50 5 Ingredient Vegan Recipes for Quick Healthy Meals

Updated On: October 4, 2025

Discover the magic of simplicity with our curated collection of 50 5-ingredient vegan recipes. Whether you’re new to plant-based cooking or simply pressed for time, these recipes prove that delicious, wholesome meals don’t require a long list of complicated ingredients.

From hearty mains to light snacks and satisfying desserts, each recipe is designed to be easy, quick, and budget-friendly without compromising on flavor. With just five key ingredients, you can whip up vibrant dishes that nourish your body and delight your taste buds.

Embrace the beauty of minimalism in your kitchen and enjoy the freedom it brings. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or when you want to impress guests with simple yet impressive vegan fare.

Plus, they highlight the versatility of plant-based ingredients, inspiring you to get creative with what you have on hand. Let’s dive into this flavorful journey of easy vegan cooking!

Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These 5-ingredient vegan recipes are a game changer for anyone looking to eat healthy without fuss. The short ingredient lists mean less shopping and prep time, making them ideal for beginners and experts alike.

Simple, quick, and nutritious, these recipes focus on whole foods and bold flavors. They prove that vegan cooking can be effortless yet satisfying, perfect for busy lifestyles or anyone wanting to reduce meat consumption.

With minimal ingredients, each dish highlights the natural taste and texture of plant-based foods, ensuring every bite is fresh and vibrant.

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas – a versatile protein-packed legume
  • Avocado – creamy healthy fats and richness
  • Quinoa – a gluten-free grain high in protein
  • Spinach – nutrient-dense leafy green
  • Sweet potatoes – naturally sweet and filling
  • Tomatoes – ripe and juicy for freshness
  • Garlic – adds depth and aroma
  • Olive oil – essential for cooking and flavor
  • Lemon juice – brightens and balances flavors
  • Tofu – a plant-based protein staple
  • Black beans – hearty and fiber-rich
  • Brown rice – wholesome and satisfying grain
  • Oats – perfect for breakfast or baking
  • Bananas – natural sweetness and binding agent
  • Maple syrup – pure vegan sweetener
  • Peanut butter – creamy and flavorful protein source
  • Coconut milk – rich and creamy base for soups and desserts
  • Bell peppers – colorful and crunchy
  • Frozen berries – antioxidant-packed and sweet
  • Whole wheat pasta – a fiber-rich pasta alternative

Equipment

  • Cutting board and sharp knife
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Medium saucepan or pot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Blender or food processor (for some recipes)
  • Baking sheet (for roasted dishes)
  • Colander or strainer
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Serving plates or bowls

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients. Rinse grains like quinoa or rice under cold water. Chop vegetables and press tofu if required.
  2. Cook grains or legumes. Bring quinoa, rice, or beans to a boil in water, then simmer until tender (usually 15-20 minutes).
  3. Sauté or roast vegetables. Heat olive oil in a skillet or oven-roast sweet potatoes and bell peppers to bring out their natural sweetness.
  4. Combine ingredients. Mix cooked grains, legumes, and vegetables with fresh ingredients like spinach or avocado.
  5. Add seasoning. Use lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor.
  6. Serve immediately. Enjoy your dish warm or chilled, depending on the recipe.
  7. Store leftovers. Keep any extra portions in airtight containers for up to 3 days.

Tips & Variations

“For more texture, add toasted nuts or seeds as toppings. Experiment with herbs like cilantro, basil, or parsley to keep flavors fresh and exciting.”

Swap out grains depending on what you have: millet, couscous, or barley work well in many recipes. Feel free to adjust the heat by adding chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

To boost protein, include hemp seeds or nutritional yeast. For creamy dressings, blend avocado with lemon juice and garlic.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (approx.)
Calories 250-350 kcal
Protein 8-12 g
Carbohydrates 40-50 g
Fiber 6-9 g
Fats 7-12 g (mostly healthy fats)
Vitamins & Minerals Rich in vitamin A, C, iron, and potassium

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy these dishes as standalone meals or pair them with fresh salads, crusty bread, or your favorite vegan dips. For a complete dinner, serve a roasted vegetable bowl alongside a simple green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.

