100 Plant-First Recipes

Modified: Sep 14, 2024 | Published: Sep 1, 2024 | by cookingwithelo | This post may contain affiliate links | Leave a Comment

I've taken on an ambitious challenge! Over the next 100 days, I'll be sharing a plant-first recipe with you every single day.

My goal? To inspire you to add more veggies, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds to your meals for a healthy and varied diet.

You can find all the recipes published so far below, and follow along daily on Instagram, where I'll be sharing videos of each recipe in action.

1

Millet salad with mango and corn in a white bowl on a white marble board.

Mango Millet Salad

This mango millet salad with a hint of curry makes an incredible summer salad. Serve it as a side dish for BBQs or add in some chickpeas to serve it for lunch.

2

Dark green chimichurri with red pepper flakes in a white ceramic bowl.

Parsley Chimichurri Recipe

This parsley chimichurri is a true flavor-boosting sauce for salads, sandwiches, roasted veggies, and any type of protein.

3

White bowl filled with roasted veggies, falafel, a green chimichurri sauce, and pink pickled onions.

Chimichurri Bowl

This flavor-packed chimichurri bowl with roasted veggies, millet and falafels is perfect for meal-prepping and makes a great plant-based lunch or dinner.

4

Bright green avocado pesto with basil in a white ceramic bowl.

Super Creamy Vegan Avocado Pesto

This incredibly creamy vegan avocado pesto with basil and cilantro comes together in a food processor and makes a quick vegan dinner.

5

Lemon poppy seed overnight oats topped with yogurt and a lemon slice.

Lemon Poppy Seed Overnight Oats

These overnight oats taste like your favorite lemon poppy seed cake but make a nutritious vegan breakfast.

6

Giant spring rolls stuffed with cucumber, carrots, cabbage, and tofu.

Giant Spring Rolls With Tofu

These giant spring rolls with tofu and veggies are like a cross between a rice noodle salad and a sandwich. Perfect for lunch with a peanut dipping sauce.

7

Silken tofu omelette folded in half in a ceramic plate with spinach and tomatoes on the side.

Silken Tofu Omelette (Vegan)

Silken tofu omelette makes a scrumptious breakfast. It is soft, flexible and actually tastes like eggs thanks to the addition of black salt!

8

Penne in a green sauce with small pieces of zucchini in a white bowl.

Creamy Vegan Zucchini Pasta

This vegan zucchini pasta sauce is the perfect summer dish with a creamy texture from cashew butter and a cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast.

9

Spoon in a glass jar with cashew parmesan.

Vegan Cashew Parmesan Alternative

This vegan cashew parmesan cheese alternative made with cashew, salt and nutritional yeast is perfect to sprinkle over pasta. The white pepper adds some complexity that makes this recipe irresitible.

10

Two slices of bread with a green spread on a beige ceramic plate.

Edamame Sandwich Spread

This edamame spread with avocado is like an elevated avocado toast. It's made with edamame beans, peas, and hemp seeds for a variety of plants.

11

Marinated tofu feta cubes in a glass jar.

Tofu Feta Recipe (Marinated Raw Tofu)

This tofu feta recipe makes the ultimate vegan feta cheese for all your Mediterranean bowls and salads. It's briny, zesty, and full of flavor.

12

White bowl with cooked rice, zucchini, lentil, chickpeas, and a yellow sauce.

Curried Zucchini Stew

This curried zucchini stew with lemon is made with only 9 ingredients and comes together in 1 pot. It's an easy plant-based weeknight dinner and great for meal prep.

13

Orange paella rice in a large black pan with red peppers, green peas, and lemon wedges.

Vegan Paella (Without Seafood)

This vegan paella uses a veggie sofrito as the base, is packed with smokey flavors that remind of chorizo, and heart of palm for a seafood-like texture.

14

Crispy golden granola with a milk in a grey bowl.

