20 vegan comfort food recipes everyone will love is a collection of our reader's favorite recipes. These are recipes that prove that vegan food can be delicious. Serve these to your non-vegan friends and watch them devour every last crumb.
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Hi there! We’re Linda and Alex, the mother daughter duo and creators of Veganosity. Thanks for visiting us, we’re so happy you’re here. If you’re looking for Southern inspired vegan comfort food recipes, you’ve come to the right place.
We love vegan comfort food and we’re really good at making it. Take a tour through our site and you’ll find all of the recipes that scream, stretchy pants required!
The good news, they’re all plant-based recipes, so you don’t need to feel guilty eating them. Now sit back, relax, and eat happy. 🙂
Also, in case you didn’t know, we’re published cookbook authors. We’ve written two vegan cookbooks that will help you make amazing vegan BBQ (you don’t even need a grill) and everyday meals, from breakfast to dessert.
Click on the titles to check them out. GREAT VEGAN BBQ WITHOUT A GRILL
and THE ULTIMATE VEGAN COOKBOOK
.
VEGAN RECIPES FOR NON-VEGANS
If you're thinking about going vegan, but you don't know what to eat, this vegan comfort food recipe roundup is for you.
This is also a great resource for our vegan readers who are looking to add some new recipes to their weekly dinner rotation.
Additionally, if you're not vegan, but you're cooking for vegans and need some tried and true recipes to make for them, here you go.
The word vegan is such a mystery to some people, and so many questions come with the word.
We understand and want to answer some of the most common questions before we share the recipes.
WHAT DO VEGANS EAT?
We eat delicious food that's made from plants.
You'll be amazed at how certain plant foods can come close to mimicking the texture and taste of meat and dairy.
When we combine beans, lentils, vegetables, herbs and spices, grains, and other plant foods, magic happens.
WHERE DO VEGANS GET THEIR PROTEIN?
Almost every plant has some protein. When you eat a well balanced diet and eat often (one of the bonuses of eating whole food plant-based), you should get more than enough protein.
Here are some foods that are a good source of protein:
- Tofu and tempeh
- Beans and lentils
- Nuts
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Potatoes
- Seitan
- Whole grain bread
IS VEGAN FOOD BORING?
Only if you eat the same thing over and over.
Fortunately, we've created dozens of delicious recipes inspired by our favorite comfort foods, so eating is fun.
ISN'T IT HARD TO BE A VEGAN?
Maybe in the beginning, before you get used to substituting meat and dairy with veggies and grains.
However, once you get the hang of it, it's actually easier.
You can prep so many things days ahead, and you don't have to worry about contaminating your cutting boards with bacteria from meat.
IS VEGAN FOOD EXPENSIVE?
It depends.
If you're buying mostly packaged foods, then yes. However, so are pre-made meat and dairy foods.
When you shop the bulk bins for beans, lentils, nuts, and grains, it's significantly less expensive than shopping the meat section.
In season produce is also less than meat.
Let's just say that a pot of vegetable chili is a lot less expensive (and easier to make) than meat chili.
WHY DO VEGANS MAKE FOOD THAT LOOKS AND TASTES LIKE MEAT?
We weren't always vegan, and there are lots of foods that we used to love, unfortunately, animals had to die for us to eat them.
Now that we're vegan, we can recreate the flavors and textures of family favorites from plants.
It makes life more interesting, we can still carry on traditions, and when a craving strikes, we can quench it with plants.
VEGAN COMFORT FOOD RECIPES FOR MEAT EATERS
All right, let's get to it. Here are our tried and true vegan comfort food recipes that everyone at the table will rave about.
VEGAN TOFU BACON
But bacon.....
What is it about bacon? Non-vegans seem to be obsessed with it.
We know what it is. It's the fat, salt, smoky flavor, crispy edges and chewy center.
Those are the things that people like about it, so we made a crunchy, chewy, smoky, and salty tofu bacon that makes a great breakfast side dish, garnish for salads and other dishes, and of course, the beloved BLT sandwich.
VEGAN WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI
Few things are easier and more comforting than cooking a batch of white bean chili.
This chili recipe has a subtle kick of heat, so it's great for kids and those who can't handle spicy food.
Jackfruit is the magic potion that makes this taste like chicken chili.
The mild fruit is shredded and soaks in the flavors of the chili and adds the texture of chicken.
Drooling?
Us, too. We mean, just look at that sauce and those veggies and beans.
This is the ultimate vegan enchilada recipe and our readers love it.
Our homemade enchilada sauce is delicious, and so is the cheesy cream sauce that we put in and on the enchiladas.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO
Just because we don't cook with dairy doesn't mean that we can't enjoy a big bowl of vegan risotto.
This is a creamy and comforting bowl of deliciousness.
The butternut squash is nicely caramelized on the edges and the vegan parmesan adds a lovely flavor and creamy texture.
It's perfect for a romantic dinner for two or when you want to impress your guests with a decadent Italian dinner.
VEGAN ROOT VEGETABLE POT PIES
Our flaky and buttery vegan pie crust is what makes this dish so special.
We line the ramekins with pie crust and then fill them with savory roasted vegetables stew, then top it with a layer of pie crust.
You can make these ahead of time and freeze them for later.
PULLED BBQ CARROTS
Missing pulled BBQ or feeling like you just couldn't give it up?
