These vegan mains, sides, soups and starters are so fresh and flavorful, meatatarians will be asking for seconds.

90 Vegan Recipes Even Meat Eaters Will Love

Chickpea and Potato Curry
Get a whole new perspective on the underappreciated chickpea with this spicy chickpea and potato curry in a tangy tomato sauce. It’s creamy, filling and heady, with wonderful aromas.You can also adopt these high protein foods in your day-to-day life for healthier eating habits.
Crispy Tofu with Black Pepper Sauce
Sometimes tofu can be boring and tasteless, but not in this recipe! Here, the crispy vegetarian bean curd is so loaded with flavor, you'll never shy away from tofu again. —Nick Iverson, Denver, ColoradoWhether you’re a vegan or simply trying to eat more plant-based foods, we have these vegan dinner dishes for you!
Over-the-Rainbow Minestrone
This vegetarian soup features a rainbow of vegetables. You can use any multicolored pasta in place of the spirals. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, ColoradoSimple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans
When I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine. Want to try something new? Check out this tasty vegan eggplant Parmesan recipe.Vegetarian Black Bean Pasta
This black bean pasta was something I created as a teenager, back when I was a vegetarian. Now that my daughter doesn’t eat meat, she asks for this dinner several times a week. —Ashlynn Azar, Beaverton, Oregon. Looking for more? Try our favorite vegan lasagna.You can make all kinds of vegan pasta sauce recipes, including a vegan Alfredo sauce.
My Underground Vegetable Salad
Oven-roasting root vegetables is a delicious way to get the most out of these earthy treats, bringing out their subtle sweetness. Serving them over endive with a homemade vinaigrette is just a bonus! —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, TexasBlack Bean-Tomato Chili
My daughter Kayla saw a black bean chili while watching a cooking show and called me about it because it looked so good. We messed with our own recipe until we got this easy winner. —Lisa Belcastro, Vineyard Haven, MassachusettsHere are all the secrets you need to know for how to make the best vegan chili!
Roasted Curried Chickpeas and Cauliflower
When there’s not much time to cook, try roasting potatoes and cauliflower with chickpeas for a warm-you-up dinner. It's a filling meal on its own, but you can add chicken or tofu to the sheet pan if you'd like. —Pam Correll, Brockport, PennsylvaniaGrilled Potatoes & Peppers
My husband, Matt, grills this recipe for both breakfast and dinner gatherings. Besides the company, the potatoes are one of the best parts of the event! —Susan Nordin, Warren, PennsylvaniaHungry for more? Learn how to make the best vegan mashed potatoes.
Creamy Cauliflower Pakora Soup
My husband and I often crave pakoras, deep-fried fritters from India. I wanted to get the same flavors but use a healthier cooking technique, so I made soup using all the classic spices and our favorite veggie, cauliflower! —Melody Johnson, DePere, WisconsinSmoky Cauliflower
The smoked Spanish paprika gives a simple side of roasted cauliflower extra depth. This is definitely a favorite. —Juliette Mulholland, Corvallis, OregonSpice Trade Beans & Bulgur
A rich blend of spices adds flavor to tender, nutritious bulgur and garbanzo beans in this tangy dish that has just the right amount of heat. A hint of sweetness from golden raisins is the perfect accent. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, CaliforniaMushroom & Broccoli Soup
One of my girls won’t eat meat and the other struggles to get enough fiber. This recipe is a perfect way to give them what they need in a dish they love to eat. I save my broccoli stems in the freezer until I have about two small bags, and then I make soup. —Maria Davis, Flower Mound, TexasThis vegan steak may pair well with soup and other side dishes.