Easy Applesauce Granola

This easy applesauce granola is made with simple, affordable ingredients and has a delicate apple and vanilla flavor. Plus, it's naturally vegan and gluten-free.

15

Two stuffed red peppers in a white bowl with tomato sauce at the bottom.

Rice And Tofu Stuffed Peppers

These rice and tofu stuffed peppers make an easy plant-based dinner. They only take 35 minutes to make by precooking the peppers while making the stuffing.

16

Cocoa energy balls with sea salt on top on a speckled white plate.

Healthy Fig Energy Balls

These healthy fig and cocoa energy balls make the most incredible, meal-prep-friendly snack.

17

Fruit salad with orange and strawberries in a small glass jar.

Signature Fruit Salad With Mint

This summer fruit salad with mint combines sweet, tangy, juicy, and crunchy fruits for the best flavors and texture.

18

Rectangular pieces of crispbread on a beige ceramic plate.

Multi-Seed Crispbread Recipe (Gluten-Free)

This homemade crispbread recipe with sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds is a great gluten-free alternative to regular bread. You can eat them with your favorite spreads or dipped in a bowl of soup.

19

Shallow white plate with spaghetti in a cherry tomato pasta sauce topped with basil.

Tahini Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

This incredibly creamy cherry tomato sauce uses tahini instead of heavy cream to make it vegan and comes together in just 15 minutes.

20

Hand holding a slice of sunflower seed bread.

Sunflower Seed Bread

This sunflower seed bread is naturally gluten-free, packed with 5 different seeds, and made without flour. No kneading or rising required.

21

White bowl with cashew fried rice, scallions, and sesame seeds.

Vegan Cashew Fried Rice

This vegan fried rice is made without eggs and packed with roasted cashews for some rich and nutty flavors. It comes together in 1 pan for an easy weeknight meal.

22

Stack of pancakes topped with strawberries, where a piece is missing.

Silken Tofu Pancakes

These high-protein silken tofu pancakes are just as juicy and fluffy as regular pancakes but made with vegan and gluten-free ingredients.

23

Vegan bagel sliced open with vegan cream cheese.

Vegan Gluten-Free Bagels (No Yeast)

You won't believe how easy it is to make homemade vegan and gluten-free bagels that are naturally yeast-free! No boiling or deep-frying involved!

24

TVP meatballs in a pan with marinara sauce and garnished with basil.

TVP Meatballs

These high-protein plant-based meatballs have an incredibly meaty texture and are packed with 25 grams of protein per serving.

25

Hand holding a vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with salt.

Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (No Chill)

These no-chill vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies made with oat flour and almond flour come together in one bowl and are ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect to satisfy all your cookie cravings.

26

Dark brown chocolate smoothie with some air bubbles on top and chocolate shavings.

Silken Tofu Smoothie (High-Protein, Vegan)

This decadent chocolate smoothie with silken tofu has an incredibly creamy texture and 22 gram of protein per serving. No, you don't taste the tofu!

27

30-Minute Vegan Sweet And Sour Tofu

Easy vegan sweet and sour tofu recipe that's ready in 30 minutes and taste delicious over rice. It's made with a healthy sweet and sour sauce that uses pineapple juice.

28

Falafel wrap topped with cherry tomatoes, tahini sauce, and pickled onion on a beige plate.

Smashed Falafel Wraps

Smashed wraps may be the quickest way to make a delicious falafel wrap. Two of these smashed falafel wraps contain a heaping 20 grams of plant protein!

29

Light brown energy balls topped with sea salt on a white ceramic plate.

Easy Energy Balls With Dates

This easy energy balls recipe made with Medjool dates, oats, and almonds is one you want to save to make again and again. It's the perfect mid-day snack that gives you an extra boost of energy.

30

Bright orange, creamy red pepper stew in a cast-iron braiser.

White Bean And Red Pepper Stew

This creamy pepper stew with white beans and baby spinach makes a cozy plant-based dinner. You can easily make it ahead for busy weeknights.

