Close out the year by whipping up one of our most popular and well-reviewed recipes from 2022. From bountiful pasta salads to comforting stews and indulgent desserts, the top recipes from the past 12 months are a surefire win when you’re looking to impress the whole family. Make a resolution today to add at least one of these delightful whole-food, plant-based dishes to your recipe box so you can begin 2023 on a tasty note!
Vegan Shawarma with Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
This Mediterranean-inspired grain bowl is packed full of tantalizing flavors that will leave you reaching for a second helping before you’ve finished the first. Tender cauliflower florets and hearty chickpeas are coated in a warming blend of paprika, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and other mouthwatering spices to mimic the classic taste of shawarma. The savory jumble is roasted to golden brown perfection and piled onto a bed of brown rice, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion for a filling meal that’s perfect for meal preppers.
View recipe
Black Bean-Avocado Wraps
Need a quick grab-and-go meal? These colorful wraps are layered with fresh ingredients that will give you the energy to tackle a busy day. The velvety black bean mash is infused with Southwest spices that perfectly complement slices of sweet mango, creamy avocado, and tangy red onion. Add a few sprigs of aromatic cilantro and wrap everything up in a whole wheat tortilla for a transportable meal. One happy FOK reader raves, “Omigosh. This is so delicious.”
View recipe
Mexican Breakfast Hash with Lime Crema
Your morning routine just got so much tastier with this heavenly breakfast hash. Cubes of tender butternut squash are simmered in a cumin-laced broth alongside onion, bell peppers, and jalapeño to create a delicious veggie base. Corn and black beans add extra substance, while a zesty lime crema is drizzled on top for a creamy garnish. The best way to eat this breakfast of champions is with warm tortillas—either spooning the hash onto it, or using the tortilla as a utensil to scoop the hash straight out of the bowl.
View recipe
Clean-Your-Pantry Lentil-Vegetable Stew
This everything-but-the-kitchen-sink recipe will delight your taste buds and clear out valuable space in your kitchen cupboards. Nutrient-dense lentils create the jumping-off point for this veggie-packed stew, but you can use any other legumes you have on hand at the back of the pantry. Fresh mushrooms offer a rich umami flavor while warming ginger, salty kombu, and bright lemon juice zhuzh up the broth to create a slurp-worthy meal. Dump in any frozen veggies hiding in your freezer and a can of diced tomatoes, and you’re good to go!
View recipe
Vegan Potato “Cheese” Sauce
Get your tortilla chips ready because this vegan cheese sauce is the perfect party appetizer! Yukon gold potatoes create a velvety smooth base that’s transformed into a delicious non-dairy dip with the help of nutritional yeast, garlic, white wine vinegar, and a little salt. Perfect for drizzling over steamed veggies, using as a vegan mac ’n’ cheese sauce, or layering into a casserole, this recipe will become a staple in your household when you need a quick and easy sauce to please the whole family. One satisfied reader raves, “This cheese recipe is a game changer!”
View recipe
Sicilian Rice Balls with Mushrooms and Peas
Eat like the Italians do and make these delectable rice balls, or arancini, to serve as finger food at your next dinner party. The classic appetizer is traditionally deep-fried, but our healthy version is breaded and baked to create a crisp-on-the-outside and gooey-on-the-inside texture. Each bite-size snack is packed with plump rice, savory mushrooms, sweet peas, and plenty of aromatic Italian herbs to take things to the next level of yum. Enjoy on their own or serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
View recipe
Chewy Apple-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
Satisfy your sweet tooth by baking a batch of these wholesome oatmeal raisin cookies that land somewhere between a decadent dessert and a hike-worthy energy bar. Mashed banana and maple syrup bring natural sweetness to the mixture of grated apple, peanut butter, and cinnamon so you can nosh on these snacks without worrying about a sugar rush. Raisins add extra bursts of juicy flavor, but you could easily swap them out for chopped nuts or a sprinkling of vegan chocolate chips instead. This recipe freezes well, so be sure to keep a batch on hand for dessert emergencies!
View recipe
15-Minute Quinoa Slaw Bowl
The only thing better than a mouthwateringly good meal is one that comes together in just 15 minutes. Pull out a batch of precooked quinoa from the fridge, slice up some juicy tomatoes, rinse a can of chickpeas, and squeeze a lemon to get all your ingredients prepared. Simply toss everything together in a bowl, and voilá! A hearty, healthy meal that packs in tons of fresh produce and flavor with minimal effort. One happy reader says, “Awesome recipe. Easy, fast, tasty, and filling.”
View recipe
Creamy Avocado-Kale Pasta
When you’re craving a comforting bowl of carbs, this vibrant pasta recipe should be your go-to meal. The green sauce gets its bold hue from a mixture of kale and avocado that’s blended with lemon juice, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Asparagus spears are sautéed to crisp tenderness while cherry tomatoes get delightfully jammy over the low heat. A touch of fresh dill ties everything together so each forkful is packed with fresh flavors. Feel free to use any type of pasta you have on hand, but we recommend chickpea pasta to add extra fiber and nutrients to this healthy meal.
View recipe
Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili
Cozy up to a bowl of this bright red bean chili, which is bursting with scrumptious smoky spices. A trio of flavorful peppers—poblano, jalapeño, and bell pepper—get delightfully tender as they cook with diced tomatoes and kidney beans. The addition of millet adds meat-like heft, a medley of warming seasonings add plenty of pizzazz to each bite, and a squeeze of lemon brings in a touch of bright acidity right at the very end to balance out the fiery flavors. Serve with a side of tortillas, and dig into a delicious dish that’s perfect for a cold night.
