Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Jump to:
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, busy schedules and demanding work routines often make it challenging to prepare nutritious meals. This is where quick and healthy vegan meals come in handy. These recipes are perfect for busy individuals who want to stay healthy while still saving time in the kitchen.
Some of these are also great for college kids who need simple, quick meal ideas. For more on that, visit Easy Vegan College Recipes.
Some Quick Tips for Quick and Easy Meals
- Keep wraps in stock. They are little delicious pouches you can fill with anything for quick meals.
- Keep some chopped veggies you use regularly, like onions, mushrooms, and carrots ready to go to cut down on chopping before each meal.
- Batch cook sometime during the week. Cook staples in bulk, like your favorite grain, bean, and roasted vegetables, and store them in air-tight containers in the fridge. Vary them weekly to combat boredom and for the varied nutritional profile of different foods.
- Don't forget to keep the freezer stocked with pre-chopped veggies like broccoli and beans like edamame.
- Keep aromatic herbs like cilantro, basil, and parsley stocked in your fridge to lift the flavor of any dish. Or better yet, grow some whenever you want and save some money.
- Remember to make your sauces for the week! Meals are so much better with a little bit of a drizzle! Try Easy Aioli Sauce, Easy Chipotle Aioli Sauce, and Salsa Romesco (Easy Romesco Sauce) this week!
Recipes for quick and easy vegan meals
Why do most recipes in this collection intentionally omit specific quantities?
Well, because they are crafted to be quick by throwing things together and easily adaptable to individual preferences. They are the type of recipes you can put together in a flash.
It's worth noting that some of these recipes may require pre-planning, such as batch cooking, to achieve the quickness we desire.
But fear not! I can guarantee that the effort will be well worth it when you savor the deliciousness that awaits. I have included detailed recipe links where available.
Vegan Burrito Bowl Or Wrap
This is a great go-to meal.
- Step 1: Place some batched cooked rice like Simple Instant Pot Yellow Rice or Arabic Rice With Vermicelli in a wrap or bowl.
- Step 2: Add some canned black beans, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, and corn in the wrap or bowl.
- Step 3: A good sauce is key! Top it with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of your favorite sauce, such as Chipotle Pepper Sauce, hot sauce, or Mango Cucumber Salsa.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich, Wrap, or Lettuce Wrap
- Step 1: In a bowl, partially mash a can of chickpeas
- Step 2: Add diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, fresh parsley or cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can add any veggies you have handy. You can add sweetness with diced apples, cranberries, or relish.
- Step 3: Add some mayo, a little mustard, salt, and pepper. Combine until well mixed.
- Step 4: Serve over a bed of mixed greens, sandwich bread, or a tortilla wrap.
For a more detailed recipe, visit Vegan Chickpea Salad
Vegan Sushi Rolls
Cook some sushi rice, and roll it up in a nori sheet with sliced avocado, cucumber, tofu, and carrot (or any available veggies). Serve with soy sauce and wasabi.
Or forget rolling it all together! Try making this quick and easy Vegan Sushi Bake.
Vegan Bean Chili
You can make this quick vegan bean chili in a hurry.
- Step 1: In a pot, sauté some diced onions, garlic, and bell peppers for 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 can of drained beans (such as black, kidney, or pinto), and spices to taste (such as chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika).
- Step 3: Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes and serve with chopped cilantro, scallions, and vegan sour cream. They are key!
Tofu Scramble
This is the ultimate versatile, quick, and healthy vegan meal.
- Step 1: Sauté some diced onions, garlic, and your favorite veggies (such as spinach or bell peppers) for a few minutes.
- Step 2: Crumble 1 block of tofu into the pan and sauté for a few more minutes.
- Step 3: Season with turmeric, cumin, and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor and cook for another few minutes.
For a high-protein recipe, go to High Protein Tofu Scramble.
Spicy Tomato and Chickpea Stir-Fry
This easy, delicious, and spicy stir-fry is a great option for those who love bold flavors fast.
- Step 1: Heat a tablespoon of sesame or other oil in a wok or frying pan.
