Zero Waste Recipes
ByMerilin Vrachovska
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Are you searching for hearty & nutritious vegan recipes for non-vegans?
I contacted some of my favorite vegan bloggers and asked them for their BEST recipes, approved by non-vegans.
These recipes are ideal for all of your skeptical friends, who can’t grasp the idea of having a delicious meal without meat, cheese, or dairy products.
The 21 vegan recipes to impress ANYONE, including picky eaters or meat-eaters. Ok, with that said, let’s begin with the list!
Breakfast Vegan Recipes To Impress:
1. Vegan Banana Bread
A classic vegan banana bread recipe for a moist, healthy, oil-free option!
The straightforward recipe is with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
The trick is to use ripe, freckled bananas because the riper your bananas are, the less sugar you’ll need.
Eat it with peanut butter on top, yogurt, fruits, or on its own!
Find the recipe at:The Simple Veganista
2. Buckwheat Crepes
This 30-minute, 5-ingredient recipe for gluten-free crepes is versatile and can be made oil-free, sugar-free, sweet, or savory!
The gluten-free crepes are made with a simple mix of buckwheat flour, dairy-free milk, a little oil, salt, and sweetener of choice.
Best of all, the filling/topping options are endless; you can add anything, depending on your craving.
Find the recipe at:Minimalist Baker
3. Banana PB Cookies
Easy and delicious 3-ingredient PB & oatmeal cookies to impress picky non-vegans!
They contain no refined sugar, no flour, and no baking soda; it is nearly the easiest cookie recipe ever.
It is an ideal breakfast option, and you can easily create different variations by adding dark chocolate chips, raisins, and cocoa powder.
Find the recipe at:My Pure Plants
4. Chickpea Flour Pancakes (Savory)
Chickpea pancakes, also known as Vegan Omelet, is a high-protein, gluten-free breakfast that’s filling and packed with fiber and protein!
It takes only 10 minutes to whisk together the ingredients and then another 10 minutes to cook.
It is incredibly versatile, and you can add various veggies and toppings.
Find the recipe at:Oh She Glows
Lunch/Dinner Vegan Recipes To Impress:
5. Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
Make these delicious vegan buffalo cauliflower tacos for a crowd-pleasing family lunch/dinner or any larger gathering!
Double battered cauliflower bites meet crispy chickpeas, fresh salsa, and a creamy dressing.
Find the recipe at:Nutriciously
6. Black Bean Burger
This carnivore-approved black bean lentil burger recipe is hearty, crowd-pleasing, and easy to make in under 30 minutes.
Only easy-to-find & accessible ingredients are needed!
Find the recipe at:Epic Vegan Eats
7. Buffalo Chickpea Salad
A recipe that will always be a hit with meat-loving friends and family is this flavor-packed Buffalo Chickpea Salad.
Faith from The Conscientious Eater says, “This recipe is a twist on my Mother-in-law’s buffalo chicken dip that she would serve at every holiday meal.”
You can serve it 1) between two slices of bread with some lettuce and tomato as a sandwichor 2) with veggies and crackers as a dip.
Find the recipe at:The Conscientious Eater
8. Vegan Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce
An easy and delicious recipe for vegan lasagna, with onions, carrots, celery, tomato, and minced soy meat layer with red wine.
Of course, it is covered by tasty vegan béchamel sauce.
Find the recipe at:Zucker Jagdwurst
9. Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
This incredible vegan eggplant Parmesan is one of those recipes that you can serve on absolutely any occasion.
It’s easy to make, packed with deliciousness, cozy, and crispy – the best combination of flavors in just one plate!
It is conveniently baked instead of fried, too.
Find the recipe at:Simple Vegan Blog
10. Spicy Garlic Wok Noodles
An improved update of spicy garlic wok noodles, that’s an easy, delicious lunch or dinner, done in about 30 minutes. It is a fantastic dish to impress non-vegans.
It’s loaded with veggies and is an ultra-flexible recipe. You can change the veggies based on what you have in the fridge – green beans, cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, or bean sprouts – they all work great!
Find the recipe at:Pick Up Limes
11. Vegan Red Lentil Curry
Easy, creamy, and quick Indian-inspired curry for cozy weekends.
This delicious meal has over 1365 votes of 5 stars, and it is loved by everyone who tried it – whether it was vegan or not!
This curry is exceptionally indulgent, nourishing, earthy, and flavorful.
Find the recipe at:Rainbow Plant Life
12. Cold Beetroot Soup
Šaltibarščiai is a Lithuanian cold soup made from beetroots, kefir, and milk, and served with boiled potatoes.