Try this recipe!
This is one of our most popular recipes and it's what caught the eye of our publisher, which led to two cookbook deals.
It's a super easy recipe that's absolutely delicious. Shredded carrots and sliced onions are roasted until the edges are crispy.
When the carrots are simmered in our homemade BBQ sauce, then piled onto a bun with red cabbage slaw, it's like eating pulled barbecue, only it's vegan.
SMOKY SOUTHERN-STYLE MEATLESS MEATLOAF
We consistently get emails from our non-vegan readers who thank us for this recipe.
It has a great texture, not mushy like some bean loafs.
The flavors are savory, smoky, slightly sweet and tangy, and darn delicious.
Pair it with our roasted garlic mashed potatoes and spicy green beans for the best comfort food dinner ever.
VEGAN BBQ RIBZ
Picture by Kelly Allison Photography
These chewy, meaty, and delicious vegan ribs are as close as you're going to get to the real thing.
Of course they aren't exactly like meat, but if you've given up eating animals, yet crave the flavor and similar texture of ribs, these are a great option.
Try our seitan ribs and let us know what you think.
SPICY BLACK BEAN QUINOA BURGERS
These vegan bean burgers don't fall apart on the grill, and they're not mushy.
Aquafaba (the liquid in a can of chickpeas) and quinoa hold them together and make them firmer than the typical bean burger.
These are another reader favorite and one of our go-to recipes.
Make a batch and freeze them so you'll always have them on hand.
VEGAN CRUNCHWRAP SUPREME
We took our healthy taco filling, homemade cheese sauce, and veggies and made a crunchwrap just like Taco Bell's.
This is SO GOOD!!!
They're perfect vegan game day food.
AUTHENTIC VEGAN SWEDISH MEATBALLS
We used soy curls to make these tender meatballs in gravy.
The gravy is very mild, as is most Scandinavian food. Feel free to add more spices or herbs, but we like them the way they were intended to be.
These are so good for dinner with a fresh salad, or serve them as appetizers.
EASY SOUTHERN-STYLE VEGAN BBQ BOWLS
You'll find all of the best Southern veggies and flavors in this easy to make barbecue bowl.
Greens, black eyed peas, sweet potato, and BBQ tofu come together for a flavorful and healthy meal.
VEGAN PHILLY CHEESESTEAK
We weren't kidding when we said that you don't have to give up your favorite foods just because you gave up eating meat and dairy.
Our vegan cheesesteak sandwiches are proof.
They are made with meaty soy curls, mushrooms, pepper, and a creamy vegan cheese sauce.
Even meat eaters love this!
VEGAN GUMBO
Thank goodness for vegan sausage, because now you can make a pot of gumbo that will impress even the pickiest gumbo aficionado.
This is spicy, savory, and delicious!
We love it throughout the year, it's a four season kind of meal.
VEGAN MEATBALLL SUBS
Just looking at the picture made our mouths water.
The tomato sauce, vegan meatballs, vegan parmesan, and minced parsley, all stuffed into a baguette roll, screams, COMFORT FOOD!
This will totally satisfy any meat eater at the table. In fact, we bet they won't even know it's made from plants.
VEGAN SEITAN CHICKEN
Whether you're craving grilled chicken as a main course, on a Caesar salad, or added to pasta, chili, or anything, this will be your go-to recipe.
It's super easy to make, it tastes so much like chicken, and it works in many recipes.
SOUTHERN VEGAN FRIED CHICKEN
As soon as we perfected our seitan chicken recipe, we knew that we had to make vegan fried chicken.
You guys, this stuff is pure magic. it's crunchy and tender all at once.
Obviously you wouldn't make this often, but when the craving strikes, you can whip this up and feed your soul.
BAKED VEGAN MAC 'N' CHEESE
Is there anything more comforting than macaroni and cheese?
Our vegan mac 'n' cheese is baked with buttery and savory breadcrumbs on top to give it a crunchy texture.
The creamy cheese sauce is just right, it's not like Kraft mac 'n' cheese, which swims in sauce.
This is creamy and gooey, and absolutely delicious.
SOUTHERN-STYLE VEGAN CHICKEN 'N' BISCUITS
Make this on a cold afternoon and serve it for dinner. But only if you want to be the most popular person of the week.
Whoever is lucky enough to get to share this warm and savory veggie stew, topped with flaky biscuits, is going to give you a big hug and thank you.
VEGAN LENTIL AND VEGETABLE LOAF
Don't let the name fool you, this is so incredibly delicious.
The vegetables are sautéed with herbs and spices before they're mixed in with the lentils and binders.
It's a flavorful, firm, satisfying lentil loaf that is great for a Sunday supper or a holiday meal.
Make lentil loaf sandwiches if you have any leftovers.
VEGAN COMFORT FOOD SIDE DISHES
Here are our six favorite vegan side dish recipes to go with the vegan mains we just shared with you.
Hopefully this recipe roundup has busted the myth that vegan food is boring.
VEGAN ROASTED GARLIC MASHED POTATOES
PORCINI MUSHROOM GRAVY
SWEET POTATO FRIES
SOUTHERN-STYLE CREAMY POTATO SALAD
SPICY SIZZLED GREEN BEANS
BREADED MAPLE GLAZED ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS
PIN ME!
Make all of our vegan comfort food recipes and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.
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