Plant-based recipes

A deeply savoury Italian soup built on golden soffritto, sweet peeled tomatoes and tender chickpeas, finished with a glug of grassy extra-virgin olive oil — hearty enough for a midweek supper yet quietly elegant. Partially blending half the chickpeas gives the broth a silky, voluptuous body without a drop of cream. Serve it over fluffy pilau rice on a cool evening for a bowlful that genuinely satisfies.

Nutty, earthy and satisfyingly chewy, wild rice is one of the most characterful grains you can bring to the table — its long, dark grains split open as they cook to reveal a pale, fluffy interior. It makes a stunning base for roasted vegetables, mushrooms or a simple herb dressing, and it keeps beautifully in the fridge for easy weekday meals.

Jewel-bright and bursting with tart cranberry, sweet citrus and buttery crunch, this raw relish comes together in minutes with nothing more than a food processor. It looks stunning on a festive table — ruby red flecked with orange zest and pale pecan pieces — and the flavour is lively enough to cut through the richest main course. Serve alongside a roast centrepiece or a cheeseboard, and pour a glass of off-dry Riesling.

Bubbling, golden and deeply savoury, this gratin layers tender wilted spinach in a silky garlic sauce beneath a crisp, herb-flecked breadcrumb crust — comfort food at its most elegant. It is rich in iron and folate from the spinach, yet lighter than a classical gratin. Serve alongside roasted potatoes or grilled sourdough with a glass of dry Riesling.

Pillowy, golden and folded in the classic Parker House style, these rolls have a feather-soft crumb, a glistening plant-fat crust and that irresistible pull-apart tenderness. A flax binder and oat milk keep them every bit as rich and supple as the original. Lovely warm from the oven alongside a dry cider.

Golden, herb-fragrant and deeply savoury, this stuffing bakes into a dish of crisp-edged cubes and a tender, flavour-soaked centre — the kind that earns the loudest praise at the table. Mushroom and walnut mince brings meaty richness whilst fresh sage and parsley keep every mouthful bright. Serve it alongside your Sunday roast or holiday spread and pour a glass of dry Pinot Noir.

Crispy, caramelised Brussels sprouts meet smoky, umami-rich chestnut mushrooms in a golden hash that's as satisfying on a weeknight as it is on a weekend brunch table. A squeeze of lemon at the end lifts every savoury note and keeps the colours vivid. Serve it alongside a glass of dry Riesling for a pairing that sings.

Deep, glossy and intensely savoury, this plant-based gravy is built on a double hit of cremini and dried porcini mushrooms that give it a rich, meaty depth you'll want to pour over everything. It clings beautifully to mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables or a Sunday nut roast, and it's good enough to make all year round — not just for the holidays. Pour a glass of dry Pinot Noir alongside and you're set.

Tall, golden and shattering at the edges, these scones pull apart in buttery, steam-lifted layers that are hard to believe are entirely plant-based. The oat-milk "buttermilk" gives a gentle tang, whilst ice-cold vegan fat keeps every fold distinct and impossibly light. Bake a batch for a lazy weekend brunch and pair with a crisp dry cider.

Silky, caramelised mashed sweet potato baked beneath a golden, crunchy pecan crown — this is comfort food at its most generous. Every spoonful is warmly spiced, buttery-rich and deeply satisfying, and it comes together without a single animal ingredient. Gorgeous as a centrepiece side for a Sunday roast or a holiday table, and lovely alongside a glass of tawny Port.

Silky, golden and deeply savoury, this plant-based mash is built on Yukon Gold potatoes and a whole head of slowly roasted garlic, folded through with fruity olive oil and warm oat milk until luxuriously smooth. Every spoonful is rich with mellow garlic sweetness and a clean, herbaceous finish from fresh parsley. Brilliant alongside a Sunday roast or a hearty stew, and a glass of dry Pinot Noir is the ideal companion.

Tender green beans smothered in a velvety, umami-rich mushroom and oat milk sauce, crowned with a generous layer of golden crispy fried onions — this is comfort food that earns its place at any table. It is wonderfully rich without being heavy, and works beautifully as a side for a Sunday roast or a holiday spread. Pour a glass of off-dry Riesling alongside and it sings.

