Learn how to fit more vegan cooking into your lifestyle with these cooking tips.
Vegan eating is hotter than ever! All over the country – even all over the world –People of all ages are getting more and more interested in the idea of filling their plates with more plants. Whether it’s being flexible, vegetarian, or vegan – or even just planning more vegan meals during the week – there’s so much to love about this lifestyle! Not only is vegan cooking nutritious, but it’s really exciting to discover new and delicious recipes that you can make in your own kitchen using seasonal ingredients and staples. But what if you’re new to the world of plants, or even just stuck in a simple rut on your own vegan cooking style?
Well, that’s what I’m here for today! When you’re planning your vegan meals for the day, or even for the week, here are some tips that will help you make cooking easier, healthier, and more delicious. From simple cooking hacks to the best pantry hacks to my favorite kitchen gadgets, I’m sharing some of my best practical tips. And remember, try not to view cooking as a problem, or get frustrated when your dishes don’t go as planned. That’s okay, because cooking is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable journey that you share with your friends and family. Check out these 10 essential plant-based cooking tips that will prepare you for vegan success in your kitchen.
10 essential tips for vegetarian cooking
1. Practice your vegetarian meals. If you’re slowly transitioning to a plant-based diet, try to include at least three all-vegetarian (vegetarian) meals a week until you feel more confident in your new eating style. You can enjoy this by having your friends and family join in on “Meatless Mondays,” “Vegetable Taco Tuesdays,” or “Plant-Based Stir-Fry Saturdays.” This will make it easier and more enjoyable for you to incorporate plant foods into your meals. It will also help you be more comfortable cooking vegan meals in the kitchen.
2. Prepare your pantry. Organization is the key to success in the kitchen. It is important to have all of your components ready on deck. Fortunately, there is an abundance of shelf-stable vegan foods out there that will last for a very long time; This is a bonus because you can stock your pantry without worrying about perishable items getting spoiled. These include items such as whole grains, dried and canned beans, nuts and seeds, nuts and seed butters, herbs and spices. Check out my free vegan pantry kit here.
3. Get your cool kitchen gadgets. There are countless kitchen tools and gadgets that can help set you up for success in the kitchen. Many of the basic items you can use for almost every recipe include: measuring cups, pots, pans, rice cookers, blenders, whisks, cutting boards, food processor, electric mixer, strainers, storage containers, and a can opener. Once you’ve rounded up this assortment of basic kitchen tools, move on to the advanced set, including a mandolin, citrus peeler, mortar and pestle, spice grinder, garlic press, and juicer. Check out my favorite vegan kitchen tools and equipment on my shopping list here And on my Amazon storefront.
4. Keep these foods fresh. If you purchase items that need refrigeration, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, plant proteins, and non-dairy milk, just keep in mind that these products are perishable. So, be sure to keep track of these ingredients to use them up before they go bad, and restock them on your weekly supermarket rounds. Try to designate one day of the week as a “grocery shopping day” so that you can buy fresh, healthy foods. A great tip for fruits and vegetables is that if you notice that they are starting to lose their freshness, you can always put them in the freezer for safekeeping. Frozen fruits and vegetables contain the same amount of nutritional value as fresh produce.
5. Plan your meals wisely. If you’re new to vegan cooking, you may find it especially helpful to jot down your meals using my folder Go to Botanical Toolkitspecifically Vegetarian Meal Planner Journalwith the 7 days vegetarian menu as your guide. On your busy nights, try simple meals, such as: fried tofu With brown rice or Black bean tacos. But pick a couple of nights when you have more time to try a new recipe from my blog, like mine Zucchini tempeh pastry cups or Green Bean and Mushroom Pot Pies with Mashed Potatoes. This will inspire you to get creative and enjoy the delicious flavors of plant-based foods.
6. Keep it simple. Vegan cooking is actually quite simple; In fact, I personally think it’s easier to cook with plant-powered ingredients. You don’t have to make crazy, fancy recipes that you may have seen on social media; Instead, you can make a quick and easy meal using only a few ingredients. Several of my favorite recipes that I can whip up in just a few minutes include rolled oats with seasonal fruits, nuts, and soy milk for breakfast; kale salad with baked tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts for lunch; and a vegan taco for dinner with corn tortillas, black beans, vegan cheese, cabbage, avocado, and salsa.
7. Balance your plate nutritionally by going full. A vegan diet should be filled with a variety of plant foods that provide a rainbow of colors on your plate. Many of the plant-based foods I like to eat include whole grains, such as oats and farro, pulses including beans, lentils, and tofu, vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and broccoli, fruits such as peaches, pomegranates, and berries, and nuts and seeds such as almonds, pistachios, and pumpkin seeds. These are just a few of the many nutrients that contain vitamins and minerals you need to live a heart-healthy life and fight disease. Soft drinks, potato chips, ice cream, chocolate and cookies can be vegan, but keep in mind that it’s a good idea to eat them in moderation and focus on a colorful, balanced plate that contains whole foods.
8. That’s for it. You can substitute many animal proteins for vegetable proteins: a 1/2-cup serving of cooked beans, lentils, and dried peas; Half a cup of tofu or 1 ounce of nuts or seeds (such as peanuts, pistachios, almonds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds) provides the same amount of protein as 2 ounces of meat. There are many kinds of dummy, “chicken” and “cheese” burgers on the market and it’s okay to eat them here and there, but mostly try to stick to whole food proteins which have more health benefits. You can also substitute regular dairy milk for non-dairy milk – this may include soy, hemp, flax, coconut, almond, cashew and more. Just remember to read nutritional labels to find plant-based milks that contain good sources of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
9. Put it together. Once you have all of your ingredients, it’s time to put them together with a well-balanced vegan meal, based on the formula: plant-based protein + whole grains + vegetables + healthy fats + fruit = healthy and delicious perfection. Simply balance your plate with a serving of plant protein, such as beans or tofu, a serving of whole grains, such as brown rice or quinoa, two servings of vegetables, such as zucchini and mushrooms, some healthy fats, such as avocado or sesame seeds, and fruits, such as grapes or Cherry, eat a healthy vegetarian meal.
10. Make it Taste Great! In addition to the delicious whole foods included on your nutritionally balanced plate, some other key ingredients that help boost the flavor of your meal are the incorporation of your favorite herbs, spices, sauces, and seasonings (which can be homemade, too). Cooking vegan meals is more than buying frozen ready-to-eat vegan meals and boring salads, it can be hearty dishes like earthy lentil curry pan simmered with Indian spices and served with crispy brown rice. These will make you and your taste buds happy!
For more information on vegan cooking tips, check out the free download of “Go Vegetable ToolkitIn addition to many of the recipes on page.
Check out my favorite vegan cooking tips and tricks here:
How to make homemade seitan the easy way
How to make vegetable broth
How to make cauliflower rice
How to grill vegetables in a grill basket
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