60 Proven Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss
Vegan weight loss recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or midnight snacks. 60 of them!
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When you are following a vegan diet, you need good, high-quality recipes and tasty vegan recipes to help your weight loss.
Recipes that give equal weightage to whole foods, healthy fats, complex carbs, and essential nutrients.
While it is a popular belief that diet recipes must mean fewer calories or low carb recipes, it ain’t actually so (though of course ‘calories in’ must be lower than ‘calories out’). More on that later.
For true and lasting weight loss, we need recipes that are full of protein and fiber, to help you feel full and satisfied. If we don’t look forward to our meals, weight loss usually fails within a couple or few weeks.
Because satiety is vital for weight loss!
Unless you are feeling satisfied with your meals, and not hungry all the time, you’re not going to be making smart food decisions.
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This cracking collection of healthy vegan weight loss recipes are a great way for you to lose weight in a healthy manner (and if you liked these, you should check out our vegan low calorie snacks too!).
If you thought vegan weight loss recipes (or vegetarian weight loss meal plan here) might be bland or boring, I will be happy to show you that it is quite the opposite!
And on top of it, every one of these vegan recipes are so easy to prepare, even the busiest non-cook can whip these up on a whim.
This way, please, for vegan weight loss recipes!
So, follow me. I will show you the tastiest ways to weight loss, on a vegan meal plan that you can stick to.
Vegan Weight Loss Breakfasts
1. The Best Vegan Tofu Scramble
Bonus: vegan-friendly take on the classic
Firm tofu meets flavourful spices and luscious veggies to make the ultimate vegan breakfast, a tofu scramble. If you’re searching for an egg-free alternative to the classic, you’ve just hit the jackpot!
2. Vegan Blackberry Smoothie
Bonus: best breakfast option for those hurried weekday mornings!
A fruity vegan smoothie, packed with protein to fuel your day ahead. Love fruit and nuts? Then you’ll love this!
3. Mushrooms on Toast
Bonus: a light vegan dinner, late afternoon snack or even a savory breakfast!
Our delicious vegan take on the trendiest cafe food of the moment, Mushrooms on Toast. The go-to dish you remember from your years as a student, now a little tastier and a lot more vegan!
4. Super Spinach Banana Smoothie
Bonus: a spinach smoothie that does not taste of spinach
A super healthy yet tasty summer smoothie. You won’t even realise you’re eating spinach (or drinking it!).
5. Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
Bonus: healthy blueberry cheesecake recipe for breakfast (I said that with a straight face!)
Try out this delish Overnight Oats combo of blueberries, lemon, yogurt and maple syrup. You won’t be disappointed!
6. Vegan Breakfast Potatoes
Bonus: a hash browns, by any other name…
Vegan Breakfast Potatoes – the best way to start the day. Animal-friendly, high in protein and even higher in taste? Yes please!
7. British Baked Beans (Heinz Copycat)
Bonus: beans does not mean Heinz anymore!
Thick and full flavoured with a moreish tang. Low in calories, ready in 15 minutes and just as good (or dare I say it, better?) as the ‘original’.
8. Kat’s Vegan Overnight Oats
Bonus: zero cooking involved. Zip. Nada.
Deliciously tasty and vegan overnight oats in a jar: High in fiber, great against diabetes and heart disease. Did we mention it’s vegan too?
Vegan Weight Loss Mains Recipes
9. Meatless Chili Sin Carne
Bonus: great vegan comfort food, so delicious you won’t even miss the meat!
This delicious recipe is a nutritional powerhouse! an amazing 28.5g of protein, over half your iron and vitamin A count for the day, and double your vitamin C and a full day’s worth of fiber!
10. Vegan Korean Bibimbap Bowl
Bonus: this popular Korean rice bowl will make your taste buds smile!
A beautiful bowl of crunchy veg, tofu, drizzled with a peanut butter glaze? This vegan Korean bibimbap bowl is amazing!