Billowing with sweet corn and finished with fresh chives, this silky Southern-style pudding is soft, spoonable and deeply comforting — golden on top, custardy within. It's a brilliant side dish for a Sunday spread or festive table, and pairs beautifully with a glass of sparkling apple juice.

Glossy, charred tenderstem broccoli tossed with crisp golden garlic and jewel-bright slices of fresh red chilli — this is a side dish that earns its place at the table. The stems stay tender with just enough bite, and the fruity heat of the chilli cuts beautifully through the richness of the olive oil. Ready in under fifteen minutes, it is brilliant alongside pasta or a grain bowl.

Golden, creamy and deeply savoury, this one-pan skillet piles seared tofu and king oyster mushroom strips into a smoky paprika sauce with sun-blushed tomatoes and a cloud of wilted spinach — comfort food that looks as good as it tastes. It's rich without heaviness, making it a brilliant midweek supper. Pour a glass of chilled Verdejo or serve with crusty bread to mop up every last drop.

Pillowy handmade pasta parcels filled with creamy cashew ricotta, vibrant wilted spinach, and a whisper of nutmeg — this is Italian comfort food at its most inviting. The filling stays delicately green against the golden dough, making it as beautiful to look at as it is satisfying to eat. Lovely as a weekend lunch or an elegant weeknight supper paired with a crisp Pinot Grigio.

Deep, savoury and steaming hot, this Japanese-inspired rice is threaded with tender shiitake, king oyster and shimeji mushrooms, then crowned with golden-seared chestnut mushrooms and a shower of fresh herbs. Every grain is glossed with vegan butter and perfumed with kombu dashi, mirin and sake, making it rich enough to serve as a centrepiece. It pairs beautifully with a chilled glass of dry sparkling water or a light Japanese lager.

A glossy, golden sage butter coats pillowy vegan ravioli and heaps of wilted baby spinach in this quick Italian-inspired skillet dish — the kind of weeknight dinner that looks and tastes far more indulgent than it has any right to. Starchy pasta water emulsifies with the butter into a sauce that clings to every fold, whilst crisp sage leaves add a whisper of herbal crunch. Serve straight from the pan with a generous grating of vegan Parmesan-style cheese.

Crisp, golden and deeply herby, these falafel are packed with fresh parsley and warm spices — earthy cumin and coriander giving way to a fluffy, yielding centre. Piled onto a plate with pickles and tahini sauce, they look as vibrant as they taste. Great as a weeknight mezze or stuffed into flatbread with a cold glass of mint lemonade.

Golden butternut squash and caramelised Brussels sprouts are roasted in a sticky maple and Dijon glaze alongside hearty slabs of marinated tofu — a tray bake that fills the kitchen with sweet, tangy warmth. The vegetables emerge glossy and tender-edged, with the shallots and garlic melting into the sauce. Brilliant as a weeknight supper or a relaxed Sunday centrepiece, and lovely alongside a glass of crisp dry cider.

A vibrant, glossy risotto of slow-cooked Carnaroli rice in rich tomato passata, crowned with golden frizzled red onion and torn fresh basil — deeply savoury, silky, and arrestingly red on the plate. It is as satisfying and nourishing as any classic Italian primo, made entirely from plants. Serve it as a weeknight centrepiece or a relaxed dinner-party starter with a glass of chilled Sicilian white.

Deep garnet in the bowl and alive with the sharp, fermented tang of beet kvas, this 1830-style Ukrainian borsch layers earthy red beetroots, tender cabbage, and woodsy mushrooms into something that tastes ancient and nourishing all at once. A blizzard of fresh dill and a swirl of oat cream finish it beautifully. It is the kind of soup worth making on a grey afternoon — serve it with thick slices of dark rye and, if you like, a small glass of cold kvass on the side.

