Side Dish Ideas: What Should I Make for Dinner?
Sidekicks deserve the spotlight too.
By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
If you’re looking to include less meat in your diet, try adding some vegan recipes to your dinner rotation. These recipes feature no animal products, including meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, and more. Instead, they have lots of fresh produce, beans, and spices. You can make a delicious vegan meal in your own home with ease. The vegan version of meals that you love aren’t always that difficult to create. Vegan dinner recipes are ones that you can share with vegans and non-vegans because they’re both tasty and good for you.
Vegan meals can seem daunting, but there are plenty of easy ones that you can find. A simple vegan dinner recipe can highlight something like a sweet potato or a veggie burger on your plate. There are substitutions that you can make for typical ingredients, and you can add flavor in other areas. Want to find vegan dinner ideas for tonight? Take this quiz and we’ll give you a good one.
vegan dinner ideas
Vegan dinner recipes are recipes that you can make for dinner that adhere to the vegan diet. These recipes don't include animal products, so there's no meat, dairy, fish, eggs, or more. You'll be using fresh ingredients, likely a lot of plants or plant products, in the easy vegan dinner recipe. The best vegan dinner recipes pack punches in different ways, by highlighting vibrant spices and fragrances. Fresh veggies are a must in vegan cooking, and nutritional yeast can be used to replace cheese.
Favorite vegan recipes use a lot of lemon juice, vegan cheese, green beans, fresh cilantro, and more. They are absolutely delicious when done right, and there are plenty of companies that sell vegan versions of foods, so you can just buy them from the store. Using vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef broth is a great way to adjust your recipes. Coconut milk can cut the use of heavy cream or milk. These recipes are both healthy and delicious.
Vegan Dinner Ideas: What Dish Should I Make?
Deciding what to whip up for dinner can sometimes feel like squaring up in a boxing ring with a block of tofu — it's a real knockout challenge, especially when you’re trying to keep things 100% plant-based. But fear not, friends; we've got the lowdown on crafting a vegan feast that'll have even your meat-loving uncle eyeballing your veggie platter. Whether you’re a seasoned plant warrior or just dipping your toes in the almond milk sea of veganism, our vegan dinner ideas are so delicious they’ll tickle your taste buds silly.
Easy? You betcha! Culinary mastermind skills are not a prerequisite here. We’re talking quick, painless, and oh-so-scrumptious vegan recipes that’ll have you out of the kitchen faster than you can say "quinoa." Let’s turn that kitchen of yours into a playground for the senses where chickpeas are the stars and avocados get the fanfare they oh-so deserve. We're here not just to feed you but to lead you on a delightful journey where every forkful is a high-five for your health and a hug for the planet.
So, pull out those fancy plates you save for special occasions (or, you know, those trusty mismatched ones that have somehow survived all your moves) and let’s get our feast on. Our personal fave is the mystery dish that you’ll only uncover if you play along with us at BrainFall — it's like the culinary plot twist you never saw coming. Ready to find out what dish should you make tonight? Join us, and let's get this vegan party started!
The Vegan Pantry Essentials
Before we dive into the treasure trove of plant-based goodies, let's stock our vegan battleship with the right arsenal. From hearty beans to crunchy nuts, we're going to ensure our pantry is a treasure chest of delights that'll make every meal a plant-based bonanza!
Bean There, Done That
Beans are the unsung heroes in our vegan quest for deliciousness. Chickpeas, lentils, and a parade of beans from black to kidney, are not just versatile; they are our plant-based protein powerhouses. Whether we're whipping up a quick hummus or a robust chili, we're all about that bean life.
Grains for Your Brains
Ah, grains, the bedrock of our vegan feast. Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, and millet load us up with fiber and keep our minds as sharp as our kitchen knives. They're the perfect canvas for a medley of vegetables and legumes, creating meals that are as nourishing as they are satisfying.
Nuts About Nuts
In our pantry, nuts do more than just sit pretty. They add crunch to our salads, creaminess to our sauces, and they're the secret ingredient in our dairy-free cheese. We're simply nuts for nuts!
Vegging Out
Last but not least, the cornerstones of any vegan dish: vegetables. Stock up on a rainbow of veggies to ensure we're getting all the nutrients and flavors we could ever wish for in our plant-based paradises. From leafy greens to ruby red peppers, make sure there's always a veggie party in our pantries.
Dinner Recipes to Wow Your Tastebuds
We've scoured the culinary world and returned with a treasure trove of vegan delights that'll send your tastebuds into a frenzy. Brimming with rich flavors and satisfying textures, these dishes are proof that plants know how to party.
Tofu Tango
Get ready to salsa with some seriously zesty tofu dishes! Our BBQ tofu is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, gracing your palate with a smoky sweetness that'll have you reaching for the napkins—and seconds. Not one to shy away from the global stage, vegan tikka masala twirls tofu in a grand display of Indian spices. The result? A show-stopping entrée with a kick as lively as a Bollywood dance number.
- BBQ Tofu
- Vegan Tikka Masala
Glorious Greens
Kale, the emperor of greens, reigns supreme in our kitchen. Whether it's tucked into a vegan burrito or massaged lovingly into a thai green curry, kale brings a burst of nutrients and an earthy flair. But we don't stop there! Let's toss it into a vegan salad and sprinkle some umami-packed portobello mushrooms on top for good measure.
- Vegan Burrito
- Thai Green Curry
Pasta la Vista, Baby
Farewell, boring dinners! Our vegan alfredo pasta glides onto the scene smoother than a '90s action star one-liner. Craving something with a bit more pizzazz? The best vegan lasagna layers on excitement with rich, robust flavors and a comforting hug of nostalgia. No cheese? No problem!
- Vegan Alfredo Pasta
- Best Vegan Lasagna
Beyond Burgers and Tacos
The usual suspects need not apply here. We're taking a delicious detour with jaw-dropping alternatives, like vegan chickpea curry that'll sneak up and serenade your senses or vegan swedish meatballs rolling in all cozy-like. And for those nights when only comfort food will do, a vegan shepherd’s pie is there to tuck you in.
- Vegan Chickpea Curry
- Vegan Swedish Meatballs
- Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
So next time you’re hovering in the kitchen, wondering if your vegan meal can be just as thrilling as the latest quiz on BrainFall, remember this: with ingredients like these, you’re not just cooking; you’re orchestrating a symphony of flavor. Let's turn up the beat and get that dinner party started!
