Do you or does someone you know have a restaurant that does not serve plant-based foods? Are there customers or guests you cannot accommodate? Are you confused and do not know where to start? No problem! Here are some ideas that can pull you out of this pickle.
This list contains just a few ideas but the possibilities are endless. Considering the fact that much of the world exists largely on plant-based foods, one will tire from trying so many long before growing bored or feeling deprived! Enjoy.
Appetizer & Snack Ideas
- Hummus with pita points, carrots, and celery
- Chips & salsa
- Guacamole on toast
- Celery & apples with peanut butter
- Fresh fruit
Side Dish Ideas
- Kale (no meat flavoring)
- Pinto beans (no meat flavoring)
- Green beans (no meat flavoring)
- Cooked carrots (without butter or oil)
- Mashed potatoes (dairy free)
- Baked potato with guacamole
- Boiled squash (without butter or oil)
- Corn
- Cooked apples
- Steamed vegetables (can add soy sauce)
- Tomatoes, onions and cucumber in vinegar, salt and pepper
Soup & Stew Ideas
- Lentil soup
- Curried lentil soup
- Vegetable soup
- Butternut squash soup
- Split pea soup
- Tortilla soup
- Black bean soup
- Blackeye pea soup
- Spring onion soup
- Broccoli soup
- Leek soup
- Potato soup
- Tomato soup
- Creamy tomato basil soup (dairy-free)
- Kale & white bean soup
- Cauliflower soup
- Carrot & ginger soup
- Chickpea noodle soup
- Mushroom barley soup
- Corn chowder soup
- Coconut curry soup
- Coconut milk soup with vegetables
- Cabbage & corn curry
- Cauliflower bisque
- Quinoa & vegetable stew
- Mushroom & coconut stew
- Lentil rice stew
- Vegetable chili
- White bean chili
Pasta, Bread & Rice Ideas
- Spaghetti with marinara sauce
- Bread bowl with pasta and marinara sauce
- Risotto with kale
- Vegetable lasagna (dairy-free replacements) (hummus can replace the dairy, too)
- Veggie pizza with no cheese or with dairy-free alternative
- Spaghetti squash pasta
- Pasta with butternut squash chunks
- Vegetable rice
- Smashed olive pasta
- Garlic pasta
- Fettuccine with broccoli, tomato and pine nuts
- Spaghetti a la carbonara
- Macaroni and “cheese”
Sandwich ideas
- Bean and potato burritos
- Chickpea “tuna” salad sandwich
- ALTO (avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion) sandwich
- Carrot “dogs” (a carrot with fixings in a hot dog bun)
- Peanut butter & jelly sandwich
- Veggie sandwich with hummus spread
- Portobello mushroom sandwich
- Cauliflower “steaks”
- Salad wraps
- Potato salad sandwich
- Lentil burgers
- Sloppy Joe’s (plant-based version)
- Eggplant sandwich
Vegetable Ideas
- Baby bok choy with soy sauce and Mirin
- Kale (no meat flavoring)
- Pinto beans (no meat flavoring)
- Green beans (no meat flavoring)
- Cooked carrots (without butter or oil)
- Mashed potatoes (dairy free)
- Boiled squash (without butter or oil)
- Corn
- Cooked apples
- Steamed vegetables (can add soy sauce)
- Roasted root vegetables with rosemary
- Vegetables & rice with curry or other sauce
Dessert Ideas
- Mango with sticky rice
- Pineapple upside down cake
- White cake with buttercream frosting
- Chocolate cake
- Key lime pie
- Lemon merengue pie
- Banana bread
Basically any dessert imaginable with substitutes for dairy and eggs!
Here are some plant-based dessert recipes that will knock your socks off!
Condiment Alternatives
Mayonnaise – “Follow Your Heart” Vegenaise
Butter – “Earth Balance” brand
Milk – oat milk, cashew milk, almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, and more.
Eggs – “Just” brand is good, although sometimes replacers have a lot of chemicals and aren’t much healthier than the foods they replace. Sometimes avocados are good stand-ins for eggs.
Hummus is a great alternative for various condiments and makes a great spread (make your own or oil-free versions are best.)
Ketchup – look for brands that do not contain high fructose corn syrup
Mustard is naturally plant-based
Nutritional Yeast (I like Bragg’s brand) – add this to your cupboard immediately! Great cheesy alternative and it is a superfood, packing more than 600% of the daily recommendation of B12 and also provides generous amounts of other B vitamins and minerals. Add to soups, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and anything else you can imagine!
More Inspiration & Healthy Plant-Based Recipes:
- NutritionStudies.org
- NutritionFacts.org
- DrMcDougall.com
- PCRM.org
- MinimalistBaker.com
- DanicaDeLaMora.com
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