While pasta and french fries are vegan, eating them all the time won't help you reach your weight-loss goals. You need healthy, nourishing recipes that are packed with plant-based proteins [1] to keep you satiated, complex carbs [2] to give you energy, and healthy fats and fibrous veggies and fruits to fill you up. Here are some delicious vegan recipes — from breakfast to dinner, snacks to dessert — to leave you feeling energetic and satisfied.
Smashed Avocado Chickpea Salad
You'll fall hard for those tender smashed chickpeas, the creamy avocado, and those crunchy salted sunflower seeds. Plus this "chicken" salad is mayo-free, so aside from being vegan, it's low in cals and saturated fat.
Calories: 485
Protein: 14 grams
Get the recipe: chickpea salad [4]
Red Pepper and Corn Tempeh Tacos
The filling is made with crumbled tempeh, sautéed onions, red peppers, and corn. It's perfectly soft and tender, and slightly spicy — even meat eaters will be instant fans! Honestly, my meat-loving husband said the tempeh texture was so much like ground beef.
Calories: 330 (for two tacos)
Protein: 16.4 grams
Get the recipe: tempeh tacos [5]
Vegan RXBARs
Similar in calories, carbs, protein, and the sweet fudgy flavour and chewy texture to RXBARs, these bars are so easy to make. Plus, you can doll up this basic recipe depending on the flavour you like (hello, chocolate chips!).
Calories: 223
Protein: 12 grams
Get the recipe: vegan RXBAR [6]
High-Protein Vanilla Almond Raspberry Overnight Oats
This recipe is a game-changer because it offers almost 17 grams of protein. The secret? Mashed beans. And your taste buds won't be able to detect them because they just add to the smooth, creamy texture, and they take on the sweet vanilla almond raspberry flavour.
Calories: 371
Protein: 16.8 grams
Get the recipe: high-protein vanilla almond raspberry oatmeal [7]
Vanilla Clementine Protein Smoothie
Light, sweet, and dairy-free, this citrus smoothie tastes like joy in a jar.
Calories: 336
Protein: 27.3 grams
Get the recipe: creamy citrus smoothie [8]
Maple Cumin Lentils Over Spaghetti Squash
When you're craving spaghetti with meat sauce, cook up these maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash.
Calories: 323
Protein: 15.5 grams
Get the recipe: maple cumin lentils over spaghetti squash [9]
Sweet Potato, Tofu, and Avocado Bowl
This bowl tastes perfect on its own, but adding a little crunchy texture with some chopped salted cashews makes it even more delicious.
Calories: 366
Protein: 19.5 grams
Get the recipe: sweet potato, tofu, and avocado bowl [10]
Protein-Packed Brownies
A cross between oatmeal cookies and brownies, these chocolaty bars are so insanely delicious that you won't even guess there's protein powder added to the batter.
Calories: 145
Protein: 5 grams
Get the recipe: protein-packed brownies [11]
Tofu, Broccoli, and Cauliflower Sheet-Pan Meal
This recipe includes all the essentials you need for losing weight: protein, healthy fats, and fibre. And the best part is it's a one-pan meal, so it's easy to make and even easier to clean up!
Calories: 368
Protein: 35.5 grams
Get the recipe: tofu, broccoli, and cauliflower sheet-pan meal [12]
Strawberry Milkshake Smoothie
This sweet strawberry milkshake smoothie is only made with six ingredients so it's easy to whip up and tastes like melted strawberry ice cream.
Calories: 397
Protein: 26.8 grams
Get the recipe: strawberry milkshake smoothie [13]
Vegan Banana Almond Bread With Protein
Protein powder, soy yoghurt, and flaxmeal combine to give this vegan banana bread a powerful punch of nutrition.
Calories: 188 (1 slice)
Protein: 8.2 grams
Get the recipe: vegan banana bread [14]
Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad
Massaged kale is topped with warm maple-cinnamon roasted butternut squash, white beans for protein, cucumbers and almonds for a satisfying crunch, and raisins for a little added sweetness.
Calories: 426
Protein: 19.1 grams
Get the recipe: maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, and white bean salad [15]
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Balls
All you need is a food processor or high-speed blender, and you'll be biting into these soft, cookie dough-like protein balls in a matter of minutes.
