55 Vegetarian Weight Loss Recipes (Easy and Delicious)
- Updated on Jul 18, 2022
Looking to drop a few pounds in the coming months, vegetarian style? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a collection of our healthiest and tastiest vegetarian weight loss recipes!
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What’s more, we’ve made it a lot easier for you to navigate the nutritious waters of this compilation by categorising these healthy recipes! In here, you’ll find ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Also, for each recipe, you’ll see, protein, calories and total time. That should make it much easier for you to find your way around.
It’s important to note though, weight loss isn’t just about skipping carbs – carbs are not the enemy – nor is it about keto, or paleo.
Taking control with healthy but still tasty and satisfying vegetarian meals is key for effective weight loss and the good news is, vegetarians are already in the right spot when it comes to that – the veggie diet can be surprisingly effective!
So, start off your weight loss journey on the right foot with this collection of healthy meals, where every recipe has something special going for it.
Vegetarian weight loss recipes? Don’t sweat it! Here are 65 of them.
Reach those body goals and have a delectable time while you’re at it by trying out some of the great recipes below!
And, if you need more help, there’s also a FREE full one-week vegetarian weight loss diet plan you can download. It’s completely free and available as a downloadable PDF.
Subscribe to get our FREE 7-Day Vegetarian High Protein Meal Plan for Weight Loss
Breakfasts for weight loss
1. The 2 Ingredient Banana Egg Pancakes
Bonus: cheap and simple ingredients, light and nutritious meal
This world’s easiest pancakes recipe contains just two ingredients (egg and banana) and is super quick – just minutes from bowl to plate! Simple and tasty.
2. Healthy Yogurt Parfait
Bonus: quick, light and nutritious breakfast, super yummy 😉
This yoghurt parfait is rich with fruits and nuts and is a deliciously quick way to start the day. Never get bored of breakfast again!
3. Vegan Overnight Oats in a Jar
Bonus: full of health benefits, quick and nutritious breakfast
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?
4. Italian-Style Breakfast Egg Muffins
Bonus: tasty, nutritious and low calorie breakfast, works as a snack too 🙂
Fresh basil, salty feta, tangy sun-dried tomatoes and sweet cherry tomatoes: that’s the beautiful combo that gives these breakfast egg muffins the name ‘Italian Style’.
5. Cream Cheese Pancakes
Bonus: light, easy and just needs 3 easy ingredients
Just mix eggs and cream cheese to get delicious low-carb, high-taste pancakes. Ready in 10 minutes.
6. Refreshing Chia Fresca Drink
Bonus: irreplaceable weight loss drink, healthy and quick, simple ingredients
Super healthy and powerful chia seed energy drink. Fuel up with this five-minute recipe used by the best runners of all time for thousands of years!
7. Swiss Bircher Muesli
Bonus: light but filling
Ever heard how powerful a good oat breakfast can be? Try our Swiss Bircher muesli recipe – super easy and yummy!
8. Oatmeal Banana Pancake Recipe
Bonus: use ripe bananas for a touch of sweetness!
We proudly present to you a healthy oatmeal banana pancake recipe, made with oatmeal and topped with a blueberry sauce!
9. Chia Pudding with Almond Milk
Bonus: works great as a snack, desert and even for breakfast
An insanely healthy chia pudding with almond milk that will give you all the nutrients you need, without any unnecessary calories (check out the weight loss benefits of chia seeds here!).
10. Healthy Huevo Rancheros
Bonus: served on a corn tortilla
Huevos rancheros are a quick and easy traditional Mexican breakfast that make a great healthy option for vegetarians (this way for more vegetarian Mexican dishes).
If you want to know how to make huevos rancheros, try this recipe, easy to make and healthy as anything.
11. Acai Bowl
Bonus: we’ve got tips for using fresh, juiced, powdered or pureed acai!
Not even the hippiest California Sunshine Breakfast House can serve an Acai bowl this original. High in anti-oxidants, great for weight loss, the perfect morning meal!
12. Breakfast Beans and Eggs
Bonus: a soft and protein-packed recipe you can’t egg-nore
Breakfast beans and eggs are an absolute classic– simple, cheap and full of good stuff that will fill you up and keep you running.
We’ve taken that classic, comforting dish and gotten creative with it, resulting in a healthier weight loss-friendly version of eggs and beans.
13. Raspberry Low Calorie Pancakes
Bonus: high in nutrients, low in calories
Win over the crowd at your next brunch without hurting your waistline with these raspberry low calorie pancakes!
14. Fluffy Quinoa Egg Muffins
Bonus: a tasty, nutritious and simple recipe
This recipe is one we’re pushing heavily when it comes to a healthy, balanced diet. These quinoa breakfast muffins are incredibly high in protein and are perfect for the avid gym-goer.
