Easy Vegan Meal Plan Recipes For a Healthy Week
Looking for a good approach to fueling your body with plant-based goodness while conquering the challenges of a busy schedule? Planning your meals in advance is a powerful way to stay on track with your health goals!
A vegan diet, also known as a plant-based diet, embraces the power of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while excluding animal products. It's a sustainable choice that provides a variety of health benefits while contributing to the well-being of animals and the planet.
Imagine the convenience of having delicious, nourishing meals ready to enjoy, even when your days are jam-packed with work, family, and other commitments. That's where vegan meal prep swoops in to save the day! By setting aside dedicated time to plan and prepare a week’s worth of meals in advance, you will make sure that you always have a wealth of plant-based options at your fingertips. Vegan meal planning helps you overcome the temptation of unhealthy fast foods or resorting to convenience meals that might not align with a healthy vegan diet.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about meal planning for a vegan diet paired with our curated selection of the tastiest vegan breakfast, lunches, and dinners.
Are you always short on time, but want to stick to a vegan meal plan? The expert chefs at Hungryroot have crafted a wide variety of delicious plant-based recipes and wholesome groceries delivered straight to your doorstep, so you can enjoy tasty meals even if you’re on a hectic schedule. Take their personalized quiz here and kickstart your vegan journey on the right step from day one!
Vegan Pantry Staples for a Successful Meal Plan
Stocking your pantry with common ingredients is essential to make sure your vegan meal plan fulfills all of your nutritional needs. Fortunately, most grocery stores or online grocery delivery services today offer a wide selection of vegan and plant-based products to keep your kitchen stocked! Here are some of our favorite whole foods that should be on your shopping list:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables that are nutritiously dense. Leafy greens like kale or spinach are nutritional powerhouses and make for great sautéed sides or as a salad base. Fresh fruit like blueberries, strawberries, and bananas provide powerful antioxidants to keep your heart healthy. Oranges and other citrus fruits, for example, and great sources of vitamin C, vital for a healthy immune system. For heartier meals, stock up on root vegetables like sweet potato, parsnips, kohlrabi, and carrots.
- Whole grains like Mexican Brown Rice, Lentil Quinoa Rice Mix, and Seven Grain Blend, for side dishes and salads. Avoid simple grains like white rice, bread, and flour, and focus on complex carbohydrates you can get from whole grains instead. If you prefer lower-carb, vegan alternatives to grains, then consider stocking up on riced cauliflower, riced broccoli, and balsamic beet noodles.
- Plant-based proteins and dairy are great alternatives if you’d like a substitute for traditional animal products. The addition of plant-based proteins and dairy will make sure you receive enough protein, create filling meals, and power muscle-building if you lead an active lifestyle. Consider stocking up on Beyond Meat’s ground beef, burgers, or sausage brats and for dairy, look at Violife’s cheddar slices, mozzarella shreds, or cream cheese.
- Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and oils are essential for a vegan lifestyle and a great way to get plant-based protein and fiber. Avocado and olive oil are an easy way to incorporate healthy fats into your day-to-day as part of your vegan meal plan. Nut butter like almond or peanut butter is easy, healthy, and filling for easy, on-the-go options!
- Supplements: Vitamin D and vitamin B12 are common nutritional concerns for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet. Most dairy today is fortified with vitamin D, while vitamin B12 tends to be found in animal meats. We recommend consulting with your registered dietitian for the best supplement recommendations made specifically for vegans.
By keeping these pantry staples on hand, you'll always have the ingredients and a well-thought-out grocery list to whip up a quick and wholesome, vegan meal.
Our Favorite Vegan Meal Plan Recipes
Now that you understand how to create a healthy vegan meal plan, let's dive into some delicious recipes to get you started. We’ve combed through 2000+ chef-created, wholesome recipes to showcase our healthiest and tastiest vegan recipes so you can stay energized and on track all week long!
Easy Vegan Breakfast Ideas
Bagel with Dairy-Free Schmear + Cucumbers: This quick and easy recipe makes a fantastic breakfast choice, providing a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber. Toast two plain organic bagels until warm and golden. Follow with a spread of dairy-free cream cheese and top it off with thinly sliced mini cucumbers for a refreshing combination. This delicious breakfast option comes in at 290 calories per serving making it a great way to start your day!
