15 plant-based riffs on classic dishes to help lower your meat intake
Try these playful vegan twists on meaty classics, from paneer korma and vegan fried chicken to sweet & sour tofu and buffalo cauliflower wings
If you're looking to incorporate more vegetarian and vegan meals into your diet, but find yourself lacking in recipe inspiration, you've come to the right place. These re-imagined recipes will all make a brilliant valuable addition to your dinner rotation, from curries and pies to pasta dishes and burgers. We hope these dinner ideas inspire you to cook more veg-forward meals and, in turn, lower your meat intake.
Data shows that if all UK households swapped a red meat meal for a plant-based one just once a week, it would cut the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by a staggering 50 million tonnes. That's the equivalent of taking 16 million cars off the road or a reduction of up to 8.4% in the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions.
See our work with Reewild, a carbon-tracking app that aims to make it easier to understand the carbon footprint of your food: understanding your food carbon footprint.
For more help with meat-free recipe inspiration, see our vegan and vegetarian hubs, where you'll find healthy vegan recipes, budget vegetarian meals, high-protein vegan ideas and more.
1. Paneer korma
Try this revamped korma which swaps chicken for paneer. Ready in just 30 minutes, it makes a flavourful veggie curry that's heady with fresh ginger and cardamom. Serve with rice or naan breads.
See more vegetarian curry recipes.
2. Vegan fried chicken
Use a tofu substitute to make this addictive crispy fried ‘chicken’. It's perfect as part of a vegan party food spread - serve with lashing of BBQ sauce, or in a bun with salad or coleslaw.
See more vegan comfort food recipes.
3. Buffalo cauliflower wings
Try this veggie spin on the spicy American classic, buffalo chicken wings. Serve these buffalo cauliflower wings with a homemade ranch dip for an excellent Friday night sharing treat.
Find more Stateside favourites in our American recipe collection.
4. Sweet & sour tofu
Ditch the Friday night takeaway and try this plant-based remake of sweet and sour chicken instead. With pineapple, red pepper, onion and Chinese flavourings, it's a heathy dinner for one that's ready in just 25 minutes. It also delivers three of your 5-a-day.
Check out more healthy Chinese recipes.
5. Vegan katsu curry
Enjoy the same flavours of a warmly spiced katsu curry without the meat in our easy vegan version, starring crispy, golden tofu. Serve with rice, fresh herbs and cucumber and carrot ribbons for a special meal for two.
See more Japanese-inspired recipes.
6. Vegan mac and cheese
Make the ultimate comfort dish, macaroni cheese, but with vegan credentials. The recipe is quick and easy to make, so a great midweek meal for the family. It also serves up to six so it's great for batch cooking.
Check out these twists on mac and cheese.
7. Spaghetti puttanesca with red beans & spinach
Get four of your 5-a-day while enjoying this vegan twist on spaghetti puttanesca. Featuring spaghetti, capers, olives, kidney beans, tomatoes and spinach, it makes a quick, easy dinner that's full of nutrients to boot.
See more vegan pasta meals.
8. Vegan kebabs with avocado dressing
Vegans needn't miss out at the next barbecue. Turn your hand to these veg-packed kebabs, piling chunks of mushrooms, peaches, courgettes and red onions onto skewers and barbecuing them for a wonderful BBQ flavour. Serve with a creamy avocado dressing for dipping. It also makes a brilliant low-calorie and gluten-free dish.
Try more vegan barbecue recipes.
9. Smoked tofu vegan burger
If you're looking to impress vegan guests, this smoked tofu burger is a must. With sweet potato, cashew and tofu and a panko breadcrumb coating, it takes a little effort, but it's well worth the prep time once you taste it.
Find more vegan and vegetarian burger recipes.
10. Tandoori paneer skewers with mango salsa
Grill skewers of paneer cheese, red peppers and onions, then serve with a fruity avocado salsa for an Indian-inspired dish. The paneer is coated in tandoori-flavoured yogurt for a bright red colour and a spicy kick. It's quick to make, and is great as part of a summery feast.
See our round-up of the best vegetarian barbecue recipes.
11. One-pot paneer curry pie
What's more comforting than a curry in pie form? This creamy one-pot paneer pie is filled with a makhani-style filling and topped with a crisp puff pastry lid. Firm tofu would make a good replacement for paneer.
Browse our collection of vegetarian pie recipes.
12. Vegan kebabs
Swap your usual doner kebab for this vibrant vegan recipe, stuffed with marinated tempeh patties and pickled cabbage. It's speedy to assemble, ready in just 16 minutes. It's healthy, full of fibre and offers one of your five-a-day, too.
See our round-up of Good Food's most popular vegan recipes for more meal inspiration.
13. Vegan jambalaya
Try this plant-based twist on a Louisiana favourite for a filling and flavourful dinner for two. This vegan rice and bean one-pot is packed with all five of your 5-a-day, as well as iron, vitamin C and fibre.
Try more vegan one-pot recipes.
14. Vegan meatballs
Swap beef meatballs for this chunky vegan alternative, made with mushrooms, oats and black beans and topped with a rich tomato sauce. Serve with spaghetti or soft polenta, if you like.
Check out more vegetarian Italian recipes.
15. Vegan sausage rolls
These golden brown vegan sausage rolls are a must-try for home bakers. They're surprisingly easy to make, made with mushrooms, brown rice miso, mustard and sage. Pack a picnic, or deck out a buffet table with these moreish morsels and wait for the compliments to roll in.
See more vegan picnic recipes.
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