15. High Protein Lentil Pancakes
Bonus: a sneaky way to add more protein and fiber to your diet
We’ve made certain that our vegetarian pancakes are nutritionally rich and contain a good amount of protein, and we are proud to call them protein weight loss pancakes!
16. Smoked Tofu Egg Muffins
Bonus: tastes like Tarte flambee!
Boasting 22 grams of protein per serving and a taste like the beautiful French pizzas known as Tarte Flambee. You gotta try our High Protein Smoked Tofu Breakfast Egg Muffins!
17. Mushrooms on Toast
Bonus: versatile and vegan-friendly!
Our delicious vegan take on the trendiest cafe food of the moment, Mushrooms on Toast. It’s perfect for everything from a savoury breakfast to a light dinner.
Lunches for weight loss
18. Vegan Chickpea Winter Salad
Bonus: simple and tasty, full of health benefits
An animal friendly, fresh and tangy summer salad with some serious health benefits. It’s fresh and new, but still prepped within 15 minutes – awesome!
In fact, as a German saying goes, “I would lay my hand in a fire” so sure I am that you like this recipe. Let me pass it on right now:
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas (1 can = 15.5 oz)
- 1 bunch parsley, fresh
- 1 lime (zested and juiced)
- 1 beetroot, pre-cooked
- 2 tbsp mixed seeds (eg. pumpkin & sunflower seeds)
- 1 orange (sliced in filets)
- 1 tsp hot sauce (eg. sriracha)
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional:
- 1 tbsp capers (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Drain the chickpeas and give them a good rinse. Roast the seeds in a pan on medium heat until fragrant (no oil needed).
- Chop the parsley, put it in a food processor or mortar. Add the lime zest, lime juice, garlic, hot sauce, olive oil, salt, pepper and blend it until it’s green and smooth.
- Put the chickpeas into a bowl, add the the ‘parsley dip’. Give it a good toss ;), add some salt to taste, and get it on a plate.
- Filet the orange (this video is cool, just slice the orange after you’ve peeled it), cut the beetroot into nice pieces and garnish the salad.
- If you like, add some capers on top, throw on the seeds, and enjoy.
NOTES
Nutrition
19. Turkish Lentil Salad
Bonus: quick and nutritious salad, can be stored for a while in the fridge
Our stress-free take on the cauliflower classic. Sweet yet punchy, spicy yet smooth. Perfection is here.
20. Tangy Veggie Wrap
Bonus: delicious, nutritious and healthy appetizer, can be stored for a while in the fridge
A refreshing and tangy summer veggie wrap that’s easy to make and perfect for on the go – ideal for bbqs, picnics or wherever it’s needed!
21. Thai Quinoa Salad
Bonus: light and very tasty, full of health benefits, can be stored for a while in the fridge
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.
22. Authentic Vegetarian Tacos
Bonus: tasty and full of important nutrients, perfect as a family meal or party appetizer 🙂
Mexican Vegetarian Tacos. Incredible taste with loads of veggie fiber and protein means this recipe makes you wonder why you ever wanted meat in the first place.
23. Curried Parsnip Soup
Bonus: full of health benefits, very easy to make, can be stored for a while in the fridge
This curried parsnip soup is creamy yet vegan, spicy yet not overpoweringly so. It’s also incredibly easy to make – chop, chop cook!
24. Carrot and Ginger Soup
Bonus: easiest soup ever, keeps well for a couple of days
No complicated cooking steps means this refreshing carrot and ginger soup is ready in just ten easy minutes, and perfect for any weather. Take the stress out of cooking.
25. Couscous & Pear Salad with Cheese
Bonus: easy-to-find ingredients, short prep time
A couscous and pear salad with goat cheese and spinach. Sound’s fancy right? Well don’t be fooled – it’s actually surprisingly simple and, of course, super delicious!
26. Chickpea Avocado Salad
Bonus: high in protein and keeps you going all-day
A chickpea salad would be healthy enough, but a chickpea salad with avocado!? That’s elite-level health, right there. From just the one serving you get a great amount of protein and fiber, around 20g of each!
27. Avocado Citrus Salad with Feta
Bonus: not a fan of grapefruit? No worries, this recipe works great with oranges too!
A mouthwatering mixture of sweet and sour, creamy and juicy, this citrus salad recipe with grapefruit and orange is a beautiful and delicious addition to any table or lunchbox.
28. Spinach Tomato Quesadilla
Bonus: only 15 mins prep time!
It’s packed full of vitamins K and A, B2 and B6, C and E, iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Incredible. What further excuse could you need to make a spinach recipe part of your meal plan today?
