Are you a new vegan or vegetarian? Maybe you’re just looking for a few delicious plant-based recipes to add to your omnivore life? There are so many cookbooks out there, with a variety of focuses, and it can be overwhelming! So, to help you out, I’ve compiled 25 of the best cookbooks that I would recommend for new vegans.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the amazing-great-wonderful vegan cookbooks out there (because who could list them all?), these are just some of my favorites and the ones I think new vegans and vegetarians would really benefit from. So, in no particular order…
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Vegan Meal Prep: Ready-to-Go Meals and Snacks for Healthy Plant-Based Eating by JL Fields
- Why I Recommend This Book: Meal planning is probably the single best thing you can do to save time, money, and sanity especially if you’re just starting out with veganism!
Vegan for Everybody: Foolproof Plant-Based Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and In-Between by America’s Test Kitchen
- Why I Recommend This Book: Well… because it’s foolproof! New vegans who maybe aren’t confident in the kitchen yet need recipes they know will work. Plus I love the wide variety of recipes in this one.
Chloe’s Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way by Chloe Coscarelli
- Why I Recommend This Book: Chloe’s recipes are always delicious, and while some are a bit more advanced, she often offers tips to simplify.
Cookin’ Crunk: Eating Vegan in the Dirty South by Bianca Phillips
- Why I Recommend This Book: This is the cookbook that taught me how to make biscuits that aren’t flat as, well, pancakes. I also like how Bianca’s southern take on recipes provides a lot of flavors that other books are missing.
The Edgy Veg: 138 Carnivore-Approved Vegan Recipes by Candice Hutchings and James Aita
- Why I Recommend This Book: This book is perfect for anyone under the misconception that vegan food is all lentils and lettuce. The Edgy Veg is full of omnivore-style dishes, veganized. It would also appeal to younger vegans, as it is written in a very fun, millennial sort of way.
The Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
- Why I Recommend This Book: “I would go vegan except I have to celebrate blah-blah-blah holiday” is no longer a valid excuse. Isa Chandra has alll the holidays covered in this huge, beautiful tome.
The Main Street Vegan Academy Cookbook: Over 100 Plant-Sourced Recipes Plus Practical Tips for the Healthiest, Most Compassionate You by Victoria Moran and JL Fields with Main Street Vegan Coaches
- Why I Recommend This Book: There’s a lot to like about this book, but one of my favorite things is that all of the recipes were created by vegan coaches. As in, people who have been trained to help others thrive as vegans! That’s a pretty good indication that it would be a good book for new vegans.
Thug Kitchen: Eat Like You Give a F*ck by Thug Kitchen
- Why I Recommend This Book: This book is just plain fun! But, I should note, don’t gift this book to any new vegans who might be offended by raunchy language or humor…
Real Food, Really Fast: Delicious Plant-Based Recipes Ready in 10 Minutes or Less by Hannah Kaminsky
- Why I Recommend This Book: Hannah is one of my favorite bloggers, and her recipes never fail. Like ever. And as with other books on this list, I think the fact that this one focuses on the quick n’ easy is a huge bonus.
Oh She Glows Everyday: Quick and Simply Satisfying Plant-Based Recipes by Angela Liddon
- Why I Recommend This Book: I’ve enjoyed both of Angela’s books, but I like how this one focuses on simple recipes, which is perfect for newbies.
Blissful Bites: Vegan Meals That Nourish Mind, Body, and Planet by Christy Morgan
- Why I Recommend This Book: I bought this book nearly 8 years ago when I was also a new vegan, and I still cook from it. I think it strikes a great balance between “yes this is plant-based” and “damn this is good“.
The Easy Vegan Cookbook: Make Healthy Home Cooking Practically Effortless by Kathy Hester
- Why I Recommend This Book: New vegans need to learn how to cook healthy at home, and this book will help them! Kathy Hester has written quite a few great books, and you really wont go wrong with any of them.
Frugal Vegan: Affordable, Easy & Delicious Vegan Cooking by Katie Koteen and Kate Kasbee
- Why I Recommend This Book: That veganism = expensive is a common misconception, which is why I like this book. Especially if you’re just starting out, there’s no reason to spend a ton of money on expensive ingredients.
The Simply Vegan Cookbook: Easy, Healthy, Fun, and Filling Plant-Based Recipes Anyone Can Cook by Dustin Harder
- Why I Recommend This Book: Because if the new vegan is going to stick with this, then cooking needs to be fun, right?
The Vegan Air Fryer: The Healthier Way to Enjoy Deep-Fried Flavors by JL Fields
- Why I Recommend This Book: If you (or that special vegan in your life) have an air fryer, this book is a must-have. JL’s recipes are fantastic and easy!
Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking: 101 Entirely Plant-Based, Mostly Gluten-Free, Easy and Delicious Recipes by Dana Shultz
- Why I Recommend This Book: Every single recipe in this book requires 10 ingredients or less, just 1 bowl/pot, or 30 minutes or less to prepare. As in, they’re all easy in one way or another. And Dana’s recipes are always amazing – I’m a huge fan of her blog too.
Jazzy Vegetarian’s Deliciously Vegan: Plant-Powered Recipes for the Modern, Mindful Kitchen by Laura Theodore
- Why I Recommend This Book: I own three of the Jazzy Vegetarian’s cookbooks, but this one is my favorite. The recipes are delicious yet doable, and the ingredients are easy to find.
Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen by Richa Hingle
- Why I Recommend This Book: I’ve followed Richa’s blog for years and years (almost as long as I’ve been blogging myself!) and I am in awe of her recipes. So many of the Indian dishes I’ve had in restaurants, and recipes I’ve seen online, seem difficult or intimidating. Not these!
Vegan Pressure Cooking, Revised and Expanded by JL Fields
- Why I Recommend This Book: Well, clearly I’m a JL fangirl but believe me she’s earned it. I was a recipe tester for this book and have most of the dishes in this book and there’s not a single one I didn’t love!
Vegan Burgers and Burritos by Sophia DeSantis
- Why I Recommend This Book: Ummm doesn’t the title say it all?
Fuss-Free Vegan: 101 Everyday Comfort Food Favorites, Veganized by Sam Turnbull
- Why I Recommend This Book: I think it’s important for all vegans, new or not, to be able to make veganized versions of their “old favorites”- in fact, that’s kind of the premise of my blog…
And now, because I don’t want your new vegan to think they can’t have dessert…
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
- Why I Recommend This Book: I’m terrible at baking. The worst. But! I can make cupcakes from this book and they come out wonderfully which means her recipes are perfect. Okay, just my opinion, but still.
Vegan Desserts: Sumptuous Sweets for Every Season by Hannah Kaminsky
- Why I Recommend This Book: Hannah is one of the most talented bakers (and photographers!) ever to exist, and her book is full of the most decadent and delicious vegan treats.
Chloe’s Vegan Desserts: More than 100 Exciting New Recipes for Cookies and Pies, Tarts and Cobblers, Cupcakes and Cakes–and More! by Chloe Coscarelli
- Why I Recommend This Book: Chloe made her name as the first vegan to win Cupcake Wars, so you know this book is good!
Decadent Gluten-Free Vegan Baking: Delicious, Gluten-, Egg- and Dairy-Free Treats and Sweets by Cara Reed
- Why I Recommend This Book: Just in case your new vegan pal is gluten-free… don’t want them going without!
Okay, those are MY recommendations… now tell me what YOUR favorite vegan cookbooks are! Which would you buy for a friend or family member who’s interested in adding more plant-based meals to their life?
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