22 Plant Based Recipes for a Better Health

Collection of plant-based recipes to become healthier and environmentally conscious. Add a variety of meatless recipes to your weekday cooking.

Whether you're looking to eat less meat for health reasons, environmental reasons, or simply to add variety to your weekly meals, these 22 plant based recipes will get you started.

But first, what does a 'plant based' diet actually mean?

This post contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated if a purchase is made through the links provided at no extra cost to you. For more information, please read our affiliate disclosure.

What Is a Plant Based Diet?

According to Wikipedia: A plant-based diet is a diet consisting mostly or entirely of foods derived from plants, including vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruits, and with few or no animal products.

Makes sense, right? A plant based diet consists mostly of plant-derived foods. That said, a plant based diet differs from a true vegetarian or vegan diet, in that animal products are still allowed. They are just consumed in much smaller quantities.

Are Plant Based Recipes Healthy For You?

Many plant based recipes are inherently rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber needed to live a healthy lifestyle and which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

Just eating any plant based foods isn't good enough though. As research at Harvard Medical School has shown, choosing the right plant based foods is just as important as reducing the amount of animal products consumed.

Eating only white rice and white bread (although they are plant based) for example, is not the healthiest choice as they are both highly processed and contain minimal nutrients.

It's important to eat a wide variety of plant based foods, and choose whole unprocessed foods whenever possible.

Plant Based Recipes To Help You Eat Better

So you made it this far, and you've decided to finally try eating more plant based meals. That's great! I've put together a collection of recipes to help you enjoy a variety of foods and meals, to help you start enjoying more plant based foods.

While these recipes are all 'plant-based', they are not vegan and may include animal products such as dairy or eggs.

Side Dish Plant Based Recipes

The perfect accompaniment to an entree, these plant based side dishes are packed with flavor and make a great lunch to boot!

Vegan Pad Thai

This Vegan Pad Thai has the perfect combination of sweet, tangy & spicy flavors that’ll send your taste buds into overdrive. It’s so easy to make and it’ll be on your table in 30 minutes.

Get the recipe

Red Lentil Dahl

This delicious Red Lentil Dahl recipe is ready in just 25 minutes in 1-pot! It’s one of my all time favourite and is a comforting Indian curry.

Get the recipe

Mango Edamame Quinoa Salad

A great meal prep recipe and the best potluck recipe, this protein rich entree or side salad has vibrant flavor and color!

Get the recipe

Main Meal Plant Based Recipes

When you're looking for something a little more filling, look no further. These plant based supper recipes are sure to get your creative culinary juices flowing (not to mention your tastebuds!), all while keeping it healthy.

Butternut Squash and Garam Masala Cream Soup

Garam Masala adds a wonderfully light hint of curry to this butternut squash soup. A one pot recipe that takes only 1 hour start to finish! Great for an early spring dinner to warm you up on a cool evening!

Get the recipe

Lemon Garlic Pasta

Lemon Garlic Pasta with Peas and Asparagus is fresh and simple, loaded with garlic, lemon and fresh dill. It’s the perfect dish to prepare for a dinner party, date night or lazy summer evening. And it’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.

Get the recipe

Layered Eggplant Parmesan Casserole (Oven Baked)

A vegetarian dish even the meat-eaters can enjoy, this baked eggplant parmesan is loaded with crispy breaded eggplant slices, a rich tomato, garlic, and herb sauce, then topped with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.

Get the recipe

One Pot Ratatouille

A classic French recipe, this ratatouille makes the most of summer vegetables and is not only vegan but also gluten-free.

Get the recipe

Vegan Pad Thai

Pad Thai is one of those non-vegan comfort foods that can be converted into a plant-based delight with just a few tweaks. This recipe shows just how simple it is to make vegan Pad Thai. With only fifteen minutes of prep time, it is quick and easy.

Get the recipe

Hearty Lentil Bolognese

This hearty lentil bolognese is packed with flavor, and is a fantastic plant-based alternative that's super simple to make. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Get the recipe

Jamaican Jerk Chili With Mango Salsa

A 30-minute vegan chili topped with mango salsa!

Get the recipe

Coconut-Peanut Butter Chickpea and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This Coconut-Peanut Butter Chickpea and Broccoli Stir-Fry is ready in a manner of minutes, making it the ideal dinner dish for busy weeknights.

Get the recipe

Plant Based Tacos & Burgers Recipes

Who said plant based recipes couldn't include tacos or burgers!? These plant based options are perfect for summer cookouts with friends and family.

Related:  Butternut Squash Soup with Curry

Teriyaki Veggie Burgers

These easy Teriyaki Veggie Burgers from The Vegan 8 come together with just 8 ingredients, and minimal hands on time! They are packed with flavor—ginger, sesame, garlic, and onion—and they’re about to be your new favorite!

Get the recipe

Roasted Chicpea Tacos With Lime Yogurt Dressing

Roasted chickpea tacos are a quick, easy, and affordable way to provide your family with the protein they need. Simple and nourishing, they are packed with flavour, colour, and texture!

Get the recipe

Black Bean Burgers With Mushrooms

Easy to make Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Mushrooms are bound to be a hit with veggie and meat lovers! Make ahead or use the same day. Perfect veggie burgers for summer or anytime!

Get the recipe

Butternut Squash Tostadas with Chunky Guacamole

Spicy roasted butternut squash, feta and cilantro makes these vegetarian tacos a flavor explosion!

Get the recipe

Vegan Chickpea Burgers

You don't have to be vegan to enjoy these chickpea burgers. Simple ingredients, and really simple to make in under 30 minutes!

Get the recipe

Instant Pot Plant Based Recipes

Have an Instant pot? Get cooking with these simple and delicious Instant Pot plant based recipes.

Vegan Ricotta Stuffed Shells

These vegan ricotta-stuffed shells have been a hit with both vegans and omnivores! A delicious centrepiece of a family meal that's surprisingly easy to make.

Get the recipe

Instant Pot Spicy Vegan Chili

Instant Pot Spicy Vegan Chili is hearty, flavourful and comes together in less than an hour. It’s loaded with vegetarian taco meat, as well as black beans and peppers, so you get a dose of fibre with a spicy kick!

Get the recipe

Vegan Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs

Vegan Instant Pot BBQ Meatballs are a modern spin on the classic party appetizer! Bet you can’t eat just one!

Get the recipe

Instant Pot Thai Green Curry

This slightly sweet and mildly spicy recipe for Instant Pot Thai Green Curry with Tofu beats take-out any day! It’s a delicious vegan curry that comes together in less than 30 minutes, and is completely customizable

Get the recipe

Instant Pot Aloo Matar (Peas & Potato Curry)

This simple peas and potato curry recipe is perfect for days when you want a fuss-free meal that is easy to make and delicious. Pair it with roti or rice to make it a complete meal.

Get the recipe

Made the recipe? Comment & Rate it below, then take a picture and tag me on Facebook. For more from scratch recipes, follow me on Facebook & Pinterest.