6 Easy Vegan Recipes That’ll Make Your Family Go Wild (Even the Picky Eaters!)
Looking for ways to add more plant-based meals to your diet? We’ve got the tips for you covered! Vegan cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. We’re super excited to share some fantastic recipes that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters in your family. We’re excited to share our latest recipes that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters in your family.
These six vegan recipes are packed with flavor and nutrition, proving that plant-based eating can be both delicious, healthy and family-friendly.
Whether you’re a long-time vegan, trying to incorporate more meatless meals, or just curious about plant-based cooking, these vegan recipes are perfect for you!
From creamy mac & cheese to sweet treats like cookie dough bars, we promise these delicious homemade dishes will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Many of these easy vegan recipes feature protein-rich ingredients like tofu, tempeh, and beans, so you don’t have to worry about anyone going hungry!
1) Tofu and Cabbage Slaw – a crunchy delight!
Let’s be real, finding kid-friendly vegan meals can feel like searching for a clean corner in a playroom! But this tofu and cabbage slaw, an air fryer recipe, has become our family’s go-to when we need something quick and tasty.
The magic starts with getting your tofu super crispy on the outside while keeping it tender inside. We’ve found that pressing it first and then coating it in cornstarch oil creates that perfect crunch our kiddos love.
For the slaw, we mix shredded cabbage, carrots, and a little red onion. The colors are gorgeous! Then we toss it in a simple dressing of lime juice, a touch of maple syrup, and a splash of soy sauce.
Some days we turn this into epic BBQ tofu sandwiches topped with the slaw for dinner. Our little ones actually ask for seconds – we’re not even kidding!
The best part? This whole meal takes under 30 minutes to make.
We love adding avocado slices on top for extra creaminess. Trust us, this dish will have even your pickiest eaters asking, “Can we have the crispy, crunchy tofu thing again?”
2) 20-Minute Vegan Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic
Who doesn’t love a quick dinner option on busy weeknights? This easy vegan pasta recipe is ready in just 20 minutes and has become our absolute go-to when we’re short on time but still want something nutritious!
The beauty of this dish is its simplicity. All you need is your favorite pasta, fresh broccoli florets, garlic, olive oil, and some basic seasonings.
We love how adaptable it is—use whatever short pasta shape your kiddos will actually eat!
The key to making this dish super yummy is getting that garlic perfectly golden. When we sauté it in good quality olive oil, it creates an amazing flavor base that coats every delicious bite of pasta and broccoli. Divine!
For extra creaminess without dairy, we sometimes add a splash of plant milk or cashew cream. This creamy version makes the sauce stick to the pasta beautifully and our kids never notice it’s completely vegan!
Don’t forget a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end! It brightens everything up and takes this simple broccoli pasta from good to OMG-we-need-seconds amazing!
3) Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry – comfort in a bowl
Let’s talk a bit about one of our absolute favorite vegan dishes that never fails to make us feel warm and fuzzy inside! This Sweet Potato Curry is seriously the definition of comfort food with zero guilt.
We love how this dish comes together in just 30 minutes (yes, really!). Perfect for those chaotic weeknights when the kids are hangry and you’re running on empty. Been there, done that, am I right?
The combination of red lentils and sweet potatoes creates this amazing hearty texture that even our meat-loving partners devour without complaint. Plus, the creamy coconut milk adds this luxurious richness that makes us want to lick the bowl clean (no judgment if you do!).
The aromatic spices like curry powder, garam masala, and fresh ginger transform simple ingredients into something magical. Our kitchen smells AMAZING while this simmers!
This curry is basically a nutritional powerhouse disguised as comfort food. Protein from lentils, vitamins from sweet potatoes, and all that plant-based goodness? We’re totally here for it!
4) Chickpea Salad Sandwich – easy lunch win
OMG friends, we’ve found the ultimate lunch hero! This chickpea salad sandwich is literally saving our busy weekday chaos. Ready in under 10 minutes? Yes please!
