Even the biggest carnivores will be impressed by these satisfyingly meaty vegan meals. You’d be amazed how similar some of these recipes are to your favorite meat-based dishes. This roundup has everything you could imagine – sausages, schnitzel, steak and meatballs. There’s also some wholefood options with legumes for the tofu and mock-meat sceptics.
1. Crispy Vegan Schnitzel Cutlet – Made from Tofu!
This crispy Tofu Schnitzel is a delicious vegan twist on a pub favorite. It’s simple to make, tastes surprisingly like chicken, and has 20g of protein per serving. You won’t be disappointed if you serve it as a main course with a side salad or use it as a base for Parmigiana or katsu curry
Get the recipe: Crispy Vegan Schnitzel Cutlet – Made from Tofu!
2. How to make tofu taste like chicken! Crispy Vegan Fried Chicken
Have you ever craved the taste and texture of fried chicken but wanted to stick to a plant-based diet? Look no further than this delicious recipe for Crispy Vegan Tofu Chicken. Made by freezing, thawing, and pressing extra firm tofu, this recipe creates a meaty, crispy substitute for traditional fried chicken. Another delicious, crispy tofu recipe is this Salt and Pepper Tofu.
Get the recipe: How to make tofu taste like chicken! Crispy Vegan Fried Chicken
3. Baked Chickpea Meatballs (Vegan)
Are these falafels or meatballs? That may depend on how long you’ve been experimenting with vegan food and meat alternatives, but either way, these are absolutely delicious! Packed with flavor and made with simple, healthy ingredients, these meatballs are perfect for anyone looking to reduce their meat consumption or try a plant-based alternative to traditional meatballs. So, let’s dive in and see what makes these chickpea meatballs so irresistible!
Get the recipe: Baked Chickpea Meatballs (Vegan)
4. Vegan Tuna Chickpea Sandwich
This vegan chickpea tuna salad sandwich is a light, tasty lunch that tastes like fish! This 10-minute salad sandwich is perfect for those who want a healthy and fresh meal with a good amount of protein.
Get the recipe: Vegan Tuna Chickpea Sandwich
5. Mushroom Pâté (Vegan)
Pâté is one of those foods I didn’t miss after going vegan, but I’m obsessed with creating this mushroom pate recipe. In my pre-vegan life, eating pâté was a rare occasion. However, it reminds me of when I did a high school exchange in France. I was lucky enough to return to France recently as an adult to visit my old host family. I wanted to impress them with vegan versions of French classics, so I had to give vegan pâté a go!
Get the recipe: Mushroom Pâté (Vegan)
6. Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
This creamy, rich, and hearty Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff is the perfect cozy winter meal! Easy and ready in just 30 minutes. It’s absolutely luscious and filling, but you can add some optional tempeh or tofu for extra protein. Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Get the recipe: Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
7. Vegan Roast (Seitan)
Are you looking for a delicious and easy vegan roast recipe that will impress even the meat-eaters in your life? Look no further! This vegan roast recipe is guaranteed to be a hit at any dinner party or family gathering.
Get the recipe: Vegan Roast (Seitan)
8. Homemade Vegan Ground Beef
Looking for the best and easiest vegan ground beef recipe? This meatless ground beef is the perfect swap for store-bought vegan beef or meatless ground. It’s a basic meal planning recipe made with just a few healthy, simple ingredients you’ll want to have on hand at all times for an easy, frugal dinner.
Get the recipe: Homemade Vegan Ground Beef
9. Vegan Chicken Mayo Sandwich
This creamy vegan chicken mayo sandwich uses shredded tofu and is not only just as delicious but is high in plant protein. Perfect weekday lunch option!
Get the recipe: Vegan Chicken Mayo Sandwich
10. Vietnamese Sticky Tofu & Mushroom Meatballs
Are they looking for a protein-packed, quick, and low-fat meal? These Vietnamese Sticky Tofu and mushroom Meatballs are a delicious Asian-flavored twist on a classic. Made using wood ear mushrooms, they have a lightly chewy texture that convincingly replicates meat! As a bonus, they’re quick and easy to make for dinner and reheat well as leftovers.
Get the recipe: Vietnamese Sticky Tofu & Mushroom Meatballs
11. Epic Vegan Jerky
Make your own amazing Vegan Jerky with just a few ingredients and simple steps!! This smoky, savory creation has plenty of spice and an awesome chewy ‘meat’-like texture! A go-to for healthy vegan snacks, camping food, lunches, etc!!
