50 Fast & Healthy Vegan Dinner Recipes (2024)

Looking for a quick and delicious dinner fix? Here's no less than 50 healthy vegan dinner recipes. Each of these dishes can be on the table in under an hour...and most of them in less than 30 minutes!

50 Fast & Healthy Vegan Dinner Recipes (1)

Every year around this time I get a lot of new visitors to this site. January is my busiest month! And I'm guessing that lots of my new visitors are people staring out on vegan or vegetarian diets, and quite possibly trying to eat healthier in the new year. (I know I certainly am!)

And I know from experience that nothing can make you run for the hills when trying a new way of eating faster than a bunch of over-complicated recipes that take forever to prepare.

Vegan recipes have a reputation for being a bit involved, especially healthy vegan dinner recipes, and I'll admit, some of them are. I might have even shared a super complex vegan dinner or two on this site.

That's why I decided to pull together some of my favorite fast, easy and healthy vegan dinner ideas, both from this blog, and around the web. No need to spend all day in the kitchen! And no need to fall off the healthy diet wagon! Each of these healthy vegan meals is healthy enough to keep you in line with your resolutions and can be on the table in under 60 minutes — in fact, most of them take less than 30!

Jump to:
  • Stir-Fries
  • Pasta
  • Curries
  • Salads
  • Veggie Burgers

Stir-Fries

Stir-fries are my go-to when I've got little time for cooking. Veggies cook up super fast over high heat, then get doused in sauce, so you end up with a meal that's healthy, loaded with flavor, and can literally be ready in minutes.

Tofu Stir-Fry with Garlic Sauce

Rainbow Peanut Butter Stir-Fry

Vegan Pepper Steak

Cauliflower Fried Rice

Vegan Pad Thai

Pasta

Pasta dinners have a reputation for being simple and easy, but that's not always the case with vegan pastas. Soaking cashews (a step you'll see in lots of creamy vegan pasta recipes) can take upwards of 8 hours! And if you're like me, you inevitably forget to throw them in some water at the beginning of the day.

These recipes all fall under the category of easy and healthy vegan dinners — they all take a half hour or less to make, from start to finish!

Vegan Pasta Primavera

Loaded Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta

Penne Arrabbiata

15 Minute Coconut Green Pasta - Simple Vegan Blog

One Pot Alfredo Penne Pasta - Jessica in the Kitchen

Sandwiches & Wraps

Super satisfying, delicious, and customizable, there's lots to be said for sandwiches for dinner! The best part: sandwiches are about as easy as it gets. Here are a few of my favorite easy and healthy vegan sandwich recipes.

To make life even easier, prep the fillings in advance, and then just heat (if necessary) and assemble when you're ready to eat.

Vegan Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Ginger Sesame Tempeh Lettuce Wraps

Vegan Sloppy Joes

Blackened Tempeh Sandwiches

Maple Buffalo Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches

Vegan Egg Salad Sandwiches

Portobello Mushroom Hot Dogs

Ginger Peanut Tofu Wraps - Hello Veggie

Curries

Curries always feel so rich and indulgent! But they're also loaded with veggies and, often, healthy plant-protein. Which is why curries make awesome healthy vegan dinners. But they're also super easy too, often cook up in one pot, and the leftovers can't be beat.

Thai Red Curry with Tofu and Eggplant

Sweet Potato Caribbean Curry

Coconut Milk Vegan Vegetable Korma

Butternut Squash Curry

Peanut Butter Chickpea Curry - Easy Cheesy Vegetarian

Easy Chickpea and Spinach Indian Curry - Eat Good 4 Life

Mushroom Masala and Fenugreek - Cook Republic

Salads

Don't let the prospect of salad night make you sad! In my house we love salad night, because we only eat salads that are loaded with veggies, super flavorful dressings, and hearty vegan protein sources...you know, the kinds of salads that can totally stand alone as a vegan meal!

Vegan Cobb Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Avocado Corn Salad

Vegan Greek Salad

Sweet Potato, Lentil and Kale Salad with Chipotle Lime Dressing - Hey Nutrition Lady

Crunchy Thai Kale Salad - Minimalist Baker

Kale and Butternut Squash Salad with Indian Spiced Croutons - Floating Kitchen

Sesame Kale Glow Bowl - The Glowing Fridge

Lebanese Chopped Salad with Chickpeas - The Lemon Bowl

Winter Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash - She Likes Food

Power Salad with Chia Lemon Dressing - Two Peas and Their Pod

Veggie Burgers

Most veggie burger recipes require two steps: (1) mix up a bunch of ingredients in a bowl or food processor, and (2) shape into patties and bake or pan-fry. Once you've got this simple process down, you'll want to make veggie burgers every night. I certainly do!

One trick I've learned to make life easier: after step 1, just cook as many burgers as you'll be eating that night. Transfer the rest of the mixture from your food processor into a storage container and chill it in the fridge. The next day, take it out, shape more patties and cook them up. It'll be just like you made a fresh batch of burgers from scratch.