The basic recipe is super simple. Grab two cans of chickpeas, rinse and drain them. Then mix in about 3 tablespoons of vegan mayo, 3 tablespoons of tahini, and add some maple syrup and mustard for that perfect flavor balance.
We love how customizable this is! Some days we throw in diced celery for crunch, other days it’s red onion and dill. There are no rules here – no recipes, just delicious possibilities!
The best part? Leftovers last 4-5 days in the fridge, making this a total meal prep win! We’ve been known to make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week long.
Serve this protein-packed vegan delight between bread slices, in a wrap, over lettuce, or with crackers. It’s versatile AF and totally satisfying no matter how you enjoy it!
5) Vegan Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Cashew Sauce
Let’s talk comfort food! We’re obsessed with this vegan mac and cheese recipe that uses cashews as the secret weapon for creamy goodness. It’s so good that even our cheese-loving friends can’t tell the difference!
Getting started is super easy. Just soak raw cashews in boiling water for about 5 minutes. This softens them up so they blend into a smooth, dreamy sauce. No lumps here, friends!
For the pasta, we love using large elbow noodles, but any shape works great. The fun part is watching your kids try to guess what makes it so creamy without any dairy!
The magical cashew cheese sauce combines blended cashews with unsweetened almond milk and nutritional yeast. That nutritional yeast is our BFF for getting that cheesy flavor without actual cheese.
Want to level up your mac? We love adding chopped broccoli florets to sneak in some veggies. Our kiddos barely notice while they’re devouring this comfort classic!
6) Rainbow Plant Life’s Mango Avocado Salsa
OMG, friends! We are glad we’ve saved one of the yummiest recipes for last! This Mango Avocado Salsa is absolutely perfect for when you need a quick, fresh side that’ll impress everyone at the table.
The beautiful combo of juicy mangos and creamy avocados creates this sweet-yet-tangy flavor explosion that we just can’t get enough of! It’s super healthy too, which is totally a bonus when we’re trying to sneak more nutrients into our family’s diet.
Making this salsa is super easy (we love easy, right?).
You just need to grab a bowl and throw together diced mango, red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeños. Then add some orange juice, lime juice, and cilantro. That’s it!
The prep is so simple that you and mom can whip it up while the kiddos are having a meltdown and still get dinner on the table. We’ve definitely been there!
This colorful salsa pairs amazingly with tortilla chips or on top of your favorite tacos. It’s also perfect for those summer get-togethers when you need something fresh and impressive but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen!
How To Choose The Right Ingredients
Picking the right ingredients is the secret sauce to making your vegan meals taste amazing! We’ve been there – staring at labels and wondering what in the world some of these ingredients are. Let’s break down how to become a pro at your vegan food shopping. By choosing the right ingredients, you can create healthy plant based recipes that are both nutritious and delicious.
Understanding Labels
Reading food labels is basically your new superpower as a vegan.
Look for products with the certified vegan logo – it’s like finding gold! This little symbol means no animal products were used and no animal testing happened. Yay!
When that logo is nowhere to be found, check the ingredients list.
Plant-based ingredients are your friends! Things like legumes, grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds should make up most of your vegan pantry staples.
Some products might say “may contain traces of milk” – this usually means it was made in a facility that also processes dairy, not that it actually contains milk. For most vegans, these foods are totally fine!
Remember that “natural flavors” can be tricky.
When in doubt, of course we like to contact companies directly. Most are super happy to tell you if their product is vegan-friendly!
Finding Hidden Animal Products
Sneaky animal ingredients are everywhere, and we’re here to help you spot them! Some common culprits include:
Gelatin: Found in gummy candies and marshmallows (made from animal bones—ick!)
Casein, whey, and lactose: These dairy derivatives hide in “non-dairy” products
Honey: Some vegans avoid it since it comes from bees
Carmine/Cochineal: A red food coloring made from crushed insects (so gross!)
L-cysteine: Often in bread and made from duck feathers or human hair (why?!)
When shopping, we like to use food scanning apps that instantly tell us if something is vegan. Talk about a game-changer!