31

Whipped tofu on two slices of toast.

Whipped Silken Tofu

This creamy, tangy whipped tofu enhanced with lemon zest and olive oil is the perfect vegan alternative to whipped feta for your aperitifs and snack plates.

32

Bright orange tomato flavored tofu sausages on a beige plate lined with parchment paper.

Tomato Tofu Sausages

These tomato-flavored tofu sausages make an easy plant-based meat alternative. You can serve them as a main or add them to bowls, salads, or wraps.

33

Tofu planks with grill marks on a white oval dish covered with a brown sauce and green herbs.

Soy Sauce Marinated Tofu

This soy sauce-marinated tofu is sweet, salty, zingy, and spicy, all at the same time. It tastes amazing over plain white rice with a side of veggies.

34

Spaghetti in a creamy light orange tomato sauce topped with basil.

Vegan Roasted Tomato Sauce With Silken Tofu

This roasted tomato sauce is packed with rich tomato flavor and caramelized shallots. The addition of silken tofu makes it even creamier while adding an extra boost of plant-based protein.

35

Stack of cinnamon swirl pancakes.

Banana Cinnamon Pancakes

These banana cinnamon swirl pancakes are an easy, plant-based twist on traditional banana pancakes, featuring almond butter and maple syrup for the swirl and making a decadent breakfast.

36

White bowl with white rice, broccoli, and red chilli slices in a green sauce.

Easy Broccoli Baked Tofu Curry

This simple green curry with baked tofu and broccoli makes a great plant-based dinner that you can easily make ahead of time.

37

Stack of quinoa tortillas with three tortillas rolled on top.

Quinoa Tortilla Wraps

These 2-ingredient quinoa wraps are super pliable, great for veggie wraps, and make perfect tortillas for tacos. Plus they are naturally gluten-free!

38

Butter lettuce leave filled with a soya mince, carrots, red peppers and green onion filling.

Butter Lettuce Wraps (With Soya Mince)

This is a vegan take on Asian butter lettuce wraps with soya mince (textured vegetable protein) and an extra portion of veggies.

39

A glass of orange mango smoothie topped with a dash or ground turmeric, 3 mango chunks, 3 ginger slices and a small cinnamon stick.

Golden Milk Mango Breakfast Smoothie

This mango breakfast smoothie combines the freshness of mango with a golden milk latte! It's a real energy booster made with turmeric and ginger.

40

Crispy golden oats and sunflower seed granola in a white skillet.

10-Minute Skillet Granola

You can whip up this quick gluten-free skillet granola in just 10 minutes on the stovetop using a pan or skillet. No oven needed.

41

Fork taking pink pickled red cabbage out of a glass jar.

Quick Pickled Red Cabbage

Quick pickled red cabbage adds the perfect amount of crunch and tang to your grain bowls, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, and burgers.

42

Shredded BBQ jackfruit in a burger bun with lettuce at the bottom and pickled red cabbage on top.

Jackfruit Burger

This easy vegan BBQ pulled jackfruit burger requires only 6 main ingredients. No grating, shredding, or patty shaping involved.

43

Spaghetti in a hummus and spinach sauce topped with lemon zest and black pepper.

15-Minute Hummus Pasta

This creamy. vegan hummus pasta with lemon and spinach ready in just 15 minutes is your go-to meal for busy weeknights.

44

Chickpeas in a creamy red sauce topped with cilantro in a black cast-iron skillet.

10-Minute Harissa Chickpeas

These spicy, smokey, and creamy harissa chickpeas with tahini are made with pantry ingredients only for a quick vegan meal. You can eat them with toasted bread or as part of a grain bowl or a meal.

45

Sliced cinnamon banana bread with a cinnamon swirl in the middle.

Banana Bread Without Butter

This cinnamon swirl banana bread uses almond butter instead of butter, and oat flour instead of all-purpose flour. It's incredibly moist and makes a great snack or dessert.