11. Easy Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce
Bonus: beginner-friendly easy dinner!
Fragrant ginger, tender veggies, and a creamy peanut stir fry sauce come together to make this delicious vegan dish. If you’re craving a satay stir fry takeout but want to opt for a healthier option, this is sure to hit the spot.
12. Vegan Poke Bowl with Sesame Tofu
Bonus: an easy rice bowl recipe
Need a fresh and healthy new recipe for lunch or dinner? Our vegan poke bowl with sesame tofu is for you – try it now!
13. Korean Vegan Lettuce Wraps
Bonus: super fun DIY lunch or snack to enjoy with friends or family!
The wonderful thing about this healthy asian lettuce wrap recipe is that, unlike most bread based wraps, these ones are light as anything (one of our healthiest veggie Asian dishes). At 370 calories per serving, these make a very light meal.
14. Mushroom Stew with Coconut
Bonus: very healthy mushroom coconut stew, which is also good for weight loss!
Best described as a mushroom stew meets a lentil coconut curry recipe, this stew can be served with flatbreads or brown rice. A healthy and filling meal, perfect to incorporate into a weight loss meal plan!
15. Spaghetti with Arrabbiata Sauce
Bonus: metabolism AND immune system boosting pasta? Yes please!
Our take on the classic arrabiata pasta sauce, with some delicious aubergine thrown into the mix. A hot and spicy vegan Italian recipe that is surprisingly healthy too (check out our vegan mediterranean recipes for more like this!)!
16. Mexican Bean Stew
Bonus: serve it over brown rice or with corn tortillas
Hearty, warming, packed with protein and fibre and spiced to perfection. An absolute treat. And not too hard on the old waistline either!
17. Vegan Vegetable Lo Mein
Bonus: easy, simple and healthy as heck!
Almost as easy as ordering from your favourite takeaway and definitely much healthier. It’s ready to eat in just twenty minutes and is packed full of vegetables.
18. Vegan Pad Thai
Bonus: numerous health benefits to aid your weight loss efforts!
Soft rice noodles with a kick of sweet, tart tamarind and soy sauce, topped with peanuts and blocks of protein packed tofu: one of the best vegan pad thai recipes out there!
19. Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Bonus: for bolognese lovers on a plant-free diet!
Lentil spaghetti bolognese that is a healthier, meat and dairy-free version of the classic pasta recipe, for those of you looking to transition to a more plant-based diet!
20. Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Bonus: a fiesta for your tastebuds!
Imagine a meal that’s easy to make, quick, colourful and super nutritious. Sounds like a dream? Well then, the black bean burrito bowl is a dream come true!
21. Dal Khichdi and Kachumber Salad
Bonus: extremely healthy and easy to digest
Classic Indian comfort food which also happens to be a great meal for anyone trying to lose weight (more vegan Indian dishes over here!).
22. Bean & Pasta Vegetarian Casserole
Bonus: easy one pan dish!
Contains only whole grain carbs, as well as vitamin A, K and C, calcium, magnesium, potassium… talk about a healthy casserole!
23. Refreshing Pasta in Peanut Sauce
Bonus: contains a whopping 27 g of protein!
When was the last time you thought of pasta and peanut butter as health foods? Well now you can!
24. Broccoli Stir Fry with Brown Rice
Bonus: simple, beginner-friendly dish
Quick and delicious veggie side dish. High Protein, low carb, vegan and done within 30 minutes. In my opinion a must-have recipe.
25. Sexy Vegan Lentil Stew
Bonus: so simple, it practically cooks itself!
Super high in fiber, this stew nutritional powerhouse, kickstart your year – and your health with this sexy stew (and if you like this, you’ll love our other casseroles for weight loss!)!