Vegan Good Morning Plate: If you’re looking for a hearty, balanced breakfast, look no further than this protein-packed delight. Cook up Just Egg plant-based liquid eggs in a lightly oiled skillet while toasting yummy blueberry morning rounds until golden. Top it off with a creamy, organic oatmilk vegan butter on each round. Kickstart your morning and enjoy the taste and nourishment of this hearty, vegan breakfast option!
Mediterranean Hummus Bagel: Revitalize your morning routine with this Mediterranean-inspired breakfast. Toast up two delicious organic everything bagels until they are warm and golden. Top off your bagels with zesty lemon garlic hummus and slices of refreshing cucumber paired with crispy red onions. Whether you choose to enjoy it open-faced or create a tempting sandwich, this flavor-packed breakfast treat comes in at just 320 calories per serving.
Vegan Chorizo Breakfast Tacos: Kickstart your day with a burst of flavor and protein-rich goodness with these breakfast tacos, ready in just under 15 minutes. Cook up plant-based chorizo until hot and golden-brown alongside Just Egg plant-based eggs. Assemble the flavorful fillings together on your tortillas and top off with a few tablespoons of creamy, fresh guacamole. Fold them up and get ready to savor the explosion of taste that’ll keep you satisfied for the rest of the day!
Plant-based Cheezy Egg Bagel: Get ready to experience the ultimate fusion of plant-based goodness and cheesy indulgence with this quick breakfast. In a lightly oiled skillet, cook up Just Egg plant-based liquid eggs. Toast up two organic everything bagels until warm and layer on slices of yummy plant-based cheddar cheese. To tie everything together, divide the eggs and cheese between bagels and enjoy your protein-packed breakfast bliss!
Easy Vegan Lunch Ideas
Spicy Black Bean Tacos: Satisfy all your cravings with this flavor-packed sensation ready in a quick 5 minutes. Featuring toasted corn tortillas with hearty Cuban spiced black beans, these tacos are topped with vibrant chopped butterhead lettuce and a drizzle of zesty green chile. Get ready to fuel your body and delight your taste buds with these spicy, plant-based tacos that’ll make your vegan meal plan shine!
Garlicky Caesar Chickpea Rice Bowl: Elevate your meal plan with this hearty and creamy rice bowl bursting with garlicky goodness, all in just under 5 minutes. Combine a fluffy rice blend with a chickpea salad and tie it all together with slices of refreshing mini cucumbers. Drizzle with a creamy vegan Caesar dressing to indulge in a flavor-packed bowl that delivers a balanced blend of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
Plant-Based Chicken Tenders + Broccoli: Conquer your meal plan with this American classic that’s filled with fiber-rich vegetables and plant-based protein. Featuring crispy sweet potatoes, sautéed broccoli, and plant-based chicken tenders cooked to perfection. For a delightful dipping experience, serve this meal with a generous serving of classic, tangy BBQ sauce. Let every bite be a reminder of the incredible variety and taste that a vegan lifestyle offers.
Refried Bean + Salsa Bowl: Experience a hearty and energizing vegan bowl that will keep you fueled until dinner time. With minimal preparation time, this recipe combines organic seasoned jasmine rice and refried red beans. Tie the dish together with a generous portion of mild fresh salsa and dairy-free sour cream. With 500 calories per serving, this bowl is a wholesome meal that offers a balanced ratio of carbs, proteins, and fiber to duel your day.
Beyond Meat + Romaine Burger with Sweet Potato Fries: If you’re craving a mouthwatering burger, look no further than this juicy and delicious plant-based recipe. This recipe features crispy, healthy sweet potato fries with grilled Beyond Meat burger patties and romaine lettuce sandwiched in between toasted multigrain buns. Each bite of this plant-based burger will be juicy, flavorful, and guilt-free.
Easy Vegan Dinner Ideas
Curry Lemongrass Tofu + Superblend Bowl: Let this Asian-inspired Superblend bowl transport you to a world of exciting plant-based flavors for dinnertime. Embrace the fusion of creamy coconut curry sauce paired with braised and tender lemongrass tofu nuggets. Complete the dish with a vibrant array of super blend vegetables and fluffy, warm organic seasoned jasmine rice. Every bite is a celebration of vegan goodness and culinary excellence that’ll leave your taste buds happy and belly full at dinnertime.
