20 Of The Very Best Recipes For Veganuary 2026

Another year has gone by, but there is no reason you can’t change your lifestyle as the New Year begins. If you have considered going plant-based or you simply enjoy vegan food and want to eat more of it, you need to try 20 of our very best recipes for Veganuary 2026.

Every January, thousands of people commit to a vegan challenge to reset their habits, explore plant-based cooking, and rethink how they eat. Some join for health. Others do it for animals or the planet. What matters is that many do not stop when the month ends. In fact, participants from Veganuary 2025 are now making a permanent diet change and continuing with mostly or fully plant-based diets.

The key is choosing the right recipes. You need meals that feel familiar. You need food that fits into real life. Think quick weeknight dinners, budget-friendly lunches, and comfort dishes that remind you of what you already love. Veganuary works best when the food feels easy, filling, and realistic.

The recipes in this list focus on simple ingredients, high-protein staples like beans and tofu, and flavors that do not feel like a compromise. Whether you are trying a vegan lifestyle for the first time or just refreshing your routine for January, these dishes make it practical and enjoyable.

Chipotle BBQ mushroom tacos

To start this list of Veganuary recipes is this Chipotle BBQ mushroom taco recipe by Elaine Skiadis. It loads cremini mushrooms, pinto beans, and charred corn salsa into warm tortillas for an easy meal.

Find the recipe here.

Tofu, kale, and black bean toast

In 15 minutes, you can make this high-protein, low-effort tofu, kale, and black bean toast from Viva’s Vegan Recipe Club. The recipe layers sautéed tofu, black beans, kale, and cherry tomatoes on crisp toast, finished with avocado and seeds.

Find the recipe here.

Mushroom and sage pasta

Pasta is one of the easiest dishes to veganize. This mushroom and sage pasta by Romy London is popular for its meaty flavor and quick prep time. To make the recipe, coat tagliatelle in a creamy sauce with chestnut mushrooms, caramelized onion, and fresh sage.

Find the recipe here.

Tofu katsu curry

Viva’s tofu katsu curry is also a great option for new vegans. It pairs crispy panko-coated tofu with a smooth onion and carrot curry sauce, served over brown rice for a classic Japanese-style main.

Find the recipe here.

Sweet potato and kale chili

During winter, you’re going to want an easy dish that gives you plenty of leftovers. This easy vegan sweet potato and kale chili is a nutritious option that does just that. It comes from Eat Move Rest and contains plenty of high-protein and fiber legumes, vegetables, and most importantly, it tastes good.

Find the recipe here.

15-minute tofu broccoli stir fry

a plate of rice and spicy sweet & sour tofu broccoli stir fry — Janet Gronnow Gochujang adds a spicy, earthy sweetness to this dish

If you love stir-fries then this 15-minute tofu broccoli stir fry by Janet Gronnow will be a hit. It combines crispy tofu, tender broccoli, and a sweet, sour, spicy sauce with gochujang and orange over jasmine rice.

Find the recipe here.

Lentil and sweet potato cottage pie

Cottage pie is a popular cold-weather food for many. This sweet potato and lentil version by Niki Webster layers a rich lentil and vegetable filling with creamy sweet potato mash, baked until golden and bubbling for a comforting plant-based main.

Find the recipe here.

Vegan ‘smackaroni’ and cheese

a picture of vegan macaroni and cheese for best recipes for Veganuary — Ed Anderson There’s nothing quite like creamy vegan mac and cheese when you need comfort food

A good vegan mac and cheese like this version by Toriano Gordon should be good enough to stop you from missing cheese. It delivers that same creamy, baked comfort using pea milk, vegan cheddar, garlic, and green onions

Find the recipe here.

One-dish chickpea ‘tuna’ salad

Chickpea tuna is a classic in the vegan community, and this recipe by Kate Friedman is a super-easy, super-tasty version. The recipe mashes chickpeas with vegan mayo, dill pickles, red onion, and almonds for a creamy, crunchy sandwich or wrap filling.

Find the recipe here.

Miso ramen bowl

Miso is a fantastic flavor enhancer, and making broth out of miso is an easy way to swap out stock. This miso ramen by Kris Carr builds a light, savory bowl with gluten-free noodles, tofu, mushrooms, asparagus, peas, and nori.

Find the recipe here.

Read more: 5 Veganuary Lunch Ideas

Tofu scramble tacos

Tofu scramble and more tacos mean protein and more easy eating. This recipe from Jillian Glenn fills corn tortillas with seasoned tofu, black beans, lettuce, avocado, and salsa, finished with a creamy chipotle yogurt dressing for a savory breakfast or lunch.

Find the recipe here.

Marry me lentils

If you love the flavor of “marry me chicken,” then just make these marry me lentils by Gigi Grassia to veganize a favorite. Red lentils cook in a creamy tomato and soya milk sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and herbs for a rich one-pot dinner.

Find the recipe here.

Vegan butter chicken

This vegan butter chicken uses tofu in place of chicken. The recipe comes from Plantbaes. It bakes marinated tofu before simmering it in a creamy, spiced tomato and cashew sauce, served with rice and fresh coriander.

Find the recipe here.

Stuffed onions

These easy stuffed onions by Natlicious Food are a great replacement for any “stuffed” vegetable usually filled with meat. Whole onions are filled with lentils, bulgur, carrot, and herbs, then baked until tender, sweet, and savory.

Find the recipe here.

One-pot orzo soup

A vegan soup made with orzo pasta for best recipes for veganuary — Romy London Orzo is a popular ingredient in vegan soups

Romy London’s one-pot orzo soup is a must-try if you love tomato soup. To whip this dish up, simmer orzo, chickpeas, and vegetables in a rich tomato broth, finished with basil pesto for a thick, comforting, one-bowl meal.

Find the recipe here.

Vegan apple biryani

A vegan biryani made from apple and vegetables — Jazz Apple This vegan biryani recipe is packed full of vegetables

Meat-free biryanis aren’t new, but this apple one might be a fun change. You make it by cooking basmati rice with apples, vegetables, and warming spices like cardamom and cloves, creating a fragrant, slightly sweet, savory one-pot plant-based biryani.

Find the recipe here.

Vegan chocolate mousse

Vegan chocolate mousse can be made in many ways, with avocado, vegan dairy, or legumes like this black bean chocolate mousse by Romy London. The recipe blends black beans with cocoa, espresso, hazelnut butter, and chocolate spread for a smooth, rich, protein-packed dessert.

Find the recipe here.

Natural peanut butter ice cream

This six-ingredient peanut butter ice cream by Deena Jalal combines natural peanut butter, coconut milk, and sweeteners into a smooth, creamy base, then churns and freezes into a rich, nutty plant-based ice cream with no unnecessary additives.

Find the recipe here.

Vegan rice cake chocolate bars

Two vegan chocolate rice cake bars — Natlicious Food These chocolate rice cake bars are very easy to make

Natlicious Food’s rice cake chocolate bars are a no-bake snack made from crushed rice cakes, crunchy peanut butter, dried fruit, walnuts, cacao nibs, and maple syrup, finished with melted dark chocolate and set in the fridge.

Find the recipe here.

One-pot spaghetti with lentil ragu

A one-pot spaghetti and lentil ragu recipe — Romy London This vegan one-pot recipe takes just 30 minutes to make

The last recipe on our list is a simple and classic spaghetti with lentil ragu. This Romy London recipe cooks spaghetti and lentils together in a rich tomato sauce with vegetables and herbs, creating a hearty one-pot pasta dish ready in under 30 minutes.

Find the recipe here.