29. Smoked Tofu & Hummus Buddha Bowls
Bonus: suitable for dinner as well
A Smoked Tofu and Hummus Buddha Bowl that starts with a base of turmeric rice, topped with lamb’s lettuce, smoked tofu and a hummus dressing is the perfect burst of flavour for your lunch break.
30. Lentil Tabbouleh
Bonus: filled with legumes, a great source of plant protein
We have chosen to make our tabbouleh with couscous instead of bulgar wheat, and have added lentils to the mix, in order to up the protein levels and make it better suited to a weight loss diet!
31. Spinach and Chickpea Bake
Bonus: stacked with nutrients and smells like heaven too!
A hearty helping of this spinach and chickpea bake will definitely satisfy your brunch cravings this weekend!
32. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Bonus: great for a vegan diet
This vegetarian chickpea salad sandwich is kind of like a tuna salad, but better because it’s, well, vegetarian. It’s got 20g of protein, none of the overfishing and is so tasty that it will almost certainly become a staple on your lunchtime circuit.
33. Pear Walnut Salad with Mustard Dressing
Bonus: a delicious salad, made with light and nutritious ingredients
A beautifully crunchy salad with a mix of rocket leaves, dried fruits, pear and walnuts set this salad above the competition. And it’s vegan too!
34. Spinach and Quinoa Bowls
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: SaltAndLavender
Bonus: healthy ingredients, keeps well for a couple of days, tasty and nutritious
These vegan meal prep bowls are loaded with quinoa, spinach, carrots, almonds, and a delicious ginger/garlic/soy dressing!
35. Spanish Beans with Tomatoes
Calories: 125kcal
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: Veggie Desserts
Bonus: very delicious and healthy, simple ingredients, can be stored for a while in the fridge
These vegan gluten-free Spanish beans are packed with flavour, but are so easy to make in less than 20 minutes with just 7 ingredients! Perfect served with rice or fresh bread and only 125 calories per serving.
36. Vegan Cauliflower Risotto
Calories: 70kcal
Ready in: 12 minutes
Recipe by: TheHiddenVeggies
Bonus: super easy, quick and light, works as a main or side dish
This creamy vegan cauliflower risotto with spinach will amaze you! Made with riced cauliflower and cooked to perfection, it’s dairy free, gluten free, and low in carbs and calories, yet rich. Make a creamy, delicious meal in less than 15 minutes! If you want a low carb vegan meal or side dish, this is it!
Dinners for weight loss
37. Stuffed Bell Peppers in Tomato Sauce
Bonus: healthy dinner, simple ingredients, can be stored for a while in the fridge
Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers baked in a delicious tomato sauce – foolproof instructions and packed with vitamins and nutrients – bring the health back!
38. Easy Vegan Cauliflower Curry
Bonus: healthy ingredients, keeps well for a couple of day, tasty and nutritious
Our stress-free take on the cauliflower classic. Sweet yet punchy, spicy yet smooth. Perfection is here.
39. Meatless Chili Con Carne
Bonus: very tasty and full of nutrients, can be stored for a while in the fridge
Who said meat-free recipes can’t deliver? This meatless (aka vegan) chili proves that you can still enjoy your favourite meals, but in a new, animal-friendly way.
40. Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Pepper Sauce
Bonus: light, healthy meal and keeps well for sometime
This roasted cauliflower steak with sauce made from red peppers and garlic, served with roast potatoes and ricotta, is straight up the best cauliflower steak recipe on the market.
41. Oven Melted Feta & Veggie Bake
Bonus: packed with vitamins and protein
This feta and veggie bake recipe is a delight, and proof you don’t have to sacrifice flavourful food in exchange for a diet-friendly dish!
42. African Peanut Soup
Bonus: packed with vitamins and protein
Healthy African peanut soup with rice, based on a traditional West African recipe that’s packed with protein, vitamins and, best of all, flavour.
43. Vegan Chickpea Curry
Bonus: rich, creamy, quick and vegan-friendly!
Our vegan chickpea curry is packed full of protein, fibre and iron. Plus it only takes 25 minutes to make – the perfect option for a weeknight dinner with a kick!
44. Purple Beetroot Pasta
Bonus: a leafy dish loaded with vitamins and minerals
The combination of beets, arugula and feta is well known for being an excellent “pairing” of flavours and, purple pasta – how cool is that?!
45. Black Bean Burrito Bowl
Bonus: garnished with sweet, anti-oxidising pineapples
Imagine a meal that’s easy to make, and filled with colourful and super nutritious black beans. Sounds like a dream? Well then, this black bean burrito recipe is a dream come true.
