As winter gets colder I thought it’d be a great time to share a list of my favourite vegan recipes that keep me warm and healthy in these chilly days. I’ve included recipes that are healthy and easy to make as I wanted to help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder as I know a lot of people suffer from it at this time of year.
Lentil, sweet potato, chickpea stew
This stew keeps you healthy and warm during winter and is packed full of folic acids and fibre to keep the gut healthy. Stews are always great for families too as you can easily add more veggies to bulk it out for more people to feed.
Simple tomato soup
A classic tomato soup is typically made with dairy, however this one’s completely vegan! For when you’re needing a hot dinner on those cold nights this tomato soup is an ideal option.
Carrot cake cups
Now for something sweet! I personally love carrot cake and this recipe is no exception, and with only 15 minutes to make you can’t go wrong. These little cake cups are super convenient as they take very little preparation time and would be loved by kids as an afterschool snack.
Tandoori eggplant slices
If you’re missing hot BBQs in the summer these tandoori aubergine slices are perfect to get that summertime feeling back. Veggies can be hard to include in winter dishes but I’ve found this recipe is great as these slices can go with anything; rice, potatoes, or even on skewers with peppers and tomatoes.
Lasagne
No winter recipe list is complete without lasagne and this high-protein, ‘cheesy’ dish is a great addition. Lasagne is one of my favourite dishes but it’s difficult to get the cheesiness that a dairy lasagne would normally have, however, this recipe combats that and provides a surprisingly cheesy taste which I highly recommend to anyone recently turned vegan.
Pineapple smoothie
This smoothie is a great breakfast boost to fight those morning winter blues and doesn’t require any fresh fruit which can be a lot harder to find in the colder months. I’m a big fan of smoothies as they take minimal effort, are easily adjustable, and taste delicious! Pineapple is also a great way to increase your fibre intake and vitamins A and C.
Powdered doughnuts
Doughnuts may seem hard to make but this recipe only takes 25 minutes baking time and is super easy to make. It’s also perfect for our gluten-free friends as it contains both vegan and gluten free ingredients!
Black bean burgers
One of the main foods I missed when going vegan was burgers, but this recipe was able to fix that! These bean burgers are full of nutrients with walnuts contributing to omega 3 and black beans contributing to vitamin b6, keeping cells and heart function healthy.
Panang curry
I’m obsessed with this recipe! It’s slightly sweet which balances the spice and is a perfectly hearty dish for those cold winter evenings. I really love the diversity in this dish as you can easily swap out any of the veggies for other more to your liking.
Green spring pasta
The winter can feel pretty blue, so let’s make it green instead! This recipe is packed full of leafy green vegetables and is high in folic acids and vitamins which are nutrients sometimes lost in the winter. As well as nutrients helping the body stay healthy this dish helps keep the mind healthy and helps fight back against seasonal affective disorder.
Homemade focaccia
Focaccia is one of the easiest breads out there to make and this recipe doesn’t even require kneading! It’s an easy, delicious bread that I’ve personally made quite a few times and it goes with everything; soups, stews, sandwiches, or even just as a snack on it’s own.
Tofu noodle stir fry
Stir fry’s are always a great option when you’re too busy to cook big meals but still want something quick and tasty and this recipe fits that excellently, it can be made in under 15 minutes and is packed with protein from the fried tofu.
Ginger and coconut cake
There’s nothing more winter-y than ginger and coconut and this cake recipe is great for keeping with the festive spirit! This cake recipe is perfect for December, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it gets you in the holiday mood.
Thank you for reading my favourite vegan recipes! What’s your favourite winter dish?
Mia is an editorial writer for Film and Television, with interests in music and social media.
