Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

Check out this list of tasty vegan recipes for weight loss - all coming in at less than 350 calories per serving! If you're already vegan or new to a plant-based diet, then these tasty meat-free recipes not only taste great but are a delicious part of a calorie-controlled diet.

Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss (1)

Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss

There are loads of reasons that people start eating plant-based.

Perhaps it's for the environment or for the animals. Others might choose to stop eating meat and meat products for their health.

Going vegan can often result in weight loss, due to eating more high-fibre, nutrient-dense fruit and veggies.

However, there are some pretty tasty vegan foods out there that aren't so great for our waistlines (looking at you there, vegan chocolate cake and plate of fries).

I completely believe in balance, so as long as you usually eat healthy, nutritious foods, then you can have your cake and eat it. And regardless of your size, you should love your body - it's the only one you've got and it does a heck of a lot.

But it's great to have a load of low-calorie vegan recipes for weight loss on hand for dinners. And here it is! Scroll down for delicious and nutritious plant based dinners.

Disclaimer: I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.

Vegan Diet for Weight Loss

We all know veggies are healthy, low in fat and calories and good for us. So here's a list of healthy recipes that can help you to lose weight as part of a balanced vegan diet.

Keep in mind that one of the best ways to make your body healthier is to eat a rainbow of healthy foods.

A vegan diet is perfect for putting fruit and veg front and centre on your plate at every meal.

For a final thought, I'll leave you with Michael Pollan's immortal words: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."

Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss

Check out this list of tasty vegan recipes for weight loss - all coming in at less than 350 calories per serving!

These recipes are all quite easy to make and are full of flavor.

Note: most calorie counts are given without rice or accompaniments. To keep calories down, you could make cauliflower rice.

This delicious creamy Red Lentil Dahl recipe is ready in just 25 minutes in 1-pot!It’s one of my all-time favourite dishes, and hundreds of readers agree with 5-star ratings. I always make a big batch and stash a few portions in the freezer.

Calories per serving: 293cal.

You’ll love this hearty Vegan Vegetable Stew! It’s warming, comforting and super easy to make in less than 30 minutes.

Calories per serving: 150 cals

Jamaican Jerk Tofu Skewers with vegetables are full of great taste and are super easy to make! Grill them on the barbecue, grill pan, pan fry or bake. This easy vegan recipe is mind-blowingly delicious and ready in just 15 minutes.

Calories per serving: 163 cal.

This delicious Tofu Curry is ready in just 20 minutes with 10 ingredients! It’s a flavorful curry sauce, full of Indian spices and cubes of crispy fried tofu, with spinach.

Calories per serving: 139cal

These Spanish beans with tomatoes and smokey sweet spices are so easy to make in one pot in less than 20 minutes with just 7 ingredients. This Spanish bean stew recipe is perfect as tapas, main meals or a side dish.

Calories per serving: 125

This tasty vegan Pad Thai is ready in just 15 minutes! It’s full of flavour and fresh veggies with a little chilli kick and crunchy peanuts. Made with rice noodles, it’s also gluten free.

Calories per serving: 202cal

This beetroot soup is vibrant, smooth and full of flavour. You only need 6 ingredients for this smooth, creamy and tasty vegan or vegetarian beet soup. It is similar to borscht soup and it’s hearty and filling.

Calories per serving: 139cal

Whole roasted cauliflower is a showstopping healthy baked main or side dish. The garlic and smoked paprika give it a wonderful flavor, while the cauliflower gets soft inside and crispy on the outside. Serve it with a big pile of salad, or steamed veggies.

Calories per serving: 111cal

This slow cooker or stovetop Lentil Stew will warm you up on cold evenings and keep you full for ages. It’s easy, hearty and bursting with vegetables and great taste. Optional harissa paste gives a lovely depth of warm flavor.

Calories per serving: 300cal

This kale soup recipe is quick and easy. You only need 6 ingredients and 20 minutes! It’s vegetarian and gluten-free and easily vegan. This bright green soup is full of nourishing ingredients and tastes delicious.

