90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (2024)

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (1)

Yes, steak dinners are satisfying and chicken dinners are convenient. But over the past few years, there has been a bigger push for people to swap these dishes for meatless meals. In January 2019, U.S. News reported that scientists want people all over the world to cut back on red meat to save the planet. As a result, people are looking for more vegetarian recipes to try, whether that’s just for #MeatFreeMondays or on a more permanent basis.

But cutting back on on red meat doesn’t just save the planet. According to Healthline, there are plenty of benefits to adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. To start, substituting red meat for high-fiber legumes and grains can improve your heart health. It can also lower your risk of developing diseases like cancer and type 2 diabetes, while improving your bone health. When you think of all the perks, it's easy to consider swapping meaty meals or something that's meat-free. And again, you don't have to make it a permanent change. Even eating meat-free one day a week can have an impact.

So if you're interested in saving the planet and improving your health, why not try eating more vegetarian meals? From soups, to bowls, to salads (yes, salads — but they're more than a few pieces of lettuce and some chopped up veggies), there are a number of meat-free meal options that even the biggest carnivore would eat. There are even vegetarian breakfast options for your next brunch.

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1

Enchiladas with Pumpkin Seed Salsa

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (3)

These enchiladas are proof that you enjoy pumpkin all year long.

Get the Enchiladas with Pumpkin Seed Salsa recipe.

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2

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Stew

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (4)

Butternut squash edges into new territory with this Moroccan-inspired dish, which is filled with aromatic cumin, ginger and cinnamon.

Get the Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Stew recipe.

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3

Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach Salad

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (5)

Unexpected pumpkin pie spice adds a tasty component to this dish, with fresh pomegranate seeds bringing a sweet component.

Get the Warm Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach Salad recipe.

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4

Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes with Eggs

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (6)

This flavorful savory dish works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Get the Stewed Peppers and Tomatoes with Eggs recipe.

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5

Lentil Broccoli Falafel Bowls With Jalapeño-Herb Tahini

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (7)

A twist on a classic Mediterranean dish, this protein-rich bowl features a flavorful sauce that you can use on pretty much anything.

Get the Lentil Broccoli Falafel Bowls With Jalapeño-Herb Tahini recipe.

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6

Roasted Broccoli Soup

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (8)

What sets this broccoli soup apart from others is the roasting, which brings out the veggie's full flavor. Serve with some crusty bread, and you have the perfect meatless meal.

Get the Roasted Broccoli Soup recipe.

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7

Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (9)

For a light meal that packs a lot of flavor, you can't go wrong with this fruit- and veggie-packed salad.

Get the Watercress Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette recipe.

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8

Roasted Cauliflower and Red Chile Pizza

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (10)

The red chile gives a spicy kick to this pizza pie, while the roasted cauliflower is chock full of vitamin C and fiber, so you won't be rummaging through leftovers hours later.

Get the Roasted Cauliflower and Red Chile Pizza recipe.

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9

Cheesy Stuffed Peppers with White Beans

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (11)

Stuffed peppers always look impressive, but they're actually super easy to make. Plus, your kids will love the fun colors and getting to take their meal apart.

Get the Cheesy Stuffed Peppers with White Beans recipe.

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10

Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup

This sweet and hearty vegetarian soup is supremely satisfying on a chilly fall day. To make it more filling, consider adding chickpeas or white beans.

Get Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup recipe.

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11

Tomato & Watermelon Salad

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (13)

Crisp, light, and packed with nutrients. Both tomato and watermelon are rich in vitamin C and lycopene, the later of which can help curb your risk of cancer and diabetes.

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12

Mushroom and Herb Stromboli

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (14)

This mushroom stromboli takes quite a bit of time to prepare, but the end result is so worth it. Serve it at your next dinner party and you'll be hearing rave reviews for weeks.

Get the Mushroom and Herb Stromboli recipe.

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13

Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (15)

No need to worry about your protein intake thanks to the beans and chickpeas. Combine those with hearty butternut squash, and you have a filling meal.

Get the Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup recipe.

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14

Barley Salad with Strawberries and Buttermilk Dressing

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (16)

Adding strawberries puts a refreshing spin to your salad.

Get the Barley Salad with Strawberries and Buttermilk Dressing recipe.

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15

Stewed Black Beans and Collared Greens

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (17)

Beans and greens are the one of the tastiest ways to get your daily nutrient fix.

Get the Stewed Black Beans and Collared Greens recipe.

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16

Hot Pepper and Onion Pizza

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (19)

Perfect for those who like a lot of spice, this hot pepper pizza is sure to satisfy. If your diners can't take the heat, consider putting jalapeños on half of the pie.

Get the Hot Pepper and Onion Pizza recipe.

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17

Loaded Vegetable Soup

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (20)

You won't be short on vitamins and other essential nutrients with this loaded vegetable soup. But what sets this apart from other veggie soups: the spicy Italian seasoning.

Get the Loaded Vegetable Soup recipe.

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18

Soba with Miso-Glazed Eggplant

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (21)

If you love Japanese food but have never tried to make it at home, this easy-to-make dish is perfect for beginners.

Get the Soba with Miso-Glazed Eggplant recipe.

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19

Mediterranean Zucchini Boats with Kefir-Mint Topping

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (22)

These zucchini boats are just about as fun to look at as they are to eat. Topped off with a cucumber-mint sauce, they'll soon become part of your weekly rotation.