Calories: 273
Protein: 9.9 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip peanut butter protein balls [16]
Overnight Hemp Seed Cereal
For the overnight-oats-obsessed, here's a variation you have got to try that's high in protein and lower in carbs!
Calories: 364
Protein: 19.1 grams
Get the recipe: overnight hemp seed cereal [17]
Tofu Scramble With Kale and Sweet Potatoes
Why not serve a little breakfast for dinner? This tofu scramble with kale and sweet potatoes is packed with protein.
Calories: 270
Protein: 18.8 grams
Get the recipe: tofu scramble with kale and sweet potatoes [18]
Banana Milkshake Smoothie
Creamy, smooth, subtly sweet, and high in protein, this banana milkshake smoothie offers over 20 grams of protein, but it's not made with protein powder or dairy products. Oh no! White beans are the star, so aside from protein and iron, you also get a ton of fibre.
Calories: 335
Protein: 20.3 grams
Get the recipe: banana milkshake smoothie [19]
Black Bean Brownie Bites
These are chewy, fudgy, and perfect for satisfying your deep chocolate cravings.
Calories: 149
Protein: 5.9 grams
Get the recipe: black bean brownie bites [20]
Vegan Lasagna
Instead of ricotta, the creaminess in this lasagna comes from blended tofu flavoured with garlic and fresh basil. The velvety consistency will floor you!
Calories: 444
Protein: 17.3 grams
Get the recipe: vegan lasagna [21]
Maple-Cumin Tofu With Farro
Mix up your grains to beat boredom, and make farro with black beans and maple-cumin tofu.
Calories: 381
Protein: 18.3 grams
Get the recipe: farro with black beans and maple-cumin tofu [22]
Vegan Gingerbread "Buttermilk" Pancakes
Sometimes you crave pancakes for dinner!
Calories: 308 (4 pancakes)
Protein: 16 grams
Get the recipe: gingerbread "buttermilk" pancakes [23]
Cinnamon Date Roasted Butternut Squash, Parsnips, and Tofu
This dish has become a family fave for three reasons: One, it's absolutely delicious. Two, it's a cinch to make and clean up because it involves one pan. And three, it's packed with protein, fibre, and complex carbs, so I feel satisfied after a bowl.
Calories: 254
Protein: 19.3 grams
Get the recipe: cinnamon date roasted butternut squash, parsnips, and tofu [24]
Sesame Ginger Quinoa Salad
Quinoa is anything but boring in this sesame-ginger salad with protein-packed edamame, crunchy cabbage, and rich sesame oil. Eating the colours of the rainbow is always good for your health, and all the different flavours in this salad work perfectly together.
Calories: 363
Protein: 15 grams
Get the recipe: sesame ginger quinoa salad [25]
High-Protein Banana and PB Snack
For a pre- or post-workout snack, banana smeared with peanut butter couldn't be easier — here's how to add more protein.
Calories: 158
Protein: 13.6 grams
Get the recipe: banana and PB snack [26]
Lemon Coconut Protein Balls
These lemon protein balls are made with just five ingredients: raw almonds, vanilla protein powder, juicy dates, lemon juice, and unsweetened coconut. How simple is that?
Calories: 147 (3 balls)
Protein: 7.2 grams
Get the recipe: lemon coconut protein balls [27]
Vanilla Milkshake Smoothie
Made with only four ingredients, this smoothie tastes more like a luscious vanilla milkshake — seriously!
Calories: 328
Protein: 17.4 grams
Get the recipe: vanilla milkshake smoothie [28]
Banana Cinnamon Zoats
For a little sweet comfort food for dinner, make this veggie-packed oatmeal recipe.
Calories: 386
Protein: 23.7 grams
Get the recipe: banana cinnamon zoats [29]
Roasted Tofu, Sweet Potato, and Pepper 1-Pan Meal
All you need for this recipe are basically three ingredients, one pan, and your oven.
Calories: 419
Protein: 34 grams
Get the recipe: roasted tofu, sweet potato, and pepper savory breakfast [30]
High-Protein Overnight Oats
The only thing better than the maple-pecan-vanilla flavour is the fact that it follows the nutritionist-designed breakfast formula for weight loss [31].
Calories: 366
Protein: 20.5 grams
Get the recipe: maple vanilla overnight oats [32]
Banana-Oat Protein Balls
Made with only three ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, these protein balls couldn't be easier to whip up.
