With the increasing visibility and availability of meat and dairy alternatives, eating a predominantly plant-based diet is becoming more mainstream. Nearly 68% of Americans have tried a plant-based meat or dairy alternative, and one-third are actively incorporating plant-based foods into their diet. Some people are motivated to eat this way for health reasons - looking to nutrition to prevent or heal chronic conditions and diseases. For decades, nutritional pioneers like Drs.
Why Choose a Plant-Based Diet?
A whole food plant-based diet is based on foods derived from plants. Lots of them, piled high on your plate. It means eating a wide range of unprocessed, or minimally processed vegetables, grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Plant-based diets focus on real food, whole ingredients, a spectrum of colors, and omitting animal products. Try incorporating more of these types of meals into your everyday life.
For decades, nutritional pioneers like Drs. At the same time, we’ve discovered the harmful effects of a diet high in factory-farmed animal products, which lack these good-for-you chemicals. In addition to health, there are other reasons that people are gravitating toward plant-based eating. Factory farming inflicts massive damage on the environment. Experts agree that consumers can reduce their carbon footprint dramatically by eliminating beef from their diets, or even reducing it by 25%.
The Importance of a Good Recipe Book
While you can surely find a variety of recipes on the Internet, investing in a few good vegan or plant-based cookbooks can really set you up for success. Cookbooks are a great resource for finding real, kitchen-tested recipes that are healthy and tasty. Many of them include suggestions for pantry staples to have on hand, plant-based substitutions for dairy, or where to find specific ingredients you may be unfamiliar with. But as plant-based diets continue to rise in popularity, so do the number of cookbooks to choose from. That’s why we’ve rounded up a collection of some of our favorite plant-based cookbooks. Having a good vegan cookbook on hand can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking to go fully plant-based or you’re flexitarian or veg-curious, these cookbooks will have you preparing mouthwatering vegan meals in a jiffy.
Essential Plant-Based Cookbooks
Matt Frazier's Top Picks
You can leaf through a normal book and get an idea of whether it’s any good, but you can’t really decide about a cookbook until you try it. And so we’ve tried a bunch (well over 50, I bet) in our short three and a half years of being vegetarian. Anyway, my point is that we’ve tried a ton of cookbooks, and we usually end up buying our favorites. I called this list 9 Essential Cookbooks for the Plant-Based Athlete, and here’s what I mean by that. So with that, here’s my list.
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0. The No Meat Athlete Cookbook
The No Meat Athlete Cookbook features 150 whole food, vegan recipes that are affordable and quick to get on the table, even on busy nights.
1. Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by Brendan Brazier
To me, this is a classic, even if it’s only five years old. Though some of the recipes are slightly more involved than I have time for on a weeknight, most every meal in this book turns out wonderfully, and makes you feel like you did something.
2. Thrive Foods: 200 Plant-Based Recipes for Peak Health
Probably my favorite of all, and the one that I’d rescue from a fire if some weirdo came and lit only my cookbook shelf on fire. The reason I love Thrive Foods is because it’s the perfect balance between extremely healthy (Brendan was a pro triathlete and developed many of these recipes to fuel his career) and normal. I wouldn’t call most of this food gourmet - you can tell that health comes first in most of these recipes - but even my two-year old will eat it, and that’s saying something.
3. Clean Food by Terry Walters
Simple, seasonal, whole ingredients are what I think of when I think of Clean Food. Though it doesn’t say so anywhere on the cover, the book is entirely vegan and mostly gluten-free, too. This is my favorite cookbook for finding what’s fresh at the farmer’s market and making it for dinner that night.
4. Jai Seed: A Guide to Cooking With Fresh, Raw, Superfoods
Jai Seed is a little different - partly because it’s an ebook, but not just that. There’s something else about the food that distinguishes it from that of the other cookbooks on my list. The recipes are unique and interesting, and in general, the ingredients Rich uses are fresh, often raw, superfoods that he combines in simple smoothies, salads, sauces, meals and desserts - and somehow they turn out to be delicious.
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5. Appetite for Reduction by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
Isa is the only author to appear twice on my list, but Appetite for Reduction is somewhat different from Veganomicon, so I won’t lose sleep over including both. The focus is on simplifying, so that these meals are quicker, healthier, and cheaper than those in V’con. For their simplicity and rapidity, you cannot beat Appetite for Reduction. One of my favorites is Vegan Fire & Spice! It includes different spicy foods from all over the world - everywhere from Thailand to the Caribbean to Africa.
6. 1000 Vegan Recipes by Robin Robertson
1000 Vegan Recipes was the first vegan cookbook I ever bought, and my gateway from vegetarianism to veganism. To be honest, I haven’t found a ton of standout recipes in this book (Mac ‘n’ Chard is one delicious exception), but the sheer number (you’ll never guess how many!) and variety of quick and simple recipes in the book makes it a go-to for so many nights when I’ve got nothing planned but need to get something on the table fast. 1000 Vegan Recipes has been sitting on my shelf for awhile, and now I’m relying on it to transition from a vegetarian to a vegan diet.
7. Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison
This is the only non-vegan cookbook on my list (many of the recipes call for yogurt or other dairy products, for which you could often substitute vegan versions). But if you don’t own an ethnic cookbook, this is the one to start with. I received “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by Deborah Madison for Christmas last year, and use it rather frequently.
8. Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero
Great book, great title, kinda dumb tagline: “225 Meat-free, Egg-free, Dairy-free Recipes for Real People in the Real World.” Okay, I got the first part from “vegan,” and exactly who counts as not a real person in the real world? Still, like I said, it’s a really great book - it selectively uses prepared ingredients from the grocery store to save a lot of time when you’re in a pinch, and most of the recipes turn out well. And for the most part, these meals are cheap, even when you’re paying for the prepared ingredients. I have to say my first book was Appetite for Reduction, then Veganomicon, Vegan with a vengence..
9. Color Me Vegan by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
I love the concept of grouping the recipes according to the predominant color. There is also a chapter with background info about the substances that give foods their color and what those substances do in your body health-wise. “Color Me Vegan” by Colleen Patrick Goudreau has many delicious quick recipes.
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Other Highly Recommended Cookbooks
- La Dolce Vegan: La Dolce Vegan is my absolute favorite. I make the vegan cheese and seitan recipes all the time. La Dolce Vegan was my first vegan cookbook, and six years later, it is still my favorite.
- Supermarket Vegan: The recipes are so easy to follow and the ingredients easy to find.
- Global Vegetarian Kitchen by Troth Wells: A phenomenal vego book for athletes. It’s ethnic food, but in a more North-American oriented approach. All the meals are fast, under an hour, most even under 30 minutes. About half have some form of veg protein, but almost all are versatile enough to add protein to.
- Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen by Donna Klein: My husband and I aren’t vegan, but everything in this book is delicious. Everything.
- Chloe's Kitchen by Chloe Coscarelli: I can’t stop raving about Chloe’s Kitchen by Chloe Coscarelli. I’m a little obsessed with Chloe Coscarelli right now.
- Vegan Eats World by Terry Hope Romero: I was a tester and I can tell you that the recipes are really great!
- The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone: Informative book followed by yummy, healthy recipes. There are even 3 different “levels” of recipes depending on if you are “flirting” with vegan, an established vegan, or a superhero. This book/cookbook is what made me transition from vegetarian to vegan. My gateway book was the Kind Diet. I really liked Alicia Silverstone’s The Kind Diet.
- The Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon: I don’t think it’s vegan, but most of it is. And if it isn’t I think it could be modified to be vegan. I never made a recipe out of there that I didn’t like. And reading it is almost like reading a novel. She includes ways to modify most of the vegetarian recipes to vegan, and has TONS of information about food and life!
- Vegan Yum Yum by Lauren Ulm: Her wontons are brilliant.
- The 30 Minute Vegan: Really great list!
- Vegan Planet: Great book that uses easy to find ingredients. Ours is falling apart we use it so much!
- Get Healthy, Go Vegan by Dr. Neal Barnard: It was the first vegan cook book that I bought and the recipes are simple, quick, healthy and each recipe has nutrition info with it. He is also the author of “Foods That Fight Pain”, where he goes over different issues and diet changes to help you improve your condition. Everything from migraines to back and joint pain to stomach issues can be helped with the proper vegan diet adjustments.
- Happy Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore: Healthy, simple, and fast. I also like Engine 2 Diet. Happy Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore are great, especially if you want quick, low-fat meals. The only vegan cookbooks I’ve tried and love are Happy Herbivore and Everyday Happy Herbivore.
- Engine 2 Diet: Not only are the recipes easy, tasty, and filling…they are OIL FREE too.
- Moosewood Cooking for Health and the Kripalu cookbook: Our go to books (besides our own home made 3 ring binder we have collected) are Moosewood Cooking for Health and the Kripalu cookbook.
- Laurel’s Kitchen and The Tofu Cookbook: I’m a fan of the oldies but goodies, like Laurel’s Kitchen and The Tofu Cookbook.
- The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall: I switched to plant based way of eating 9 months ago primarily based on stumbling upon Dr. His book “The Starch Solution” is absolutely life changing and also has some recipes. But for recipes, I would highly recommend any recipe book from his wife, Mary McDougall - who is obviously the cook in the family.
- The Voluptuous Vegan by Myra Kornfeld, George Minot and George R: This is my go-to book for special occasions, like Christmas and birthdays.
- Vegan Family Meals by Ann Gentry: My favourite vegan cookbook is definitely “vegan family meals” by Ann Gentry.
- Quick-Fix Vegetarian by Robin Robertson: How about Quick-Fix Vegetarian by Robin Robertson and any of the Moosewood collection.
- Let Them Eat Vegan by Dreena Burton: It uses the ‘vegan basics’ of whole grains and whole-grain products, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits - no processed vegan meats, creams/cheeses.
- Super Natural Everyday by Heidi Swanson: Isn’t vegan, but most recipes are vegan or are easily modified to be vegan. I have also found that it is very easy to convert her recipes to vegan.
- Eat and Run by Scott Jurek: Every recipe is geared towards the athlete and tastes amazing. I’m on my 4th month of eating vegan and I owe it to this book.
- Big Vegan by Robin Asbell: I can’t stand to read ingredient lists that are 15-20 items long. I just don’t have the patience or attention for that! And nearly everything in this book is fast. I’ve never had anything I didn’t like from this book. My kids love it, my slightly pickier husband had had had some he’d rather pass on. I’ve been veg over 20 years but this book still gives me ideas and great dinners!
- Vegetarian Planet: Vegetarian Planet has more recipes than you could ever try, and they are generally made up of easy to find ingredients, but the recipes tend to be a fusion of more than one culture.
- Super Natural: Super Natural is awesome because there are very few ingredients in each recipe (read: easy prep) but the food is always amazing.
Plant-Based Books Released in 2023
How Not to Age by Dr. Michael Greger
If you know Dr. In this newest installment of the trilogy, Dr. I love how he takes complicated science and makes it easy to understand and then gives simple, actionable steps we can take starting TODAY to make a difference. Get your copy of “How Not to Age” by Dr.
The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook by Ann Crile Esselstyn and Jane Esselstyn
This beautiful cookbook features delicious and easy whole food plant based recipes that are right in line with Dr. Esselstyn’s “Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” protocol.
Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy by Toni Okamoto
Her new cookbook that came out this year features 100 plant-based recipes that are not only CHEAP, but FAST & EASY!
The Food Revolution Family Cookbook by John and Ocean Robbins with Nichole Dandrea-Russert
His newest plant-based cookbook, along with Nichole Dandrea-Russert RDN, is so delicious, beautiful, and inspiring!
Plant Based Diet Beginner’s Guide
This book isn’t just about why you should eat more plants. It’s also a roadmap of HOW you can start to make that transition in your own life to become the next success story.
Other Notable Plant-Based Cookbooks:
- Real Superfoods by Fully Raw Kristina: Instead of exotic and hard-to-find ingredients, Real Superfoods features foods that are readily available, budget-friendly, and nutrient-dense.
- Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy by Toni Okamoto: She shows how you can prepare and enjoy healthy, nutritious, and affordable meals without much muss or fuss.
- How Not to Age by Dr. Michael Greger: You’ll find specific examples of nutrition-related findings that correspond to a variety of diseases.
- Sweet Potato Soul by Jenné Claiborne: Sweet Potato Soul not only transforms soul food favorites into plant-based masterpieces but also offers a unique look into the history and culture of soul food in the African-American experience.
- The Fiber Fueled Cookbook by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Alexandra Caspero: Inside you’ll find an impressive array of fiber-filled recipes designed to improve the health of your gut. The cookbook also has Dr.
- Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry: Throughout the cookbook, Bryant frequently mixes unexpected ingredients and flavor combinations, as he encourages readers to also experiment and play with their food. Each recipe even comes with a recommended soundtrack to cook to.
- PlantYou by Carleigh Bodrug: PlantYou is a virtual treasure trove of oil-free recipes, whether you’re looking for entrées, salads, sauces, or desserts. Plus, each recipe has a visual representation of its ingredients to make shopping a cinch, along with simplified and easy-to-follow instructions.
- The Korean Vegan Cookbook by Joanne Lee Molinaro: Each Korean Vegan recipe is accompanied by stunning food photography that really elevates the overall reading experience. The cookbook is also organized into culturally appropriate categories like banchan (side dishes) or kimchi and salads.
- The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution by Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai: You’ll discover the Sherzais’ NEURO Plan approach to Alzheimer’s prevention, and find out what plant-based foods made their list of the Neuro Nine: foods that will help to keep you sharp and free from disease.
- Black Rican Vegan by Lyana Blount: This cookbook is best for those just transitioning to a plant-based diet.
- Power Plates by Gena Hamshaw: As a result, blogger and registered dietitian nutritionist Gena Hamshaw created Power Plates, a cookbook that helps people understand good nutrition and how to get it.
- Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky by Lois Ellen Frank: Lois’ cookbook, Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky focuses on “The Magic Eight” essential plant-based foods that Native peoples (particularly from the American Southwest) gave to the world. Each section of the cookbook focuses on one of these foods, and includes recipes for sides, appetizers, mains, soups, desserts, beverages, and more.
Tips for Success with Plant-Based Cooking
- Start with simple recipes: Begin with recipes that have few ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.
- Plan your meals: Planning your meals for the week can help you stay on track and avoid unhealthy temptations.
- Stock your pantry: Keep your pantry stocked with plant-based staples like beans, lentils, grains, nuts, seeds, and spices.
- Experiment with flavors: Don't be afraid to try new and different flavor combinations.
- Be patient: It takes time to adjust to a new way of eating, so be patient with yourself and don't give up.