45 Quick Vegan Meals (20 mins from prep to plate!)
- Updated on Sep 30, 2022
These quick vegan meals take twenty minutes max, and require the smallest possible amount of washing up – you have my word!
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I know how annoying it is to be late for that thing you need to get to, or exhausted after a day that felt longer than it should have, and to then have to think about making dinner.
This is why ease and simplicity, as well as health, are always my priorities when developing recipes. A plant-based diet doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful, as these delicious, easy vegan recipes prove.
If you’re looking for quick vegetarian meals, we’ve got plenty of ideas for you here!
45 Quick Vegan Meals (easy recipes to save your time and patience)
From prepping to plating, you won’t be spending any longer than 20 minutes on these easy vegan dinners, and I’ve even included a bunch of recipes that take just 15 minutes if you’re in a real pinch.
I know how much you can get done with an extra five minutes on busy weeknights!
Simply scroll for the best vegan recipes in a rush!
20 minute Quick Vegan Meals
1. Pea and Mint Soup
Bonus: lots of veggies, meal prep friendly
On the search for a quick, tasty homemade soup recipe? This pea and mint soup is deliciously easy and vegan too!
2. Lentil Tabbouleh
Bonus: high protein, easy dinner, use as a side dish for a larger meal
Looking for an easy tabbouleh recipe? Get a load of our lentil tabbouleh – a protein packed take on the classic dish!
Subscribe to get our FREE 7-Day Vegetarian High Protein Meal Plan for Weight Loss
3. Vegan Pho – Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Bonus: deliciously simple, red peppers, crispy tofu
After a delicious and filling dinner? Try our vegan pho recipe – a healthy Vietnamese noodle soup with crispy tofu topping!
4. Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein
Bonus: fresh veggies, simple ingredients, uses up store cupboard staples
Looking for a speedy noodle dish, packed with vegetables and flavour? The search is over with this easy vegetable lo mein!
5. Vietnamese Green Noodle Salad
Bonus: leafy greens, healthy ingredients, simple main dish
Ready to blow your tastebuds away with a Vietnamese green noodle salad? Grab your noodles and tofu and chop-chop!
6. Chickpea Pancake – Fennel & Olive
Bonus: vegan twist on pancakes, chock full of chickpeas
These tangy chickpea pancakes are vegan and incredibly tasty. Getting them right is easy – just follow our simple cooking steps!
7. White Bean Salad with Quinoa
Bonus: essential vitamins for a vegan diet, delicious recipe, great way to upgrade your salad
High Protein White Bean Salad that’s healthy and vegan. High in fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B2 and B6 as well as iron and calcium. Takes less than 20 minutes.
8. Easy Sweetcorn Fritters
Bonus: family favourite, speedy, save some for lunch the next day
Sweetcorn fritters can be made for any weeknight tea with the family. Served as a main or side dish, they’re so yummy!
9. The Veggie King
Bonus: bell peppers, perfect comfort food, use high quality olive oil for flavour boost
So many vegetables, so little time to make. Hit your nutrient and vitamin count for the day with ease. No need to spend loads of time doing it, either.
10. Speedy Vegan Burrito
Bonus: one of our easiest vegan meals, use fresh cilantro for garnish
The new vegan burrito is here, paving the way and setting the standard. Mega quick and perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
11. Rocket/Arugula Soup
Bonus: add bread or a side salad for a complete meal, low calorie
Whether you call it rocket soup or arugula soup this awesome soup will taste just as delicious. Heartwarming and full of nutrients, this will keep you going over winter!
12. Tempeh Broccoli Pan
Bonus: one pan wonder, delicious vegan meal with brown rice
We highly recommend serving this tempeh-broccoli bake with brown rice. Yummy.
13. Asian-style Creamy Corn Soup
Bonus: easy healthy dinners, vegan meal plan favourite
This speedy and roasted creamy corn soup is here to show the world just how much vegan food rocks. Why should vegans have all the fun?!
14. Rocking Rocket Pesto Pasta
Bonus: swap in fresh cherry tomatoes, best lazy vegan recipes
Fancy trying one of the best quick vegan recipes for pasta lovers? Give this homemade pesto pasta a shot!
15. Penne Arrabiata
Bonus: garnish with fresh parsley or fresh basil, homemade tomato sauce
Ever considered that your favourite pasta dishes might actually be vegan? This penne arrabiata certainly is!
16. Speedy Chickpea Stew
Bonus: filling plant based meals, add butternut squash or sweet potatoes to bulk it out
Trying to eat less meat this winter? This simple, speedy chickpea stew will warm and fill you (and if you like this, you’ll love our other savory vegan chickpea recipes!).
17. Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
Bonus: great for breakfast or lunch, fry up breakfast without the animal products
Vegan Breakfast Potatoes – the best way to start the day. Animal-friendly, high in protein and even higher in taste. Yes please!
