A new year is coming, and with that comes a lot of goals for what people want to do differently in the new year. New Years Resolutions often revolve around food, and this is nothing new! However, Veganuary specifically is a trend that has risen in popularity this past decade. Veganuary is a challenge that was created in the UK and encourages people to go vegan for the month of January. Some participants use it as a starting point to then go vegan long-term, and some just do it for those 31 days. No matter what boat you land in, I'm all for encouraging people to eat more plants in any capacity!
Whether you're going fully vegan this year, or just want to sprinkle in a few extra plant based recipes into your rotation this January, let's go over some recipes you should try out this Veganuary!
Soups
January is still soup season in my book, and there are so many great vegan soup recipes out there! So why not try some out for Veganuary? Here are a few of my favorites that are sure to impress any vegan or omnivore.
The Coziest Tomato Basil Soup
This is the perfect weeknight tomato soup because it only takes about 25 minutes of hands-on time! Easy to make, ultra creamy, ultra flavorful, and ultra cozy. Many of these ingredients can be stored in your pantry, so keep some on hand for your next tomato soup craving!
Vegan hungarian mushroom soup
This Vegan Hungarian Mushroom Soup is hearty with a perfect balance of flavors! It’s slightly tangy from the coconut yogurt, earthy from the mushrooms, and has a burst of flavor from the herbs and spices. This is the perfect soup for any mushroom lover!
Sweet Potato Kale Soup
This Sweet Potato Kale Soup is perfect for soup season! This soup is cozy, delicious, and has lots of nutrients packed in. If you’re a sweet potato lover, this soup is sure to make it into your regular rotation.
Pastas
If you're a follower of the blog, you probably know by now that I am a big pasta girl. Pasta is great for the veg-curious because there are so many ways to make it fun by just using plants, and it's always a crowd pleaser! These pasta recipes are sure to impress on both presentation and flavor.
Baked vegan butternut squash mac & cheese
A veganized version of the classic! This Baked Vegan Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese is creamy, comforting, and delicious. This recipe looks impressive and is ready to enjoy in just 45 minutes!
Creamy Vegan Avocado Pesto
This Vegan Avocado Pesto can be added to whatever pasta you'd like and is about to be a new staple in your kitchen! It has the traditional basil flavor that we all know and love, but with some fun twists. The extra greens make it even more nutritious, and the avocado gives it a creamy texture.
Vegan Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Kale
This Vegan Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Kale is cozy and comforting, while also tasting fresh and nourishing. The tomatoes burst with so much flavor, and our Lemon Tofu Ricotta makes our pasta dish nice and creamy. This is a great go-to recipe for any pasta-loving plant based kitchen!
Salads
People often think of salads as being boring and bland, but they definitely don't have to be! If a salad is bulked up with just the right plant based ingredients and a good salad dressing, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few delicious salads that are sure to excite you this Veganuary!
Pomegranate Wild Rice Salad
If you're not ready to let go of holiday flavors quite yet, this Pomegranate Wild Rice Salad is for you! Many of the flavors in this hearty salad are a nod to the winter holidays. It is slightly nutty, slightly earthy, slightly sweet, and overall delicious.
Strawberry Apple Cider Salad
This Strawberry Apple Cider Salad is fresh and vibrant from the strawberries, but also slightly cozy from the candied pecans and apples. The marinated tofu feta adds tons of flavor, and the Apple Cider Tahini Dressing is the perfect amount of sweetness.
Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad
This Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad is the refreshing, crunchy salad of your dreams! So much flavor and nutrients from our veggies, and it plates beautifully since it is so colorful. Pair this with your favorite meal as a side salad, or enjoy it on its own for a refreshing lunch.
Buddha Bowls
If you've been to my blog before, you probably know that I love Buddha Bowls. Buddha Bowls are basically a combination of whatever you'd like in a bowl - they usually include a grain or a starch, some greens, lots of veggies, and fun toppings and a dressing. I have an entire ebook (that is completely free!) on how to build your own Buddha Bowl if you'd like to get creative and make your own! Or, you can try out some of my favorite combinations below.
Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
One of the most popular recipes on the blog! This Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl With Creamy Cilantro Dressing is the perfect mix of savory spices, hearty sweet potatoes, and flavorful lime. Perfect for a nutritious and delicious lunch or dinner!
Plant Based Banh Mi Buddha Bowl
Pickled & fresh veggies, a delicious mayo sauce, and some smoky marinated tofu – all the best things of a plant based banh mi! Feel free to make all the individual components ahead of time and assemble bowls for meals throughout the week.