Tofu Chow Mein
This is an easy recipe for a "tofu beginner," as it teaches people how to use it. If you have time, one way to prepare it is to cut the tofu block in half and wrap well in a terry kitchen towel. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour to absorb excess water. For a complete meal, serve with Chinese soup and egg rolls! — Autumn SinClaire, Gold Beach, OregonOkra Roasted with Smoked Paprika
When you want to cook okra without frying it, roast it with lemon juice for a lighter version. The smoked paprika gives it even more roasty oomph. —Lee Evans, Queen Creek, ArizonaGarden Vegetable & Herb Soup
I submitted this recipe to a local newspaper and won first prize. I make this hearty soup whenever my family needs a good dose of veggies. —Jody Saulnier, Woodstock, New HampshireChickpea Tuna Salad
This change-up from traditional tuna salad gets big flavor and texture from gently mashed chickpeas and classic mix-ins like zippy onions, crisp celery and fresh herbs. It makes a refreshing lunch served in a wrap or over Bibb lettuce leaves. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, MichiganCauliflower with Roasted Almond & Pepper Dip
This tasty vegetable side dish can set a chilling scene on Halloween if you style it to look like a brain—try adding spiders and spiderwebs to your table setting. You can also serve it on Thanksgiving and pair it with the turkey and dressing. The festive orange sauce takes some time, but it tastes incredible.—Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, WisconsinSauteed Squash with Tomatoes & Onions
My favorite meals show a love of family and food. This zucchini dish with tomatoes is like a scaled-down ratatouille. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, WisconsinPico de Gallo Black Bean Soup
Everyone at my table goes for this feel-good soup. It is quick when you’re pressed for time and beats fast food, hands down. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, WisconsinRed Pepper Tapenade
This roasted red pepper tapenade combines sweet red peppers, almonds and basil into a delicious spread that's perfect for entertaining or everyday snacking. Serve with toasted baguette slices or water crackers.Marinated Almond-Stuffed Olives
Marinated stuffed olives go over so well with company that I try to keep a batch of them in the fridge at all times. —Larissa Delk, Columbia, TennesseeLemon Mushroom Orzo
Sometimes I serve this side dish chilled and other times we enjoy it hot. It has a pleasant tinge of lemon and a nice crunch from pecans. —Shelly Nelson, Akeley, MinnesotaAvocado Fruit Salad with Tangerine Vinaigrette
On long summer days when we just want to relax, I make a cool salad with avocado, berries and mint. The tangerine dressing is refreshingly different. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, OhioLemony Chickpeas
These saucy chickpeas add just a little heat to meatless Mondays. They're especially good over hot, fluffy brown rice. —April Strevell, Red Bank, New JerseySummertime Tomato Salad
My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New JerseyLemon-Pepper Broccoli
Discover a healthy new side dish with our lemon-pepper broccoli recipe. Fresh broccoli florets seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil and a touch of pepper pair well with everything.Edamame Corn Carrot Salad
I came up with this easy salad while brainstorming light, protein-filled recipes. My vegetarian and vegan friends are especially big fans. —Maiah Miller, Monterey, CaliforniaSouthwest Vegetarian Lentil Soup
Even self-avowed carnivores won’t miss the meat in this zippy dish. It’s chock-full of healthy ingredients that will keep you feeling satisfied. —Laurie Stout-Letz, Bountiful, UtahGreen Beans in Red Pepper Sauce
For easy veggies, I make a simple sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. We also like this sauce with zucchini or roasted cauliflower. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UtahRed Lentil Soup Mix
Give your friends the gift of good health. Red lentils are protein powerhouses and are loaded with folate, iron and fiber. Oh, and this soup tastes amazing too. —Taste of Home Test KitchenThyme-Sea Salt Crackers
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North CarolinaVegetable Broth
The flavor of celery and mushrooms comes through in this homemade vegetable broth. Can be used as a substitution for chicken broth.Fresh Corn & Avocado Dip
I alter my sister's recipe by adding a finely chopped jalapeno pepper for a little heat. This tasty dip can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until serving. —Pat Roberts, Thornton, OntarioMarket Basket Soup
I use kohlrabi in this soothing veggie soup. The vegetable has a mellow broccoli-cabbage flavor and can be served raw, but this is my favorite way to eat it. —Kellie Foglio, Salem, WisconsinTomato & Avocado Sandwiches
I'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New JerseyThis would go great with some homemade vegan mayo!
Warm Tasty Greens with Garlic
My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, ColoradoHerb-Roasted Olives & Tomatoes
Eat these roasted veggies with a crunchy baguette or a couple of cheeses. You can also double, or triple, the amounts and have leftovers to toss with spaghetti the next day. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, CaliforniaSaucy Vegetable Tofu
This is my daughter Tonya's favorite meal. Sometimes we make it with rigatoni and call it "Riga-Tonya." It's a great dinner and a nice way to prepare yummy vegetables for the kids. —Sandra Eckert, Pottstown, PennsylvaniaBlack Bean-Sweet Potato Skillet
My fiancé loves sweet potatoes. By adding black beans, I came up with a nutritionally complete main dish. Its bright orange and black color makes it fun for Halloween. —April Strevell, Red Bank, New JerseyRoasted Balsamic Red Potatoes
When I found a potato recipe that called for vinegar, I was intrigued. But without all the ingredients on hand, I had to improvise and gave it a whirl using Italian seasoning and balsamic vinegar. It was fantastic! —Lisa M. Varner, El Paso, TXRoasted Fennel and Carrots
Whether you serve roasted fennel and carrots alongside a roast, fish or grain dish, their rich flavors and tender texture are sure to impress!Rice Pilaf with Apples & Raisins
I love making bulgar pilaf with apricots. So glad I tried it with dried apples and golden raisins! —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi
Vegan Pasta Salad
Once you learn how to make this vegan pasta salad, you’ll be throwing it together all summer. It’s packed with veggies and tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. —Jenna Urben, Dallas, Texas. If you like this, try our favorite vegan stuffed shells recipe.