A quietly extraordinary broth — amber-clear, deeply savoury and faintly of the sea — that transforms any dish it touches. Built from nothing but dried kombu and shiitake mushrooms, it delivers the kind of clean, lingering umami that makes ramen, noodle soups and simmered vegetables taste truly considered. Make a batch, freeze it in portions, and you will always have something remarkable to hand.

Deep amber and fragrant with cinnamon and cardamom, this Persian pumpkin stew layers seared squash, sweet potato and root vegetables in a sweet-sour sauce of tomato, sour golden prunes and lemon — rich enough to feel celebratory, bright enough to keep you coming back for more. It is genuinely good for you too, packed with fibre and slow-release energy from the root vegetables and split peas. Serve it piled over saffron rice on a Friday night with a glass of chilled pomegranate juice alongside.

Deep garnet and glossy, this slow-braised red cabbage is heady with red wine, warm spice and the sharp sweetness of tart apples — a classic German side dish that fills the kitchen with an irresistible, wintry fragrance. A spoonful of redcurrant jelly stirred in at the end gives it a jewel-bright finish and beautiful balance of sweet and sour. It is the perfect partner to roast celeriac or lentil dumplings, and holds up wonderfully alongside a glass of Spätburgunder.

A fiercely crimson, bubbling Korean stew that delivers deep heat, funk and umami in every spoonful — silken tofu trembles in a scarlet broth alongside fermented kimchi and meaty mushroom strips. It looks dramatic straight from the stone pot to the table, and tastes like pure comfort with a slow, gochugaru burn. Ladle it over steamed rice on a cold evening and pour a cold Korean lager or barley tea alongside.

A thick, golden Peruvian stew that glows in the bowl — sweet winter squash melting into a fragrant broth heady with aji amarillo heat and the anise-dark whisper of huacatay. Creamy oat milk rounds every spoonful, whilst sweet corn, broad beans and peas make it a proper meal in itself. Brilliant for a midweek supper, and lovely alongside a crisp lager or a cold glass of chicha morada.

Rich, creamy and deeply nutty, this no-bake fudge sets into firm, silky slabs speckled with toasted seeds and finished with a glint of flaky salt — the kind of thing that looks effortlessly elegant straight from the freezer. Every bite delivers a satisfying contrast of smooth sunflower butter and gentle crunch, with maple syrup adding a warm, caramel-like sweetness. Keep a stash in the freezer for an after-dinner treat or an afternoon pick-me-up.

A vivid, herb-scented Mexican broth that arrives at the table steaming and brick-red, loaded with silky mushroom strips and bright green purslane. The chile de árbol brings a clean, lingering heat that the epazote cuts through with its wild, citrusy sharpness. Deeply comforting yet light enough for a weeknight supper, it pairs beautifully with warm corn tortillas.

A warmly spiced, tender loaf with a golden crust and a moist, fragrant crumb — grated courgette keeps every slice beautifully soft while cinnamon weaves through each bite. This gluten-free bake is wholesome enough for breakfast and handsome enough for an afternoon spread. Slice it thick, eat it as it is, or take it with a flat white.

Slicked with a deep-red peanut-gochujang sauce that clings to every strand, these noodles are glossy, warming, and just bold enough to demand a second bowl. Crispy marinated tofu, tangy kimchi, and a finish of nori and nutritional yeast make this a proper weeknight showstopper. Pair with a dry Riesling, a crisp Chablis, or an ice-cold lager.

Golden, savoury bites packed with smoky roasted red pepper and tender kale, these muffin-tin cups have a satisfyingly eggy flavour from kala namak and a richness from nutritional yeast. They come out of the tin beautifully set — crisp at the edges, custardy within — and are equally at home on a brunch table or tucked into a lunchbox. A fresh green smoothie alongside makes them a brilliant start to the day.

A velvety, golden sauce clings to every ridge of wholemeal elbow macaroni, delivering deep, savoury comfort with a hint of tang — proper weeknight food that happens to be entirely plant-based. Broccoli and kale bring colour and a little welcome bite to the bowl. Good enough to serve straight from the pot, and genuinely high in fibre to boot.

