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These Meatless Twists On Delish's Most Popular Recipes Make Eating Plant-Based SO Much Easier

I don't eat meat, but I never miss out.

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cubes of tofu in a creamy marry me sauce
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

I’ve been vegan for over 10 years, and though the world has gotten much better at understanding what that means, I still often struggle to find menus that have more than just a hummus plate and fries for me, or find myself having to explain again how, “no, chicken broth actually means I can’t eat that, so sorry.” Though I’m always happy to answer any questions, I am regularly baffled at how people seem to have no idea what to cook for me. If you can relate, but want to get better at vegan cooking for yourself or someone you love, this list of our top plant-based swaps is for you.

I could wax on forever about how being vegan is, in fact, what taught me to cook (learning to approximate the flavor/texture of old faves is a uniquely rewarding experience), but even more than that, it taught me to appreciate really good food. It’s often just as easy as making a few swaps, and Delish has already done a lot of the work for you. With that in mind, I rounded up some of our top vegan and vegetarian recipes that swapped in alternative ingredients or cooking methods. They’re full of the same flavor and vibe that you love, but no meat!

I’m all about utilizing store-bought vegan versions of existing ingredients, but I'm of the opinion that it's all about balance, so I've included some of those, as well as some perennial vegan favorites like tofu, tempeh, or beans. I’ll die on the hill that vegan mayonnaise is better than the eggy kind, and I’m a big fan of Beyond Beef, Daring Chicken, and other similar products, but you can also make great meatless meals with a can of chickpeas and some cauliflower. Try making these recipes, then use what you’ve learned and experiment with adding them to even more of your favorite recipes. Want some help? Leave me a comment below with any questions!

1

Sesame Tofu & Broccoli Instead Of Chicken Or Beef & Broccoli

crispy baked tofu tossed with a sweet and savory chili spiked sesame sauce and crisp tender broccoli
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

In this vegetarian version of the Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. If you're the type to turn to a stir-fry for dinner most nights, you've gotta try replacing your meat with tofu. THIS is the recipe that'll convert any (alleged) tofu haters in your household.

2

Seitan Piccata Instead Of Chicken Piccata

extra lemony seitan piccata
Joel goldberg

Salmon piccata and chicken piccata are some of the crowning achievement of Italian-American cooking, but they're not the end all of what you should be using that buttery, briny citrus sauce on. We really dig it drizzled over plant-based, high-protein "wheat meat" in our seitan piccata (pictured) or paired with meaty fungi in our mushroom piccata pasta.

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3

Marry Me Chickpeas Instead Of Marry Me Chicken

marry me chickpeas topped with basil
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE

Our original Marry Me chicken might be an Internet sensation, but you can still enjoy these creamy, Italian-inspired flavors if you don't eat meat. Our Marry Me chickpeas (pictured), Marry Me pasta, and Marry Me tofu are all coming for the crowd of most romantic vegetarian dinner. The developer, food editor Taylor Ann Spencer, even said the beans had her husband considering proposing for a second time—how's that for an endorsement?

4

BBQ Pulled Mushrooms Instead Of Pulled Pork

bbq tossed mushrooms
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

There's nothing like pulled pork or chicken piled high onto a bun, and you can achieve it even without the meat. Chewy, sticky, and super satisfying, these BBQ pulled mushrooms is so meaty we believe it could convince even the biggest of mushroom haters that these veggie heroes aren't so bad after all. Plus, they're fab for vegetarian BBQ guests.

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5

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings Instead Of Buffalo Chicken Wings

fried cauliflower wings tossed in buffalo sauce on a platter with ranch dressing
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Classic buffalo wings are a staple at bars and game day parties, but when we're craving something a bit lighter—or need to please plant-based guests—recipes like cauliflower wings (pictured), our buffalo tempeh wings, or our fried Buffalo artichoke hearts are the vegetarian alternatives we turn to again and again....and, again. They've got all the spice you love, without any of the weirdness (gristle, bone, etc.) that can come from chicken wings.

6

Vegan Crunchwrap Instead Of A Regular Crunchwrap

vegan crunch wrap

Taco Bell is well-known for being relatively vegan-friendly, at least as far as fast food options go, and their black bean crunchwrap is a forever fave. That said, you do have to order it without dairy, so no queso or sour cream, and avocado is an upcharge. When you make yours at home, on the other hand, you can customize to your heart's content! Our vegan crunchwrap features a satisfying creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils, but feel free to get creative.

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7

Sweet & Sour Tofu Instead Of Sweet & Sour Chicken

a pan of crispy tofu cubes with red onion, bell peppers, pineapple, and a sweet and sour sauce
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Sweet & sour sauce is a staple across Chinese-American restaurant menus—and for good reason. The combination of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors pairs well with virtually every protein, and especially tofu. This sweet & sour tofu truly shines (even the tofu haters in your household will ask for seconds).

8

Veggie Burgers Instead Of Beef Burgers

veggie burger topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and chipotle mayo on a wood board
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Veggie burgers (pictured) might seem like the obligatory vegetarian alternative at a grill-out, but that doesn’t mean they can’t taste glorious in their own right. Lucky for you, we’ve got tons of options for meatless burgers, like our copycat Shake Shake shroom burger, our shroomami burger, or our black bean burger that all go wonderfully with all those summery sides.

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9

Creamy Tuscan Vegan Pasta Instead Of Creamy Tuscan Chicken

rigatoni tossed in a creamy vegan tuscan sauce with spinach and sundried tomatoes
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Year after year, our creamy Tuscan chicken is at the top of the list of our most-beloved recipes, and I'm here to prove that what's great about it isn't the chicken. Instead, it's all about how fast it comes together and how delectably creamy that sauce is, which holds true even when you skip the meat in lieu of pasta (like we did in our creamy vegan Tuscan pasta, pictured, or our Tuscan butter gnocchi) or beans (like we did in our creamy Tuscan white bean skillet).

10

Cauliflower Tacos Instead Of Fish Tacos

air fryer cauliflower tacos
Lucy schaeffer

These air fryer cauliflower tacos are basically the vegan version of our popular fish tacos. The air fryer makes them SO crispy. We add finishing touches in the form of a quick and easy pickled slaw for a bite of freshness and a spicy mayo for a touch of heat.

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11

Mozzarella Schnitzel Instead Of Pork Schnitzel

mozzarella schnitzel with mustard cream sauce and lemon
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Like chicken and pork schnitzel before it, mozzarella schnitzel is crispy (thanks to a golden breadcrumb crust), and pairs perfectly with a mustard sauce as a special occasion dinner main. Your guests will FLIP over that cheese pull. Not a huge cheese person? We've got you too. Check out our cabbage schnitzel for a more veggie-forward take.

12

Nashville Hot Cauliflower Instead Of Nashville Hot Chicken

nashville hot cauliflower
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Nashville hot chicken may be king in the land of regional American food, but Nashville hot cauliflower is close on its heels. Coated in hot sauce-spiked buttermilk batter, fried to golden brown perfection, and drizzled with the iconic spicy oil, this vegetarian dinner is crispy, flavorful, and so delicious. Want even more spice with your meal? Make our copycat Chili's Nashville hot mozzarella sticks as your appetizer.

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13

Tofu Nuggets Instead Of Chicken Nuggets

breaded cubes of tofu
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

We thought nothing could beat that like-a-kid-again feeling of eating chicken nuggets for dinner or a snack...until we tried these tofu nuggets. These golden brown, delicious bites have a secret ingredient that keeps them extra crispy, perfect for dunking in ranch dressing or ketchup for an easy, nostalgic vegetarian meal you'll crave again and again.

14

Vegetarian Chili Instead Of Beef Chili

vegetarian chili made with beans
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

My hot take? This vegetarian chili is every bit as warm, comforting, and filling as a classic beef chili. Three types of beans do the heavy lifting in this chili, helping to "beef" it up. It's filled with warm spices and as well as some jalapeño for a little extra heat, making it perfectly warm and cozy.

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15

Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups Instead Of Chicken Lettuce Wraps

caramelized tofu lettuce cups
Andrew bui

If you're a P.F. Chang's connoisseur, we bet you're familiar with their chicken lettuce wraps appetizer. You can also order them vegetarian with tofu, but with reports saying that they've changed them in recent years, I say you're better off making them at home. Best part? When you make your own caramelized tofu lettuce cups, you can eat as many as you want, for a snack, app, or a meal.

16

Vegan Meatballs Instead Of Beef Meatballs

vegan meatballs
Park Feierbach

Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs or a heart meatloaf. Now everyone can enjoy this comfort, sans meat! Our chickpea-based vegan meatballs (pictured) or meatloaf pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and even provide a good amount of protein and fiber.

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17

Chicken-Fried Mushrooms Instead Of Chicken-Fried Steak

chicken fried mushrooms  gravy
Andrew bui

The pinnacle of comfort food, well-made chicken-fried steak is hard to resist...unless you don't eat meat. Don't worry, you can still get in on the Southern classic, thanks to meaty oyster mushrooms. Buttermilk is a must for fried chicken, so we made our own with almond milk and vinegar.

18

Tofu Burritos Instead Of Well, Any Other Burritos

tortillas filled with a tofu and rice mixture served with limes
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Burritos are one of our favorite meals, not in the least because you can eat them from morning till night. Though shrimp, beef, and chicken all have a place in them, we've packed these tofu burritos full of smoky, saucy vegan "ground beef" (that could charm even the most die-hard carnivore), fluffy cilantro-lime rice, and flavorful pinto beans, along with some classic burrito accoutrements. They're are a breeze to create (and extremely versatile), so get creative.

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19

Chickpea Salad Instead Of Tuna Or Chicken Salad

closeup of chickpea tuna salad sandwich
SUZANNE CLEMENTS

Hear me out: I SWEAR that there is something about a chickpea salad that hits all the exact same notes as a tuna or chicken salad. I can't explain it, but if you've got a hankering, this will definitely hit the spot. Like it's meaty counterparts, it's also ripe for improvisation, like we did in our curried chickpea salad, so get creative with your mix-ins.

20

Tempeh & Broccoli Rabe Orecchiette Instead Of Orecchiette With Broccoli Rabe

tempeh broccoli rabe orecchiette
SUZANNE CLEMENTS

Our orecchiette pasta with sausage is a classic, straightforward pasta dish that's packed with flavor. This tempeh & broccoli rabe orecchiette is pretty much the vegan version, with one main difference—it has almost 3 times the amount of protein per serving (!), thanks to nutty, earthy tempeh. Raw broccoli rabe can be a little bitter, but a quick blanching in boiling water helps mellow it out—you could also replace it with regular broccoli or any other green veggie.

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