My friend Luna created a fantastic vegan version.
It is a beautiful, light, summer meal that will impress your family and friends because of its rich & strong flavor.
Find the recipe at: Sunberry Jam
Vegan Dips & Sauces To Impress:
13. Vegan Nacho Cheese
Impress your friends and family with this simple yet unique cheese-less cheese! All you need is a high-speed blender and a couple of easy-to-find ingredients.
Most vegan cheeses include cashews, but this one is made with vegetables! More specifically, potatoes and carrots.
The other essential ingredients for this silky smooth nacho cheese include arrowroot powder (or cornstarch), pickled jalapenos, tomato paste, and spices.
Find the recipe at:Hot For Food
14. Vegan Spinach Dip
Are you looking for a fantastic crowd-pleasing and sharable appetizer?
This creamy Vegan Spinach Dip is a super yummy option, made with garlic, onion, dairy-free cream cheese, and fresh spinach.
The base of this dip is cream cheese, homemade one, or store-bought.
It is best to enjoy the Spinach Dip with carrots, celery, bell peppers, bread cubes, crackers, or tortilla chips!
Find the recipe at:Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen
15. Dairy-Free Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
A creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Dip that’s easy to make in a food processor and uses white beans instead of cream cheese or sour cream.
Ready in 15 minutes, the Sun-Dried Tomato Dip is loaded with flavor and requires only 6 ingredients!
Enjoy it with raw vegetables, crackers, or crusty bread for a taste of summer all year round.
Find the recipe at:Veggies Save The Day
Vegan Desserts To Impress:
16. Tofu Cheesecake with Plum and Elderberry Jelly
A baked vegan cheesecake with natural ingredients is easy to make and tastes heavenly.
With a super crunchy and perfectly crumbly crust, tasty cheese-like flavor, and thin homemade fruity jelly on top, it is sure to impress both vegans and non-vegans.
A bonus here is that this Tofu Cheesecake is not just super tasty but also healthy and nutritious!
Find the recipe at:Sunberry Jam
17. Fudgy Vegan Almond Brownies
You can easily impress non-vegans with those super fudgy & almond butter brownies.
They are SUPER delicious and incredibly chewy, plus the recipe is quite simple; you will need just 7 ingredients and a bowl. (no blender required!)
Find the recipe at:Almost Zero Waste
18. Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Rich, silky, chocolate mousse containing one special ingredient: Avocado!
You can’t feel the avocado flavor; its primary function is the texture of the mousse.
While it isn’t just super tasty and low in sugar, it is also nutritious and packed with healthy fats.
You will certainly impress everyone who tries this Avocado Mousse.
Find the recipe at:Chocolate Covered Katie
19. Easy Vegan Carrot Cake
The Carrot Cake is soft, fluffy, and well spiced and has a simple vegan cream cheese frosting that fits perfectly.
This easy-to-make moist and tender cake is packed with the perfect balance of warming spices for a perfect sweet treat!
It is a solid way to impress non-vegans on any occasion.
Find the recipe at:The Curious Chickpea
20. Poppyseed Cake
We have a moist, Zesty Lemon & Poppyseed Cake topped with a simple lemon icing.
This is the perfect cake with an afternoon cup of tea or for breakfast. It is hard to resist, and it won’t last too long in your house!
While the baking time is a bit longer, it is worth the wait.
Find the recipe at:Cupful Of Kale
21. Chocolate Orange Protein Bars
Finally, I am sharing my favorite, easy-to-make & high-protein homemade bars.
The two-layered, chocolate-covered protein bars are a fantastic substitute for the store-bought ones that are usually high in sugar with many additives or artificial ingredients.
The bars are super yummy and convenient for increasing your protein intake.
Find the recipe at:Almost Zero Waste
Summary
There you have it! 21 of the best vegan recipes to impress anyone – from non-vegans to picky eaters.
These hearty dishes and desserts are tasty not because they are vegan but because they are made with delicious ingredients by great people who love creating 100% plant-based recipes.
Whether vegan or not, eating more plant-based can tremendously benefit your health (and the planet).
Furthermore, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Implementing a couple of those dishes regularly will be a significant step towards a healthier and more sustainable diet.
Do you have a favorite vegan recipe that you use to impress your non-vegan friends?
Let me know in the comments below!
Merilin Vrachovska
I'm Meri, and I'm here to share everything I know on how to live more sustainably. You can find tips, guides, and ideas covering a range of topics, from mastering recycling to making easy DIY goodies, and exploring eco-friendly alternatives to everyday products. Excited to have you on board! For more info, check the about page. :)