A classic Tex-Mex pot of tender pinto beans simmered low and slow with Roma tomatoes, jalapeño, garlic, white onion and fresh coriander — no meat, no fuss, just pure plant-based comfort. Known in Mexico as *frijoles de olla* ("pot beans"), this crowd-pleasing dish is as at home on a weeknight table as it is at a party spread. Serve as a hearty side, spoon over rice, or ladle into warm tortillas. Love bold beans? Try our [Spicy Vegan Refried Pinto Beans](https://www.cuisinesavvy.com/recipe/spicy-vegan-refried-pinto-beans) next — they start exactly here.

Deep, smoky guajillo chillies blended with fire-roasted tomato and warm spices make a broth that is rich, earthy and gently fiery — ladled over shatteringly crisp corn tortilla strips and finished with creamy avocado and a bright squeeze of lime. It looks as vivid as it tastes, with rust-red broth pooling around golden tortilla shards. A generous, warming bowlful that is just as welcome on a midweek evening as it is at a weekend table with cold Mexican lager alongside.

A stunning plant-based adaptation of traditional Mexican birria de hongos silvestres, featuring meaty king oyster, maitake, lion's mane, and shiitake mushrooms simmered in a rich chile-adobo consommé. Served with warm corn tortillas and cups of deeply savoury broth for dipping.

A CuisineSavvy plant-based adaptation of the traditional Mexican cheese-stuffed chillies (Chiles Poblanos y Anchos Rellenos de Queso). Fresh poblano chillies and rehydrated dried ancho chillies are stuffed with vegan melting cheese, coated in a light aquafaba or chickpea-flour batter, fried until golden and crisp, then served in a rich roasted-tomato caldillo sauce. This recipe honours the authentic method—charring, stuffing, battering, and frying—for a spectacular main course.

A fully plant-based take on the beloved Mexican taquería classic, alambre de res. Meaty oyster and portobello mushrooms stand in for beef, marinated in a bold blend of lime, orange juice, soy sauce, and dark beer for deep, savoury flavour. Smoked coconut bacon delivers that irresistible crispy, smoky bite, whilst melted vegan Oaxaca-style cheese (or vegan Manchego) brings everything together into a gloriously gooey, sizzling tray. Pile it all into warm corn or flour tortillas and serve straight from the pan. Perfect for casual weeknight dinners or scaled up for a crowd — simply prepare the tray the day before and finish it on the barbecue grill or in the oven at 190 °C (375 °F) for 15 minutes, topping with vegan cheese for the last 5 minutes until molten and bubbling.

A vibrant, fully plant-based take on the classic Mexican salpicón de res — traditionally a chilled shredded beef salad served on crispy tostadas. Here, tender rehydrated soy curls (or shredded king oyster mushrooms) stand in brilliantly for the meat, soaking up a tangy oregano-vinegar dressing spiked with a touch of nutritional yeast for savoury depth. Tossed with crisp romaine, juicy tomato, peppery radishes, briny green olives, and sweet onion rings, this refreshing salad is assembled at the table — guests simply pile the chilled filling onto crunchy corn tostadas and top with creamy avocado and pickled jalapeños. Because everything is served at room temperature or straight from the fridge, it is the ideal make-ahead dish for outdoor parties and summer buffets.

These golden, shatteringly crisp taquitos dorados are a completely plant-based take on the beloved Mexican street-food classic. Thin corn tortillas are tightly rolled around a smoky, well-seasoned filling of shredded jackfruit and hearty black beans, then fried until deeply golden and irresistibly crunchy. Perfect party finger food — roll and fry the day before, refrigerate, then blast in a hot oven or reheat on a barbecue grill rack just before serving. Lay them out buffet-style alongside bowls of cool cashew soured cream, vibrant fresh salsa, crisp shredded cabbage, creamy avocado slices, and crumbled salted pressed tofu for a stunning, crowd-pleasing spread that is 100% animal-free from filling to garnish.