Calories per serving: 150cal

This vegan lentil soup is velvety smooth, creamy, nourishing and only has 7 ingredients! Ready in less than 25 minutes, it’s a one-pot high-protein, filling and delicious soup recipe.

Calories per serving: 218cal

This simple and flavourful Asian-inspired vegan noodle salad is quick and delicious, especially with pizazz from the easy peanut sauce.

Calories per serving: 280cal

Vegan Shepherds Pie is easy to make in just 30 minutes and is full of nourishing ingredients. This tasty hearty comfort food brings mushrooms and lentils together under a blanket of crushed potatoes. Vegan and gluten-free.

Calories per serving: 313cal

This delicious easy vegan tomato soup recipe only takes 20 minutes to make and 6 simple ingredients. It’s full of flavor, creamy and is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

Calories per serving: 127cal

This easy vegan Mexican Bean Soup is a hearty bowl full of flavour. It’s rammed with beans and veggies, and is deliciously spiced and warming. The best thing is you can make this recipe in just 15 minutes!

Calories per serving: 127cal

Beet balls are not only luminously purple, but they are nicely dense and packed with flavour from the toasted walnuts and herbs, which pair beautifully with the earthy beetroot. They’re perfect on top of courgetti (zoodles). Vegan.

Calories per serving: 301cal

This easy vegan laksa is ready in just 15 minutes, and it’s bursting with flavour from the coconut milk, chilli and turmeric. It’s a filling meal full of delicious broth.

Calories per serving: 272cal

This carrot sweet potato soup is rich, creamy and packed with vegetables.It’s really easy to make, vegan, gluten free and freezable.

Calories per serving: 140cal

This easy vegan caesar salad is extra special with creamy cashew dressing, grilled lettuce and homemade herb croutons. It’s simple to make and perfect as a main meal or side dish.

Calories per serving: 256cal

This Thai Tofu Noodle Bowl has air fried tofu to make it lovely and crispy, with rice noodles and veggies plus a delicious Thai peanut sauce for the noodle salad. It’s vegan, gluten free and ready in just 25 minutes!

Calories per serving: 258cal

This tasty Vegan Peanut Stew takes just 25 minutes to make! It is packed with vegetables, kidney beans, spices and flavour. The cumin, turmeric and chilli work well with the creamy peanut butter in this nourishing and vibrant dish.

Calories per serving: 164cal

This super-tasty vegan chickpea curry is easy, healthy and absolutely delicious! The tasty curry sauce is so easy to make and takes just 20 minutes in one pot. Perfect for a midweek meal. Coconut-free. 115 calories per generous portion. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free.

Calories per serving: 115cal

These juicy and tender grilled portobello mushroom steaks are AMAZING! They’re quick (ready in just 15 minutes!), easy, tasty and have all the best flavours of a smokey grilled steak, but vegan. The charred mushrooms have a lovely dense texture that’s perfect with the flavourful simple marinade.

Calories per serving: 216cal

This kale and ale slow cooker stew is bursting with flavour from fresh thyme and paprika. This vegan stew is hearty and filled with vegetables.

Calories per serving: 149cal

Mushrooms on toast is a quick, easy and flavourful vegetarian or vegan brunch or breakfast recipe. It’s even great as a lunch or supper! The sauteed mushrooms are juicy and succulent, with extra flavor from the garlic and thyme.

Calories per serving: 142cal

Miso mushrooms bring a lovely earthy, umami taste to this dish. The flavors pair beautifully with the dense bite of the spiralized courgette/zucchini noodles. An easy, healthy veg-packed meal that’s ready in just 35 minutes.

Calories per serving: 212cal

Caponata alla Siciliana is a traditional vegan Italian eggplant stew from Sicily. It’s an easy stew that makes the most of late summer vegetables, but is now popular year round.