Calories: 141 (3 balls)
Protein: 8.1 grams
Get the recipe: 3-ingredient protein balls [33]
High-Protein Oatmeal
Aside from protein, this recipe packed with fibre and healthy fats and is under 10 grams of sugar, so it's perfect if you're trying to cut back on refined sugars or if you're looking to drop a few pounds.
Calories: 308
Protein: 18.4 grams
Get the recipe: high-protein oatmeal [34]
Honeydew Protein Smoothie
This invigourating, dairy-free smoothie offers tons of fibre, protein, and healthy fats, perfect to keep you full all morning long and help you lose weight.
Calories: 353
Protein: 36.4 grams
Get the recipe: 350-calorie smoothie [35]
Cauliflower Porridge
You looked at this photo and thought it was a bowl of oatmeal, right? Hee-hee. Well, it's not. It's actually — get ready for this — cauliflower. It sounds a little weird, but trust me. It tastes delicious.
Calories: 351
Protein: 15.1 grams
Get the recipe: cauliflower porridge [36]
Tofu Scramble With Kale and Sweet Potatoes
This tofu scramble is bursting with an addictive savory-sweet flavour, and since it's made with high-protein tofu, kale, and sweet potatoes, you can feel good reaching for seconds.
Calories: 264
Protein: 18.8 grams
Get the recipe: tofu scramble with sweet potatoes and kale [37]
Chocolate Almond Protein Bars
These satisfyingly chewy bars are the perfect snack before or after a workout, but they taste so sweet and cookie-like, your taste buds will easily call them dessert.
Calories: 166 (1 bar)
Protein: 12.8 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate almond protein bars [38]
Chocolate Almond Coconut Protein Balls
If you have an obsession with all things chewy, and you also have a love affair with chocolate, then allow me to introduce you to your soul mate — these coconut-covered chocolate almond protein balls.
Calories: 159 (3 balls)
Protein: 7.8 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate almond coconut protein balls [39]
Protein-Packed Vegan Ice Cream
This protein-packed vegan ice cream is made with frozen fruit and protein powder.
Calories: 204
Protein: 15.1 grams
Get the recipe: protein-packed vegan ice cream [40]
Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothie
Sweet and creamy and such a gorgeous vibrant colour, this breakfast will remind you of cheesecake drizzled with blueberries.
Calories: 350
Protein: 15.9 grams
Get the recipe: blueberry cheesecake smoothie [41]
Gingerbread Chia Pudding
This basic recipe is flavoured with maple syrup and warming gingerbread spices; plus, the toppings add extra sweetness and crunch.
Calories: 307
Protein: 13.5 grams
Get the recipe: gingerbread chia pudding [42]
Mexican Tempeh Quinoa Salad
Spice up your quinoa salad routine with a Mexican tempeh quinoa salad.
Calories: 353
Protein: 17.4 grams
Get the recipe: Mexican tempeh quinoa salad [43]
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
Maybe eating half a pan of brownies for breakfast isn't the best of ideas since you'll feel pretty crappy afterward, but this oatmeal? Yes. Yes, you can and totally should inhale this chocolate overnight oatmeal. It's so perfectly creamy and chocolaty — kind of like brownie batter.
Calories: 361
Protein: 19 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate overnight oatmeal [44]
Carrot Cake Smoothie
Save calories without having to turn on your oven with this smoothie reminiscent of all the warm, spicy flavours of luscious, moist, and creamy carrot cake.
Calories: 290
Protein: 19.1 grams
Get the recipe: carrot cake smoothie [45]
Sweet Potato Banana Protein Bread
Packed with fibre and protein, this bread is naturally sweetened with sweet potato, banana, and applesauce. And it tastes like dessert!
Calories: 225
Protein: 10.4 grams
Get the recipe: sweet potato banana protein bread [46]
Banana Cinnamon Zoats
Zoats? Sounds like a new slang word all the young kids are saying, but it's not. It's breakfast. And it's good.
Calories: 386
Protein: 23.7 grams
Get the recipe: banana cinnamon zoats [47]
Low-Calorie Chocolate Almond Smoothie
With protein to help your muscles recover after a long run or gruelling strength-training workout, this smoothie makes a perfect dairy-free alternative to the popular post-workout chocolate milk.
