Everyone wants to eat healthier. For some, this includes cutting down or eliminating meat and animal products from their diet, and for others, it means trying new health and wellness products. Many people may think that vegan food — food that is made without animal products, like meat, cheese, and eggs — is bland and boring. But this can’t be further from the truth.
There are plenty of vegan alternatives available for those who want to substitute plant-based meat or cheese in their recipes. And it’s easy to make certain meals, like salads, vegan friendly. There are also a variety of delicious recipes that don’t need any alternatives and are easy to make at home.
1- Vegan Lentil Meatballs
A dish called “meatballs” sounds like it would naturally have meat in it, and most people make meatballs with ground beef, pork, or turkey. But lentils make an excellent plant-based alternative to ground meat. Green lentils that are cooked to tender and mashed can be used in place of ground meat in a recipe like meatballs or meatloaf. Vegan meatballs are easy to customize with herbs and spices like garlic, parsley, oregano, chili powder, and paprika, depending on how they’re going to be served. It’s also easy to use vegan meatballs in a variety of applications, including adding them to tomato sauce for plant-based spaghetti and meatballs and serving on a salad or rice bowl for added protein. Lentil meatballs are a little drier than the meat variety because of the lack of fat in lentils, so serving them with a delicious sauce is a must. These lentil meatballs with vegan gravy from Healthier Steps offer a delicious recipe for vegan meatballs in a creamy sauce.
2- Vegan Sweet Potato & Bean Chili
Many people associate chili with meat, so perhaps it would be more appropriate to call this dish sweet potato and bean stew. It’s easy to make vegan chili. It contains most of the other ingredients that are found in a traditional chili recipe, like beans, tomatoes, onions, and chili powder. Leave out the meat and add a cubed sweet potato for a delicious plant-based alternative to this classic comfort food. Winter vegetables like sweet potatoes not only add heartiness to the dish but also provide essential nutrients, making this chili a perfect choice for a cozy winter evening. Eating Well’s sweet potato and black bean chili recipe provides all the ingredients and steps needed to make this dish.
3- Vegan Pumpkin Pancakes
Pancakes don’t need to be loaded with butter and whipped cream to be a delicious breakfast. Canned pumpkin puree makes a delicious addition to this breakfast staple. With a few other simple adjustments, it’s easy to make pancakes plant-based. Real maple syrup makes a delicious addition to this morning treat. Serve them with fresh fruit and plant-based yogurt for a well-rounded weekend brunch. This recipe for vegan pumpkin pancakes by Vegan Richa also instructs how to freeze these vegan pancakes or make them into a sheet-pan breakfast that can be baked in the oven.
