9 Unique Vegan Recipes for New Cooks to Try

Aspiring cooks looking for unique vegan recipes—we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered nine delectable suggestions from CEOs, founders, and a head chef. Let’s dive into these culinary creations from a simple Vegan Butternut Squash Salad to a versatile Vegan Stir-Fry Recipe.

Simple Vegan Butternut Squash Salad
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie With a Twist
Comforting Vegan Pot Pie
Tofu-Based Vegan Sandwich
Delightful Egyptian Kolkas Soup
Quick and Easy Vegan Avocado Mousse
Mushroom and Spinach-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Flavorful Cauliflower Buffalo Bites
Versatile Vegan Stir-Fry Recipe

Simple Vegan Butternut Squash Salad

Vegan Butternut Squash Salad is a unique vegan recipe a new cook could try. The recipe only takes about 20 minutes to complete and is very simple. This recipe calls for diced butternut squash, olive oil, salt, garlic cloves, and lemon juice.

The squash is roasted in the oven with olive oil and salt until it becomes soft and golden. The garlic is minced and mixed with lemon juice to create a dressing. Then, the squash is tossed in the dressing and served with chopped parsley.

Matthew Ramirez, Co-Founder, USMLE Test Prep

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie With a Twist

One of the best things to make as a new vegan is shepherd’s pie! You can spin the classic by replacing any butter with vegan butter, cream, or milk with vegan options and swapping out the meat for lentils.

Cook canned lentils with mushrooms and add plenty of savory spices, and you’ll have a delectable shepherd’s pie that hits the spot just as well as the original recipe. My favorite move to spice up the dish is to swap out the mashed potato topping with sweet potatoes instead!

Brian Nagele, CEO, Restaurant Clicks

Comforting Vegan Pot Pie

Nothing is more comforting than a pot pie on a chilly fall day, and vegan pot pies are so good that you never miss the meat. One recipe only takes an hour, so it’s suitable for beginner cooks.

Ingredients include garlic, onion, broth, frozen vegetables, unsweetened plain almond milk, all-purpose flour, bay leaves, sea salt, and black pepper. You can use a vegan biscuit mix, puff pastry, or a prepared pie crust.

Michael Gorlovsky, Orthodontist, Windermere Orthodontics

Tofu-Based Vegan Sandwich

For a vegan recipe ideal for newbies and gives you a tasty, protein-rich blend, we present a sandwich to satisfy your evening cravings. Ideally, this sandwich can also be made with fresh vegetables, potatoes, or cottage cheese. Still, since we’re going on the vegan tour, tofu matches the ‘vegan’ buzzword and is a significant source of plant protein.

You need to heat the pan and put on some garlic. After adding vegetables like onion, sliced capsicums, and salt, you can include one tbsp of Schezwan sauce or barbecue sauce for dressing and mix it with some grated tofu.

The mix can then be added to brown or white bread slices and toasted on the pan. This vegan recipe has been very useful for all the protein addicts, and a new cook with almost no cooking skills can easily pull this one off!

Alex Mastin, CEO and Founder, Home Grounds

Delightful Egyptian Kolkas Soup

Several years ago, I visited Egypt and fell in love with Kolkas. It’s a unique and tasty dish that’s easy to make. Egyptian Christians eat Kolkas Soup at Epiphany. Here’s the recipe:

1 Kilo Colcassia (Tarot Root)

1/2 Cup Salt (for cleaning)

1/2 Cup Flour (for cleaning)

1 Onion

Salt & Pepper

1 1/2 Liters of Veg Stock

1 tablespoon Lime Juice

1 bunch of Swiss Chard and 1 bunch of Coriander

4 Garlic Cloves
1 tablespoon Corn Oil

Peel the colcassia and cut it into cubes. Rub it with salt and cover with hot water for 10 minutes, then wash with warm water, rub with flour, then rinse with warm water. This process removes the mucoid substance in the tarot root.

Boil the veg stock and chopped onion for 30 minutes or until soft. Add the colcassia and lime juice and cook until soft, usually around 30 minutes.

Wash the chard and coriander leaves and mince them with garlic. Sauté in oil, with a little salt and pepper, then add to the colocasia and cook for 10 minutes.

The dish is beyond delicious.