Get the recipe: Epic Vegan Jerky
12. Vegan Bacon Bits
Vegan bacon bits are a fantastic vegan alternative to traditional bacon bits, offering that smoky, savory crunch without the meat. They’re super easy to make and perfect for sprinkling over salads, soups, baked potatoes, or any dish you’d like to add a bacon-like flavor.
Get the recipe: Vegan Bacon Bits
13. Rice Loaf (Vegan and Glutein-Free!)
Need a stunning, nutritious, delicious vegan main dish idea? Make this Brown Rice Loaf that’s loaded with veggies, whole grains, and flavor. This vegan loaf recipe is very easy to prep and is gluten-free. It’s perfectly sliceable and goes great with any side dish! This vegan loaf makes an amazing holiday main course. This recipe is also a great way to use up leftover brown rice!
Get the recipe: Rice Loaf (Vegan and Glutein-Free!)
14. Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks
These Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks are perfect for indoor or outdoor grilling. It’s an easy recipe that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Just marinate, grill, and enjoy!
Get the recipe: Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steaks
15. Vegan Swedish Meatballs
These delicious Vegan Swedish Meatballs are reminiscent of the classic IKEA version. They are made with a plant-based ground that is perfectly textured and seasoned with warm spices. Then they are smothered in a rich and creamy gravy that is the epitome of comfort. The whole family will love it!
Get the recipe: Vegan Swedish Meatballs
16. Tender Vegan Steaks
Are you ready to carve up some amazing vegan steaks?? This seitan steak is super tender, a little chewy, and a whole lotta tasty!! You won’t need a knife to cut this vegan seitan, but if you have guests who like to use all their utensils, these don’t just fall apart either!
Get the recipe: Tender Vegan Steaks
17. Vegan Chickpea Patties
These vegan chickpea patties are flavorful, packed full of healthy protein, and have a wonderful chewy texture. These patties hold together for grilling to make an amazing vegan chickpea burger patty, work perfectly in a wrap, and are amazing as a salad topping.
Get the recipe: Vegan Chickpea Patties
18. Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steaks
These Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steaks are meaty, savory, and delicious! Serve them as a vegetarian steak for a meatless main dish, or as a unique side dish. Just 3 ingredients and 10 minutes from start to finish!
Get the recipe: Lion’s Mane Mushroom Steaks
19. Vegan Steak
Tender, flavorful, and protein-packed, this Vegan Steak is easy to make and absolutely delicious. This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes and only requires a few ingredients and some spices to make a super juicy and simple seitan steak.
Get the recipe: Vegan Steak
20. Spicy Vegan Chorizo Sausage
Spicy vegan chorizo sausage crumbles are a spicy and versatile plant based recipe for flavorful tacos, scrambles, stuffed peppers – the ideas are endless!
Get the recipe: Spicy Vegan Chorizo Sausage
21. Tofu Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
A perfect tofu steak is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It is seasoned with a spicy, smoked steak marinade and grilled to perfection, resulting in charcoaled stripes. The tofu steak is served with a refreshing chimichurri sauce, baked baby potatoes, and garlicky roasted asparagus, making it a perfect feast for dinner.
Get the recipe: Tofu Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
22. Vegan Nut Roast (vegan & gluten free)
Simple to make and delicious hot or cold this Vegan Nut Roast (vegan & gluten free) is the classic main course for a veggie Christmas.
Get the recipe: Vegan Nut Roast (vegan & gluten free)
23. Vegan Ham
Smoky, sweet, and satisfying yet healthy, this Vegan Ham is the perfect holiday centerpiece or family dinner. It’s moist, packed with flavor, has a great meaty texture and is also great for meal prep or leftovers (hello, sandwiches!).
Get the recipe: Vegan Ham
24. Vegan Corned Beef
Rich, tender, and meaty, this Vegan Corned Beef is delicious for dinner, sandwiches and more. Packed with a whopping 25g of protein per serving, this vegan meat alternative is low in fat, contains zero cholesterol, and is incredibly flavorful and satisfying.
Get the recipe: Vegan Corned Beef
25. Vegan Salami
Meaty, salty, and savory, this delicious Vegan Salami is easy to make at home without any fancy equipment. It makes the perfect addition to any sandwich, vegan charcuterie board, pizza, or just a delicious snack with crackers.
Get the recipe: Vegan Salami
26. Baked Tempeh Bacon
This baked tempeh bacon boasts a rich umami flavor and a delightfully chewy yet crispy texture. Here’s the recipe to bring this smoky, savory delight to your table.
