based food made simply from grain, and it is also and easy food to incorporate other plant-based foods into, like veggies and beans.

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

3CAN YOU EAT AVOCADO IF YOU FOLLOW A PLANT BASED DIET? Absolutely. Avocados are a great source of good fats, with 5g of monounsaturated and 1g of polyunsaturated fats per 50g serving.

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

Following a plant-based diet means saying goodbye to all animal products — including lean meat and dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream.

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What are the super six plant-based foods? ›

Spotlight the Super Six:

When it comes to the plants you eat, you want to eat from across the six different plant groups: vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes (beans and pulses), nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices.

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

While dark chocolate is usually vegan-friendly, milk and white chocolate typically are not. Milk Chocolate, as the name implies, contains dairy, making it not vegan, unless it is made with a nondairy milk like oat milk or almond milk. White Chocolate also frequently contains dairy products.

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Why are there no oils on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegetable oil doesn't contain many micronutrients in comparison to the calories it provides. Due to its caloric density, overconsumption of vegetable oils may also cause someone to eat too many calories and lead to weight gain in the long term.

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What happens if you use olive oil instead of vegetable? ›

Yes, you can use olive oil instead of vegetable oil, and it's a substitute you should try and make often. This is because the nutritional value of olive oil is substantially higher than that of vegetable oil.

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Does olive oil count as plant food? ›

Fresh, dried, canned and frozen plants all count (always aim for no-added salt and sugar) Extra virgin olive oil, tea and coffee, garlic count as ¼ point (like herbs and spices) Vegetable stock counts as 1/2 point. Refined plants such as fruit and vegetable juices, white grains, etc.

Does olive oil block absorption? ›

Satiates and slows absorption of nutrients – olive oil provides a satiating effect, which will help you feel fuller quicker. Its fatty acids also help slow absorption of other nutrients.

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