Chinese Vegetarian Food Recipes With Pictures Made Easy

Chinese vegetarian cuisine offers a delightful blend of vibrant flavors, textures, and colors that can satisfy both vegetarians and those looking to eat more plant-based meals. From crispy spring rolls to savory stir-fries bursting with fresh vegetables and fragrant spices, these recipes bring the essence of traditional Chinese cooking without the use of meat.

Whether you are a seasoned home cook or a kitchen novice, exploring Chinese vegetarian recipes is a fantastic way to enjoy wholesome, nutritious dishes that are both filling and delicious.

In this post, we’ll dive into some mouthwatering Chinese vegetarian food recipes, complete with pictures and tips to make your cooking experience smooth and enjoyable. These recipes highlight easy-to-find ingredients and simple techniques that bring authentic flavors right to your table.

Plus, we’ll link you to some other exciting recipes to expand your culinary repertoire!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chinese vegetarian recipes are incredibly versatile and packed with nutrition. They allow you to enjoy the classic tastes of Chinese cooking without compromising your dietary preferences.

These dishes are perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or even meal prepping for the week. You’ll love how quick and easy they are to prepare, yet they deliver rich layers of flavor through fresh vegetables, tofu, and aromatic sauces.

Moreover, these recipes are highly adaptable, so you can swap ingredients based on what you have available. Whether you crave something spicy, sweet, or tangy, Chinese vegetarian cooking offers a delightful variety to keep your meals exciting and satisfying.

Ingredients

• Firm tofu – 400g, cubed
• Fresh broccoli florets – 2 cups
• Carrots – 1 large, thinly sliced
• Bell peppers – 1 medium, sliced (red or yellow)
• Snow peas – 1 cup
• Green onions – 3, chopped
• Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
• Fresh ginger – 1 tablespoon, minced
• Soy sauce – 3 tablespoons
• Sesame oil – 1 tablespoon
• Vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons
• Rice wine vinegar – 1 tablespoon
• Toasted sesame seeds – 1 teaspoon (optional garnish)
• Cornstarch – 1 teaspoon (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
• Water or vegetable broth – 1/4 cup
• Cooked jasmine rice or noodles – for serving

Equipment

• Wok or large non-stick skillet
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Serving plates

Instructions

1. Prepare the tofu: Drain the tofu and press it for 15 minutes to remove excess water. Then cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Heat vegetable oil in the wok: Place the wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove tofu and set aside.
3. Sauté aromatics: In the same wok, add minced garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add vegetables: Toss in the broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and snow peas. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
5. Make sauce: Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and vegetable broth or water. Pour sauce over the vegetables in the wok.
6. Add cornstarch slurry: Slowly add the cornstarch mixed with water to the wok while stirring constantly to thicken the sauce.
7. Return tofu to wok: Gently fold the tofu back into the vegetables and sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes to heat through.
8. Finish and garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds over the stir-fry. Serve hot over cooked jasmine rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the tofu in soy sauce and a bit of grated ginger for 15 minutes before frying.

Feel free to swap vegetables with mushrooms, baby corn, or bok choy depending on what’s in season or your preference.

Try using tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.

For a spicy kick, add sliced fresh chili or a dash of chili flakes while stir-frying.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This Chinese vegetarian stir-fry pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or your favorite noodles for a complete meal. For a light side, consider a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

You can also serve it alongside vegetarian spring rolls or a hot and sour soup to create a full Chinese-inspired feast.

For more delicious vegetarian recipes that complement this dish, check out our Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe and Passover Zucchini Kugel Recipe. These bring fresh and unique flavors that balance perfectly with Chinese-style stir-fries.

Additional Chinese Vegetarian Recipes to Try

Vegetarian Mapo Tofu

A classic Sichuan dish transformed into a vegetarian delight. Silky tofu is cooked in a spicy, numbing sauce made from chili bean paste, garlic, and fermented black beans.

This recipe uses mushrooms to add texture and umami.

Ingredients

• 400g soft tofu, cubed
• 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons chili bean paste (doubanjiang)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a wok and sauté garlic, ginger, and mushrooms until fragrant.
2. Add chili bean paste and stir for 1 minute to release flavors.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and soy sauce, then gently add tofu cubes.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes, carefully stirring to avoid breaking tofu.
5. Add cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce.
6. Sprinkle ground Sichuan peppercorns and green onions before serving with steamed rice.

Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls

A crispy, golden appetizer filled with colorful julienned vegetables and glass noodles. These spring rolls are vegan-friendly and perfect for dipping in a sweet chili sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup cooked glass noodles, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped shiitake mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Spring roll wrappers
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. Sauté garlic, mushrooms, cabbage, and carrots until slightly softened. Stir in glass noodles and soy sauce.
2. Cool the filling, then place a spoonful on each spring roll wrapper.
3. Roll tightly, sealing edges with water.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan and fry spring rolls until golden and crisp.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve with dipping sauce.

Buddha’s Delight (Lo Han Jai)

A classic Buddhist vegetarian dish full of variety and symbolism. It combines tofu, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and other vegetables braised in a flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup firm tofu, cubed and fried
• 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
• 1/2 cup snow peas
• 1/2 cup baby corn
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster mushroom sauce (vegetarian)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a wok and sauté the mushrooms and bamboo shoots for 3 minutes.
2. Add baby corn, snow peas, and fried tofu, stir-fry for another 3 minutes.
3. Mix soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, sugar, and broth, pour over the vegetables.
4. Cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes until flavors meld.
5. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Curious to explore more unique vegetarian dishes? Check out our Peda Recipe Ricotta Cheese for a sweet treat or the Personalized Recipe Book Stand to organize your cooking adventures.

Conclusion

Chinese vegetarian recipes are a wonderful way to enjoy authentic flavors while embracing a plant-based lifestyle. These dishes are not only easy to make but also packed with nutrients and vibrant tastes that can please any palate.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends, these recipes offer delicious meal options that are both wholesome and satisfying.

With a variety of stir-fries, spring rolls, and classic dishes like Buddha’s Delight and Mapo Tofu, you can bring the essence of Chinese cuisine into your kitchen without meat. Remember to experiment with your favorite vegetables and sauces to customize the dishes to your liking.

Happy cooking!

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