26. Smoked Tofu & Hummus Buddha Bowl
Bonus: easy, healthy, and meat-free
With a base of turmeric rice, topped with lamb’s lettuce, smoked tofu and a hummus dressing, in an unbeatable combination of flavourful rice and smoky tofu. The perfect burst of flavor for your lunch break.
27. Quinoa Chickpea Buddha Bowl
Bonus: very little effort, max results
This easy (and animal-friendly) lunch and dinner bowl hits all the right spots – grains, greens and a legume! What’s not to like?
28. Vegan Stuffed Peppers
Bonus: tasty and saucy 😉
Vegan stuffed peppers packed with quinoa – and loads of flavour. Full of protein and with clear instructions in easy steps.
29. Nasi goreng
Bonus: best way to use up leftover rice
A gorgeous medley of rice, creamy peanut sauce, crunchy sesame seeds that would leave you wanting more.
30. Tempeh Broccoli Pan
Bonus: eat with brown rice for added oomph
Protein-rich tempeh, with crunchy broccoli flavored with garam masala, with a little bit of maple syrup to add a lovely bit of sweetness to the dish. Comes together in just 20 mins.
31. Quick and Tasty Dal
Bonus: dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, vegan
A sumptuous and almost meaty dal. Goes wonderfully with roti and rice. Add a simple crunchy salad and some pickles to round off a simple, yet tasty meal.
32. Speedy Chickpea Stew
Bonus: garnish with some raw diced onion for added zing of flavor
A lovely, filling stew that comes together in very little time. So filling it makes a meal in itself. Or you can have it with rice, roti and even soft dinner rolls!
33. Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Curry
Bonus: sweet, spicy, vegan
An exciting fusion of Pakistani spices combine with crunchy roasted cauliflower in this classically cooked dish.
34. Vegan Tofu Bolognese
Bonus: so damn tasty and ready in 20 mins!
It was about time we veganized the Italian classic (we do love a good vegan Italian recipe). And we’re proud to say we were successful. Please welcome the amazing Anti-Bolognese!
35. Low Carb High Taste Zoodles
Bonus: perfect recipe for the busiest anti-cook
Vegan Arugula Lentil Salad Low Carb High Taste Zoodles. Italian style spiralized zucchini noodles ready in just 15 minutes, excellent for a quick lunch or dinner (one of our fave vegan zucchini recipes!).
Vegan Soups & Salads Recipes for Weight Loss
36. Sweet Potato & Broccoli Salad Bake
Bonus: super simple, and full of all the good stuff!
Super simple to throw together, leaving you longer to go and catch up with your loved ones while it’s cooking. This time-saving traybake with sweet potato, broccoli, and quinoa is big on superfood nutrition and even bigger on taste.
37. Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Soup
Bonus: basic ingredients + easy recipe = great dinner!
If you’re looking for a filling and healthy lunch that is also bringing the taste of Marrakech, then look no further than our Moroccan-spiced vegan cauliflower soup! It’s full of nutrient-rich veg, and protein-packed pulses, so you’ll be raring to go!
38. Roasted Sweet Potato & Beetroot Salad
Bonus: Beets go with sweet potatoes like a match made in veggie heaven!
Smooth and hearty meets sweet and crunchy, this sweet potato and beetroot salad has got it going on!
39. Lentil Tabbouleh
Bonus: not only healthy but also optimised for a weight loss diet!
Made with couscous instead of bulgar wheat, and with added lentils to up the protein levels, this version of tabbouleh is better suited to a weight loss diet!
40. Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Bonus: easy pho recipe comes together in just 15 minutes!
After a delicious and filling dinner? Try our vegan pho recipe – a healthy Vietnamese noodle soup with a crispy tofu topping (for more plant-based tofu recipes, try these)! A hot steaming bowl of broth, brimming with bright flavors. Dinner of kings!
41. Vegan Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Bonus: tastes so good you’d wonder how it can possibly be healthy!
Great flavors that get richer when they marinate together. Make it the previous night, to have as a cold salad the following morning! What a time saver!