46

White bowl filled with a rainbow colored salad and tortilla chips on the side.

Rainbow Veggie Chopped Salad

A fresh, colorful, and plant-packed salad with rainbow veggies, quinoa, and hummus that you can scoop with tortilla chips! Great for sharing or meal prep.

47

Bottle pouring homemade cashew milk into a glass.

Homemade Vanilla Cashew Milk (No-Strain)

This easy vanilla cashew milk is smooth, naturally sweetened with dates, and requires no straining, making it the perfect quick and creamy plant-based milk alternative. Use it in coffee, smoothies, or your morning cereals.

48

30-Minutes Vegan Lentil Bolognese

Quick and easy vegan lentil bolognese that tastes amazing on spaghetti. It's one of my favorite 30 minutes dinner and vegan pasta sauce recipes! There's no chopping required as you can simply do that in a blender, food processor or food chopper.

49

Peanut Butter Jelly Baked Oatmeal

These peanut butter jelly baked oats taste like your favorite PB&J sandwich but are way more nutritious and perfect to meal prep breakfast for the entire week.

50

Vegan Smash Burger Tacos

This easy vegan smash burger wrap recipe uses kidney beans and tortilla wraps for a quick and easy alternative to plant-based burgers.

51

Deep brown protein shake topped with two banana slices and hemps seeds.

Vegan Banana Protein Shake

This vegan banana protein shake made with plant-based protein powder and hemp seeds is a great snack, pre-workout, or post-workout drink.

52

Golden brown apple crumbles with three scoops vanilla ice cream on top.

Vegan Gluten-Free Apple Crumble

This apple crumble is an easy vegan and gluten-free dessert made with a homemade gluten-free flour blend and juicy apples.

53

White bowl with quinoa, roasted fall vegetables, and chickpeas with a creamy light brown dressing.

Quinoa Fall Harvest Bowl

This vegan fall harvest bowl with the best creamy balsamic dressing is the ultimate fall meal prep. It's made with just 2 sheet pans and 15 minutes of prep time.

54

High-rise glass filled with a bright orange pumpkin smoothie and topped with yogurt and cinnamon.

Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Smoothie (No Banana)

This healthy pumpkin pie breakfast smoothie tastes like a fall dessert but is packed with nourishing ingredients for a filling breakfast.

55

Dried Fruit Bread

This dried fruit bread made with oats and seeds is a no-knead bread that's naturally gluten-free and great for breakfast and snacks. Plus, it only requires 10 minutes of active prep time.

56

Two wraps filled with sautéed oyster mushrooms and topped with red onion and green parsley.

Oyster Mushroom Gyros (Vegan)

These oyster mushroom gyros made with shredded mushrooms make a speedy, plant-based dinner with all the satisfying flavors of a classic gyro.

57

Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry

This sweet potato chickpea curry is the ultimate plant-based comfort food. It's aromatic, a tiny bit spicy, healthy, and filling!

58

Creamy butter beans in an orange pumpkin sauce in a skillet with 3 slices of baguette.

Cheesy Pumpkin Beans Recipe (Vegan)

These cheesy, creamy pumpkin beans on toasted bread make a speedy 10-minute fall dinner with 31g of plant-based protein!

59

Persimmon Chocolate Parfait

This persimmon chocolate parfait is a luscious, naturally thickened dessert made primarily from blended persimmons with a silky melt-in-your-mouth texture.

60

Caesar Roasted Brussels Sprouts (Vegan)

This is hands down the best way to eat Brussels sprouts: roasted in the oven and tossed with a rich, tangy, and briny. You can serve them warm or cold.

61

Grey ceramic bowl with bircher muesli topped with sliced apple, nut butter, a cinnamon stick, and a star anise.

Overnight Bircher Muesli Recipe (Vegan, Gluten-free)

This overnight bircher muesli recipe has the perfect ratio of apples, oats, and milk. It’s a really good option for healthy meal prep as it lasts up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

62

Warm quinoa salad with sweet potatoes

This warm quinoa salad with oven-roasted sweet potatoes and hummus dressing is perfect for a cozy (but healthy) dinner.

