Tasty Vegan
Whether you’ve hopped aboard the Meatless Monday train or have gone fully vegan, finding your go-to vegan comfort foods is an ongoing quest. Because let’s be honest: Most of the eats we file into this rainy day, just-went-through-a-breakup category involves meat or cheese. Spaghetti and meatballs? Not vegan. Mac and cheese? Definitely not vegan.
Here’s the thing, though, friends: There isn’t any rule or clear-cut criteria that defines comfort food–other than the fact that it makes you feel euphoric or nostalgic when you eat it, says nutritionist Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, author of Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You from Label to Table. So yeah, vegan eats can tooootally fit the bill.
Of course, comfort food that just so happens to be vegan isn’t necessarily any better for you. After all, eats are as as they are because of sugar, salt, and fat, Taub-Dix says.
Still, if you choose to hack your favorite dishes with healthy vegan ingredients, you can do their content a solid. If you make chocolate pudding with pureed avocado instead of heavy cream, for example, you’ll still enjoy that rich, creamy texture while cutting down on saturated fat and gaining fiber and other nutrients.
Whether you want to add some plant power to your go-to dessert or just indulge animal-free, these food recipes are guaranteed to bliss you out from the first bite.
It’s a small miracle that French fries are vegan–and this healthier take uses the air fryer to achieve the classic crispy crunch you crave.
Per serving: 89 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 18 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 164 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein
Ranch is one of few dressings that’s worthy of everything from salads to vegan pizza, so you’d better make a big batch of this, stat.
Per serving: 69 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 4 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 118 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
This impressive-looking dessert is actually really easy to make–and doubles as breakfast pretty perfectly, if I do say so myself…
Per serving: 249 calories, 19 g fat (11 g saturated), 20 g carbs, 12 g sugar, 90 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 4 g protein
Natural sweetness from dates and a little tang from tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, and orange juice make this the most perfectly-balanced barbecue in the game.
Per serving: 45 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 9 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein
What better way to stay cool, hydrated and satisfied than with a creamy vegan popsicle? Made with silken tofu (trust), vanilla, and orange, these hit the spot on every level.
Per serving: 93 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 17 g carbs, 3 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 3 g protein
Whether it’s PSL season or the dog days of summer, this protein-packed vegan oatmeal will have you glowing from the inside out all day.
Per serving: 202 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated), 38 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 3 mg sodium, 6 g fiber, 7 g protein
Swap vegetable stock in for chicken and this aromatic dish, filled with broccoli, eggplant, and almond butter, is perfectly vegan.
Per serving: 329 calories, 29 g fat (14 g saturated), 15 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 432 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 5 g protein
Feeling fancy? This cheese and crudite spread puts meat-filled charcuterie to shame.
Per serving: 251 calories, 22 g fat (4 g saturated), 15 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 167 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 4 g protein
Is summertime even summertime without s’mores? You don’t even need a fire to enjoy the ooey-gooey flavor with these vegan bars.
Per serving: 439 calories, 27 g fat (16 g saturated), 48 g carbs, 28 g sugar, 91 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein
No need to book a flight to the West Coast to get your paws on this famous patty. Vegan cheese and “special” sauce really make your favorite burger alternative (like the Impossible Burger) shine.
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If you need something tasty to make veggies more exciting, this “creamy” dip will have you downing everything in sight.
Per serving: 216 calories, 15 g fat (3 g saturated), 17 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 332 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein
The aromatic garlicky sesame sauce on this bok choy is reminiscent of the best-of-the-best dim sum dumplings, sans the meat, of course.
Per serving: 75 calories, 6 g fat, 3 g carbs, 261 mg sodium
Bright citrus and super-creamy coconut make this vegan cake the perfect balance; not too tart, not too fruity.
Per serving: 252 calories, 20 g fat (17 g saturated), 41 g carbs, 220 mg sodium, 7 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 2 g protein
This ultra-satisfying jackfruit-based pulled “pork” practically oozes with sweet-and-salty BBQ sauce. Top it off with cabbage slaw and avocado for your dream vegan sandwich.
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Have a hankering for tapas? This vegan take on sliders is a great way to feel refined without having to make
Per serving: 389 calories, 4 g fat (1 g saturated), 9 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 190 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 4 g protein
Vegan mac is hard to master–at least it was, until now. Mustard seed, nutritional yeast, cashews, and cayenne make this quick dish infinitely better (and healthier!) than the cheesy boxed stuff.
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Medjool dates, coconut oil, raw pecans, coconut milk, and lime make these simple bars sweet, tangy, and hard not to inhale all at once.
Per serving: 242 calories, 21 g fat (8 g saturated), 13 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 84 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein
Find a pasta dish you can feel better about, I dare you. Nutritional yeast makes this pasta salad vegan, while broccoli ups the fiber and keeps the green theme going strong.
Per serving: 310 calories, 9 g fat (1 g saturated), 49 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 61 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 10 g protein
Calling all skeptics of vegan baked goods! These scones smell (and taste) like pure coziness. You’ll be curled up with a cup of tea and one of these in no time.
Per serving: 207 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated), 34 g carbs, 243 mg sodium, 9 g sugar, 5 g fiber, 5 g protein
Give your oven the day off and put your blender and freezer to work to make these delicious no-cheese cheesecake bars.
Per serving: 172 calories, 14 g fat (3 g saturated), 9 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 29 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein
If cauliflower can pizza crust then you’d better believe carrots can smoked salmon. Take just one bite of this vegan Scandinavian delicacy on rye crispbread and you’ll be on-board, too.
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Avocado, coconut milk, and pure vanilla extract make these fudgesicles so creamy you’ll never go back to dairy-based frozen desserts.
Per serving: 218 calories, 20 g fat (10 g saturated), 12 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 109 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 4 g protein
Shirataki or konjac noodles are a great low-carb alternative to your usual wheat noods–and they also require very little prep work. I can also guarantee you’ll want to drizzle this nutty sauce on everything.
Per serving: 218 calories, 20 g fat (10 g saturated), 12 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 109 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 4 g protein
If you’re craving pub food (like Buffalo wings with ranch) these bomb chickpea burgers will hit the spot.
Per serving: 308 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated), 44 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 499 mg sodium, 10 g fiber, 12 g protein
Okay, so coconut bacon is a thing and it’s about to change your life. Trust me.
Per serving: 637 calories, 70 g fat (6 g saturated), 59 g carbs, 19 g sugar, 993 mg sodium, 27 g fiber, 17 g protein
Everyone needs chocolate chip cookies and this keto, vegan version of the classic gets the job DONE.
Per serving: 105 calories, 10 g fat, 4 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 5 g protein
Extra-firm tofu, garlic hummus, and yeast may just be the most genius ricotta swap I’ve ever seen–and you’ll love it in this lasagna.
Per serving: 384 calories, 9 g fat (1 g saturated), 29 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 967 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 19 g protein
Instead of ground beef, whip up some savory tacos with mushrooms, chickpeas, walnuts, and taco spice and get ready to have your taste buds blown.
Per serving: 312 calories, 14 g fat (1 g saturated), 40 g carbs, 10 g sugar, 895 mg sodium, 11 g fiber, 12 g protein
This Western update of a Mediterranean delicacy is every bit as juicy as it is refreshing.
Per serving: 181 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 27 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 444 mg sodium, 8 g fiber, 9 g protein
Forget delivery: These vegan pizzas are a real (nutritious!) treat.
Per serving: 301 calories, 22 g fat (3 g saturated), 6 g protein, 23 g carb, 179 mg sodium, 12 g sugars, 5 g fiber
