Easy Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners - It's A Zesty Life (2024)

Are you a newbie to a plant-based diet? Here are some beginner easy-to-make recipes!

When I began a plant-based diet, I felt very intimated by some of the lengthy recipes I found out there.

They looked delicious in the pictures, but seemed a little “advanced” for me and somewhat complicated.

Some of them even listed ingredients that I never heard of! But, I really wanted to get started with plant-based eating, and I needed a place to start. That’s where these simple vegan recipes for beginners come in.

Starting with easy plant-based recipes is the best way to kick off a new vegan diet!

Some of the recipes I found have at least 15 ingredients! As a plant-based newbie, that seemed pretty darn overwhelming.

Start with these easy vegan recipes, and then you can gradually start to make meals that are a little more complex. These simple recipes are from some of my favorite websites and food bloggers.

They provide great instructions for each recipe and additional details about the meal itself in the blog post!

Nacho Baked Potato

This baked potato recipe is so simple, especially if you make the potatoes in advance! Or, use your microwave to get the job done quickly. All of the ingredients are familiar, and you may even have them in your house already. Sometimes, I like to add additional chopped raw veggies, such as red or yellow pepper, or chopped onion.

VEGAN FRIED RICE

Easy Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners - It's A Zesty Life (2)

This vegan fried rice recipe comes in handy when you’re craving take-out but would really like to stick to healthier eating.

It’s a great idea to keep a supply of cooked rice just for this reason! This is the easiest recipe and doesn’t take much time at all.

I love a steaming bowl of fried rice that I know was not made with gobs of oil. Simple Vegan Blog’s recipe is exactly that! She has a fantastic assortment of really easy-to-follow, quick recipes that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day. I added some tofu to this one.

Vegan Ginger Quinoa Bowl (with tofu)

Simply Quinoa is one of my favorite go-to healthy website destinations and has been from the beginning of my plant-based journey!

Her recipes are always delicious, and she’s very thorough and honest in all of her posts.

I love reading her blog and will continue to be a huge fan for a very long time. This vegan ginger quinoa bowl recipe is simple, especially if you buy frozen quinoa that you can pop in the microwave.

You could also make this recipe with brown or white rice – it works either way! I like to top it with some tofu if I have it in my fridge.

EASY BLACK BEAN BURGERS

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These simple black bean burgers are so quick, and we make them every week!

Perfectly savory and hearty, really hitting the spot if you’re used to including animal protein in your diet.

The beans and spices give them a deep flavor that’s really satisfying.

Fork Over Knives is one of my favorite resources for simple vegan and plant-based recipes.

Their approach is focused on the newbie to the plant-based lifestyle. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information out there – and they really have a knack for simplifying it all and making it feel doable. Especially with this black bean burger recipe!

This post is all about plant-based recipes.

ARTICHOKE SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTA

I will probably NEVER STOP craving pasta! This recipe is really simple with yummy Mediterranean flavors. Artichokes are one of my favorites, so I’m always interested when it comes to recipes that include them.

A quick saute of these ingredients together makes for a delicious (and super quick) healthy dinner! The Spruce Eats is a great website for all things cooking. One of my top favorites simple plant-based recipes.

Creamy Vegan Carrot Soup

Are you a soup fan, like me? I get into soup phases where I’ll eat healthy soup for weeks and weeks! It’s a great way to get your veggies in while enjoying a warm, hearty meal. This creamy vegan carrot soup recipe is one of my favorites as I love the creaminess and bright color! The perfect recipe for a healthy, vegan Fall Season.

Final Thoughts on Easy vegan and Plant-Based Recipes

Give yourself time to learn what you like!

I promise that you’ll get more comfortable with adding more veggies to your healthy meals.

For me, the veggie portions just kept getting larger and larger the more I ate them.

Our taste buds really do shift and change, you’ll see! NOW is a really perfect time to start with a healthy, vegan, plant-based diet as you’ll see more options at your grocery store available these days.

Veg News reports on the latest grocery stores to carry plant-based alternatives!

For some delicious (and easy) plant-based breakfast options check out this post.

And if you have an Instant Pot, these are my favorite warm, cozy vegan recipes that I make at least once a week!

Easy Plant-Based Recipes for Beginners - It's A Zesty Life (2024)

FAQs

What is the easiest way to start a plant-based diet? ›

How Do I Start a Plant-Based Diet?
  1. Invest in meal kits. There are meal delivery services that send pre-made meals or ingredients right to your doorstep. ...
  2. Fill up with vegetables. Cover half of your plate with vegetables for lunch and dinner. ...
  3. Think differently about meat. ...
  4. Cook a vegetarian meal at least once a week.
Sep 22, 2023

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

Whole grain pasta is also plant-based in most cases, but be sure to read the ingredients before purchasing. Whole-grain pasta has the added benefit of extra fiber and is a good addition to any vegan diet.

Can you 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.

What foods can you eat on 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.

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.

How to lose belly fat on plant-based diet? ›

Fiber-rich, gut-friendly foods like legumes, avocados, potatoes and berries could all help reduce visceral fat and opting for at least one vegan meal each day will assist you in ramping up your fiber intake with ease—along with complex carbs, healthy fats and other essential nutrients.

Is popcorn OK on plant-based diet? ›

Can I eat popcorn on a plant based diet? Yes. Corn is a plant so you can eat it on a plant based diet. Keep in mind, however, that it might come with a topping that isn't plant based, such as butter.

What is the best bread for a whole food plant-based diet? ›

Multigrain breads, whole grain breads, and breads that use sprouted grains, such as ezekiel bread are packed with health benefits and are great for a plant-based diet. Breads made from refined flours do not contain the fiber and protein that whole grain, multigrain, or sprouted grain breads offer.

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

The straight forward answer here is no, vegans don't eat fish or seafood. In fact, neither do vegetarians – if you're interested in cutting out or reducing your dairy and meat intake, then you might be interested to learn more about the pescatarian diet.

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.

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.

Is peanut butter OK 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.

What meat can I eat everyday? ›

5 of the Healthiest Meats
  • Sirloin Steak. Sirloin steak is both lean and flavorful – just 3 ounces packs about 25 grams of filling protein! ...
  • Rotisserie Chicken & Turkey. The rotisserie cooking method helps maximize flavor without relying on unhealthy additives. ...
  • Chicken Thigh. ...
  • Pork Chop. ...
  • Canned Fish.
Jan 6, 2020

How long does it take the body to get used to a plant-based diet? ›

Adjusting your body to a plant-based diet might take up to four to six weeks. The time it takes to adjust depends on a variety of factors, including the person's current eating habits, the completeness of the diet change, and the rate at which the change is being implemented.

What happens to your body when you start a plant-based diet? ›

Plants are high in fiber.

Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it's great for good bowel management.

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

Possibly a protein-deficient diet. Animals, milk, and eggs contain necessary amino acids for protein. Plant-based proteins are an incomplete protein source unless properly combined. Make sure you're eating plants that can supply the appropriate quantity and combination of amino acids.

How long does it take to start losing weight on a plant-based diet? ›

Vegan diet to lose weight

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week! In theory, you can lose up to 63 pounds in a year. However, the amount you lose depends on several factors.

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