20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (2024)

These plant-based dinner recipes feature a mix of delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes. Plant-based diets are a great way to cut down on your animal protein consumption and increase the vegetables in your day. Not to mention, it helps you eat in a way that's easier on the environment without rigid restrictions. Recipes like Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps and Zucchini Noodle Primavera are healthy, filling and show how delicious a plant-based meal can be.

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Tofu Tacos

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (1)

These quick vegan tacos, filled with a spicy tofu filling, make a perfect weeknight dinner. To keep them vegan, top them with shredded cabbage, fresh pico de gallo and guacamole. For vegetarians, add crumbled queso fresco. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (2)

This vegan burger recipe is one you'll want to make again and again. Savory chickpea and zucchini patties are topped with a creamy, herb-flecked tahini ranch sauce, juicy tomato slices and peppery arugula for a satisfying and healthy homemade veggie burger. Serve them on buns or stuff them in pitas. We recommend making extra sauce--it's a great dip for veggie sticks and, thinned with a little water, it makes a wonderful salad dressing. Source: Eatingwell.com May 2019

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Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (3)

Stuff crisp lettuce leaves with a savory filling inspired by PF Chang's famous lettuce wraps. These low-carb wraps made with tofu, mushrooms and daikon radish are an easy vegetarian dinner that beats takeout! Garnish the wraps with julienned carrots for added crunch. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (4)

Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets. Source: EatingWell Magazine, October 2019

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Coconut Black Rice Bowls with Tofu & Purple Asparagus

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Black beans, black rice and black sesame seeds all contain anthocyanins, potent antioxidant compounds that have been shown to reduce inflammation. So "forbidden" rice isn't just striking, it's also a serious nutrition upgrade. Simmering it in coconut milk adds rich aroma and flavor. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2020

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Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach & Feta Penne Pasta

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (6)

In this quick 20-minute dinner recipe, tender penne pasta is combined with garlic, roasted red peppers and spinach and topped with crumbled feta cheese for a fast and easy Mediterranean-inspired meal. This recipe was graciously shared by EatingWell reader Dottie Carpenter, who states, "Recipes are no good if they're not shared!" Source: EatingWell.com, March 2020

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Vegetarian Udon Noodle Soup

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (7)

This Japanese-style udon soup recipe uses several Asian ingredients that are available at most grocery stores, including udon noodles, mirin (cooking wine), miso, and sesame oil. All will keep for months in the pantry or fridge. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

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Vegan Black Bean Burgers

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (8)

These easy vegan black bean burgers have a healthy dose of fiber thanks to the combination of black beans and quinoa. Cumin and chipotle chile powder give these vegan burgers a Southwestern spin. Using your hands to combine the mixture creates a soft, uniform texture. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2020

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Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (9)

Think of this vegetarian enchilada casserole as a veggie-packed Mexican lasagna with corn tortillas standing in for the noodles! If your peppers are mild and you like heat, opt for spicy pico de gallo. This easy vegetarian dinner recipe is sure to become a new family favorite. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2020

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Black Bean-Cauliflower "Rice" Bowl

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This aromatic cauliflower rice bowl comes together in minutes and is a simple meal for one. Using frozen riced cauliflower instead of rice keeps the carbs in check--and makes for quicker prep. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

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Zucchini Noodle Primavera

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (11)

This primavera recipe cuts carbs by swapping out the pasta for zucchini "noodles." This quick vegetarian dinner is chock-full of colorful vegetables smothered in a light, creamy sauce. We like using prepackaged spiralized zucchini noodles to keep this recipe ultra-fast, but if you have a spiralizer and zucchini on hand, you can easily make your own. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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Vegan "Pancit Bihon" with Spaghetti Squash

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (12)

Umami-rich shiitake mushrooms take the place of meat, and spaghetti squash strands stand in for the traditional rice noodles, in this riff on the classic Filipino noodle dish pancit bihon. Serve alongside your favorite vegan main or add some cubed tofu to make it a meal. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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Vegetarian Gumbo

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (13)

This flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It's chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that's done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil. Source: EatingWell.com, December 2019

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Vegetarian Lo Mein with Shiitakes, Carrots & Bean Sprouts

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (14)

A hit of Sriracha gives a sweet and spicy edge to this healthy vegetarian recipe. Traditional lo mein is made with fresh lo mein noodles, which can be found in Asian markets. You can also use fresh or dried linguine noodles--fresh linguine is in the refrigerated section of some grocery stores. This easy dinner comes together in just 30 minutes, so it's perfect for weeknights. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Fall 2019

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Mediterranean Portobello Mushroom Pizzas with Arugula Salad

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (15)

Roasted portobello mushrooms stand in for pizza crust in these comforting individual "pizzas." An easy arugula side salad makes a vibrant accompaniment. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