Get the recipe: Baked Tempeh Bacon
27. High Protein Lupini Bean Seitan
Lupini seitan is perfect for those looking to make a homemade, meat-free alternative high in protein and low in fat and carbs.
Get the recipe: High Protein Lupini Bean Seitan
28. Vegan Fried Chicken from Oyster Mushrooms (KFC Copycat)
Does anyone remember the vegan popcorn chicken bucket from KFC? Launched in 2019 as a collaboration with Beyond Meat, the menu item was discontinued surprisingly quickly and hasn’t returned to the U.S. since. At that time, I was in California, so you can imagine my disappointment and irritation when it didn’t stay around for longer! Here in the U.K., we have a Quorn vegan chicken burger on the menu. Buuuuuut … Miss a bucket full of crispy KFC chicken wings? Nothing fills that craving. Until now, that is. I can say with utter confidence that this recipe is the best vegan fried chicken on the plant-based internet.
Get the recipe: Vegan Fried Chicken from Oyster Mushrooms (KFC Copycat)
29. Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs {Vegan Option!}
Classic Middle Eastern kofta goes plant-based with this recipe for vegetarian kofta. With the help of ground Beyond Meat and some Middle Eastern spices and seasonings, you’ll have a tasty lunch or simple dinner that’s both plant-based and delicious.
Get the recipe: Vegetarian Kofta Kebabs {Vegan Option!}
30. Blackened Tofu Steak
These blackened tofu steaks are full of deep, rich, umami flavor. They’re marinated in a blend of soy sauce, maple syrup and liquid smoke and coated in a mix of blackening spices. Grill them up and serve them with potatoes and veggies for the ultimate vegan dinner.
Get the recipe: Blackened Tofu Steak
31. Best Vegan Seitan Burger- Grillable and High Protein
Everyone loves a good burger, which is why I’ve been on a mission to make the best vegan burger around. After years of experimenting, I’ve created the Ultimate Vegan Seitan Burger, with Blackbean & Mushrooms. Best of all? It’s TOTALLY grillable, standing up to a fierce BBQ or hotplate with no dropped bits. Plus it has a super delicious meaty texture that even dedicated non-meat eaters love.
Get the recipe: Best Vegan Seitan Burger- Grillable and High Protein
32. Easy Vegan Hoisin Seitan Ch’kn Bao
There is something utterly compelling about Bao. These Easy Vegan Hoisin Seitan Ch’kn Bao are a total favourite mid-week dinner at our place! Let me tell you why! Bao are fluffy little steamed buns that you fill with delicious savoury goodies. We cheat a little and buy our Bao ready to steam. You can find them in Asian supermarkets, or even in our local larger supermarket. We love to make up a few yummy filling options, then help ourselves to the fillings as we like, piling the fluffy vegan bao up with seitan, pickles, herbs and layering with spicy mayo!
Get the recipe: Easy Vegan Hoisin Seitan Ch’kn Bao
33. Vegan Hamburger Helper
Vegan Hamburger Helper is a one-pot, super easy, 25 minute recipe that the whole family will love. It’s “meaty”, cheesy, saucy and SO good!
Get the recipe: Vegan Hamburger Helper
34. BBQ Seitan [Brisket Or Ribs]
![BBQ Seitan [Brisket Or Ribs]](https://glow-diaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BBQ-Seitan-Brisket-Or-Ribs.jpg)
This easy vegan BBQ seitan is seasoned and basted into the perfect vegan brisket or ribs that even meat eaters will enjoy. It’s juicy, succulent, and sticky with a smoky sweet-savory-spicy flavor and packed with protein, perfect for cookouts, BBQs, and picnics!
Get the recipe: BBQ Seitan [Brisket Or Ribs]
35. Vegan Chickpea Meatloaf Recipe
This vegan chickpea meatloaf is a delicious, holiday-worthy vegan main course. It’s moist and flavorful, with a satisfying, meaty texture. This nutritious vegan meatloaf is easy to make and can be prepared in advance.
Get the recipe: Vegan Chickpea Meatloaf Recipe
36. Vegan Roasted Chicken Recipe (An Easier Version of Seitan)
This vegan roasted chicken is juicy and flavorful with a satisfying, meaty texture. It’s quick and easy to make. This mouthwatering baked seitan is loaded with protein.
Get the recipe: Vegan Roasted Chicken Recipe
37. Veggie Lentil Wellington
Hello, my chickpeas! I may be biased, but I think today’s recipe is worthy of a place at the center of your Thanksgiving or Christmas table. Let’s talk about my Veggie Lentil Wellington!
Get the recipe: Veggie Lentil Wellington