Get the Mediterranean Zucchini Boats with Kefir-Mint Topping recipe.

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20

Chickpea, Spinach, and Quinoa Patties

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (23)

These chickpea and quinoa patties have as much flavor, if not more, than a traditional burger patty, but will also give you more nutrients and keep you fuller for longer.

Get the Chickpea, Spinach, and Quinoa Patties recipe.

90+ Delicious Vegetarian Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Like (2024)

FAQs

How to go vegetarian for picky eaters? ›

10 Vegetarian Meals for Kids + Other Picky Eaters
  1. Baked Tostadas with Fajita Veggies. ...
  2. Kid-Approved Freezer-Friendly Carrot Walnut Meatballs. ...
  3. Vegetarian Enchilada Skillet with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans. ...
  4. Butternut Squash Baked Ziti. ...
  5. Grilled Peach Caprese Naan Pizza. ...
  6. Vegan Chicken Pot Pie. ...
  7. Old School Vegetarian Tacos.
May 8, 2019

What is the famous vegetarian dish? ›

Originating in the Middle East, falafel is one the most popular vegetarian foods in the world! As one of the most popular vegetarian foods in the world, falafel needs no introduction! However, the origin of these beloved patties is rather controversial.

What is the best food for non meat eaters? ›

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods. These include whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Nuts and legumes, such as lentils, beans and peanuts, also are considered healthy plant-based foods. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices.

How to be vegetarian when living with a meat eater? ›

5 tips to combine plant-based and meat options:
  1. Respect each other choices and focus on adding in more plants. ...
  2. Have a few vegetarian or plant-based meals each week. ...
  3. Create meals that can be both vegan or omni. ...
  4. Make the main dish the vegan option.

How do vegetarians stop meat cravings? ›

Focus on Texture

Meat eaters often miss the texture of animal-proteins, but you can easily capture the mouthfeel of meat with only plant-based ingredients. Foods like mushrooms, jackfruit, and eggplant, as well as plant-based proteins such as tempeh, seitan, and tofu are all great substitutes.

What is the best protein for vegetarians? ›

The 18 Best Protein Sources for Vegans and Vegetarians
  • Seitan.
  • Tofu.
  • Lentils.
  • Beans.
  • Nutritional yeast.
  • Spelt and teff.
  • Hemp seeds.
  • Peas.

Why am I so hungry on a vegetarian diet? ›

The most common challenge we see is that “new” vegans and vegetarians do not eat enough calories throughout the day. Snacking is a great way to stay full! Make sure you are incorporating snacks between meals. These snacks allow you to meet your calorie needs as well as manage your hunger between meals.

What foods are surprisingly vegetarian? ›

Top Accidentally Vegan Foods
  • Cinnamon Life.
  • Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix.
  • SkinnyPop White Cheddar Flavored Popped Popcorn.
  • Airheads.
  • Cracker Jack.
  • Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili–Flavored Tortilla Chips.
  • Fritos.
  • Fruit by the Foot.

Who is the number one vegetarian in the world? ›

1. India. According to the World Atlas, India has the highest rate of vegetarians in the world, with 38% of its population identifying as vegetarians. India also has one of the lowest meat consumption rates in the world.

What to eat if you stop eating meat? ›

Eat beans, pulses, eggs and other sources of protein

Pulses are particularly important for people who don't get protein by eating meat, fish or dairy products. Other non-dairy sources of protein include eggs and meat alternatives, such as tofu, mycoprotein (such as Quorn), textured vegetable protein and tempeh.

What do you lack when you stop eating meat? ›

Furthermore, it's important to note that vegan, vegetarian, or mostly plant-based diets can lack nutrients predominantly found in animal foods. Plant-based diets that are not well planned may not provide enough vitamin B12, zinc, calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, among other nutrients ( 6 , 7 ).

What can I eat to replace meat? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  • Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  • Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  • Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Yogurt.

How do I transition to vegetarian? ›

Here are some tips to get you started:
  1. Start gradually. ...
  2. Stock up on healthy foods. ...
  3. Plan your daily meals in advance (Do meal prep 2 times per week) ...
  4. Replace animal ingredients with healthy plant-based food. ...
  5. Don't be afraid of volume when eating plant-based.
Aug 8, 2023

How do I convince myself to be a vegetarian? ›

Incorporate plant-based substitutes: In order for a vegetarian diet to work, you should try to build in choices that don't make you feel deprived. If you used to love yogurt for breakfast, try coconut-milk yogurt as a non-dairy option. If letting go of red meat is challenging, meat alternatives may be perfect for you.

How to start a plant-based diet for picky eaters? ›

Start out with simple recipes that are known to be popular even amongst picky eaters, like chili and other soups, fruit, and grain- and potato-based dishes. For vegetables you're picky about, try different methods of preparing them. If you don't like raw broccoli, try steaming, blanching, or roasting it.

How do picky vegetarians get protein? ›

The 18 Best Protein Sources for Vegans and Vegetarians
  1. Seitan.
  2. Tofu.
  3. Lentils.
  4. Beans.
  5. Nutritional yeast.
  6. Spelt and teff.
  7. Hemp seeds.
  8. Peas.

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