best vegan recipes for veginners Best Vegan Recipes for Beginners to Try Today

Starting a vegan lifestyle can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re new to plant-based cooking. But the good news is, delicious and simple vegan meals are easier to make than you might think!

Whether you’re motivated by health, ethics, or simply want to try something new, these beginner-friendly vegan recipes will help you build confidence in the kitchen. Packed with wholesome ingredients, straightforward instructions, and flavors that everyone loves, these dishes prove that vegan cooking is not only nutritious but also incredibly satisfying.

In this post, we’ll walk through three of the best vegan recipes for beginners — each designed to be quick, affordable, and utterly delicious. Plus, we’ll share useful tips and variations so you can customize each recipe to your liking.

Get ready to enjoy plant-based meals that are both nourishing and fun to make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These vegan recipes are perfect for beginners because they use simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. The steps are easy to follow, and none of the dishes require complicated cooking techniques or special equipment.

Each recipe is packed with flavor and texture to keep your meals exciting and satisfying.

You’ll also appreciate how versatile these recipes are — feel free to swap out ingredients for what you have on hand or what suits your taste buds. By mastering these basic meals, you’ll build a foundation that makes vegan cooking a breeze.

Plus, they’re healthy, budget-friendly, and perfect for meal prep or quick dinners after a busy day.

Ingredients

Recipe 1: Easy Chickpea Curry

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Recipe 2: Classic Vegan Pasta Salad

• 8 oz rotini pasta (or your favorite shape)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Recipe 3: Simple Vegan Banana Oat Pancakes

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat, etc.)
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (flax egg)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Maple syrup for serving

Equipment

• Large skillet or frying pan
• Medium saucepan
• Mixing bowls
• Blender or food processor (for pancakes)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Spatula
• Colander (for draining pasta and chickpeas)

Instructions

Easy Chickpea Curry

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
3. Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add curry powder and stir well to coat the onion mixture.
5. Pour in diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6. Add chickpeas and coconut milk, stirring to combine. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving. Enjoy with rice or flatbread.

Classic Vegan Pasta Salad

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Add cooled pasta to the bowl along with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, and parsley.
4. Toss everything together until well coated with the dressing.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.

Simple Vegan Banana Oat Pancakes

1. Prepare the flax egg: Mix ground flaxseed with water in a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to thicken.
2. In a blender, combine rolled oats, banana, plant-based milk, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and the flax egg. Blend until smooth batter forms.
3. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease if necessary.
4. Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the skillet.
5. Cook for 3-4 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve warm with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.

Tips & Variations

For the chickpea curry, feel free to add vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or sweet potatoes to boost the nutrition and color.

Try swapping the rotini pasta with gluten-free pasta or spiralized veggies in the pasta salad for a lighter version.

If you don’t have a blender for the pancakes, soak the oats in plant milk for 10-15 minutes and mash the banana well, then mix all ingredients by hand.

These recipes are great starting points that you can customize endlessly. Use your favorite spices, herbs, or sauces to create new flavor profiles.

For example, adding a splash of lemon juice to the pasta salad brightens it up beautifully.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

The Easy Chickpea Curry pairs wonderfully with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread. Add a side of sautéed greens or cucumber raita (vegan yogurt cucumber dip) for a balanced meal.

The Classic Vegan Pasta Salad is perfect as a side dish at picnics or potlucks. You can also make it a full meal by adding some roasted chickpeas or grilled tofu for extra protein.

Simple Vegan Banana Oat Pancakes are an ideal breakfast or brunch option. Top with fresh berries, chopped nuts, or a dollop of coconut yogurt for added texture and flavor.

They also freeze well for quick mornings.

Conclusion

Embarking on a vegan cooking journey is exciting and rewarding, especially when you start with easy, flavorful recipes that build your confidence. These beginner-friendly vegan meals show that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to create nourishing, delicious dishes.

From the comforting warmth of the chickpea curry to the fresh vibrancy of the pasta salad and the wholesome sweetness of banana oat pancakes, these recipes will become staples in your kitchen.

Remember, cooking is about experimentation and joy, so feel free to tweak these recipes to your taste. For more inspiration, check out our Classico Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo Sauce Recipe for a rich vegan pasta sauce, or indulge your sweet tooth with the Cinnamon Pecan Ice Cream Recipe.

And when you want a savory snack, try the Costco Vegan Mushroom Stew Recipe for a hearty treat.

Happy cooking and enjoy every bite of your plant-based adventure!

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