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Spring Veggie Wraps

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A tangy tahini-ginger-soy mixture both marinates the tofu and serves as a sauce for this colorful veggie wrap recipe. Look for spinach tortillas for an additional pop of green. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Spring 2020

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Asparagus & Purple Artichoke Pizza

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (17)

Lemon and pecorino top off this delicious and easy homemade pizza that gets vibrant color from asparagus and artichoke. Shiso is a fuzzy-leafed herb in the mint family that's used in a variety of Asian cuisines. Devoted fans grow it in their gardens; look for it at Asian and farmers' markets. Note: Baby artichokes hardly have chokes, so you can use a paring knife to extricate any fluff. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2020

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Korean BBQ Tempeh Grain Bowl

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (18)

If you're a tempeh skeptic, you've probably never had the firm soy-based slabs slathered with a sweet-and-spicy barbecue sauce. We give this easy BBQ tempeh combo a punch of umami with tamari and add a little heat courtesy of gochujang. It's easy to put your own spin on this recipe; see Variations (below) for some riffs. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2020

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Chile-Lime Cauliflower Quesadillas

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (19)

Poblano peppers add a touch of heat to these vegetarian quesadillas, but a sweet bell pepper is tasty, too, if you want something milder. Start these quesadillas in the oven and finish them off in a skillet for melty cheese and crispy tortillas. Source: EatingWell Magazine, March 2020

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Vegan Eggplant Lasagna

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20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (20)

A combination of tofu and nutritional yeast creates a convincing stand-in for ricotta in this easy vegan eggplant lasagna. It's layered with the eggplant and a quick homemade tomato sauce, then topped with dairy-free cheese substitute for a satisfying casserole that'll please meat eaters and vegans alike. It also happens to be gluten-free! Source: EatingWell.com, April 2019

20 Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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.

What foods can you eat on a plant-based diet? ›

This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy. Rather, you are proportionately choosing more of your foods from plant sources.

How to eat 30g protein per meal vegan? ›

High-protein vegan meals
  1. Veggie protein chilli. A star rating of 4.7 out of 5. ...
  2. Teriyaki tofu. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  3. Tofu steaks with chips. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
  4. Vegan lentils with soy & ginger tofu. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  5. Tofu scramble. ...
  6. Marinated tofu. ...
  7. Chickpea stew with tomatoes & spinach. ...
  8. Vegan lasagne.

Is peanut butter on a plant-based diet? ›

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.

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.

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, ...

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.

Is tuna part of a plant-based diet? ›

A Pescatarian-Friendly Grocery List. A pescatarian diet food list comprises all the products above plus seafood. That means all kinds of fish (salmon, halibut, tuna, etc.)

What is the most eaten vegan food? ›

Most vegan diets include beans in at least one meal per day, including lentils, chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans and many more. Many vegans consume soy-based proteins such as tofu and tempeh; their mild flavor makes them a great substitute for meat in stir-fries, soups and stews.

Are noodles plant-based? ›

Wheat, buckwheat and rice noodles are all common and on their own present no dangers for a vegan as they are all plant-based. This can also be true for less-common noodles made with seaweed, acorn or mung bean.

What cheeses are vegan? ›

Vegans can eat cheese that is comprised of plant-based ingredients like soybeans, peas, cashews, coconut, or almonds. The most common types of vegan cheeses are cheddar, gouda, parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese that can be found in non-dairy forms.

What is the healthiest non meat protein? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  1. Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  2. Soya beans. ...
  3. Quinoa. ...
  4. Nuts. ...
  5. Seeds. ...
  6. Cereals and grains. ...
  7. Quorn™ ...
  8. Dairy.

What plant-based food has the most protein? ›

Read on to learn which ones made our list.
  1. Seitan. Seitan, also known as vital wheat gluten, claims our top spot as a plant-based food that has more protein than an egg, providing 17 grams of protein for every 2-ounce serving, according to the USDA. ...
  2. Tempeh. ...
  3. Lentils. ...
  4. Hemp Hearts. ...
  5. Edamame. ...
  6. Green Peas. ...
  7. Sunflower Seeds. ...
  8. Lima Beans.
Jan 10, 2024

What is a serving size for a plant-based diet? ›

A serving is a small orange, banana, or apple, or 1 cup of berries or melon. 2 to 3 cups of a milk substitute, such as almond, soy, or hemp. A small amount of healthy fats, such as extra virgin olive or canola oil, or a small handful of nuts.

What happens the first week of plant-based diet? ›

The first few weeks

The first thing that someone starting a vegan diet might notice is an energy boost with the removal of the processed meat that is found in many omnivorous diets, in favour of fruit, vegetables and nuts.

How many plant-based foods should you eat a day? ›

Healthy eating as a vegan

For a healthy vegan diet: eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible)

Can you lose weight eating only plant-based foods? ›

In a study comparing plant-based diets to non-plant-based diets, people who followed a plant-based diet lost roughly 3 pounds more than non-vegetarians.

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