18. Thai Quinoa Salad
Bonus: complete protein, one of the most delicious vegan recipes for meal prep
Thai Quinoa Salad – Tropical Vibes. A refreshingly light, tasty Asian super-dish with lots of protein, fiber and tropical flavour. Get your summer feeling here.
19. Red Pesto Pasta
Bonus: a red twist on a classic, on the dinner table in a flash
Red Pesto Pasta – The natural evolution of a classic dish. The pesto is all vegan and has received so much praise already you won’t believe it!
20. Crunchy Asian Tofu Salad
Bonus: serious salad upgrade, packed with protein, easy vegan meals
Asian Tofu Salad, High in Protein, Low-carb and Vegan. A crunchy and colourful mix of delicious vegan foods that look great and taste even better!
21. Spicy Black Bean Soup
Bonus: black beans for fibre, vegan comfort food
So comforting you want to sit in it. Only vegan ingredients, great taste and ready in 20 minutes. High in protein and fiber. You won’t be disappointed!
22. Red Onion Soup
Bonus: high in vitamin B6, warming and comforting, surprisingly speedy
Delicious Red Onions Soup. So fine it makes you cry. Simple ingredients and lightning fast. Ready in 20 minutes
23. Pumpkin Butter Chickpeas
Protein: 7g
Calories: 316kcal
Ready in: 20minutes
Recipe by: OohLaLaItsVegan
Bonus: anti-inflammatory pumpkin, one pot only
Bathed in an exotic blend of Indian spices and rich coconut milk, these Indian Pumpkin Butter Chickpeas take only 20 minutes to prepare, and are also vegan, gluten-free and low calorie (more low calorie plant-based meals over here).
24. Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms
Protein: 2.2g
Calories: 555kcal
Ready in: 20minutes
Recipe by: TheVegSpace
Bonus: rich and saucy, winter warmer
This creamy vegan gnocchi with wild mushrooms is a one-pot recipe. White wine, garlic and juicy mushrooms make a deliciously rich sauce.
25. Vegan Mapo Tofu
Protein: 16g
Calories: 261kcal
Ready in: 20minutes
Recipe by: YangsNourishingKitchen
Bonus: traditional Chinese recipe, super speedy
This vegan mapo tofu is smothered in a scrumptious mushroom sauce! You will find authentic flavour and cooking method in the recipe below. Make it under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weekday dinners and vegetarian days.
26. Chickpea & Spinach Curry
Protein: 18g
Calories: 545kcal
Ready in: 20minutes
Recipe by: YummyAddiction
Bonus: simple curry, stores well
An easy vegan curry cooked with chickpeas, spinach and Indian spices along with an Indian flatbread. The perfect meal for those busy nights cooked in under 20 minutes.
27. Chestnut Mushroom Bourguignon
Protein: 9.5g
Calories: 377kcal
Ready in: 20minutes
Recipe by: TheVegSpace
Bonus: hearty and filling, flavourful vegan twist on a classic
This juicy chestnut mushroom bourguignon in a rich red wine gravy is hearty and delicious vegan comfort food, perfect with mash and green beans.
15 minute Quick Vegan Meals
28. Vegan Lentil & Potato Salad
Bonus: high in protein, super filling, salad upgrade
This protein packed vegan lentil and potato salad is a perfect weight loss recipe (more high protein vegan lunch recipes this way). It’s filling, healthy and nutritious, while still tasting amazing!
29. Bulgur Kidney Bean Salad
Bonus: kidney beans for fibre, colourful, high protein
Looking for a salad that brings more to the table than leaves? This high protein bulgur kidney bean salad has you covered!
30. Smooching Mushrooms on Toast
Bonus: breakfast, lunch or dinner, vegan take on a classic
Our delicious vegan take on the trendiest cafe food of the moment, Mushrooms on Toast. It’s perfect for everything from a savory breakfast to a light dinner.
31. Smoked Tofu & Hummus Buddha Bowl
Bonus: vegan twist, sweet or savoury, breakfast or lunch
This vegan French toast should be on every food radar. Our simple guide with the dos and don’ts of French toast means breakfast has never been easier!
32. Vegan French Toast
Bonus: vegan twist, sweet or savoury, breakfast or lunch
This vegan French toast should be on every food radar. Our simple guide with the dos and don’ts of French toast means breakfast has never been easier!
33. Tangy Tempeh Salad
Bonus: one of the easiest simple recipes, plant-based meals, high protein
This tangy tempeh salad is just the best – quick, tasty and packed with protein. And better yet – use whatever you have in the fridge!
34. Rush-Rush Couscous
Bonus: salad upgrade, speedy tabbouleh
Want to make tabbouleh but not enough time? Try out this simplified take on the classic, which just happens to be vegan too!
35. Vegan Tuna Salad
Bonus: delicious as salad or sandwich, vegan lunch game changer
All the taste and all the goodness – without the fish. The new kid on the vegan block is even tastier than the original!