Many recipes can be adapted for meal prep or packed as lunch boxes. They also work well as side dishes for larger gatherings or potlucks.

For breakfast ideas, try our Breakfast Wellington Recipe. Interested in hearty vegan pasta?

Check out the Blackstone Lo Mein Recipes for inspiration.

50 5 Ingredient Vegan Recipes

Chickpea Salad with Avocado

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  1. In a bowl, combine chickpeas, avocado, and tomatoes.
  2. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Toss gently.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled.

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 8 small corn tortillas
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and cumin.
  2. Roast sweet potatoes for 25 minutes until tender.
  3. Warm black beans and tortillas in a pan.
  4. Assemble tacos by layering sweet potatoes and black beans on tortillas.
  5. Serve with salsa or avocado if desired.

Quinoa & Spinach Stir-Fry

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute).
  3. Add spinach and sauté until wilted.
  4. Stir in quinoa and soy sauce; cook for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Serve warm as a quick meal or side dish.

Creamy Coconut Banana Smoothie

  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup frozen berries
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

Tofu & Bell Pepper Stir Fry

  • 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed
  • 2 bell peppers, sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add tofu cubes and cook until golden brown on all sides.
  3. Add garlic and sliced bell peppers; sauté for 5 minutes.
  4. Pour in soy sauce and stir to coat everything evenly.
  5. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Black Bean & Corn Salsa

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  1. In a bowl, combine black beans, corn, and tomatoes.
  2. Add lime juice and cilantro, stir gently.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Oat & Peanut Butter Energy Balls

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
  2. Roll mixture into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Avocado & Tomato Toast

  • 2 slices whole grain bread, toasted
  • 1 ripe avocado, mashed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  1. Spread mashed avocado evenly on toasted bread.
  2. Top with cherry tomatoes.
  3. Drizzle olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve immediately for a healthy breakfast or snack.

Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
  2. Add sweet potatoes and sauté for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add chickpeas and coconut milk, bring to a simmer.
  5. Cook for 15-20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
  6. Serve over rice or with naan bread.

Spinach & Tomato Pasta

  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté garlic until fragrant.
  3. Add tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  4. Stir in spinach until wilted.
  5. Toss pasta with the tomato-spinach mixture and serve.

Conclusion

Embracing simple, 5-ingredient vegan recipes is a wonderful way to enjoy wholesome meals without feeling overwhelmed. These dishes showcase how plant-based cooking can be accessible, quick, and delicious.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, these recipes offer flexibility and flavor with minimal effort.

Remember, the beauty of vegan cooking lies in its creativity and adaptability. Feel free to mix and match ingredients based on your preferences and pantry staples.

For more inspiration, check out our other favorites like the Blackstone Lo Mein Recipes or try a sweet treat from our 50 Cupcake Recipes collection.

Happy cooking and enjoy the ease and joy of simple vegan meals!

📖 Recipe Card: 50 5 Ingredient Vegan Recipes

Description: A collection of simple, delicious vegan recipes using only five ingredients each. Perfect for quick, healthy meals with minimal prep.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT45M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add cumin and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add black beans and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Mix in cooked quinoa and cherry tomatoes, cook for 3 more minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and gently fold in diced avocado.
  6. Season with salt and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 45 g

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “50 5 Ingredient Vegan Recipes”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A collection of simple, delicious vegan recipes using only five ingredients each. Perfect for quick, healthy meals with minimal prep.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups cooked quinoa”, “1 can black beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved”, “1 avocado, diced”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 teaspoon cumin”, “Salt to taste”, “Fresh cilantro for garnish”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add cumin and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add black beans and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix in cooked quinoa and cherry tomatoes, cook for 3 more minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from heat and gently fold in diced avocado.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “350 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45 g”}}

Photo of author

Marta K

Leave a Comment

X