View recipe
Oil-Free Farro Fried Rice
Recreate the flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout with this fantastic oil-free fried rice recipe. Chewy farro replaces standard white rice so you get a hearty dose of whole grains in each serving. Dumping a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies into a skillet makes things simple, while fresh kale adds some tasty leafy greens. But really the secret to this popular recipe is in the sauce: Fresh ginger, maple syrup, soy sauce, lime juice, and red pepper flakes create an explosion of flavor that will leave you licking your fingers.
View recipe
Asparagus, Potato, and Butter Bean Soup
Packed full of hearty ingredients that won’t feel heavy in your stomach, this delightful soup is bursting with fresh produce and aromatic herbs. Potatoes and butter beans get perfectly tender in the dill-infused broth, while crisp asparagus spears add extra substance. Mustard seeds and cayenne bring in subtle layers of heat that make each spoonful a treat to eat. Serve with whole wheat bread to sop up the extra broth that lots of happy readers are calling “delicious!”
View recipe
Black Bean Polenta Cakes with Pepper-Cilantro Salsa
Trust us when we say you’ve never tried polenta like this before. These savory cakes are studded with hearty black beans and seasoned with smoky chili powder to bring the best Southwest flavors to your plate. Bell pepper, chiles, and onions are drizzled in lime juice and roasted to perfection to create a delicious warm salsa that’s reminiscent of fajita filling. Sprinkle everything with fresh cilantro and dive into a versatile meal that’s delicious any time of day.
View recipe
Roasted Red Pepper and Squash Soup with Chickpeas
Be sure to make this warming recipe the next time you see squash pop up in the produce section of your local grocery store: Pumpkin, butternut, or kabocha squash will do, so it’s all down to what you like best. Roasted red peppers offer earthy sweetness to this simple soup while chickpeas bring substance and nutty tahini adds creaminess to the savory broth. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving boosts the brightness so each bite tastes like sunshine. Serve with pita bread on the side, and enjoy!
View recipe
Middle Eastern Pita Pocket Sandwiches
Whip up these veggie-packed pita pockets for an easy grab-and-go lunch. Whole wheat pita rounds are stuffed with zucchini, peppers, eggplant, and onion that have been tossed in a medley of Mediterranean spices and roasted until tender. A tangy tahini sauce, infused with fresh parsley, adds fragrant flavor to the veggies while hummus holds everything together. Feel free to toss in any other garnishes you like, such as chopped olives, pine nuts, or tomatoes, and then dive into this handheld feast!
View recipe
Maple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Waffles
Transform a boring bowl of oatmeal into drool-worthy cinnamon waffles. This breakfast of champions is studded with raisins, which get deliciously soft and juicy as the batter cooks in the waffle iron. Maple syrup is used both in the waffles and as a topping, so you get a double dose of natural sweetness to start your day. Top these crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside waffles with fresh fruit or some Aquafaba Whipped Cream to get your morning off to a delicious start.
View recipe
Barbecue Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Smoky Jackfruit
Who says vegans can’t love barbecue? These sweet potatoes are stuffed with meaty jackfruit and lentils that mimic both the taste and the texture of a sloppy Joe sandwich. The homemade smoky-sweet BBQ sauce begs to be slathered on anything within eyesight, while fresh garnishes of crisp cucumber and pickled red onion add delicious contrast to the hearty filling. Serve with a side salad or a bowl of soup to turn this hearty meal into a full-on feast.
View recipe
Vegan Black Forest Brownies with Cherries
Black beans are the secret ingredient in these tender, wholesome brownies. Cocoa powder, sweet dates, and warming cinnamon deliver chocolatey flavor while the legumes enhance these treats with a moist and gooey texture. Mashed banana and applesauce offer natural sweetness, while dried cherries bring in the classic black-forest flavor profile you love. Top with shredded coconut or chopped nuts for extra pizzazz!
View recipe
30-Minute One-Pot Pesto Pasta
Easy cleanup, simple ingredients, and delicious flavors—what’s not to love about this one-pot pesto pasta? Simply dump veggie broth, noodles, chopped veggies, and some pesto sauce into a pot and watch this dish come together before your eyes. Nutrient-dense red beans add extra substance while fresh tomatoes lend their juices to sauce to make it even more delectable. This healthy pasta recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight when you need to quickly feed the whole family.
View recipe
Vegan Pimiento Cheesy Mac
Invite Southern flavors into your kitchen with this unbelievably creamy pimiento cheesy mac. While other recipes often use potatoes as the base for a vegan cheese sauce, this version harnesses the power of chickpeas to deliver a velvety smooth finish that’s packed with fiber and nutrients. Dry mustard, garlic powder, cayenne, and jarred pimientos add extra savory flavor so the elbow noodles are transformed into a decadent dish you’ll absolutely adore. One reader writes, “This is the first plant based ‘mac-n-cheese’ I have enjoyed and will definitely make again.”
View recipe
Tamales-Inspired Waffles with Black Bean Hash
There’s no hard and fast rule that waffles have to be sweet, so get creative with your waffle iron to make this savory tamal-inspired dish. Masa harina and cornmeal join forces to make golden yellow waffles that are beautifully light and fluffy. A warm veggie hash studded with corn and black beans replaces the traditional topping of maple syrup, and fresh guacamole takes the place of whipped cream. These deconstructed tamales are delicious for brunch or dinner and get rave reviews from the FOK community!
View recipe
Napa Cabbage Salad
Simple and oh-so-flavorful, this easy salad showcases crisp Napa cabbage with a tangy vinaigrette that will become your go-to dressing. Earthy green beans and sweet carrots add substance, while scallions and cilantro complement the Asian-inspired flavors in the vinaigrette. Peanuts make for a tasty, crunchy garnish, but you’re welcome to substitute sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds if you don’t eat nuts. Spruce up your recipe rotation with this yummy meal that one reader calls their “favorite salad ever.”
View recipe
