10 Easy Vegan Recipes for Plant-Based Newbies
It’s a new year, a time when thousands of people the world over pledge to live in a kinder way. If you’re one of the many ‘turning over a new leaf’ in 2026 and embracing a new vegan way of living with our January Vegan Challenge, you’re likely looking forward to improved health, a smaller carbon footprint, and – most importantly – saving animal lives. Thankfully, it couldn’t be easier to cook up easy vegan recipes – whatever type of cuisine you fancy.
Of course, restaurants, cafes, and even fast-food joints these days are brimming with delicious animal-free fare (check out these Veganuary 2026 launches, for example). But, for the sake of your wallet, it pays to also have some simple, tasty recipes you can cook at home.
Here, we’ve rounded up our favourite easy-as-pie recipes to get started with vegan cooking.
Creamy Kale and Mushroom Salad
There’s no room at the table for dry, boring salads, which is why this creamy kale and mushroom salad, adapted from a recipe by Deliciously Ella, is a winner. Featuring kale, a superfood rich in nutrients, this leafy, saucy salad is bursting with flavour, thanks to roasted pumpkin seeds, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, and aromatic garlic. Perfect as a starter but filling enough to be a meal on its own.
Grilled Cucumber and Charred Harissa Flatbread
If you think cucumbers are just for fancy sandwiches or resting tired eyes, this recipe for grilled cucumber and charred harissa flatbread is going to knock your socks off. A heady combination of coriander seeds, dried rose petals, Kashmiri chillies and black-barbecued tomatoes gives it oodles of flavour, while caramelised cucumber, courgette, and lemons are a mouthwatering combo that will make you look like a pro.
Coronation Pasta Salad
With a few simple swaps, it couldn’t be easier to veganise coronation recipes – and adding pasta into the mix takes this dish to new heights. This coronation pasta salad features classic ingredients like raisins, curry powder, and mango chutney – alongside flaked almonds and vegan yogurt – and is a perfect low-effort lunch for gatherings.
Roasted Vegetable Couscous
Craving comfort food you won’t regret? This roasted vegetable couscous is guaranteed to hit the spot. Beautifully balanced with perfectly baked sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, courgettes, and onions, served with fluffy couscous, and sun-dried tomatoes, this dish is simple enough to whip up midweek and fancy enough to kick off a dinner party.
Pad Thai Salad
Few food items are as versatile, healthy, and tasty as tofu, and this pad Thai salad, with a zesty marinade and satisfying mix of cooked and cold ingredients, allows the hero ingredient to shine. Bursting with vegetables for fibre, coconut for healthy fats, and pecan for protein, it’s an easy lunch that will have those in the staff kitchen green with envy.
Fluffy Waffles
Warning: do not make this recipe unless you’re cool with your home becoming the hottest new brunch spot. Light, and moreish, these fluffy vegan waffles are effortless -but by the time you’ve made them, you’ll know how to make vegan buttermilk, a transferable skill!
Sudanese Sweet Potato Spinach Stew
One beautiful facet of vegan food is that it opens up a whole new world of rich, exciting flavours, and this Sudanese sweet potato spinach stew is a fantastic example. Rich and warming, and made from just nine ingredients, it’s a joy to make, and so creamy, it will quickly become a family favourite.
Meatball Marinara Sub
In this meatball marinara sub recipe, chickpeas and black beans come together to make deliciously seasoned meatballs swimming in a rich tomato-based sauce and melted cheese. Easy to make and far healthier than the sandwich chain version, this recipe makes a filling lunch that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
Chickpea Chana Masala
A staple on Indian menus, chickpea chana masala is a warming, aromatic and comforting dish featuring a spicy, tangy gravy. Ready in 45 minutes, this recipe combines cumin, garam masala, and chilli powder for flavour, and coconut milk (be sure to check that it’s monkey labour-free!) for a creamy finish everyone will love.
Mango, Banana, and Coconut Porridge
Breakfast doesn’t have to be boring, and with this mango and banana porridge, you’ll feel transported to a tropical oasis -even if you’re rushing to get to work. Bursting with flavours, vitamins and minerals, this bowl of goodness is ready in about 10 minutes and will keep you feeling full for hours.
Why Create a Vegan Kitchen?
If you’ve ever been grossed out by removing a chicken’s gizzards, finding pus in a pork loin, or picturing a leg of lamb back on the gentle baby to whom it belongs, you already know just how weird eating animals is.
All of the 1.2 billion animals we farm for food in the UK each year want to live, just like you and me. They are individuals with likes and dislikes. They love their babies. And they want to be free to live life on their own terms. They are not walking ingredients – they are thinking, feeling beings.
Go Vegan for 2026!
Now that you’ve got some simple, delicious cruelty-free recipes up your sleeve, you’ll be fuelled up to help animals even further.
Make sure you take the January Vegan Challenge and start your year right!
Take the Challenge
And remember to order PETA’s free Vegan Starter Kit to help you on your way:
Help Animals in 2026: Renew Your PETA Membership!
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