Pesto Ravioli with Harvest Veggies: Easy to prepare, this dish is a balanced meal that combines protein-rich ravioli, fiber-packed veggies, and vibrant flavors of kale pesto. Mix everything together with kale pesto to allow the flavor to coat the ravioli and veggies. Enjoy the comfort of this Italian-inspired, restaurant-quality meal from the comfort of your home.
Sizzling Vegan Fajita Bowl: Get ready to sizzle with this vegan fajita bowl that’ll transport you to a Mexican fiesta in just 10 minutes. Featuring fluffy, seasoned organic jasmine rice with sautéed bell peppers and onions. The savory spiced tofu bites are the start of this dish, adding plant-based protein and delightful flavor to this dinner bowl. As a final touch, drizzle on the luscious avocado crema to add a rich and tangy element that ties everything together.
Pumfu Sausage + Mushroom Elbows: Indulge in the comforting flavors of this plant-based protein pasta dish. This hearty recipe combines organic brown rice elbow pasta with flavorful pumfu sausage crumbles and savory sautéed mushrooms. Tossed in a warm tomato marinara sauce, it’s a delicious choice for a dinner item on your vegan meal plan menu. Get ready to experience the perfect balance of textures and flavors in this easy-to-make recipe.
Beyond Burger + Sweet Potato with Lemony Hummus: This delightful dish combines a juicy Beyond Burger patty with the natural creaminess of roasted sweet potato. The tangy and refreshing lemony hummus adds a burst of flavor to elevate this dinner. With a perfect blend of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, this meal is a wholesome choice that’ll leave you feeling nourished and energized at dinnertime.
Easy Vegan Snack Ideas
Garlic Hommus + Chips: A perfect snack for busy days, this Garlic Hommus and Chips snack pack features gluten-free, corn-chickpea chips with smooth, garlicky hummus. With each bite, you’ll experience the delightful combination of crunchy texture and zesty garlic flavor. Elevate your snacking game with these vegan-friendly, delicious snacks!
Plant-based Gouda Snack Pack: This delectable vegan snack is made with plant-based ingredients, offering a guilt-free option for cheese lovers. Each bite of vegan Gouda delivers a smooth and smoky taste paired with salted almonds and dried cranberries for a protein-packed snack that all can enjoy.
Himalayan Pink Salk Popcorn: A light snack, this organic popcorn is air-popped and flavored with healthy, coconut oil and just the right amount of Himalayan salt. Whether you’re enjoying a movie night or need a quick snack on the go, these single-serve popcorn bags are a perfect size for snacking anywhere, anytime!
Maintaining a Consistent Vegan Meal Plan
Creating a successful vegan meal plan can be a transformative journey towards a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. A thoughtful vegan meal plan is critical to make sure you’re consuming a variety of plant-based foods that provide essential nutrients while supporting the animals and the planet!
It's crucial to consider several factors when meal planning, such as nutrient balance, protein sources, and the diversity of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins. By incorporating important nutrients, a wide range of ingredients, and proper cooking techniques, you can keep your plant-based meals exciting and enjoyable.
Meal planning plays a vital role in staying on track with your vegan diet by helping you save time, reduce food waste, and make sure you have satisfying meals readily available, even on the busiest of days. We hope you let our collection of recipes inspire you to create a well-crafted vegan meal plan and embrace just how easy it can be to eat a plant-based diet!
Are you tired of trying to eat clean but finding that your busy schedule is getting in the way? It's no secret that meal planning and grocery shopping can be time-consuming, leaving you with little time to focus on your vegan lifestyle. At Hungryroot, we take care of the hard work for you with our meal planning and healthy grocery delivery service. You can choose from a wide variety of clean, plant-based recipes that are easy to prepare and perfect for those who are always on the go. No more last-minute trips to the grocery store or unhealthy fast food options. Let Hungryroot help you stay on track and achieve your health and wellness goals, even with a busy schedule. Take our personalized quiz today, and see the difference for yourself!