36. Colourful Tabbouleh Salad
Bonus: portable, lunch box friendly, fresh herbs
Colourful Tabbouleh Salad – bring Mediterranean flair to the table or into your lunch box! Ready in just 15 minutes, vegan and super tasty!
37. Ajo Blanco
Bonus: soup from scratch, warming, perfect starter for parties
The original white gazpacho soup hits all the right boxes – it’s cold and fresh with the perfect balance of sweet vs sour. It’s vegan-friendly too.
38. Chickpea Winter Salad
Bonus: seriously flavourful, hearty and filling
An animal friendly, fresh and tangy winter salad with some serious health benefits. It’s fresh and new, but still prepped within 15 minutes – awesome!
39. Vegan Broccoli Salad
Bonus: serve with brown rice or wholegrain bread, broccoli never tasted so good
Quick and delicious veggie side dish. High Protein, low carb, vegan and done within 10-12 minutes. In my opinion a must-have recipe.
40. Vegetarian Baked Beans
Bonus: so much tastier than canned, loads of fibre
Vegetarian Baked Beans. Thick and full flavoured with a moreish tang. Low in calories, ready in 15 minutes and just as good as the ‘original’ from Heinz!
41. Low Carb High Taste Zoodles
Bonus: low calories, high taste, seriously speedy
Low Carb High Taste Zoodles. Italian style spiralized zucchini noodles ready in just 15 minutes, excellent for a quick lunch or dinner.
42. Arugula Lentil Salad From Heaven
Bonus: high protein, high fibre
High protein, iron and fibre in exotic Arugula and Lentil Salad that’s healthy and vegan. Only 12 minutes to make with easy to find ingredients.
43. Quick & Creamy Avocado Pasta
Bonus: superfood pasta, fresh basil, high fibre
Quick and creamy Avocado Pasta that’s healthy and vegan. High in fiber, vitamin C, iron and good fats. Easy to make in under 15 minutes. Try it right away! 😉
Ingredients
- 5 oz wholegrain pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup basil, fresh (dry basil will do too, but use less)
- 1 large avocado
- 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1-2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- Salt to taste
- Add a few tbsps of water, if too thick.
Optional
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (roasted)
- 1 thumb ginger, fresh
Instructions
- Bring water to boil and chuck in pasta.
- Use pasta cooking time to prepare the avocado sauce:
- Mash the avocado flesh with a fork in a bowl until its creamy (if you have a food processor, use that)
- Add olive oil, lemon juice and soy sauce to the mashed avocado
- Cut the basil leaves and add them to the bowl
- Grate the garlic and ginger and add them too. Remember, ginger is optional. Unless you’re born that way
- If the mix is too thick then add some tablespoons of water
- Drain the pasta and place it back in the pot. Add the avocado sauce and stir nicely
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and throw in with pasta
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds if you have them to hand and season with a bit of salt.
- Boom! Ready 🙂
Nutrition
44. Pasta Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing
Bonus: high protein, super simple
Pasta Salad with an unbelievable Peanut Butter Dressing. Did we mention it’s actually healthy too? Ready in 15 minutes, and packed with fiber and protein.
45. Easy Chickpea Tacos
Protein: 15g
Calories: 377kcal
Ready in: 10minutes
Recipe by: WatchLearnEat
Bonus: just 5 ingredients, vegan twist on a classic
These “cheesy” chickpea tacos are easy to make in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients! These vegan and gluten-free tacos are perfect for Taco Tuesday or whatever day your taco craving hits.
Quick Vegan Meals FAQs
Ready to whip up a quick vegan meal but got questions first? I’ve probably answered them here…
What can I feed a vegan for dinner?
There are plenty of vegan dinner options to choose from. Keep it simple with a hassle-free, naturally vegan chickpea stew, which is hearty and filling.
What can I make for a vegan guest?
If you’re hosting a vegan guest for lunch, try making a simple pasta dish like this creamy avocado pasta, or try a salad that’s more than leaves, like this tempeh salad. If you’re hosting dinner, up the ante with this gazpacho to start, followed by vegan burritos.
What do vegans eat for lunch?
There are many vegan lunch options, just ensure your vegan food is portable and can be eaten cold if you don’t have access to a microwave. Kick things off with this vegan tuna salad.
What is the most popular vegan food?
Some of the most popular vegan food is cuisine that is naturally vegan, such as this tofu noodle soup, and this lentil tabbouleh. However, vegan dishes that use substitutes for animal products are also popular, especially if you’re transitioning into a vegetarian or vegan diet – try this vegan french toast.
I hope these quick vegan meals saved you some time and kept plant-based eating interesting (why not check out some more easy popular vegan dinners here). Let me know in the comments which was your favourite!
Dave Bell
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me. Lots of veggie protein is my way forward.
Comments
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2 comments
What a fantastic roundup of delicious vegan meals. Thank u so much for including my Pumpkin Butter Chickpeas. Can’t wait to work my way thru all these recipes!
You’re very welcome, Deborah! It’s a wonderful recipe!!