Calories per serving: 72cal

Green salad doesn’t have to be boring. Nope. I’ve made this recipe extra special with slices of pear and apple, plus a super-easy, tasty pumpkin seed (pepita) dressing. This is my go-to summer salad.

Calories per serving: 288cal

Courgetti /Zoodles (spiralised courgette aka zucchini) is a healthy and easy way to make ‘pasta’. It’s a great way to get extra vegetables into your diet and you can eat it lightly cooked or raw. Here’s I’ve topped it with a tasty simple pea and mint sauce. It’s an all-vegetable meal that’s low calorie, vegan, gluten free, healthy and delicious.

Calories per serving: 96cal

This velvety zucchini courgette soup is a tasty way to use up the summer squash. It’s quick, easy and delicious and you only need 5 ingredients and 15 minutes. Plus, this recipe only has 46 calories and 2 Weight Watchers points!

Calories per serving: 46cal

Photo Credit:moonandspoonandyum

Vegan Instant Pot Butternut Squash Curry

This super quick, easy and flavorful Butternut Squash Curry from Moon and Spoon and Yum can be made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker (in just about 10 minutes!) or the stovetop. This delicious spicy vegan curry dish can be enjoyed on its own, or served over rice or quinoa, for a healthy and comforting autumn meal.

Calories per serving: 123 cals

Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks

One Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup

This hearty vegan minestrone soup from Happy Kitchen is packed with seasonal vegetables, beans, lentils and whole grains. Perfect comforting vegan winter soup full of flavor and nutrients!

Calories per serving: 106cal

Photo Credit:iheartvegetables.com

Sweet and Sour Tempeh

This sweet and sour tempeh is a healthy twist on your favorite takeout. The homemade sauce is just 5 ingredients, and this recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Calories per serving: 196cal

Tuck into this healthy and delicious broccoli salad with potatoes, peas, spinach and fresh herbs. It’s vegan, gluten free, dairy free and sooo easy and tasty. This salad is a great barbecue side dish or main meal. Ready in just 15 minutes.

Calories per serving: 134cals

Vegan crispy duck? Oh yes! Seasoned roasted cauliflower makes an easy and delicious substitution. I’ve then added easy homemade pancakes and plum sauce.

Calories per serving: 228cal

Photo Credit:eatwithclarity.com

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Need a healthy lunch or a side dish for a party in 10 minutes?! This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is made especially for you! It's loaded with healthy protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied for hours.

Calories per serving: 329cal

Photo Credit:aplantifulpath.com

Asian Soy Curl Lettuce Wraps

These Asian Soy Curl Lettuce Wraps are quick to make, healthy, and so tasty! They make a perfect light meal.

Calories per serving: 268cal

Photo Credit:profusioncurry.com

Miso Glazed Grilled Veggies

Miso glazed portobello and bok choy are delicious and healthy. These wholesome grilled veggies are low calorie, high flavor and hearty.

Calories per serving: 120cal

Photo Credit:www.staceyhomemaker.com

Vegan Roasted Vegetable Tofu Tacos

These hearty vegetable tofu tacos are easy to make and loaded with perfectly roasted cauliflower, meaty mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, taco-seasoned crumbled tofu, and creamy avocado! This ultra-satisfying, low-carb meal will fill you up but keep you feeling light!

Calories per serving: 166cal

Photo Credit:www.slowcookerclub.com

Slow Cooker Bean Chilli

A super low calorie vegan bean chilli, can be made in a slow cooker or a pan - perfect for filling up but still maintaining a healthy diet!

Calories per serving: 252cals

Vegan Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

How to lose 20 pounds on a vegan diet? ›

5 Habits for Easy Vegan Weight Loss: How I Lost 20 lbs
  1. Consuming enough vegan protein. ...
  2. Eat enough Fruit and Vegetables. ...
  3. Make sure your meals are balanced! ...
  4. 80/20 Rule. ...
  5. Create a list of easy vegan recipes.
Feb 3, 2024

What vegans should eat to lose weight? ›

Focus on Whole Foods: Encourage individuals to prioritize whole, unprocessed plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These nutrient-dense options are lower calorie density and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, supporting weight loss and overall health.

