How To Do Veganuary: Vegan Recipes And Vegan Meal Ideas

Two blue bowls filled with noodles and a creamy broth

A vegan diet doesn't need to be any more expensive, in fact, if you are eating a whole food, plant-based diet with lentils, beans, and plenty of fruit and vegetables then it can work out cheaper overall. If you're feeling the pinch, these budget vegan recipes are particularly economical. Our vegan curries are packed with flavour and texture but will also help keep costs down.

While a plant-based diet removes meat, fish, (most) dairy and eggs, veganism is not only a diet defined by the consumption of no animal products or by-products, but also a lifestyle choice - meaning vegans do not typically buy any animal-derived products such as leather. For that reason we've also included some vegan gift ideas. Find out more about how to follow a plant-based diet.

Why not treat yourself to a meal out this month? Discover the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in London and best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the UK.

How to do Veganuary

Vegan cocktails

If you're buying wine or beer, it's worth checking the label to verify its vegan credentials. Sometimes the filtering and fining processes involved when making alcohol include egg whites or fish guts, although this is becoming increasingly less common. Discover our guide to the best vegan wine to get started.

When it comes to cocktails, during Veganuary you'll have to give sour cocktails a wide berth as they're typically made with egg whites. Although, if you're feeling particularly ambitious, you could try substituting the egg whites from our best cocktail sours with whipped aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) to get a similarly frothy effect. Discover our favourite vegan drink recipes.

Vegan baking

Vegan baking can feel like the final frontier of a vegan diet. Most traditional cake and baking recipes call for eggs, butter and milk. However, with a few handy ingredients, tips and tricks, you can achieve the light cakes, chewy cookies and fudgy brownies of your dreams.

With four key ingredients at hand – flax seeds, aquafaba, vegan baking block and dark chocolate – you'll be baking your way to vegan success in no time. Discover our favourite vegan baking recipes to satiate your sweet tooth throughout the month of January and then find vegan chef and food writer Richard Makin's (aka School Night Vegan) guide to what you need to know about vegan baking. Discover our vegan cakes as well as more uses for the leftover liquid from your tin of chickpeas with our easy aquafaba recipes.

Vegan snacks

Vegans need not miss out on mid-morning and afternoon snack time. When embarking upon veganism, it might be tempting to reach for the easily accessible, ultra-processed options readily available in the supermarket. However, many of our easy vegan snacks can be prepped in advance for when those cravings hit.

Whether you want a slow-release vegan energy bar packed with seeds, nut butter and dates, a protein-rich energy ball or a classic vegan sausage roll, we've got plenty of ideas to keep your cupboards well-stocked throughout the month of January and beyond.

Vegan breakfast

Get your day off to a great start with our vegan breakfast recipes. If you're a sucker for scrambled eggs for brekkie, try our vegan tofu scramble as a protein-packed alternative, or if you prefer something sweet, vegan overnight oats and chia pudding are both easy, meal-prep ideas.

Or, why not treat yourself to a more leisurely weekend brunch with our vegan banana bread and miso chickpeas and avocado on toast or vegan pancakes with berry compote?

Healthy vegan lunches

When making a healthy vegan lunch, it's a good idea to build your meal around your protein source. Tofu and tempeh are great starting points as they're full of fibre and protein and lower in fat. While tofu has a fairly neutral taste and therefore can be enhanced with your added seasonings, tempeh has a nuttier flavour profile. Get inspired with our favourite tofu recipes and tempeh recipes.

You've probably heard about the importance of eating 30 plant foods a week, and this is no less important if you're eating vegan. Although, if you're eating a plant-based diet that's packed with whole foods and whole grains, you probably won't struggle to rack up 30 plants in a week. For a plant-packed boost, this sesame tofu bowl contains a whopping nine plant points in one serving – almost a third of your weekly recommendation. For more ideas, discover our healthy vegan recipes.

Plate of tempeh stir-fry in focus with pan of it behind out of focus

Vegan comfort food

During the colder months of autumn and winter, we can't blame you for craving a vegan pasta bake or two. Richard Makin has spilled the beans on how to make the perfect creamy vegan mac and cheese with a secret, umami-enhancing ingredient. For more delicious and innovative vegan inspiration, check out Richard Makin's recipes and articles.

Or perhaps you'd rather a creamy, spicy and soothing vegan ramen made with the simple storecupboard stapes of curry powder, miso, ginger and garlic? Discover all of our vegan comfort food ideas.

Vegan Mac and Cheese in a White Baking Dish

Vegan one-pots

If you're trying veganism for the first time, one-pot recipes can be a great place to start. Less washing up and minimal effort, they're a weeknight saviour. If you want a taste of the Mediterranean all year round, try our five-star rated vegan paella packed with punchy flavour from olives, sun-dried tomato purée, grilled artichokes and fresh veggies.

Or try Annie Rigg's delicious and easy one-pot vegan stew made with green lentils, vegetables and pesto, served with crusty bread for dunking. Packed with plenty of aromatic flavours, Adam Bush's one-pot pilaf with cherry tomatoes, spinach and preserved lemon is an easy and healthy midweek meal. Try our West African peanut stew with sweet potato for a hearty and flavourful one-pot dinner, and for more easy midweek meals, discover our quick vegan recipes.

Spinach Rice Pilaf Recipe with Tomatoes and Lemon

Vegan gifts

Now that you're vegan (at least for the month of January), you might choose to buy vegan gifts for the loved ones in your life. We've put together a collection of our favourite vegan hampers and gifts to buy, from cruelty-free chocolate to vegan pasta-making kits, plant-based snacks, and more. If you want to build your own hamper, discover our plant-based supermarket awards for a round-up of the best vegan food on offer in supermarkets including vegan cheese and chicken alternatives to the best ice cream.

Nifty kitchen gadgets can help simplify the vegan cooking process. A blender is a kitchen staple when it comes to vegan cooking – think homemade vegan smoothies, pestos, pasta sauces and more. Discover our review of the best Nutribullets and for on-the-go smoothies, read our review of the best portable blenders. If you're feeling particularly ambitious this Veganuary, you could try your hand at homemade vegan milk. Check out our review of the best plant milk makers to get started.