63

Yellow hummus dressing Yellow hummus dressing dripping from a spoon into a glass Weck jar.

Quinoa Bowl Dressing

This simple quinoa bowl dressing pairs incredibly well with many types of protein and toppings. It enhances the flavor of your bowls without being overpowering.

64

Spaghetti tossed in a creamy mushroom sauce in a white bowl.

Vegan Mushroom Pasta (No Cream)

This quick vegan mushroom pasta recipe uses cashew butter as a plant-based alternative to heavy cream to create a rich and creamy vegan sauce without any dairy.

65

Fruit salad with tangerines and pomegranate in a small glass jar.

Fall Fruit Salad Recipe With Pomegranate

This vibrant fall fruit salad combines crisp apples, juicy plums, and sweet persimmons with pomegranate seeds and a hint of cinnamon for a cozy, seasonal twist on traditional fruit salad.

66

Orange-colored red lentil wraps arrange in a circle.

2-Ingredient Red Lentil Wraps (High-Protein)

These red lentil wraps made with 2 ingredients are super flexible and great for lunches. They are high in protein, vegan and gluten-free.

67

Vegan Butternut Squash Risotto (No Cheese)

This extremely creamy vegan butternut squash risotto is loaded with veggies, healthier than your regular risotto and made without butter or cream.

68

Bright yellow rice with cauliflower, chickpeas, and parsley in a white ceramic bowl.

1-Pan Lemon Rice Pilaf With Cauliflower

This vibrant 1-pan lemon rice pilaf is a vegan meal prep-friendly dinner option that’s packed with tender cauliflower and chickpeas.

69

Light brown energy balls with pieces of nuts shining through on a white plate.

Apple Cinnamon Energy Balls

These apple cinnamon energy balls taste like apple pie in a bite-sized snack and are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up during fall.

70

Creamy chocolate porridge topped with banana slices and chopped dark chocolate.

Chocolate Banana Porridge

This creamy vegan chocolate banana porridge will save the morning when you're out of your regular staples but need a quick breakfast.

71

White bowl of tagliatelle in a shiny dark red cabbage sauce.

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Pasta

This simple vegan unstuffed cabbage roll pasta combines savory walnuts and tofu in a rich, hearty sauce for a comforting, plant-based meal.

72

3-Ingredient Banana Oat Cookies

The healthy 3-ingredient banana oat cookies are exactly what you need when those sweet cravings hit. You can mix them up in a matter of 2 minutes.

73

Light red bouillon-style soup with pieces of cabbage, carrots, and potatoes in a beige ceramic bowl.

Tomato Cabbage Soup

This tomato cabbage soup with chunky veggies and sun-dried tomatoes will make you love savoy cabbage and is perfect for a light winter dinner.

74

3-Ingredient Buckwheat Galette (Gluten Free, Vegan)

These savory buckwheat galettes are made with only 3 ingredients and are naturally gluten-free. They are served with creamy mushrooms and caramelized onions for a vegan version.

75

White bowl with vegan TVP chili, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips.

Best TVP Chili (Soya Mince)

This protein-packed TVP chili with vegan mince is as close to traditional chili as it gets. The best part is that it's super meal prep- and freezer-friendly.

76

Creamy pink porridge topped with frozen raspberries in a grey ceramic bowl.

Easy 10-Minute Raspberry Porridge

This quick and easy vegan raspberry porridge is made with pantry staples and frozen raspberries for a quick and satisfying breakfast ready in under 10 minutes.

77

Orange cauliflower dal with white rice, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro in a beige ceramic bowl.

1-Pot Red Lentil Cauliflower Dahl

Cauliflower dal is the perfect meal prep-friendly dinner and has its flavors from a warming spice mix called garam masala.