42. Vietnamese Green Noodle Salad
Bonus: can be eaten hot or cold
This plate of flavorful Vietnamese noodle salad is a super easy lunch idea that will take you no more than 20 minutes. It will provide enough nutrition and taste to keep you feeling full and satisfied.
43. Lentil Vegetable Soup
Bonus: inspired by the flavours of Italian lentil soup recipes
High in fibre and low in calories, bulked out by veg and stock, this tasty soup will fill you up and energise you, without sneaking in excess calories that might lead to weight gain.
44. Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich
Bonus: just so easy and quick to make!
Simple to make and refuels those important nutrients and amino acids to have you feeling awesome in no time.
45. Lentil Quinoa Salad
Bonus: hearty salad that’s perfect lunchtime fuel, or a light summer dinner
The protein-packed base of red lentils and quinoa is jazzed up with crunchy almonds, tangy olives and creamy avocado. Toss all that in a sweet, sharp dressing of olive oil, honey and vinegar and you’ve got a lentil quinoa salad that is sure to become a favourite!
46. Vegan Lentil & Potato Salad
Bonus: hearty and healthy
Perfect blend of healthy, and nutritious while still being satisfying and full of protein. The mustard based sauce mixes delightfully with the fresh herbs and veggies, and the cooked lentils and potatoes to form the ultimate high-protein salad.
For when you’re just too hungry for a light bowl of greens!
47. Colourful Bulgur Kidney Bean Salad
Bonus: simple, quick and tasty
Looking for a salad that brings more to the table than leaves? This high protein bulgur kidney bean salad has you covered!
48. Fitness Lentil Bean Salad
Bonus: quick, tasty, and packed with protein
Ridiculously high in protein post-workout salad. Ready in 7 minutes. Tasty and effective. Why not give it a go now?
Ingredients
- ¾ cup red lentils, dried
- 1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed, 1 can = 15.5oz)
- 1 bell pepper, red
- 3-4 spring onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup tomato puree
- 2 slices wholegrain bread
Instructions
- If using dried red lentils then prepare according to package instructions (or just add 1 part red lentils to 1.5 parts of water with a little salt in a pot. Bring it to a boil and then let the lentils simmer for about 12-15 minutes depending on how soft you like them. Season with a little more salt, when the lentils are cooked. Alternatively you can cook them in veggie broth for extra flavour).
- Meanwhile cut the spring onions and bell pepper. Also grate the garlic.
- Get a big bowl and throw in all the ingredients, including the lentils and beans.
- Finally, if using, add the tomato sauce (as much as you like), give it a stir, do a taste test and, if necessary, season one last time with salt and pepper.
- Ready!
NOTES
Nutrition
49. High-protein Tangy Tempeh Salad
Bonus: incredibly versatile, incredibly high in protein, and incredibly tasty
This tangy tempeh salad is just the best – quick, tasty and packed with protein. And better yet – use whatever you have in the fridge!
50. Pasta Salad with PB Dressing
Bonus: the best peanut butter salad in the world
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.
51. Roasted Corn and Veggies
Bonus: dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, vegan
The simple corn on the cob gets a fancy upgrade! Zhuzh it up with some added veg and protein, thanks to smoked tofu.
52. Vegan Tuna Salad
Bonus: nothing fishy, about this dishy!
All the taste and all the goodness – without the fish. The new kid on the vegan block is even tastier than the original!
53. Vegan Chickpea Winter Salad
Bonus: good food doesn’t need to be expensive to taste like a million bucks!
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!
54. Thai Quinoa Salad
Bonus: the perfect summery salad to brighten even the most dull wintery days
A refreshingly light, tasty Asian super-dish with lots of protein, fiber and tropical flavour. Get your summer feeling here.
55. Crunchy Asian Tofu Salad
Bonus: when was the last time you threw radishes, pineapple and tofu together?
