Vegan cookbooks I actually use
“I want to cook more plant-based meals. Which cookbook should I get?”
I get this question a lot, in my cooking classes and at our events. And my answer surprises people: you don’t need a huge collection. You need a few good ones.
(I say this as someone with two full shelves of them. See the photos. No judgment, please.)
My three go-tos
These are the books I open again and again.
The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon
My favorite recipe: the Crowd-Pleasing Tex-Mex Casserole. It’s super flavorful, and I love the wild rice in it. I always make extra and freeze portions for the days when I don’t have time to cook. Or don’t feel like it.
Isa Does It by Isa Chandra Moskowitz
My favorite recipe: the Meaty Beany Chili. Hearty, comforting and nourishing, with a great mix of flavors. It tastes even better the next day, so I always have some in the freezer. It’s my go-to bowl after a swim or a hike.
Vegan Buddha Bowls by Cara Carin Cifelli
My favorite recipe: the Beetroot Beauty Bowl. It’s so pretty, it tastes great, and it makes me feel really healthy.
What I love about all three: simple, hearty recipes with lots of flavor. Many are one-pot meals, which is my favorite kind of cooking. Less to wash, more time at the table.
Inspiration from everywhere
Not all my cookbooks are vegan. I love the two Rancho Gordo Vegetarian Kitchen books because they show so many ways to cook and eat beans. And Fields of Greens, from Greens restaurant in San Francisco. I even have a fruit dessert book from Williams-Sonoma.
I keep them for inspiration. After a while, veganizing a recipe becomes second nature. Swap the butter for olive oil or vegan butter, the cream for cashew cream, the eggs for flax eggs, and off you go.
So if you have a favorite non-vegan cookbook at home, don’t give it away. It may still have a lot to teach you.
Beyond the bookshelf
I love recipes on paper. But there are so many great cooking blogs out there, and I use them all the time.
My favorite is Nora Cooks. Try her Marry Me Chickpeas: creamy, comforting, and all in one pot.
A few more I love:
- Minimalist Baker. Lots of gluten-free recipes too. I have their book, Everyday Cooking.
- Vegan Richa. Great for Indian food. I have her books too.
- The Post Punk Kitchen. Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s blog. Of course!
- Love and Lemons. Beautiful seasonal recipes, and most are easy to make vegan.
And yes, I still like paper. See those folders at the end of the shelf? They’re full of online recipes I’ve printed out over the years.
For the holidays
If you’re cooking for a holiday gathering, Isa’s Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook is worth a look. It has ideas for every holiday on the calendar.
A good cookbook also makes a lovely gift. My three favorites above are always a safe bet. And depending on who’s on your list:
- For the sweet tooth: The Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
- For the homesteader: The Homemade Vegan Pantry by Miyoko Schinner
- For the healthy eater: The How Not to Die Cookbook by Michael Greger
Not ready to buy a book?
Start with our free recipes. Most have videos, and you can also download our complete recipe collection as a PDF.
Your turn
What are your favorite vegan cookbooks or recipe blogs? Send me a note, I’d love to add to my shelf. (As if it needed more.)