Don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes – we all do!
Many simple vegan recipes use basic ingredients that are obviously plant-based like beans, rice, and veggies. These vegan versions of whole foods are always a safe bet when you’re feeling overwhelmed by all those confusing labels.
Benefits Of Vegan Cooking
Switching to vegan cooking has changed our lives in ways we never expected! Not only do we feel better physically, but we’re also doing something amazing for our planet every time we whip up a tasty plant-based meal. Many vegan recipes are also gluten free, making them accessible to those with dietary restrictions.
Health Perks
Let’s talk about how vegan cooking can make your body do a happy dance!
When you cook vegan meals, you’re naturally including more fruits, veggies, and whole grains in your diet.
This plant-powered approach can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol – we hope your heart will thank you!
We’ve noticed our energy levels soaring since we started cooking more vegan meals.
Plus, many of us have experienced easier weight management without even trying!
Research shows that a vegan diet may help with weight loss and improve blood sugar levels.
Another bonus? Our kitchen cleanup is WAY easier!
One of the most underrated benefits of vegan cooking is how much simpler it is to wash dishes afterward. No more scrubbing greasy pans or dealing with stuck-on cheese!
Environmental Impact
Girl, when we tell you guys that vegan cooking is basically like giving the Earth a big hug every day, we’re not exaggerating! 🌎
By choosing plant-based recipes, we’re significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and our veggie-forward choices help combat that.
Water conservation is another huge win! Did you know that producing just one pound of beef can use up to 1,800 gallons of water? Meanwhile, our chickpeas and lentils require just a fraction of that amount. We’re saving precious resources without even trying!
Vegan cooking also helps reduce land usage and deforestation. When we choose plants over animal products, we’re supporting a more sustainable food system that requires less land to produce the same amount of food. It’s like getting extra credit for doing something delicious!
Cooking Methods
Instant Pot and Air Fryer Vegan Recipes
If you’re anything like us, you’re always on the lookout for ways to make cooking easier and faster without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Enter the Instant Pot and air fryer—two kitchen gadgets that have totally revolutionized our vegan cooking game!
The Instant Pot is a lifesaver for those busy weeknights when you need a hearty meal on the table, like, yesterday. Imagine whipping up a rich, flavorful vegan chili, a comforting lentil soup, or a creamy vegetable curry in under 30 minutes. Yes, it’s possible! The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking magic means you can enjoy these delicious, nutrient-packed dishes without spending hours in the kitchen.
And let’s not forget the air fryer. This little wonder is perfect for making all your favorite crispy snacks and sides with minimal oil. Think golden vegan fries, crunchy cauliflower wings, and irresistible tofu nuggets. The air fryer gives you that satisfying crunch without the guilt of deep-frying. Plus, it’s super kid-friendly—our little ones can’t get enough of those crispy bites!
Whether you’re using the Instant Pot to create a quick vegan meal or the air fryer for a healthy snack, these appliances make plant-based cooking a breeze. Trust us, once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Vegan Baking
Sweet Treats and Desserts
Who says you can’t indulge your sweet tooth on a vegan diet? Vegan baking is here to prove that you can have your cake and eat it too—literally! With a few simple swaps, you can create mouthwatering desserts that are 100% plant-based and totally delicious.
Maple syrup, coconut sugar, and almond milk are just a few of the vegan-friendly ingredients that make baking a joy. These natural sweeteners and dairy alternatives not only taste amazing but also add a unique twist to your favorite treats. Imagine biting into a moist, fluffy vegan cupcake or savoring a rich, chocolatey cookie—all without any animal products.
Some of our go-to vegan baking recipes include classic vanilla cupcakes, zesty lemon bars, and decadent chocolate chip cookies. These recipes are super easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or just a Tuesday night treat.
And don’t be afraid to get creative! Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to make your baked goods truly your own. Add a splash of lemon juice for a tangy kick, or sprinkle in some cinnamon for a warm, cozy flavor. The possibilities are endless, and the results are always delicious.