Mediterranean Buddha Bowl
This Mediterranean Buddha Bowl is FULL of flavor! The base of this bowl is green lentils and Quinoa Tabbouleh, filled up with lots of veggies and a delicious dill dressing. The perfect plant based meal!
Handheld Meals
This is the category for any meal that can be easily held in your hand - like sandwiches and wraps! These types of meals make great lunches and can be easily altered if you'd like to switch out any of the veggies or add other fun toppings!
The Ultimate Vegan Pesto Grilled Cheese
This Ultimate Vegan Pesto Grilled Cheese is a vegan dream. It’s the perfect comfort meal but is completely dairy free, has some great nutrients thrown in from the pesto and veggies, and even includes an oil free option!
Black Bean Burger
This Black Bean Burger is a must-have staple for any plant based kitchen! These burgers hold together well, are pretty simple to make, and taste delicious with whatever toppings you desire.
Air Fryer Falafel
These Air Fryer Falafels are easy to make and pack in a bunch of flavor! Pair these with your favorite veggies and some hummus in a pita wrap for a delicious handheld lunch or dinner!
Tacos & Tex Mex
That's right, over here on Joyful Balance, Tacos & Tex Mex get their own category! I love Tex Mex food because it is flavorful and honestly pretty easy to make plant based - perfect to try out this Veganuary! I've made many Tex Mex inspired recipes over the years, and here are a few of my favorites for you to try!
Roasted Sweet Potato Tacos
These Roasted Sweet Potato Tacos are perfect for your next taco night! The sweet potatoes are perfectly roasted, the corn provides a pop of sweetness, the toasted pumpkin seeds add a bit of a crunch, and our delicious chipotle sauce gives it a spicy kick.
Air Fried Avocado Tacos
These Air Fried Avocado Tacos are a favorite in my house! All of the Tex Mex flavors we love, with a veganized avocado twist! The pico and roasted poblano sauce can be prepped ahead of time, making the rest of the assembly relatively quick.
Jackfruit Quesadillas
These Jackfruit Quesadillas are a dream come true for Tex-Mex-loving vegans! Hearty jackfruit, nutritious veggies, and a tasty cheese sauce. These are sure to become a favorite in your plant based kitchen!
Breakfasts
Up to this point we've only covered lunch and dinner - but we can't forget about breakfast too! These are some of my go-tos when I want to start my day off on a delicious note!
Sweet Potato Pancakes
These Sweet Potato Pancakes are perfect for a fun brunch or breakfast! They also reheat GREAT as leftovers. They are somewhat sweet from the sweet potato, but not too overly heavy or decadent. Plus, the topping options are endless!
Tex Mex Tofu Scramble
Plant-based protein, tons of veggies, and flavors that pop - you can’t go wrong with this Tex Mex spin on tofu scramble! Delicious for vegans and omnivores alike.
Easy Vanilla Almond Granola
This Easy Vanilla Almond Granola only requires 5 minutes of hands-on time, and only uses 5 ingredients! For a delicious plant based breakfast just pair this with some fresh fruit and nondairy yogurt as a parfait, or with some nondairy milk to enjoy cereal-style.
Snacks
If you're anything like me, you need some snacks to get you through the day. Here are some of my favorites that I go to again and again and haven't gotten tired of!
Quick Vegan Queso
This Quick Vegan Queso is ooey gooey, has a cheesy-inspired flavor, and makes for an excellent Tex Mex inspired snack. Grab some tortilla chips and dig in!
Hit the Trail Mix
This Hit the Trail Mix recipe is perfect for on-the-go adventures or just snacking at home! It's mostly sweet with a very slight kick of spice from the smoked paprika. Simple, delicious, and only made with wholesome ingredients!
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
This Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is a more savory & smoky twist on the traditional hummus we all know and love. Use this as a dip with your favorite crackers or fresh veggies for a nutritious snack. Only 10 minutes of hands-on time!
More Easy Recipes for Veganuary
I hope the above recipes got you excited for Veganuary, and that many of them are enjoyed in your plant based (or veg-curious) kitchen! If you need even more inspiration, be sure to look through the many vegan recipes here on the Joyful Balance blog!
Happy Veganuary, and stay joyfully balanced!
Diane says
So many delicious recipes in one place! Thanks for putting this roundup together -- its going to make the next month easy.
Delaney Marie says
Hooray! Hope you love the recipes! 🙂
Katie says
oh my goodness so many amazing recipes! Can't wait to try these!
Delaney Marie says
Enjoy! 🙂