Calories: 150
Protein: 15.6 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate almond smoothie [48]
Overnight Breakfast Cookie
You want cookies for breakfast. We get it — we want them, too. So make this breakfast cookie!
Calories: 328
Protein: 20.8 grams
Get the recipe: chewy, cinnamony breakfast cookie [49]
Creamy Banana Cashew Overnight Oats
You'll love this low-sugar, high-protein overnight oatmeal recipe that's oh so creamy and naturally sweet. The secret? Mashed chickpeas and banana.
Calories: 368
Protein: 15 grams
Get the recipe: low-sugar, high-protein overnight oatmeal [50]
Chocolate Protein Pudding
You'll love this smooth, chocolaty pudding.
Calories: 146
Protein: 7.3 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate protein pudding [51]
Strawberry-Watermelon Hydrating Smoothie
Sip on this smoothie that tastes so luscious, so naturally sweet, you'll crave it after every workout.
Calories: 145
Protein: 15 grams
Get the recipe: hydrating smoothie [52]
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
These chocolate peanut butter overnight oats offer all that delicious sweet taste you crave, but since it's oatmeal, it's totally PC to down this entire jar.
Calories: 403
Protein: 15.2 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate peanut butter overnight oats [53]
Chocolate Chip Protein-Packed Pumpkin Bread
When you want your house to feel as cosy as slipping on a sweater in the Fall, turn on your oven and bake this pumpkin bread.
Calories: 200
Protein: 9.2 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip protein-packed pumpkin bread [54]
Chocolate Milkshake Smoothie
Think chocolate is off-limits when you're trying to lose weight? Think again!
Calories: 354
Protein: 22.1 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate milkshake smoothie [55]
Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
If you've got a slow cooker, making this vegan butternut squash lentil soup will be a breeze. This recipe makes eight servings, so you can make enough for dinner, lunch, and then some.
Calories: 253
Protein: 18.3 grams
Get the recipe: vegan butternut squash lentil soup [56]
Low-Sugar Berry Smoothie
If you're watching your carbs or trying to cut back on your sugar intake — even natural sugars — grab your blender and whip up this subtly sweet and creamy smoothie.
Calories: 303
Protein: 22.3 grams
Get the recipe: berry smoothie [57]
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Freezer Fudge
If you grew up scooping out spoonfuls of raw cookie dough while baking chocolate chip cookies with your grandma, you're going to fall hard for this cookie dough freezer fudge.
Calories: 140
Protein: 5.8 grams
Get the recipe: chocolate chip cookie dough freezer fudge [58]
Chickpea and Kale Stew
This hearty chickpea and kale stew is packed with hunger-satiating protein and fibre.
Calories: 502
Protein: 23.9 grams
Get the recipe: chickpea and kale stew [59]
Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Perfectly creamy and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen.
Calories: 331
Protein: 16.1 grams
Get the recipe: strawberry banana spinach smoothie [60]
Split Pea and Sweet Potato Soup
This protein-packed vegan split pea and sweet potato soup is hearty and satisfying, and it makes great lunch leftovers.
Calories: 254
Protein: 19.3 grams
Get the recipe: vegan split pea and sweet potato soup [61]
Maple-Ginger Roasted Tempeh, Sweet Potato, Pepper, and Onion
This one-pan recipe is perfect on its own, but can also be served over regular rice, cauliflower rice, greens, quinoa, or in a wrap.
Calories: 370
Protein: 16.3 grams
Get the recipe: tempeh with sweet potatoes [62]
Edamame Barley Bowl
This hearty bowl powers you up with clean, quality nutrition — hello, energized afternoon!
Calories: 541
Protein: 21.9 grams
Get the recipe: edamame barley bowl [63]
Roasted Edamame
Roasting fibre-filled soybeans brings extra crunch and flavour and makes a satisfying post-workout snack.
Calories: 153 per serving
Protein: 13.4 grams
Get the recipe: roasted edamame [64]
Almond Strawberry Banana Soy Yoghurt Smoothie
The almonds in this berry smoothie add healthy fats, fibre, and protein to keep you full, and with a good blender, you won't even notice that they're there.
Calories: 358
Protein: 15 grams
Get the recipe: almond strawberry banana soy yoghurt smoothie [65]