60 Vegan Lunch Ideas

Asparagus Tofu Stir-Fry

With its flavorful ginger sauce and fresh vegetables, this tasty dish is a favorite. I get rave reviews every time I serve it, and it doesn’t bother my husband’s food allergies. Check out our guide if you’re new to tofu. —Phyllis Smith, Chimacum, Washington

Chickpea Mint Tabbouleh

You’ll love this salad warm or chilled. For variety, add feta cheese or use this as a filling for stuffed tomatoes or mushrooms. —Brian Kennedy, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Creamy Cauliflower Pakora Soup

My husband and I often crave pakoras, deep-fried fritters from India. I wanted to get the same flavors but use a healthier cooking technique, so I made soup using all the classic spices and our favorite veggie, cauliflower! —Melody Johnson, DePere, Wisconsin

Chickpea & Potato Curry

I make chana masala, the classic Indian chickpea curry, in my slow cooker. First browning the onion, ginger and garlic really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas

Dijon Veggies with Couscous

Coated in a tangy Dijon sauce, these tasty veggies and fluffy couscous make for a delightful side. —Juliana Dumitru, Fairview Park, Ohio

General Tso's Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets are deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, then coated in a sauce with just the right amount of kick. This is a fun alternative to the classic chicken dish.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Vegan Pasta Salad

Once you learn how to make this vegan pasta salad, you’ll be throwing it together all summer. It’s packed with veggies and tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. —Jenna Urben, Dallas, Texas

Go to Recipe

Sauteed Squash with Tomatoes & Onions

My favorite meals show a love of family and food. This zucchini dish with tomatoes is like a scaled-down ratatouille. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Green Salad with Berries

For snappy salad that draws a crowd, I do a wonderful combo of spinach, berries and oniony things. Raise your fork for this one. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Basil & Heirloom Tomato Toss

I came up with this garden-fresh salad to showcase the heirloom tomatoes and peppers we raised for our stall at the farmers market. Try out other types of basil like lemon, lime, licorice and cinnamon. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Market Basket Soup

I use kohlrabi in this soothing veggie soup. The vegetable has a mellow broccoli-cabbage flavor and can be served raw, but this is my favorite way to eat it. —Kellie Foglio, Salem, Wisconsin

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Rice Bowls

I have three hungry boys in my house, so dinners need to be quick and filling, and it helps to get in some veggies, too. This one is a favorite because it's hearty and fun to tweak with different ingredients. —Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey

Grilled Bean Burgers

These juicy veggie patties have major flavor with cumin, garlic and a little chili powder. They hold their own against any veggie burger you‘d buy at the supermarket. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey

Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans

When I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine

Satisfying Tomato Soup

After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn't puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario

Spinach Rice

I like to serve this Greek-style rice dish alongside steaks with mushrooms. It makes an elegant side that can be doubled for guests. —Jeanette Cakouros, Brunswick, Maine

Moroccan Cauliflower and Almond Soup

This soup tastes rich and decadent but is really very healthy! Bonus—it is vegan and also makes your house smell amazing! —Barbara Marynowski, Hutto, Texas

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa

Some vegan quinoa recipes are boring, but this one definitely isn't. My daughter’s college asked parents for the best quinoa recipes to use in the dining halls. This healthy quinoa recipe fits the bill. —Lindsay McSweeney, Winchester, Massachusetts

Heirloom Tomato Salad

This is a simple yet elegant dish that always pleases my guests. Not only is it tasty, but it is healthy, too. The more varied the colors of the tomatoes you choose, the prettier the salad will be. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California

Slow-Cooked Ratatouille

I get my son to eat eggplant by cooking this classic French veggie dish low and slow. A side of rice and some garlic cheese bread also help. —Diane Goedde, Red Lodge, Montana

