Asian Vegetarian Recipes UK: Delicious & Easy Meals

Asian cuisine offers an incredible variety of vegetarian dishes that are bursting with vibrant flavours, fresh ingredients, and wholesome nutrition. Whether you’re a seasoned vegetarian or simply looking to incorporate more meat-free meals into your diet, Asian vegetarian recipes provide an exciting culinary adventure.

From the fragrant spices of Indian cuisine to the delicate balance of sweet and salty in Chinese stir-fries, and the fresh, herbaceous notes of Thai salads, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In the UK, where diverse ingredients are readily available, it’s easier than ever to recreate these authentic dishes in your own kitchen.

In this post, we’ll explore some delicious Asian vegetarian recipes perfect for the UK home cook. These recipes are simple, affordable, and packed with nutrients, making them ideal for family meals or a healthy weeknight dinner.

Plus, they bring wonderful textures and colours to your plate, proving that vegetarian food can be just as satisfying and flavourful as any meat-based dish.

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

Asian vegetarian recipes stand out for their incredible use of fresh vegetables, tofu, and fragrant herbs, all combined with bold seasonings and sauces. You’ll love how these dishes can be both hearty and light, offering a perfect balance for any appetite.

Many recipes emphasize stir-frying or steaming, which helps retain maximum nutrients and flavour.

Additionally, these recipes are highly adaptable. Whether you prefer gluten-free, vegan, or low-calorie meals, Asian vegetarian cooking offers plenty of variations to suit your lifestyle.

The ingredients used are commonly found in UK supermarkets or Asian grocery stores, so you don’t need to hunt far to bring these flavours home.

Best of all, these meals are quick to prepare, making them perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekends. You’ll enjoy the vibrant colours, textures, and aromas while feeling good about eating wholesome, plant-based food.

Ingredients

• Tofu: 400g firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• Vegetables: 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 carrot, julienned; 100g snap peas; 100g baby corn
• Aromatics: 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1-inch fresh ginger, grated; 2 spring onions, sliced
• Sauces & Condiments: 3 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed); 1 tbsp hoisin sauce; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tsp sesame oil
• Spices & Herbs: ½ tsp chili flakes (optional); fresh coriander leaves for garnish
• Oils: 2 tbsp vegetable oil or peanut oil for stir-frying
• Rice or noodles: 200g cooked jasmine rice or rice noodles, to serve

Equipment

• Large non-stick frying pan or wok
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Serving plates or bowls

Instructions

1. Prepare the tofu: Press excess water from the tofu by wrapping it in kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top for 15 minutes. Then cut into 2cm cubes.
2. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
3. Heat the wok: Place the wok or frying pan on medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. When hot, add the tofu cubes and fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove tofu and set aside.
4. Cook the aromatics: Add the remaining oil to the wok. Toss in minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced spring onions. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir-fry vegetables: Add the bell pepper, carrot, snap peas, and baby corn. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
6. Combine tofu and sauce: Return the tofu to the wok, pour over the prepared sauce, and toss everything together. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat all ingredients evenly.
7. Finish and serve: Sprinkle with chili flakes if using and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles.

Tips & Variations

Make this dish your own by swapping tofu for tempeh or seitan if you prefer a different texture.

Add more vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, or baby bok choy for extra nutrition.

For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.

If you like it spicy, add a drizzle of sriracha or a few fresh chopped chillies.

Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This Asian vegetarian stir-fry pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or rice noodles to soak up all the delicious sauce. For a lighter option, serve it over a bed of spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice.

Complement the meal with simple side dishes like a crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing or miso soup. For dessert, why not try a comforting Grandma’S Old Fashioned Bread Pudding With Vanilla Sauce Recipe to finish the meal on a sweet note?

Also consider serving alongside some freshly made Kodiak Banana Muffins for a delightful snack or breakfast option after your meal.

Other Asian Vegetarian Recipes to Try

• Vegetarian Thai Green Curry: A fragrant curry made with coconut milk, green curry paste, and a medley of vegetables. Perfect with steamed rice.
• Vegetable Spring Rolls: Crispy rice paper rolls filled with fresh veggies and herbs, served with a tangy dipping sauce.
• Vegetarian Bibimbap: A Korean rice bowl topped with sautéed vegetables, tofu, and a spicy gochujang sauce.
• Vegetarian Fried Rice: A quick and tasty dish using leftover rice, vegetables, and soy sauce, perfect for a weeknight meal.

Conclusion

Asian vegetarian recipes are a wonderful way to bring flavour, nutrition, and variety to your cooking repertoire here in the UK. They highlight the beauty of fresh vegetables, tofu, and aromatic spices, creating dishes that are both satisfying and wholesome.

These recipes are easy to prepare, adaptable to your taste preferences, and use ingredients that are readily available locally.

By exploring these dishes, you can enjoy a diverse range of tastes and textures without compromising on health or enjoyment. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, these Asian vegetarian meals will impress and nourish everyone at your table.

For more delicious recipes that will enrich your kitchen, check out our Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe which pairs perfectly with many vegetarian dishes, and don’t miss our delightful Half Runner Beans Recipe for another tasty vegetable side.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Asian Vegetarian Stir-Fry”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A quick and flavorful vegetarian stir-fry packed with fresh vegetables and Asian spices. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT15M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“200g firm tofu, cubed”, “1 tablespoon vegetable oil”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated”, “1 red bell pepper, sliced”, “1 cup broccoli florets”, “1 medium carrot, julienned”, “100g snap peas”, “2 tablespoons soy sauce”, “1 tablespoon hoisin sauce”, “1 teaspoon sesame oil”, “2 spring onions, chopped”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add garlic and ginger; saut\u00e9 for 1 minute until fragrant.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add tofu and cook until golden on all sides, about 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add bell pepper, broccoli, carrot, and snap peas; stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil; cook for another 2 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve hot.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “250 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “15 g”, “fatContent”: “12 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “20 g”}}