- Step 2: Add chopped garlic, chopped tomatoes, and chickpeas, and stir-fry for 5 minutes until the chickpeas are crispy and the tomatoes are soft.
- Step 3: Add seasonings such as harissa or chili paste, salt, and pepper.
- Step 4: Serve with rice or quinoa on top of a bed of your favorite lettuce. Mix fresh parsley and your favorite sauce like Easy Vegan Yum Yum Sauce.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito Bowl
This quick and easy burrito bowl is a great option for those who love Mexican flavors.
- Step 1: Saute diced sweet potatoes and bell peppers in a pan until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 2: Add a can of black beans and seasoning of your choice. I suggest salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and chili pepper for some Mexican flavors. A bonus is Mexican oregano - so good.
- Step 3: Wrap it with some yellow rice, salsa, and guacamole for a healthy and delicious meal.
Sautéed Kale and Quinoa Salad
This quick and healthy vegan meal is a nourishing salad and a great option for those who love leafy greens.
- Step 1: Sauté chopped kale in a pan with garlic, lemon juice, and a little salt until wilted.
- Step 2: Serve over a bed of cooked quinoa, topped with sliced avocado and cherry tomatoes.
- Step 3: Add your favorite beans, like Roasted Chickpeas, and top with your dressing or sauce for a filling and delicious meal.
Miso Soup
If you want to warm up quickly with soup, there's nothing better than a cup of miso soup. You'll be ready to eat in less than 15 minutes. To make miso soup:
- Step 1: Heat two cups of veggie stock in a pot until it reaches a simmer.
- Step 2: Add sliced tofu and other desired ingredients, such as bok choy or chopped mushrooms.
- Step 3: Mix 1 tablespoon of miso paste with a small amount of hot water until it dissolves. Add the miso mixture to the soup pot and stir well.
- Step 4: Let the soup simmer for a few more minutes, then add sliced green onions for extra flavor and color. Customize this soup as desired.
Find detailed instructions at 20 Minute Easy Vegan Miso Soup.
Avocado Toast with Tomato and Basil
Good old avocado toast never fails to please because it is perfect for a quick breakfast or lunch.
- Step 1: Toast a slice of your favorite bread and spread a generous layer of hummus.
- Step 2: Place slices of ripe tomato first.
- Step 3: Add mashed avocado or slices of avocado over the top.
- Step 4: Add fresh basil leaves, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle some lime or lemon juice over the top for freshness.
Lentil and Vegetable Stir Fry
Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber, making them the perfect ingredient for a quick and healthy meal.
- Step 1: In a pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil and stir-fry your favorite vegetables, such as onions, bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms.
- Step 2: Add a can of lentils to the pan and season with your favorite spices, such as cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Serve over prepared rice like Simple Instant Pot Yellow Rice or quick-cook noodles for a quick and easy vegan meal ready in minutes.
Grilled Vegetable Sandwich with Hummus
- Step 1: For this quick and healthy vegan meal, simply spread a layer of hummus on a slice of your favorite bread
- Step 2: Top with grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, eggplant, and zucchini. Batch cooking these ahead of time will make this a quick sandwich.
- Step 3: Add a sprinkle of vegan feta cheese, your favorite herbs like basil or cilantro, and Vegan Aioli Sauce for extra flavor.
- Step 4: Serve with mixed greens for a complete meal.
For a delicious hummus, try this High-Protein Lupini Bean Hummus.
Leftover Buddha Bowl
A Buddha bowl is the quintessential quick and healthy vegan meal. It typically includes a base of grains or greens, topped with vegetables, protein, a healthy fat source, and a sauce drizzle. It's a great way to use up leftovers at the end of the week. For example, place cooked quinoa or rice in a bowl, roasted sweet potato, steamed kale, roasted tofu, sliced avocado, and chickpeas beside each other.
Drizzle with tahini dressing or Simple Thai Peanut Sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Mix and eat.
Takeaway
Quick and Healthy Vegan Meals are not difficult or time-consuming. With some time and practice, your kitchen is regularly stocked with items you can throw together quickly to make a delicious meal.
Comments
No Comments