78

Millet couscous with chickpeas, carrot, zucchini, and bell pepper.

Millet Couscous (Moroccan-Inspired)

This warming millet couscous is bursting with vegetables and 100% gluten-free. It's an easy 1-pot recipe that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and is super meal-prepping friendly.

79

Black bean burger patties in a hamburger bun with a knife stuck in the top bun.

4-Ingredient Black Bean Burger

This 4-ingredient black bean burger recipe is the easiest veggie burger recipe out there! It comes together in a food processor in 10 minutes.

80

Vegan potato casserole garnished with cilantro in a grey casserole dish.

Vegan Potato Casserole (Frittata-Style)

This vegan potato casserole is inspired from the Spanish frittata but made with red lentils instead of eggs. It's a meal-prep-friendly dish with 22 grams of protein per serving.

81

Golden brown granola clusters on yogurt in a grey ceramic bowl.

Banana Bread Granola

This granola recipe does not only taste like banana bread from the sweet bananas and warm spices but also forms the most delicious crunchy clusters we all love!

82

Red rice salad in a white shallow plate on a white marble board.

Red Rice Salad

This high-protein red rice salad is great for easy lunches. You can use Fench red rice from Camargue or Asian red rice for this recipe.

83

Three bars drizzled with chocolate and topped with sea salt on a small white marble board

No-Bake Oat Bars

These naturally vegan no-bake oat bars made with cocoa butter and oat flour make the perfect sweet and crunchy treat for snacks or desserts!

84

Two burrito halves stacked onto each other with salad and lime wedges on the side.

Quick Tempeh Burrito (34g Protein)

Try this easy tempeh burrito recipe for a flavorful, protein-packed vegan lunch that's perfect for adding tempeh to your meal rotation.

85

Three zucchini boats topped with basil leaves on a beige ceramic plate.

TVP Zucchini Boat Recipe (With Soya Mince)

These vegan zucchini boats with fine TVP (soya mince) and marinara make the perfect plant-based dinner for the warm summer months.

86

Mushrooms and brown lentils in a light brown sauce spooned over creamy mashed potatoes.

Lentil Mushroom Stew (With Miso)

This vegan lentil mushroom stew is a hearty one-pot meal simmered in a rich miso broth that's perfect for the cold season!

87

Linguine in a white sauce with green leek bits in a white bowl.

Caramelized Leek Pasta (Vegan)

88

Vegan rice paper dumplings topped with sesame seeds, scallions, and red pepper flakes.

Vegan Rice Paper Dumplings (With Shredded Tofu)

These vegan rice paper dumplings are stuffed with vegetables and shredded tofu. They are pan-fried instead of deep fried for a light meal.

89

Iced coffee smoothie in a tall glass, garnished with almond butter and coffee beans.

Iced Coffee Breakfast Smoothie (Without Banana)

This coffee breakfast smoothie without banana tastes just like your favorite iced coffee but is packed with protein and fiber to keep you full until lunch.

90

Spoon coming out of a jar of chocolate pudding.

Vegan Protein Pudding (Chocolate Dessert)

This vegan protein pudding made with cashews and silken tofu makes the most incredible chocolate dessert. It's high in protein, nutritious, and actually good for you.

91

Bright yellow curry with potatoes, carrots, kale, and chickpeas in a white bowl.

Silken Tofu Curry With Kale (No Coconut Milk)

This yellow curry made with silken tofu instead of coconut milk is packed with kale, potatoes, and a bright lemongrass flavor for a hearty vegan meal.

92

Hand holding a breakfast cookie above a plate with more cookies.

Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies (No Banana)

These meal prep-friendly oatmeal breakfast cookies come together in 1 bowl and are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast on busy mornings.

93

Tofu Carbonara Sauce (Vegan)

94

Tiramisu Overnight Oats Without Chia Seeds

These tiramisu overnight oats with chia seeds are soaked in freshly brewed espresso and make an incredibly delicious plant-based breakfast.

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