Finding great vegan dinner recipes is hard. Not only do they have to be easy to make: they have to be filling, healthy, and absolutely delicious! Great vegan dinners are hearty and satisfying, filled with enough plant-based protein to keep you full. Only have a handful of vegan dinner ideas in your repertoire? Don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place. Here’s our list of all the best easy vegan dinner ideas! As vegetarian and vegan recipe developers and cookbook authors with over a decade of experience, we’ve created dependable recipes that are both filling and delicious. We’ve listed them with total cook time for easy planning. When you’re ready, click over to the recipe to get all the ingredients! Then read below the list for some notes on plant-based protein and vegan meal planning.
And now…our best easy vegan dinner recipes & ideas!
Understanding vegan protein & how to stay full
The most important part of eating vegan dinner recipes: plant based protein is key for staying satiated and full. Recipes with meat and dairy naturally have lots of protein, but it’s not true for vegan dinners. Make sure to load them with plant based protein so you’re not hungry 1 hour later! Here are some top plant-based protein filled foods: Total time: 25 minutes Also try: Easy Chickpea Curry Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 1 hour Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Also try: Sheet Pan Nachos (uses the same taco meat!) Total time: 25 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes Total time: 25 minutes Also try: Broccoli Stir Fry Total time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Also try: Easy Tofu Tacos Total time: 1 hour Total time: 35 minutes, easy to make ahead Also try: Ultimate Vegan Chili Total time: 25 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Also try: Falafel Burger Also try: Vegetable Curry or Butternut Squash Curry Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 5 minutes Also try: Epic Vegetarian Fajitas (also vegan and done in 30 minutes) Total time: 40 minutes Also try: Curry Lentil Soup or Instant Pot Lentil Soup Total time: 45 minutes Total time: 45 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Total time: 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Also try: Vegan Grain Bowl or 10 Easy Vegan Bowls Total time: 35 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Also try: Creamy Broccoli Potato Soup Total time: 40 minutes Total time: 40 minutes
Legumes: Lentils, Beans, Chickpeas, and Peas Whole Grains: Rice, Quinoa, Barley, Farro, Bulgur Wheat, and Millet (see How to Cook Whole Grains) Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Cashews, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans, Hazelnuts, Pistachios, Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds), Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Seeds Soy: Tofu, Tempeh (Stick to 2 to 4 servings per week)* Veggies: Some vegetables have protein, but in much lower amounts than the foods above. Some higher protein veggies are Corn, Broccoli, Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, and Artichokes.
Choose from a variety of sources!
When you’re eating lots of protein from plants, it’s important to get a wide variety of protein sources. The point isn’t just to eat a can of black beans every day! Per to Harvard School of Public Health, make sure to mix up your sources so no “essential” components of protein are missing. For more on plant based protein and lots of recipes, go to All About Plant Based Protein. Is soy a healthy plant-based protein? Yes, in moderation! According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits—especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat.
Consider Vitamin B12
Lastly, make sure to consider vitamin B12 if you’re eating lots of vegan recipes. Dairy, eggs, and seafood have the Vitamin B12, which is important for avoiding anemia and does not occur naturally in plants. If you eat a fully vegan diet, you may need to add a supplement (specifically vitamin B12) to make sure you receive all the nutrients required. Consult your doctor for more.
More vegan recipes
Love making vegan recipes? We’ve got you covered for every meal of the day. Here are some of our top vegan resources:
Browse our top 50 Easy Vegan Recipes Try our 15 Vegan Lunch Ideas Go for 25 Vegan Breakfast Ideas or 21 Vegan Brunch Ideas Make 30 Tasty Vegan Side Dishes End the meal with 30 Vegan Desserts
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