Cool Beans Salad

This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

Curried Lentil Soup

Curry gives a different taste sensation to this chili-like soup. It’s delicious with a dollop of sour cream. My family welcomes it with open arms—and watering mouths. —Christina Till, South Haven, Michigan

Arborio Rice and White Bean Soup

Soup is the ultimate comfort food. This hearty, satisfying soup with arborio rice is low in fat and comes together in less than 30 minutes. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Vegetable Barley Saute

This wonderful side dish can easily be turned into a hearty entree by adding cooked chicken. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chard & White Bean Pasta

I love to prepare dishes without gluten or dairy products, and this recipe meets the criteria when you use gluten-free pasta. It's proof you can use delicious, healthy products to create a crowd-pleasing meal. It's also soy-free, nut-free and vegetarian. —Amie Valpone, New York, New York

Watermelon and Spinach Salad

Summer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii

Marty's Bean Burger Chili

My husband and I met while working the dinner shift at a homeless shelter that served my chili. I’ve revised the chili using bean veggie burgers. —Marty Nickerson, Ellington, Connecticut

Crispy Tofu with Black Pepper Sauce

Sometimes tofu can be boring and tasteless, but not in this recipe! Here, the crispy vegetarian bean curd is so loaded with flavor, you'll never shy away from tofu again. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Mushroom & Broccoli Soup

One of my girls won’t eat meat and the other struggles to get enough fiber. This recipe is a perfect way to give them what they need in a dish they love to eat. I save my broccoli stems in the freezer until I have about two small bags, and then I make soup. —Maria Davis, Flower Mound, Texas

Beet Salad with Lemon Dressing

I was looking for a recipe for pickled beets and saw one with lemon instead of vinegar. I immediately thought of making a tabbouleh-inspired salad with beets instead of tomatoes. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Herb-Vinaigrette Potato Salad

This is a great way to celebrate early produce from the garden. To add some more crunch, sprinkle with croutons. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma

Mediterranean Chickpeas

Add this to your meatless Monday lineup. It's great with feta cheese on top. —Elaine Ober, Brookline, Massachusetts

Soba Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Dressing

We love it when opposites attract. A sweet-and-sour gingery dressing goes hand in hand with soft soba noodles, edamame and crunchy slaw. Add grilled shrimp or chicken for a protein-packed finish. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

White Bean Fennel Soup

This filling soup is a favorite with our family and is often requested for company dinners. A hint of fennel accents the flavor of this quick-to-fix bean soup, while spinach and tomatoes add color. —Donna Quinn, Round Lake Beach, Illinois

Romaine & Orange Salad with Lime Dressing

Three ingredients plus a dressing equals a quick salad for special occasions. I first had it at a friend's wedding, and it's become a family favorite. — Linda Pallotto, Mantua, Ohio

Barley Corn Salad

A terrific alternative to pasta salad, this colorful side dish adds refreshing herb flavor to corn, barley, and red and green peppers. Bring it to your next get-together and see how fast it disappears! —Mary Ann Kieffer of Lawrence, Kansas

Mushroom-Bean Bourguignon

In our family, boeuf bourguignon has been a staple for generations. I wanted a meatless alternative. All this dish needs is a French baguette. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

Garlic-Herb Pattypan Squash

The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. Using pattypan squash is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Rice Pilaf with Apples & Raisins

I love making bulgar pilaf with apricots. So glad I tried it with dried apples and golden raisins! —Elizabeth Dumont, Madison, Mississippi

Asparagus, Squash & Red Pepper Saute

The appealing vegetable trio is enlivened by a wine-scented saute. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

Wild Rice and Squash Pilaf

This pilaf is fantastic with fish or poultry and especially compatible with turkey. Since it's so colorful, I like to think it makes my turkey dressed for the holidays. —Erica Ollmann, San Diego, California

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

In our new cookbook “The Kitchen Decoded,” we include tabbouleh salad because it's super simple and filling. Try red quinoa for a slightly earthier flavor. —Logan Levant, Los Angeles, California