High in Protein, Low-carb and Vegan. A crunchy and colourful mix of delicious vegan foods that look great and taste even better!
56. Crazy Quick White Bean Salad
Bonus: another beefy salad (that doesn’t involve beef)
High Protein White Bean Salad that’s healthy and vegan (it’s actually one of our fave vegan protein salads!). High in fiber, vitamins A, C, E, B2 and B6 as well as iron and calcium. Takes less than 10 minutes.
57. HP Black Bean Salad with Corn
Bonus: a really light and simple recipe
High Protein Black Bean and Corn Summer Salad. Simple recipe ready in just 10 minutes, bursting with summery flavours, protein, fiber and iron.
58. Turkish Lentil Salad
Bonus: with a Honey Mustard Dressing so good you’d probably enjoy it on cardboard!
Turkish Lentil Salad with a honey mustard dressing. Easy and quick, ready in 7 minutes. Full of fiber, protein and vitamin K.
59. Spicy Black Bean Soup
Bonus: a lot more than a bit of a hug in a mug!
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!
60. Arugula Lentil Salad From Heaven
Bonus: easy to find ingredients, simple, tasty and really healthy!
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.
So there you have it!
Delicious recipes that aid your weight loss efforts, especially if you are following a vegan or plant-based lifestyle.
Plant-based weight loss recipes help balance your blood sugar levels, to support healthy weight loss. Based on your actual weight loss goals, we have plenty of in-house resources. We help you with meal planning, give you menus with plenty of fresh vegetables and whole grains.
Recipes that can be made with simple ingredients, available at your local grocery store, so you aren’t scouring the internet to source hard to find ingredients.
Sign up today and sit back for the perfect recipes to complement your plant-based lifestyle, while supporting your weight loss goals.
Vegan Weight Loss Questions
How can vegans lose weight fast?
Losing weight fast, for vegans or meat-eaters, is not advisable. It is better to follow a sensible diet, eating foods rich in leafy greens, whole grains, healthy fats and protein.
A diet that will help you lose weight gradually, no more than 1-2 pounds per week. This way, you can avoid putting back all the weight you have lost, and then some!
Is it easier to lose weight when vegan?
Following a vegan diet is no shortcut to weight loss, though a plant-based diet is more conducive to good health. A vegan diet has plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes – which is what someone whose goal is weight loss should be eating plenty of!
Then again, Oreos are vegan too! So it is more important to eat healthy plant-based foods on a daily basis, to attain weight loss.
What is the secret to losing weight on a vegan diet?
The secret to losing weight on a vegan and on any diet is calorie deficit. By burning more than you consume, you get into a calorie deficit, which results in weight loss.
It is generally as simple – and as straightforward – as that. There can be some nuances of course, and if you have other medical issues this can make a difference. This is why, before following any weight loss diet, it is important to get your doctor’s advice.
Lots more information is available on our Vegetarian Health and Longevity podcast right here.
I hope you have got some interesting ideas to try out in the kitchen, and new recipes to help with your weight loss efforts. Tell us which of the 60 recipes is your favorite, which gave you the most trouble and which you will be making again, and again!
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.
This article has been medically reviewed by James LeBaigue MSc Learn More
James LeBaigue MSc
James has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Human Nutrition.
He loves combining his scientific knowledge along with food in the real world, and these recipes are the result.
He’s on top of all the latest evidence and guidelines to make sure our nutrition advice on the website is as accurate as it can be.
By day he works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a busy NHS GP Practice.
Each recipe is tested and then eaten (much to James’ delight), many times before it is deemed worthy to be published. Bon appetit!
Comments
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4 comments
Thank you very much for the interesting recipes
You’re welcome Angela!
Wow! Incredible selection of vegan recipes for weight loss! So many delicious recipes that I know will be amazing since they were hand-picked by you guys! Thank you for taking the time to do this
You’re very welcome, Traci! Really glad you like the selection 🙂