Dust off the crockpot - winter is coming.
It's that time of year when vegan hearty meals are the best way to feed your mind, body and soul.
And there's nothing better in the winter than warm and wholesome dinners to end the day with.
So prepare to cozy up and enjoy the best hearty and meatless meals that make the coldest season and a little warmer.
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Quinoa Chili
When it gets chilly, you need chili!
There's nothing heartier than chili, especially when it gets cold.
Quinoa chili also keeps extremely well, meaning cooking up a big batch will give you meals throughout the week.
To veganize this meal further, add some vegan cheese or sour cream to the top for added creaminess.
Ingredients:
- Quinoa
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Jalapeno
- Carrot
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Salt and pepper
Non-essential additions:
Vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, avocado, vegan garlic bread
Want to cook this? Check out Kim's Cravings Vegan Quinoa Chili recipe.
Tater Tot Hotdish
This is a Midwestern favorite. A tater tot hotdish is the ultimate comfort food and is sure to please the entire household.
The blend of crunchy tater tots and cheesiness makes this meal irresistibly delicious.
It's not the healthiest meal on this list, but we all need a cheat day every once in a while.
Ingredients:
- Tater tots
- Olive oil
- Vegan butter
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic cloves
- All-purpose flour
- Vegetable broth
- Plant-based milk
- Soy sauce
- Vegan Worcestershire sauce
- Parsley
Non-essential vegan alternatives:
Mock ground meat EG: Beyond meat, Sweet Earth grounds
Want to cook this? Check out this Food With Feelings Tater Tot Hotdish recipe.
Twice-Baked Potatoes
Thanks to huge advances in vegan cheeses and creams, twice-baked potatoes is officially a tasty vegan alternative.
There is an art to creating the perfect twice-baked potato and it's all in the vegan cheese - and really baking that spud!
Combining potato starch and nutritional yeast creates a stringy cheese consistency that works incredibly well in this dish.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Plant-based milk
- Coconut oil
- Nutritional yeast
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Potato starch
- Vegan butter
- Fresh parsley
Want to cook this? Check out School Night Vegan's recipe.
Vegan Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
A simple dish that provides a whole lot of comfort.
The cheesiness of this meal will fool your non-vegan guests.
Ingredients:
- Brown rice
- Broccoli
- Onion
- Russet potatoes
- Carrots
- Cashews
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic cloves
- Dijon mustard
- Nutritional yeast (optional)
Want to cook this? Check out I Heart Vegetable's Vegan Cheesy Broccoli & rice recipe.
Vegan Quiche Lorraine
I first learned to cook a vegan quiche lorraine through Veecoco's German cooking class and it's been a winter favorite of mine ever since.
It's delicious hot or cold and is a real winter winner.
Ingredients:
Dough
- All-purpose flour
- Yeast
- Vegan butter
- Black salt
- Sugar
- Salt
Filling
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Leek
- Soy Milk
- Agar-agar
- Black salt
- Hemp seeds
- Coconut flour
- Smoked tofu
Want to cook this? Check out Veecoco's German vegan cooking class for the recipe.
Daal Curry & Roti
While in Sri Lanka Daal was on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner - and I had no complaints.
This creamy lentil curry is wholesome, nutritious and tasty. What's more - it's vegan!
It can be eaten with rice or roti, a traditional Indian flatbread similar to naan.
Ingredients:
- Red lentils
- Carrot
- Bell pepper
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger
- Onion
- Vegetable broth
- Coconut milk
- Ground cumin
- Curry powder
- Ground turmeric
- Sweetener
- Paprika
- Red chili flakes
- Salt and pepper
Want to cook this? Check out Ela Vegan's quick Red Lentil Dal recipe.
Vegan Enchiladas
Mexican food is a staple in most homes, but when it comes to hearty Mexican dishes, Enchiladas are where it's at.
One of my favorite things about Mexican food is it's so easy to veganize meals.
Move out the way tacos and burritos - the 'Chilada is here.
Ingredients:
- Tofu
- Salt
- Ground turmeric
- Ground black pepper
- Ground cayenne pepper
- Olive oil
- Jalapeno peppers
- Red bell pepper
- Onion
- Nutritional yeast (optional)
- Black beans
- Spinach
- Red enchilada sauce
- Corn tortillas
- Cilantro
Want to cook this? Check out Well Plated's Vegan Enchiladas recipe.
Vegan Shepherd's Pie
Vegan Shepherd's Pie is a nutritious, hearty and delicious alternative to the original meaty dish.
The key to delicious vegan Shepherd's Pie is replacing beef with lentils.
Lentils are packed full of protein, iron and fiber and give a Shepherd's Pie that full stocky texture we're used to.
Ingredients:
Main filling:
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Brown or green lentils
- Vegetable stock
- Thyme
- Veggies EG: peas, carrots, corn, green beans
Mashed potato topping:
- Potatoes
- Vegan butter
- Salt and pepper
Want to cook this? Whip up this recipe up in 1-hour with The Minimalist Baker's Vegan Shepherd's Pie recipe.
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