“Plant-based” is trending right now and for good reason. Is it vegetarian? Is it vegan? Good news! It can be either. Or neither. You can be perfectly plant-based even if you eat a little meat here and there but plant foods take the main stage with this dietary pattern. While I enjoy working with clients on ALL diets, the foundation of my practice is plant-based. To celebrate, I’ve got 50 BEST Plant-based Recipes gathered for you from my fellow dietitian nutrition expert friends. If you or someone you know need support with eating more plant based, or just eating better in general, make sure to contact me!
You may wonder why I’m calling it plant-based rather than vegetarian or vegan….and there’s some controversy there. The reason why is because there is no true definition. And as much as I support my vegetarian and vegan friends and community, I still want to be inclusive of all diets and I think that any way you eat, if plants are the foundation of the diet, you’re on the right track.
I developed a working definition of plant-based that I use for a couple different organizations I’m in and to help settle people who are uncomfortable with the lack of definition. I actually like that it’s a bit open to interpretation because that’s the benefit of it. You can eat meat and be plant-based….but the focus is on plant-foods and I strongly believe that even reducing meat intake has benefits to human health as well as the environment.
plant
/plant/
noun a living organism of the kind exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses
base
/bās/
verb past tense: based
have as the foundation for (something); use as a point from which (something) can develop
So to me, a plant-based diet is one founded in plant-foods and there’s some wiggle room there to either be 100% plants (vegan) or more flexitarian and include small amounts of meat as you continue to move towards more and more plants. As a registered dietitian, I’m here to help! As are so many of my friends. Dietitians are pretty amazing at making food taste great so here are 50 BEST Plant-based Recipes from nutrition experts around the country.
Featuring Tofu!
Many of these recipes are focused on lots of flavor as well as affordability. Tofu is a wonderful protein that has the added benefit of antioxidants – something meat can’t offer.
Think beyond a simple salad with greens and boost it with a flavorful homemade dressing, a protein source like quinoa, edamame, nuts/seeds and beans like these unique recipes that take salads to another level.
Did you know that you can make vegan “cream” soups in a variety of ways that don’t involve any dairy? I love thickening with ground oats or by using potato. There are many options that make warming soups hearty without the heaviness from meat and dairy.
Get creative with vegetarian sandwiches and wraps. Instead of purchasing a store-bought veggie burger (which is also fine of course), you can easily make your own for some fun in the kitchen. Get creative with fillings to boost flavor plus vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in sandwich meals.
No meat needed for these mains! When thinking about a meatless main, make sure that you have a good protein source like tofu, tempeh, beans or lentils and then pile on the veggies and whole grains and make sure to use a hearty dose of herbs and spices for flavor and depth.
So many international cuisines do plant-based well. Mexican-inspired dishes are no exception – beans, chiles, and plenty of veggies take the main stage in these no-meat comfort food dishes.
Plant-based sides are easy 🙂 Beans, whole grains and veggies are all fair game to serve on the side of a veggie or meat main-dish. These types of sides also make perfect leftovers to pack for lunch the next day.
Party dips can be so simple to take for entertaining or even serve as an after school or work snack. Many of these recipes are savory, quick and delicious. Enjoy your plant-based party dip any time of the week.
Smoothie can be naturally plant-based and vegan if you’d like. There are so many non-dairy milks to choose from now. My favorite is soy because it has such a high protein content and offers additional antioxidants. Oat is a second runner up for me. What type of non-dairy milk do you enjoy?
There’s no need for sausage or bacon at breakfast – there are so many other protein sources to choose from. Go veggie for breakfast but also think beyond the carbs. How can you balance this important meal? These recipes show you how to do plant-based breakfast right.
I’m all about the bars and balls for on-the-go snacking and for fueling pre-and post workout. These are all dairy-free but are still packed with protein and flavor. You can make these at home in minutes and they keep well for later, too.
I hope you enjoyed my 50 BEST Plant-based Recipes round up featuring a variety of dishes from so many of my professional dietitian chef friends. Make sure that you’re working with a dietitian if you’ve got questions about plant-based nutrition or recipe ideas for your family. We’re here to help 🙂
Integrative nutrition specialist helping clients navigate complex health conditions to reduce inflammation and feel better.
Thanks for visiting! If you're struggling with a cancer diagnosis, autoimmune condition, gut health problems, or even a medical mystery, nutrition can make a HUGE difference in your day-to-day life. I run a virtual, concierge private practice where I partner with my clients over time to help them improve their health through nutrition. Be sure to visit the blog for easy, plant-based, anti-inflammatory recipes and our "Resources" page for a variety of self-paced programs, books, e-books, and nutrition podcast episodes.
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SO many delicious recipes here – making it easy to get more plants in our diets!
I want to make everything on this list!!!
Great roundup! Thank you for featuring my recipe for 5 Ingredient Sweet Potato Hummus!
So many great recipes! By the way, your new website looks awesome!
ah thank you so much Sarah!
What a great round up of recipes! I want to make so many on this list!
Its such a great round-up from wonderful, talented dietitians – I agree!
Mm these look AMAZING!!
Looks really pretty, even for omnivores:)
These party foods look amazing! Thank you so much for posting them and
have a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving with your family.
Thanks so much Mary! Back at you –