Fiesta Chopped Salad

We create this colorful garden mixture with vegetables that are bursting with flavor. The dressing makes the fresh salad a welcome addition to almost any entree. —Merwyn Garbini, Tuscon, Arizona

Lemon Date Couscous

Couscous is a great way to deliver bold flavors, and it cooks so quickly. This makes a wonderful accompaniment to all sorts of main dishes. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Citrus Avocado Salad

This recipe nicely showcases grapefruit and oranges, which are at their peak around the holidays. Citrus fruits pair well with a sweet dressing. —Sonia Candler, Edmonton, Alberta

Salsa Bean Burgers

I created these based on a turkey burger recipe and wanted to make them even better for you. Use a favorite salsa with just the heat you like to make it your own. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio

Hearty Italian White Bean Soup

A bowlful of this soup is so satisfying, it's hard to believe it's actually good for you, too. I crave it all the time. With lots of beans and potatoes, it's filling and even hits the spot with meat lovers. —Kristina Krummel, Elkins, Arkansas

Confetti Quinoa

If you have never tried quinoa, start with my easy side, brimming with colorful veggies. I serve it with orange-glazed chicken. —Kim Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Lemony Chickpeas

These saucy chickpeas add just a little heat to meatless Mondays. They're especially good over hot, fluffy brown rice. —April Strevell, Red Bank, New Jersey

Layered Garden Bean Salad

For easy entertaining, cover and refrigerate the salad a few hours before guests arrive so you don't have to bother with last-minute assembly. Turn it into a light lunch by adding sliced rotisserie chicken, salmon or tuna. —Melissa Wharton, Cincinnati, Ohio

Lemon Mushroom Orzo

Sometimes I serve this side dish chilled and other times we enjoy it hot. It has a pleasant tinge of lemon and a nice crunch from pecans. —Shelly Nelson, Akeley, Minnesota

Pumpkin-Lentil Soup

I was really craving a hot delicious soup—something filling and healthy. I looked around my kitchen for a few ingredients, then created this recipe. Pumpkin adds creamy richness and body. —Amy Blom, Marietta, Georgia

Vibrant Black-Eyed Pea Salad

My black-eyed pea salad reminds me of a Southern cooking class my husband and I took while visiting Savannah, Georgia. People go nuts for it at picnics and potlucks. —Danielle Lee, Charleston, South Carolina

Spice Trade Beans & Bulgur

A rich blend of spices adds flavor to tender, nutritious bulgur and garbanzo beans in this tangy dish that has just the right amount of heat. A hint of sweetness from golden raisins is the perfect accent. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

Red Lentil Soup Mix

Give your friends the gift of good health. Red lentils are protein powerhouses and are loaded with folate, iron and fiber. Oh, and this soup tastes amazing too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooker Ratatouille

Not only does this classic recipe make a phenomenal side dish, you can also serve it with sliced French bread for a warm and easy appetizer. Try it in the summer with your garden-fresh vegetables. —Jolene Walters, North Miami, Florida

Garlic Maple Dressing

Here's my go-to dressing for pretty much any salad (or veggie!) under the sun. It stores beautifully, so make it ahead—or leave the shaking to the kids while you finish up last-minute dinner details. They'll do you proud. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lemon Rice Salad

This salad makes a refreshing side dish for a special occasion meal. I take it to holiday potluck suppers and other family gatherings. People enjoy the combination of flavors, and I like that it can be made ahead. —Margery Richmond, Lacombe, Alberta

Watermelon Gazpacho

My refreshing gazpacho is a delightfully simple, elegant dish. Serve as a side or with pita and hummus for a meal. —Nicole Deelah, Nashville, Tennessee

Black Bean-Tomato Chili

My daughter Kayla saw a black bean chili while watching a cooking show and called me about it because it looked so good. We messed with our own recipe until we got this easy winner. —Lisa Belcastro, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts