Living plant-based doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen or intricate recipes. Sometimes, the most satisfying meals are the simplest, combining readily available ingredients to create quick and delicious dishes. That’s the beauty of our easy plant-based meals we call “Simple Combination Dinners” – no fancy tricks, just wholesome, plant-powered goodness in a flash!

Explore A Few Easy Plant-Based Meals To Start Your Journey

Being vegan doesn’t mean spending endless hours in the kitchen. With the right ingredients and seasonings, you can create delicious, satisfying meals in under 30 minutes. Let’s dive into a few of these Vegan Simple Combination Dinners—quick, flavorful dishes to add to your menu this week!

Simple Stir Fry

Press the tofu, cube it, and toss with cornstarch. Coat in teriyaki sauce and air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, shaking halfway. Meanwhile, sauté broccoli, beans, and coleslaw (or any other favorite veggies) with teriyaki sauce until tender. Combine with the tofu and serve over rice.

Vegan Gyro

Vegan Gyro

Prepare favorite vegan steak according to package with a drizzle of olive oil. Add Greek Seasoning to taste. While cooking, cut cherry tomatoes and slice red onion. Heat pita pockets in microwave until warm. Add steak, tomatoes, and red onion to pita. Top with store-bought vegan tzatziki or simply make your own.

Vegan Sloppy Joes

Vegan Sloppy Joe’s

Prepare your favorite package of vegan ground beef according to the package. After it is cooked, add a can of sloppy joe mix (check the label to ensure it is vegan, but it appears that most traditional brands are accidently vegan) and cook down for a couple of minutes. Add it to your favorite bun of choice. Prepare a side veggie like corn-on-the-cob to finish the meal

Simple Chowder

Simple Chowder

Heat your favorite vegan boxed soup on the stovetop. Many brands offer delicious vegan options—just check the labels to find one you love, such as PACIFIC FOODS BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP. Drain and add canned white beans and corn to the soup, along with leftover rice or a convenient pre-cooked rice package. Warm everything thoroughly, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

Falafel Wrap

Falafel Wrap

Prepare your favorite brand of frozen falafel. Dice or slice cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and spinach. Prepare an easy yellow rice, either using leftovers or pre-cooked. Heat a burrito-size wrap and combine all the ingredients. Add store-bought vegan tzatziki or simply make your own.

These are just a few quick and easy plant-based meals you can make in 15 to 30 minutes. Check out our printable SIMPLE COMBINATION DINNERS for more ideas, and explore even more BEGINNER PLANT-BASED FOODS to try as you start your plant-based journey.

Easy Plant-Based Meals Start with Simple Ingredients

The meals featured in the Simple Combination Dinners guide are quick and easy, inspired by traditional weeknight favorites, but with a plant-based twist. With a few well-chosen pantry and refrigerator staples, you can whip up these vegan meals effortlessly.

If you’re new to plant-based shopping, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the store and get familiar with where vegan items are stocked. You’ll find some essentials, like plant-based milks and cheeses, near their dairy counterparts, while others, like tofu or fresh vegan products, are often located near the produce section. Frozen plant-based options tend to be grouped together in the freezer aisle, while shelf-stable items like grains, beans, and sauces are scattered throughout the middle aisles.

To make things even easier, you can order these ingredients online or spend some time browsing in-store to locate what you need. Here’s a list of everything required to create these Simple Combination Dinners. Delicious, wholesome meals—nothing complicated, just simple, satisfying food.

Proteins:

  • Vegan steak (preferred choice)
  • Tofu
  • Beef-less ground (preferred choice)
  • Plant-based sausage (preferred choice)
  • Just Egg (vegan egg substitute)
  • Vegan meat alternatives
  • Vegan cheese (preferred choice)

Grains and Breads:

  • Pita bread
  • Ramen noodles
  • Rice
  • Vegan pizza crust
  • Flour or corn taco shells
  • Gnocchi
  • Hearty buns

Vegetables:

  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Red onion
  • Broccoli
  • Green Beans or similar
  • Packaged Cabbage Coleslaw Mix or similar
  • Mushrooms
  • Shredded carrots
  • Bell peppers
  • Lettuce
  • Corn

Legumes:

  • Cannellini or similar white beans

Condiments and Sauces:

  • Greek seasoning
  • Olive oil
  • Vegan Tzatziki
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Vegan bullion seasoning
  • Dumpling dipping sauce
  • Pizza sauce
  • Vegan pesto
  • Sloppy Joe sauce
  • Salsa

Others:

  • Cornstarch
  • Neutral oil (for cooking)
  • Vegan dumplings
  • Vegan sushi or vegan kimbap
  • Taco seasoning

Note: Always check food labels to ensure they’re plant-based/vegan. Some products may be suitable even without certification, while others you might think are vegan may not be.

Easy Plant-Based Meals Start With A Plan

While these easy plant-based meals are perfect for hectic weekdays, a little planning can go a long way!

With these tools by your side, even the busiest days can be simplified for delicious and easy plant-based meals!

Remember, these ideas are just a starting point! The beauty of simple combos is their flexibility. Get creative with your ingredients, explore different flavors, and don’t be afraid to experiment with these easy plant-based meals. Before you know it, you’ll be a plant-based dinner master, whipping up delicious meals in record time. So ditch the takeout menus, open your fridge, and get ready to cook up some simple joy!