46. Roasted Asparagus & Tomato with Halloumi
Bonus: keeps well for a couple of days, a perfect recipe for the summer
After a healthy, quick-to-make meal? Try our roasted asparagus and tomatoes with halloumi and quinoa. Ready in 30 minutes!
47. Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Bonus: slicing your vegetables into more petite strips is a great way to save time!
These honey-roasted carrots and parsnips will impress at your next potluck or roast dinner: the ultimate nutrient-packed winter side dish.
48. Oven Roasted Broccoli Halloumi Traybake
Bonus: just 35mins and holds well for sometime
Looking for a healthy dinner recipe? Try this simple oven-roasted broccoli with halloumi & lentils. 32g grams of protein each!
49. Baked Ricotta
Bonus: you can completely remove the oil from this recipe dropping the already low 495 calories per serving to an amazing 370 calories per serving!
With a preparation time of just five minutes this has to be one of the best quickest weight-loss recipes in the world!
50. Easy Broccoli & Cauliflower Soup
Bonus: light, easy and healthy soup, can be stored for a while in the fridge
Make the most out of your veg with this Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup – tasty, easy, healthy, full of vitamins and only five mins to prep!
51. Speedy Vegan Burrito
Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp
Bonus: quick and easy, delicious and healthy 🙂
The new vegan burrito is here, paving the way and setting the standard. Mega quick and perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
52. Spicy Black Bean Soup
Bonus: quick, delicious and nutritious, keeps well for a couple of days
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!
53. Roasted Eggplant & Tomato Gnocchi
Ready in: 40 minutes (5 minutes prep)
Recipe by: TheForkedSpoon
Bonus: simple ingredients, can be stored for a while in the fridge
287 calories per serving
This easy and delicious vegetarian Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Gnocchi is made with just six simple ingredients including ripe tomatoes, eggplant, sweet basil, parmesan cheese, store-bought gnocchi, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
54. Best Traditional Meatless Meatloaf
Ready in: 1 hour 15 minutes (20 minutes prep)
Recipe by: KeepingThePeas
Bonus: very tasty and full of health benefits, keeps well for a couple of days
130 calories per serving
With all the traditional seasonings of the original this vegan meatless meatloaf with chickpeas, peppers, and onions is big on flavor topped with a tomato maple glaze. Perfect as the main dish at your next dinner party, or easy enough to pull together for a light dinner.
55. Red Lentil Spinach Soup
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: FoodMeanderings
Bonus: delicious and healthy, can be stored for a while in the fridge
272 calories per serving
This easy and healthy Red Lentil Spinach Soup is a hearty and delicious vegetarian meal that’s ready in 30 minutes (for quick vegetarian meals, head this way)! It’s only 7 Weight Watchers Freestyle Smart Points.
FAQs for vegetarian weight loss recipes
You must already be itching to try out one of those healthy vegetarian recipes, but, don’t run off to your pantry just yet, let’s answer some questions you may want to ask first.
Is Vegetarianism a good way to lose weight?
Sure! If you do it right. A fried cheese sandwich is technically vegetarian, but that doesn’t sound too weight-loss friendly now, does it? Exactly why Harvard Health recommends a well-constructed and healthy plant-based vegetarian diet if you’re really looking to slim down.
What Vegetarian foods are good for weight loss?
The basic components for effective vegetarian weight loss meals are:
- leafy greens
- non-starchy vegetables
- lean proteins like tofu
- legumes
- eggs
- nuts, seeds (a bit less)
- starchy veggies (a bit less)
- Whole grains (a bit less)
- Cheese (a bit less)
Also try to reduce added sugars (refined grains too) and switch to a whole foods, plant-based diet.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our collection of vegetarian weight loss recipes from around the globe and we wish you much success on your weight loss journey.
Don’t forget to grab your free weight loss meal plan if you haven’t already.
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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6 comments
I downloaded a meal plan veggie weight loss and I printed the menu and grocery list. I went back to that same download to get the recipes and now I have a veggie protein weight loss plan with totally diff menu and recipes. Whatever happened to the meal plan veggie weight loss not protein weight loss.
Hi Mary! Sorry for the slow reply. In the email, there should be two different plans – one for building muscle, and one for weight loss. I’d imagine that had caused the problem. Please let me know if you managed to find it. Cheers!
Thai Quinoa Salad caught my attention. Definitely its my lunch today 🙂
just made it the last week and it does taste wonderful! I hope you like it 🙂
I am so bvb excited to have found your recipes!!!! I am starting today….noon to be exact! Thank you so much
Really glad to hear you’re excited about the recipes!! We are too 😀
Enjoy, Suzanne!