A fully plant-based take on the beloved Mexican classic, Pastel Azteca. Layers of soft corn tortillas are stacked lasagne-style with smoky poblano strips (rajas), sweet corn, a rich roasted-tomato caldillo, tender shredded jackfruit in place of chicken, silky cashew crema, and a melty tapioca-based vegan cheese. Every bite delivers the deep, comforting flavours of traditional Mexican home cooking — entirely free from animal products. Perfect for a midweek family dinner or assembled a day ahead as a crowd-pleasing party centrepiece.

A fully plant-based take on a beloved Mexican breakfast classic. Crispy fried corn tortilla wedges (totopos) are bathed in a bold, smoky red tomato and serrano chile sauce, then garnished with dairy-free crema, crumbled vegan cheese, fresh coriander, and sliced white onion. Ready in under 30 minutes, this vibrant dish is hearty, satisfying, and completely free from animal products — without sacrificing a single drop of authentic flavour.

This showstopping plant-based brisket delivers on flavour and texture with layers of savoury, smoky goodness. Vital wheat gluten and chickpea flour form a tender, meaty seitan loaf that's braised in a rich marsala and vegetable stock mixture, then baked until perfectly firm. The real magic happens when you slather it in BBQ sauce and char it on a blazing-hot grill, creating that authentic brisket crust. Slice thinly and serve with all the classic accompaniments — pickles, raw white onion, and thick Texas toast — for a vegan feast that'll have everyone coming back for seconds.

Traditional Guanajuato-style enchiladas made entirely plant-based. Corn tortillas are dipped in a rich guajillo chilli sauce and filled with vegan cheese, then topped with golden sautéed potatoes, carrots, and crisp lettuce for a hearty, authentic Mexican dish.

Tetelas in the style of Oaxaca are traditional triangular Mixteca antojitos from Oaxaca and neighbouring Puebla. These plant-based corn masa pockets are filled with thick refried black beans, folded into sealed triangles, and toasted dry on a hot comal until they develop characteristic golden-brown spots. Serve hot with plant-based crema, crumbled vegan queso, and fresh salsa for an authentic taste of southern Mexican street food. Source: México en Mi Cocina (https://www.mexicoenmicocina.com/tetelas/).

These vibrant tofu skewers bring together the smoky char of the grill with sweet caramelised peach, crisp green pepper, and golden tofu cubes coated in savoury nutritional yeast. Quick to prepare and boldly flavoured, they make a satisfying plant-based main course that celebrates the balance of sweet, savoury, and smoky notes in every bite. Serve with a drizzle of tahini or chimichurri for an extra layer of flavour.

A vibrant sharing platter of three distinct plant-based quesadillas: smoky mushroom-walnut chorizo with jalapeños, green beans tossed in earthy mole poblano, and tender potato and leek with bright salsa verde. Each fold delivers bold Mexican flavours without a trace of meat or dairy, using corn tortillas, whole-food fillings and just a modest scatter of melting vegan cheese.

A vibrant, crunchy side salad featuring finely shredded green cabbage and carrot ribbons dressed simply with fresh lime juice and aromatic dried oregano. This refreshing salad is perfect alongside tacos, burrito bowls, or any Mexican-inspired meal. Let it rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the cabbage to soften and the flavours to meld beautifully.

A vibrant Venezuelan-inspired bowl featuring tender black beans, caramelised plantains, seasoned jackfruit 'meat', fresh cabbage slaw, and a creamy garlic sauce. This hearty plant-based dish brings together the bold flavours and textures of traditional Venezuelan cuisine in one satisfying meal.

A plant-based adaptation of Doña Ángela's Mole de Rancho from De Mi Rancho A Tu Cocina. This traditional Mexican ranch-style mole brings together three varieties of dried chillies — negro, mulato, and pasilla — with tomatillos, toasted sesame seeds, warm spices, and a corn tortilla thickener to create a dark, complex, glossy sauce. King oyster mushroom strips and black beans replace the chicken, simmered directly in the mole for a hearty, satisfying main course. Heart-healthy preparation uses dry-toasting and minimal oil, with dates replacing refined sugar and unsweetened cacao adding depth. Serve with warm corn tortillas.