What is the 7 day vegan challenge? ›

How does it work? No meat, poultry, seafood, dairy or eggs for 7 days (any 7 straight days). Announce to your friends, family, followers that you're doing the challenge. Add your name to the list of Challengers.

Can you lose belly fat on a vegan diet? ›

Plant-based diets can reduce body fat via a variety of mechanisms, which cumulatively lead to reduced calorie intake and increased energy expenditure. These mechanisms include reduced caloric density of the overall diet and improved satiety, in part due to increased production of SCFAs by the gut microbiota.

How much weight can you lose in 2 weeks on a vegan diet? ›

Vegan diet to lose weight

Studies have shown that a vegan diet can reduce your weight by an average of 5.6 pounds in 18 weeks, or less or more than a third of a pound per week!

Is it harder for vegans to lose weight? ›

Going vegan leads to reducing the number of high-calorie foods you eat, because sometimes you end up replacing high-calorie foods with high-fiber foods, which have fewer calories and keep you full longer. Many studies have shown that vegan diets are much more effective for weight loss than other diets.

What foods burn fat crazy? ›

12 Metabolism-Boosting Foods to Aid Weight Loss
  • Fish & Shellfish. Metabolism-Boosting Powers: Fish (salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. ...
  • Legumes (Also known as beans) ...
  • Chili Peppers. ...
  • Lean Meats. ...
  • Low-Fat Milk. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Oatmeal.

Can a vegan drink almond milk? ›

As almond milk is made from seeds (yep, technically they are seeds, not nuts), they are in theory completely vegan, and as they are not generally not sweetened or altered with animal byproducts like honey, it is understood as vegan.

What is the daily diet of a vegan? ›

eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible) have some fortified dairy alternatives, such as soya drinks and yoghurts (choose lower-fat and lower-sugar options)

Is peanut butter vegan? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

Why I quit vegan? ›

One of the main reasons people quit veganism is the struggle to find satisfying and flavourful alternatives for their beloved meat and dairy favourites. Whether it's the craving for a juicy burger or the comfort of warm mac 'n cheese, these staples can be hard to replace.

What bread is vegan? ›

Vegans can eat bread that does not contain animal products or byproducts. This includes breads that only use some variation on flour, water, yeast, and salt including ciabatta, baguette, focaccia, sourdough, pita, and ezekiel breads.

How much weight will I lose if I go vegan for a month? ›

Eating a vegan diet is associated with a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. This vegan weight loss meal plan also sets you up to lose a healthy 1 to 2 pounds per week.

What vegan foods are good for burning fat? ›

Cruciferous vegetables – Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower are some of the fat-burning veggies that fall under this class. This is because, like leafy greens, they contain fiber which means you are fuller longer when you consume them.

Why am I losing so much weight on a vegan diet? ›

There are three main reasons why a vegan diet can result in people losing weight – fibre, reduced calorie intake and gut health.

How long does it take to lose 20 pounds healthily? ›

Losing weight safely typically involves losing 1-2 pounds per week. This would allow you to lose 20 pounds within about 5 months at 1 pound per week or 2 1/2 months at about 2 pounds per week.

What is the fastest way to lose 20 pounds? ›

There are several strategies people can use to approach losing 20 pounds. To lose weight effectively and safely, people should aim to lose 1–2 pounds per week, helping them maintain their weight loss. Having a healthy diet that includes plant foods, protein, and healthful fats can help someone lose weight successfully.

How much do I need to eat to lose 20 pounds in a month? ›

“A 20-pound weight loss [goal within one month] would require a person to eat around 2,300 fewer calories than they burn every single day. This [deficit] would be pretty difficult [to achieve] unless their daily metabolic rate is considerably higher than 2,300 calories,” she explains.

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