Tara Bennet, Astrologer, Clairvoyant, Spiritual Coach, and Compassionate Empath, Mediumchat Group

Quick and Easy Vegan Avocado Mousse

My favorite vegan recipe requires fewer than five ingredients, five minutes, and no cooking!

Make vegan avocado mousse with two avocados, 1/2 cup of cocoa powder, and 1/4 cup of maple syrup. Blend it all in a food processor, adding a little vegan milk as necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

This recipe is so easy and so delicious! Since it’s full of healthy fat, it can help you feel you’re indulging and keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer, especially if you’re new to veganism and struggling with hunger.

Paul Kushner, CEO, My Bartender

Mushroom and Spinach-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

A new cook can try mushroom and spinach-stuffed sweet potatoes as a unique vegan recipe. It is not only visually appealing but also full of nutrients and flavors. Here is the list of ingredients required to prepare this recipe:

1. 2 large sweet potatoes

2. 8 oz (225 gm) mushrooms, finely chopped

3. 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

4. 1 small onion, finely chopped

5. 2 cloves of garlic, minced

6. ½ cup cooked rice

7. ¼!– /wp:paragraph –>

8. 1 tsp dried thyme

9. 1 tsp dried rosemary

10. Salt and black pepper

11. Olive oil for sautéing

12. Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Now, roast the sweet potatoes and bake them for 45 minutes or until tender. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the hot olive oil, add the mushrooms, and sauté them. Now, add the rice and mix well.

Sprinkle in the dried thyme, rosemary, yeast, salt, and black pepper. Spoon the filling into the potatoes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Now, serve the mushroom and spinach-stuffed sweet potatoes.

Saikat Ghosh, Associate Director of HR and Business, Technource

Flavorful Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

As a head chef, I can suggest a vegan recipe that a new cook can easily try. The recipe is named “Cauliflower Buffalo Bites”. These crispy and delicious cauliflower bites are a flavorful twist on classic buffalo wings.

The ingredients you need are:

1 medium piece of cauliflower, cut into florets
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plant-based milk
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup vegan buffalo sauce
2 tbsp. of melted vegan butter

To make this dish, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and place a baking sheet in it. Whisk together the flour, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl to create a batter.

Dip each floret into the batter and place it on the baking sheet, then bake for about 25 minutes until golden and crispy. Mix the vegan buffalo sauce with the melted vegan butter in another bowl. Toss the baked florets in this sauce and bake again in the oven for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Rob Smith, Head Chef, Your Private Chef

Versatile Vegan Stir-Fry Recipe

Try a vegan stir-fry! This is an easy recipe for any new cook, as it doesn’t require any complicated techniques. Simply chop some veggies—red pepper, onions, and broccoli are standard options—and sauté them.

Olive oil is vegan, so you can cook them with a bit of that. Tofu is a popular option for this dish if you want to add protein. But a stir-fry is so customizable that it can work for any palate.

Kelsey Bishop, CEO and Founder, Candor

Greenhorn’s Guide: Plant-Based Cooking Tips for Newbies

Welcome to the world of vegan cooking! If you’re a newcomer, fear not. We have a few pro tips to make your plant-based culinary journey as smooth as avocado cream.

Start with What You Know: Don’t complicate things immediately. If you love pasta, make it with vegan cheese or a cashew-based sauce.
Spice is Nice: Herbs and spices are your new best friends. They add layers of flavor without any animal products. Think turmeric, cumin, rosemary, and thyme.
Get Nutty: Nutritional yeast is a vegan kitchen staple. It has a cheesy flavor and is great for sauces, dressings, and popcorn.
Bulk Up: Lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes are great for adding substance and protein to your dishes. Bonus: they’re also budget-friendly!
Tofu 101: If tofu scares you, start with the extra-firm kind. Press it, marinate it, then grill or sauté. Voila, you’ve got a tasty, versatile protein!
Read Labels: Not all plant-based products are created equal. Always check the ingredients to make sure they align with your vegan standards.
Plan Ahead: Vegan cooking often involves a bit more prep. Soak those cashews for your creamy sauce and set aside time to marinate that tofu.
Invest in Quality Tools: A good blender, a sharp knife, and durable cutting boards can make your cooking experience much more enjoyable.