Simple Vegan Recipes 5 Ingredients or Less for Quick Meals

Updated On: October 4, 2025

Eating vegan doesn’t have to be complicated or require a long list of ingredients. In fact, some of the best and most flavorful vegan meals come from just a handful of simple ingredients.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a beginner cook, or just looking to keep your meals effortless and wholesome, simple vegan recipes with 5 ingredients or less are perfect for you. These recipes prove that delicious, nutritious, and satisfying meals don’t need to be time-consuming or complicated.

Plus, they allow the natural flavors of each ingredient to shine through, making every bite a delight.

In this post, I’ll share several easy vegan recipes that require minimal ingredients but deliver maximum taste and nutrition. You’ll find ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks that anyone can whip up quickly.

So grab your favorite kitchen tools and let’s get cooking with these effortless, plant-based dishes!

Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simplicity meets flavor in these vegan recipes, designed to minimize prep time and ingredient hunting. They are perfect for those who want to eat healthily without sacrificing taste or spending hours in the kitchen.

Using fewer ingredients not only saves money but also reduces food waste, making your cooking eco-friendlier and more sustainable.

Each recipe is crafted to highlight the natural freshness and texture of the ingredients, making your meals vibrant and wholesome. These dishes are great for weeknight dinners, quick lunches, or even last-minute guests.

Plus, they’re versatile enough to customize with your favorite herbs and spices, so you can make them your own.

Ingredients

  • Chickpeas (canned or cooked) – 1 can (15 oz)
  • Avocado – 1 ripe
  • Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup
  • Spinach leaves – 2 cups fresh
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Spoon or fork for mashing
  • Salad serving bowl or plate
  • Measuring spoons

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Place them in the mixing bowl.
  2. Mash the avocado</strong with a fork until creamy but still slightly chunky.
  3. Add the avocado to the chickpeas and gently mix until combined.
  4. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add to the bowl.
  5. Toss in the fresh spinach leaves and drizzle the olive oil over the mixture.
  6. Gently fold all ingredients together until evenly coated with olive oil.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste (optional). Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Want to add more flavor? Squeeze fresh lemon juice or sprinkle smoked paprika for an extra zing!

You can swap out spinach for kale or arugula for a peppery note. For crunch, add toasted nuts or seeds.

This recipe is also fantastic as a sandwich filling or served on whole grain toast for a hearty breakfast or lunch.

For a Mexican twist, add a pinch of cumin and chopped cilantro. Or try mixing in some diced red onion or bell peppers for extra texture and color.

The beauty of these simple recipes is their flexibility!

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Calories 250
Protein 8g
Fat 15g (mostly healthy fats)
Carbohydrates 22g
Fiber 9g
Sodium 200mg (from canned chickpeas)

Serving Suggestions

This simple chickpea and avocado salad pairs beautifully with warm pita bread or as a topping for your favorite grain bowl. It can also be served alongside roasted vegetables or as a filling for lettuce wraps for a light, refreshing meal.

For an easy snack, try serving it with crunchy vegetable sticks like carrots or cucumber. If you want to turn it into a full meal, add quinoa or brown rice on the side.

Looking for more simple vegan recipe ideas? Check out these favorites:

More Simple Vegan Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos

  • Sweet potatoes – 2 medium, peeled and diced
  • Black beans – 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • Corn tortillas – 6 small
  • Avocado – 1 ripe, sliced
  • Taco seasoning – 1 tablespoon
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss sweet potatoes with taco seasoning and a little oil, then roast for 20 minutes.
  2. Warm tortillas in a pan or oven.
  3. Fill tortillas with roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and sliced avocado.
  4. Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

  • Banana – 1 large, frozen
  • Peanut butter – 2 tablespoons
  • Almond milk – 1 cup (or any plant milk)
  • Maple syrup – 1 teaspoon (optional)
  • Ice cubes – 3-4
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

Garlic Roasted Broccoli

  • Broccoli florets – 4 cups
  • Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
  • Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Black pepper – to taste
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss broccoli with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, until tender and slightly crispy.
  4. Serve warm as a side or snack.

Cucumber & Tomato Salad

  • Cucumber – 1 large, diced
  • Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup, halved
  • Red onion – 1/4 small, thinly sliced
  • Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
  • Fresh basil – a few leaves, chopped
  1. Combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a bowl.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently.
  3. Sprinkle fresh basil on top and serve chilled.

Baked Sweet Potato with Tahini Drizzle

  • Sweet potato – 1 large
  • Tahini – 2 tablespoons
  • Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
  • Maple syrup – 1 teaspoon
  • Chopped parsley – for garnish
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prick sweet potato with a fork and bake for 45-50 minutes until soft.
  3. Mix tahini, lemon juice, and maple syrup to make a drizzle sauce.
  4. Slice open baked sweet potato, drizzle with tahini sauce, and garnish with parsley.

Conclusion

Simple vegan recipes with 5 ingredients or less are a fantastic way to enjoy wholesome, tasty meals without the stress of complicated cooking. They allow anyone to embrace a plant-based lifestyle whether you’re short on time, ingredients, or cooking skills.

These dishes highlight the beauty of fresh, natural ingredients and how easy it is to transform them into nourishing meals.

By focusing on simplicity, you not only save time and money but also get to experiment with flavors and textures that satisfy your palate. Don’t forget to explore more vegan recipes like the Vegetable Alfredo Recipes for Creamy, Healthy Dinners or the comforting Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating.

And if you want to master a creamy classic, the Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes is a must-try!

Happy cooking and enjoy your simple, delicious, and nutritious vegan meals!

📖 Recipe Card: Simple Vegan Chickpea Salad

Description: A quick and easy vegan chickpea salad with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or side dish.

Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT0M
Total Time: PT10M

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  4. Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition: Calories: 280 | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Carbs: 34g

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Photo of author

Marta K

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