Buffalo Chickpea Quiona Burgers

Maple Dijon Portobello Burgers

Barbecue Chickpea Burgers

Balsamic Beet Burgers

Vegan Meatloaf Burgers

"Beefy" Black Bean Walnut Burgers

Chickpea Sweet Potato Peanut Burgers - Vegan Richa

Spicy Bean Burgers - Veggie Inspired

Butternut Squash Apple Burgers - Veggies Don't Bite

Like this post? If so, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter. And please stop back and leave me a review and rating if you make any of the recipes!

50 Fast & Healthy Vegan Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I cook for my vegan girlfriend? ›

Vegan meal for two recipes
  • Sticky noodles with homemade hoisin. ...
  • Pearled spelt salad with peas & gooseberries. ...
  • Grilled Mediterranean veg with bean mash. ...
  • Miso aubergine. ...
  • Marinated tofu. ...
  • Roasted cauli-broc bowl with tahini hummus. ...
  • Veggie noodles with sesame dressing. ...
  • Pumpkin, spinach & black bean dopiaza.

What is a vegan meal? ›

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

What makes a dish vegan? ›

A vegan diet is another form of vegetarianism where only plant foods are eaten and all foods from animal sources are avoided (meat, seafood, dairy, eggs and sometimes honey and gelatine).

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.

What do vegans eat for protein? ›

For protein & iron, vegans can eat:
  • Beans. Beans, such as kidney beans, soybeans, pinto, black beans, and navy beans are a rich source of protein. ...
  • Legumes. ...
  • Tofu & Tempeh. ...
  • Green Peas. ...
  • Whole Grains. ...
  • Nuts & Seeds. ...
  • Fruits & Vegetables. ...
  • Lentil Soup Recipe.
May 11, 2023

Is peanut butter vegan? ›

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.

How do vegans get protein? ›

Grains: Grains high in protein include cornmeal, kamut (wheat berries), teff, quinoa, whole-wheat pasta, wild rice, millet, couscous, oatmeal, and buckwheat. Non-dairy milk: Just one cup of soy milk can pack about 7-9 grams of protein.

Are Oreos vegan? ›

Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!

What are 5 plant-based foods? ›

Leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, squash, bell peppers, cucumbers…the more, the merrier! Whole grains: many whole grains are a vital source of protein and fiber.

What vegans can eat list? ›

Foods that vegans eat
  • Beans, peas, and lentils: such as red, brown, or green lentils; chickpeas; split peas; black-eyed peas; black beans; white beans; and kidney beans.
  • Soy products: such as fortified soy milk, soybeans, and products made from them, such as tofu, tempeh, and natto.
Jan 11, 2022

What food is surprisingly vegan? ›

18 Snacks and Foods You Didn't Know Were Vegan
  • Sriracha Mayo. I'm just as surprised as you are that Flying Goose's brilliant sriracha mayo is completely plant-based. ...
  • Hackney Gelato Dark Chocolate Sorbetto. ...
  • Lotus Biscoff Spread. ...
  • Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate. ...
  • Ritz Crackers. ...
  • Jacob's Cream Crackers. ...
  • Oreos. ...
  • Twiglets.
Jan 11, 2023

What is surprisingly not vegan? ›

Beer and Wine

Isinglass, a gelatin-based substance derived from fish, is used as a clarifying agent in some beer and wine. Other non-vegan ingredients sometimes used are casein (from milk) and egg whites.

What foods do vegans avoid? ›

Vegans don't eat any foods made from animals, including:
  • Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat.
  • Chicken, duck, and other poultry.
  • Fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels.
  • Eggs.
  • Cheese.
  • Butter.
  • Milk, cream, ice cream, and other dairy products.
  • Mayonnaise (because it includes egg yolks)
Nov 3, 2023

Can vegans eat pasta? ›

Is pasta vegan? Unfortunately, not all pasta is vegan. We've found pastas of all varieties, from spaghetti to lasagna noodles, with eggs in the ingredient lists. But don't worry—there are widely available vegan pastas that don't involve eggs or dairy and don't skimp on the texture you've come to love.

Is pasta suitable for vegans? ›

Is pasta vegan? Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, rotini, and any other type—is 100 percent vegan. To know for sure, simply check the ingredients on your package! Sometimes, you might see “egg” listed as an ingredient in “fresh” pastas, so avoid those—but generally, pasta contains no animal-derived ingredients.

What do picky vegans eat? ›

36 Easy Vegan Dinner Ideas That Even Picky Eaters Will Love
  • 01 of 36. Spiced Rice With Crispy Chickpeas. ...
  • 02 of 36. Fish-Free Ceviche. ...
  • 03 of 36. Slow Cooker Black Bean Posole. ...
  • 04 of 36. Tofu Asada With Caramelized Onion Refried Beans. ...
  • 05 of 36. Vegetarian BLT With Shiitake Bacon. ...
  • 06 of 36. Chickpea Salad Sandwich. ...
  • 07 of 36. ...
  • 08 of 36.
Mar 15, 2024

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